The room thickened with the [Emperor Engine]'s ominous thrum. [Dragon]'s composed facade cracked as tension coiled between them like live wire.

『Revolutionaries don't beg for alliances,』 [Dragon] thought, fingers tightening around his cloak's edge. 『Yet this man treats us like pawns.』

Sige's palms grew slick. The cursed heartbeat amplifier betrayed him again - its rhythmic pounding mirroring his rising panic. He remembered [KING]'s struggles in [One Punch Man], that perpetual impostor syndrome. But here, the stakes felt dangerously real.

『My ambitions?』 Sige forced his voice into [KING]'s trademark gravel. 『You mistake survival for ambition.』

[Dragon] noted the careful wording. 『Survival? From what?』

The bandit lord's scarred hands spread in mock innocence. 『The [Mountain Bandit King] title? Child's gossip.』 His lie flowed smoother than expected. 『[Great Mountain Bandit Era]? Meaningless drivel.』

A dangerous pause lingered. [Dragon]'s mind raced through possibilities - was this denial strategic? The Revolutionary leader had seen tyrants cloak conquests as "peacekeeping," but Sige's act felt...different.

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『Consider this,』 [Dragon] countered, leaning forward. 『If mountains replaced oceans as power's theater...』 His gloved finger traced the table's grain. 『If the [Red Line] became humanity's spine...』

Sige's teacup clattered. 『You think I plan to reshape continents?』

『Don't you?』

The [Emperor Engine] roared. Dust motes danced in sudden silence as both men measured the unspoken truth between them.

『Here.』 [Dragon] slid a pearlescent [Den Den Mushi] across the wood. 『When reality outpaces denials - call.』

Sige stared at the transmitter, recognizing his shrinking escape routes. 『Wait. The [Gray Terminal] burns tonight. Your people could—』

『We'll save civilians.』 [Dragon] stood, cloak swirling. 『But your war with destiny? Fight it alone.』

——

Mountain winds carried their heated debate downhill.

『The man's a coiled spring!』 [Emporio Ivankov] hissed, mascara bleeding from nervous sweat. 『First [Garp], now tectonic ambitions?』

[Bartholomew Kuma]'s Bible snapped shut. 『There's darker calculus.』 The former king's modulated voice dropped. 『Assassinate a [Celestial Dragon]. Force [Garp]'s hand.』

[Dragon] froze. Father's laughing face flashed behind his eyelids - that infuriating grin that survived marine battles and family betrayals.

『We don't dance to his tune.』 The Revolutionary leader turned toward the coast where [Garp]'s ship patrolled. 『Let the "Bandit King" learn what happens when legends collide.』