Three days later.
In the Blue Sea on a calm stretch of water, a pirate ship gently floated atop the waves.
This was, naturally, the ship of the Pandora Pirates.
At this time, the four members of the crew—Rin, Artoria, Anilu, and Casa had already descended from Skypiea. All were now on deck. Anilu and Casa were focused on their training. Ever since being defeated by Rin, Anilu had been constantly pestering him for instruction on Armament Haki and had thrown himself into intense practice.
Casa, meanwhile, was diligently honing his own mastery of Armament Haki.
As for Artoria, she was engaged in a quiet conversation with Rin.
"Don't you think something's strange about this sea?" Artoria asked, frowning as she glanced around. "It feels like we haven't moved for a while."
"Yes," Rin replied, nodding slightly. He glanced up at the sky, then reached out, sensing the surrounding air. After a moment of silence, he spoke. "I believe we've drifted into the Calm Belt."
"Calm Belt?" Artoria tilted her head, visibly puzzled.
Seeing her confusion, Rin explained. "The Calm Belts are two strips of sea flanking the Grand Line. They're notorious for having no ocean currents and most importantly no wind. Sailing ships become trapped here unless they use alternative propulsion, like sea stone-coated hulls."
"I see…" Artoria nodded thoughtfully before asking, "Then how do we get out?"
The Calm Belt was infamous for being troublesome—even dangerous. Not only was windless sailing an issue, but it was also the natural habitat of massive Sea Kings. If no solution could be found, the only option would be to let the ship drift slowly… a very inefficient and risky choice.
Rin furrowed his brows, realizing they were stuck for now.
At that moment, Anilu suddenly approached, his expression serious. "Boss, there's a ship heading toward us."
Since being bested by Rin, Anilu had begun addressing him as "Boss."
Rin looked toward the horizon. "What direction?"
"One o'clock," Anilu replied, his voice calm.
Rin turned quickly and focused his gaze. Sure enough, a small black dot was barely visible in the distance. Anilu's radio-wave-enhanced Observation Haki similar to Mantra from Skypiea allowed him to detect things far beyond normal human range.
"I wonder… is it a Marine vessel or another pirate crew?" Rin muttered, eyes narrowed as he kept watching the oncoming ship.
It didn't take long before the dot grew larger, gradually revealing the approaching vessel's silhouette.
It was a small ship unmarked, with no Jolly Roger. But what truly caught Rin's attention was the people standing at the bow.
Each wore distinctive capes or animal-themed hats.
The moment Rin saw them, a name sprang into his mind.
Revolutionary Army.
One of the most dangerous and mysterious organizations in the world.
While the Revolutionary Army in this era wasn't as expansive as in future generations, it was still a force to be reckoned with. Especially under the command of its elusive and powerful leader Monkey D. Dragon, the most wanted man in the world.
"Everyone, on alert," Rin called out sharply to his crew.
Hearing the warning, Casa stepped closer. "Who are they, Captain?"
"The Revolutionary Army," Rin replied without looking back.
"The Revolutionary Army?" Casa's expression turned serious. Even though the group wasn't at full strength yet in this era, their goals directly opposing the World Government were enough to ensure infamy. That alone warranted respect and caution.
As the two ships grew closer, Rin noticed something peculiar.
The wind had returned.
A breeze had started flowing through the Calm Belt—an impossibility under normal conditions.
"Dragon's powers?" Rin mused quietly, eyes narrowing.
Suddenly, a swirling gust materialized next to Rin, and from it, a cloaked figure emerged, almost like a mirage solidifying.
It was a man stern, quiet, his facial tattoos faintly visible beneath the shadow of his cloak.
Monkey D. Dragon stood calmly on the deck, regarding Rin with sharp, unreadable eyes.
Rin returned the look with calm curiosity.
His instincts told him this wasn't an enemy encounter. The Revolutionary Army didn't come to fight—they came to talk.
Rin didn't know what drew their attention or why, but he was willing to listen.
With a smile, Rin broke the silence. "It's an honor, leader of the Revolutionary Army—Monkey D. Dragon."
"Hello, Rin-san," Dragon said in his deep, gravelly voice.
The Revolutionary Army's ship pulled alongside theirs. From the other deck, several more figures emerged beside Dragon.
Rin instantly recognized them from memory.
Emporio Ivankov, the "Miracle Person" and queen of Kamabakka Kingdom.
Bartholomew Kuma, the silent giant, one day to become one of the Seven Warlords.
And behind him… a small girl in a long dress, peeking shyly from Kuma's back.
Rin immediately guessed her identity—but chose not to voice it aloud.
He turned back to Dragon. "For the Revolutionary Army to approach us, surely you're not here to discuss your latest plan to overthrow the World Government. What brings you here, Mr. Dragon?"
"Simple," Dragon said. "I wish to propose an alliance—with you."
"Alliance?" Rin raised an eyebrow. "We're just a small pirate crew. What could we possibly offer the famous Revolutionary Army?"
"Mr. Rin is too modest," Dragon replied calmly.
"Your crew may be new, but its potential is tremendous. With individuals like Miss Artoria—once hailed as the King of Knights—alongside Devil Fruit users of great power, and your own strength as a leader… it's not hard to imagine the Pandora Pirates becoming a top force."
"Is that so?" Rin asked, intrigued. "What makes you so confident?"
"Very simple," Dragon said. "You have a rare combination of strength, leadership, and comrades worth following. Miss Artoria's mythic heritage, the Zoan-user Casa's growth potential, and Rin's own mastery of Light—presumably from the Glint-Glint Fruit."
Dragon then glanced at Anilu.
Anilu, who had kept his distance warily, stood at the ready, lightning crackling at his fingertips.
Seeing him, Dragon smiled faintly. "And now, you even have the wielder of the Goro Goro no Mi—the Thunder Fruit. A Logia-class Devil Fruit considered by many to be one of the most destructive in existence."
"You've been investigating us?" Rin asked with a smirk.
It was unexpected, if not amusing, that the Revolutionary Army had taken an interest in their fledgling crew.
"Not intentionally," Dragon replied. "But I make it my business to keep an eye on rising powers… and dangerous ones."
"But more than that," he continued, his voice turning resolute, "I believe that with time, your crew will possess at least three individuals capable of matching Marine Admiral-level power."
"With such potential… why wouldn't we seek cooperation?"
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