At this moment, Dragon was utterly conflicted. Should he feel happy about this long-overdue meeting, or should he be nervous about how it would go? Maybe he should act more serious, projecting an aura of fatherly authority to salvage his image.
While Dragon wrestled with his inner turmoil, Luffy stood across from him, scrutinizing his so-called father with curiosity.
Although Luffy knew that Dragon had been the one to "abandon" him during his younger years, he never expected Dragon to follow through by meeting him in person.
Seeing Dragon up close for the first time brought a whirlwind of emotions for Luffy. This was the man who shared his blood but had no presence in his childhood. The connection felt hollow, unfamiliar. Yet, Luffy wasn't one to dwell on such things. His thoughts swirled briefly before he dismissed them, his usual carefree demeanor quickly taking over.
However, one question lingered in his mind—a question that had haunted him for some time. Seeing this rare opportunity, he couldn't resist blurting it out.
"Hey, is that... a tattoo on your face, or is it a shoe mark from Grandpa's slipper?"
The moment the words left his lips, time seemed to freeze. Even Dragon, known for his calm and composed demeanor, found his brain momentarily short-circuiting.
Nearby, Vegapunk, Ain, Hancock, and the rest of the welcoming group paused mid-motion. Their eyes widened as they collectively perked up, sensing an incoming storm of drama.
In one corner, Robin adjusted her glasses, her expression contemplative. "So that's the story," she murmured. "I always thought that tattoo looked peculiar. Could it really be a mark left by repeated blows over time?"
Beside her, Koala stood frozen in shock, her mouth slightly agape. The dignified and intimidating image she held of Dragon collapsed spectacularly. In her mind's eye, she pictured a younger Dragon fleeing desperately while an irate Garp chased him with a slipper in hand.
"Was Chief Dragon really like that?" Koala whispered in disbelief.
Dragon, meanwhile, finally snapped out of his daze. His expression twisted into one of outrage as he roared, "No! Absolutely not! That's ridiculous! This is a tattoo—a tattoo I specifically chose! It's not some slipper mark!"
The sheer force of his denial only fueled the amusement of those listening. Luffy, of course, wore his signature grin, entirely unbothered by his father's fiery reaction.
Dragon clenched his fists, his composure unraveling. Memories of his youth flashed before him—memories he'd much rather forget. Yes, he had been chased around by Garp's infamous slippers more times than he could count. But he swore on his revolution that the mark on his face had nothing to do with that relentless footwear.
Still fuming, Dragon glared at Luffy, his gaze sharp enough to pierce steel. If this gets back to the Revolutionary Army… He shuddered at the thought. His hard-earned reputation would be utterly ruined.
At that moment, Dragon forgot all notions of familial bonds. Father and son? Sentimentality? None of it mattered. What he wanted now was simple: to take off his own shoe, pin this brat to the ground, and give him a lesson he'd never forget.
Children, Dragon thought bitterly. The greatest obstacle to a revolutionary's success. If I'd known this day would come, I might've considered leaving him behind entirely.
As Dragon's murderous glare bore into him, Luffy felt a chill run down his spine. Goosebumps prickled his arms, but he still managed to maintain his grin. After all, this was his father—surely he wouldn't follow through on such violent thoughts... right?
Even so, Luffy was no fool. He knew Dragon wasn't an ordinary man. If he truly lost his temper, the consequences could be severe. Dragon might possess the same indomitable will as Luffy, perhaps even the legendary Conqueror's Haki. The thought of being pinned to the ground and subjected to Dragon's wrath was far from appealing.
Quickly realizing the danger of prolonging the moment, Luffy decided to change the subject. He straightened up, offering a friendly smile.
"Nice to meet you, old man," Luffy said cheerfully. "You're more real than I expected. At least you're not one of those boring guys who never smiles."
Dragon blinked, taken aback by the unexpected compliment. For a moment, his rage subsided. Real? Not boring? Is that what he thinks of me?
Although relieved that he hadn't greeted his son with a cold, detached demeanor, Dragon couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow. "What did this kid think of me before? Do I really seem like such a dull person?"
Still, Dragon forced himself to remain calm. He nodded at Luffy, replying gruffly, "You're better than I expected too."
After saying his piece, he fell silent, unsure of what to say next.
Luffy tilted his head, waiting for more. When it became clear that no further words were coming, he rolled his eyes in annoyance and turned away. "Old man's as awkward as ever," he muttered under his breath.
Deciding it was time to move things along, Luffy clapped his hands together, calling for everyone's attention. "Alright! Enough standing around. Let's head to the banquet hall!"
The group perked up at the mention of food, and excitement rippled through the crowd. Luffy had gone to great lengths to prepare for this gathering, determined to make it memorable.
This meeting was more than a simple reunion—it marked the beginning of a significant turning point. With Vegapunk's assistance, Luffy was poised to enter a period of rapid development, both as a leader and as a force to be reckoned with.
Of course, this revelation hadn't come without its share of challenges. When Luffy first revealed his alliance with the Revolutionary Army to his core team—Cook, Binz, Gavin, and the others—their reactions were nothing short of astonished.
Though initially shocked, their loyalty to Luffy remained steadfast. No matter what path he chose, they were ready to follow him to the ends of the earth.
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