[1] Inside the room, accompanied by the sound of the [Emperor Engine], the atmosphere once again became tense.

[2] This time, the expressions of [Dragon] and others also turned unpleasant.

[3] The [Revolutionary Army] had secretly contacted numerous factions.

[4] As leader of the [Revolutionary Army], [Dragon] naturally understood deeply that when two factions' strengths differ too greatly, not to mention cooperation, even the possibility of equal dialogue disappears.

[5] Now it appeared that the [Bandit King] Sige before them was looking down upon the [Revolutionary Army]'s power.

[6] Sige also clearly sensed this tense atmosphere and tried desperately to calm himself.

[7] The negative effect of the [Emperor Engine] was its difficulty to directly control - it might automatically activate when emotions ran high.

[8] In the [One Punch Man] world, [KING] claimed his cowardice was ten times that of ordinary people. Although Sige wasn't that extreme, he had repeatedly activated the [Emperor Engine] due to nervousness and fear.

[9] Taking a deep breath, Sige gradually restored his heartbeat to normal, then explained: "You've misunderstood."

[10] 『I have no ambition to become the [Mountain Bandit King]. This is absolutely groundless.』

[11] Having said this, Sige, fearing the other party might not believe him and make unnecessary conjectures, further explained: 『As for what concepts like [Mountain Bandit King] and [Great Mountain Bandit Era] mean, I don't know... probably no one in the whole world understands.』

[12] Sige tried his best to maintain a sincere expression:

[13] 『I don't know where you heard that I want to be some [Mountain Bandit King], but this isn't true and has nothing to do with me.』

[14] After Sige's lengthy explanation attempt, [Dragon] pondered for a while, considering its veracity.

[15] It was normal to deny one's ambitions when exposed.

[16] However, what Sige said about the meanings behind the [Great Mountain Bandit Era] and [Mountain Bandit King] was indeed unclear to them.

[17] Was the [Mountain Bandit King] an honorary title similar to the [Pirate King], or did it mean becoming ruler of [Mary Geoise], standing atop the entire world?

[18] The so-called [Great Mountain Bandit Era] also sounded utterly absurd.

[19] For centuries, this world had always been an era of the seas - the strongest competitors had always clashed in the [Grand Line].

[20] Mountain bandits? They had never entered this world's main stage in any era.

[21] 『This does sound absurd.』

[22] [Dragon] nodded slightly, but recalling Sige's sudden hostility earlier, he vaguely felt things weren't so simple.

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[23] Reviewing Sige's wording, [Dragon] frowned.

[24] 『Including himself, no one in the world understands the [Mountain Bandit King] and [Great Mountain Bandit Era]?』

[25] 『Wait... is he implying this will be an unprecedented new era beyond anyone's imagination?』

[26] Under what circumstances could mountain bandits surpass pirates and marines to become this world's main characters?

[27] [Dragon] truly couldn't imagine it.

[28] As long as the special sea of the [Grand Line] existed, pirates and marines would forever remain history's protagonists.

[29] Unless... the [Grand Line] seas ceased to exist!

[30] This thought flashed through his mind like lightning, stunning [Dragon] himself.

[31] The [Reverse Mountain] disappearing, the [Grand Line] vanishing, the four seas fully connecting!

[32] Thus the [Red Line] would replace the former [Grand Line] as the world's center!

[33] The era of the seas would end, replaced by an era of continents and mountains!

[34] This would be world-changing transformation! No one could imagine what changes would occur!

[35] 『Is this the true meaning of the [Mountain Bandit King] and [Great Mountain Bandit Era]? Indeed, including Sige, no one in the world can imagine such global changes!』

[36] [Dragon] was completely terrified by this idea.

[37] If true, Sige's ambition would far surpass the [Revolutionary Army]'s!

[38] 『Have we severely underestimated Sige's ambition?』

[39] This conjecture was too shocking. [Dragon] could only suppress this thought.

[40] The discussion had reached its end.

[41] Whether Sige was feigning lack of ambition or not, they clearly failed to reach cooperative agreement.

[42] Feeling disappointed, [Dragon] took out a small [Den Den Mushi] from his pocket and placed it on the table.

[43] 『If Mr. Sige changes his mind in the future, you can contact us through this [Den Den Mushi].』

[44] 『We hope for future opportunities to cooperate with Mr. Sige.』

[45] These words clearly indicated their intention to leave.

[46] 『The golden thigh wants to escape?』

[47] Sige's previously serious expression almost cracked as he urgently said: 『Not reaching cooperation regarding opposing the [Celestial Dragons] doesn't matter.』

[48] 『I see many cooperative opportunities between our [Sige Bandit Group] and the [Revolutionary Army] in dealing with the current Goa Kingdom crisis.』

[49] (Internal monologue: Damn it! We don't even know the scale of this suppression operation yet. Not sure if these bandits can withstand it!)

[50] 『......』

[51] [Dragon]'s eyelid twitched slightly, somewhat speechless.

[52] Since Sige's target was [Garp], was he now trying to drag the [Revolutionary Army] into this?

[53] Even if [Dragon] had no relationship with [Garp], no one would willingly provoke someone like [Garp the Fist].

[54] ......

[55] The two groups ultimately failed to reach agreement.

[56] [Dragon] only stated on behalf of the [Revolutionary Army] that they would send personnel to evacuate civilians from the [Gray Terminal], but wouldn't interfere in other matters.

[57] After leaving the wooden house and exiting the deep mountains, [Dragon] and his group remained solemn.

[58] 『The Sige-boy is far more dangerous than we imagined... His target is actually that [Naval Hero].』

[59] 『But Dragon, is this acceptable?』

[60] [Emporio Ivankov] worried:

[61] 『Since the Sige-boy knows he can't attract Vice Admiral [Garp], will he change strategies to more radical actions?』

[62] What audacious plans would this daring bandit devise next?

[63] Continue causing trouble? Create incidents that would enrage the [World Government] into inevitably dispatching [Garp]?

[64] Hearing this, [Dragon] stopped and looked at [Ivankov].

[65] 『For example... attacking the Goa Kingdom capital, overthrowing this nation.』 [Ivankov] said.

[66] [Dragon] contemplated before shaking his head.

[67] Although [Garp] was somewhat unreliable, his special status within the [Marines] and open disdain for [Celestial Dragons] and nations like Goa Kingdom were well-known.

[68] Given [Garp]'s personality, even if Goa Kingdom was overthrown, he might publicly slack off.

[69] 『Actually, there's another method to summon Vice Admiral [Garp].』

[70] The silent [Bartholomew Kuma] calmly stated:

[71] 『Assassinate a [Celestial Dragon].』

[72] These words made [Dragon]'s expression change.

[73] Although the [Revolutionary Army]'s goal was to overthrow [Celestial Dragon] rule, even [Dragon] hadn't considered direct action against them yet.

[74] If successful, the dispatch of [Marine Admirals] would be inevitable.

[75] The nearest powerful force to Goa Kingdom - Vice Admiral [Garp] - would likely be forcibly mobilized by the enraged [World Government]!