"Hmph! I don't want to talk to you! What can you possibly do?"
Sabo clenched his fists, his voice full of defiance.
Ron waved his hand, and Momousagi personally brought over a chair.
Sabo remained stubborn, refusing to sit.
Ron didn't force him. Instead, he calmly raised his thermos cup, blew on the hot tea, and spoke without even lifting his eyes:
"It's fine if you don't want to talk. Since I know your name, I must also know your parents."
"If you won't talk, then I'll just have to contact your parents and have them take you back."
The moment those words left his mouth, Sabo's face tensed up instantly.
"You… I don't believe you!" Sabo said, trying to appear tough.
"Alright." Ron smiled and waved his hand.
Momousagi stepped forward.
"Go to Mid-Levels Ring Road, Building 5, No. 1 Street, and bring Otluk III here. Tell him his son has been found and ask him to come pick him up."
Ron's words hit like a hammer.
Sabo was completely stunned.
"W-Wait a second!"
"You want to talk, right? Fine, I'll talk!"
Ron smirked.
"See? That wasn't so hard."
Garp, who had been standing nearby, was dumbfounded.
How did Ron know those names and addresses?
Ron simply took another sip from his thermos, his eyes calm.
---
The Marines Are Impressed by Ron's Tactics
"(Former) Sengoku: I have to admit, this Political Commissar is truly skilled at reading people's hearts. Amazing!"
"(Former) Tsuru: He takes the upper hand in the conversation without making it obvious. That way, no matter what he says, the other person will listen."
"(Present) Kizaru: I never thought a future king would be so afraid of being sent home to his parents."
"(Present) Luffy: Haha! Sabo, when I think about what's about to happen, I can't help but laugh. Hahaha!"
"(Present) Sabo: Shut up, Luffy!"
---
Ron Questions Sabo's Decision
"So, why did you run away from home?" Ron asked.
Sabo gritted his teeth, anger flashing in his eyes.
"I hate it there!"
"I hate this country!"
"I hate everything about it!"
Ron nodded.
"And what do you plan to do?"
"I plan to escape from here!"
"Do you regret it now? A noble, reduced to such a sorry state. Do you still want to run?"
Sabo's expression remained firm.
"No, I don't regret it.
The nobles of Goa Kingdom are the most hypocritical people in the world!
They look down on those beneath them and grovel before those above them.
They treat human lives as worthless, thinking that commoners are mere garbage, unworthy of sharing the same space with them."
Sabo's voice was filled with conviction.
"So, where will you escape to?" Ron asked, his tone calm.
"I don't know. As long as I get away from them!"
"Do you really think you can escape?"
"Why not?!" Sabo retorted.
Ron shook his head slightly.
"If you can't even escape from me, how do you expect to escape from the deeper abyss of human nature—exploitation, hypocrisy?"
"A great thinker once said: 'The best way to conquer fear is to face it.'"
"Running won't solve the problem."
Sabo remained stubborn.
"Who said I can't escape from you?!"
"Alright," Ron chuckled. "Then I'll have someone catch you. Do you think you can escape?"
Sabo scoffed.
"Good! I bet I can escape even if ten people chase me!"
"Tell me, who do you plan to send after me?"
Ron smiled and turned to Momousagi.
"Go get Luffy."
Sabo blinked.
"Luffy? Who's that? Is he strong?"
Could this be some fearsome Marine officer?
A war hero?
Sabo couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.
---
Luffy's Training with Akainu
Meanwhile, little Luffy was grinning, satisfied with himself after knocking over a tree with his punch.
"Hehehe," he chuckled. "Now I can beat up wild boars!"
Akainu, standing nearby, was surprised.
This brat…
Just as Political Commissar Ron predicted, he learned Shigan before nightfall.
Although the power was still weak, the technique itself had been mastered.
With time, his strength would naturally increase.
This kid was a real genius.
"Alright, I've learned Rokushiki!" Luffy said proudly.
Akainu sighed.
"You've only learned two of the six techniques. How can you say you've learned Rokushiki?"
Luffy tilted his head, his expression full of wisdom.
"Aren't there only two techniques? I already learned both!"
Akainu: "…I really want to hit him."
Just then, Momousagi arrived.
"Luffy, come with me. Political Commissar Ron wants to see you."
Luffy's face lit up.
"Really?! Does that mean I can join the Marines now?!"
"Not quite," Momousagi replied.
Luffy pouted.
Then, his eyes filled with excitement again.
"When I catch a wild boar, I'll be allowed to join, right?"
Momousagi sighed.
"Forget the wild boar. You'll be allowed to join the Marines the day you catch Whitebeard."
She said it as a joke, never expecting it to change the course of history.
"(Present) Whitebeard: What? So that's why Luffy kept chasing me all over the ocean?!"
"(Former) Whitebeard: I was caught by Luffy?!"
"(Present) Marco: It's outrageous that you're comparing Pops to a wild boar!"
---
Sabo vs. Luffy?
Soon, Momousagi brought Luffy to the deck.
When Sabo saw the little boy in front of him, he almost fell over.
"This… this is Luffy?!"
Sabo couldn't believe it.
They were sending this kid after him?!
What a joke!
He could make Luffy cry with just one punch!
Even if he didn't fight, he could outrun him easily!
Ron smirked.
"This is the youngest guy we have here. Let's see if you can escape."
Sabo sneered.
"I'll be gone before he even realizes I've moved."
He had been waiting for an opportunity like this!
This was his best chance to escape!
Ron then turned to Luffy.
"Remember him. Your mission is to catch him. Got it?"
Luffy nodded seriously.
He stared at Sabo for a moment.
"Wait a minute…"
Luffy frowned.
"Is he Whitebeard?"
"Huh?" Ron was surprised.
Luffy continued, "That sister said if I catch Whitebeard, I can join the Marines. If you want me to catch him, that must mean he's Whitebeard!"
Ron burst into laughter.
Momousagi turned red with embarrassment.
"Political Commissar Ron, I was just joking! I didn't think he'd take it seriously!"
Ron waved dismissively.
"It's fine. He's not Whitebeard, but what she told you still stands. The day you catch Whitebeard is the day you officially join the Marines. I'll guarantee that as Political Commissar."
Luffy's eyes sparkled.
"Okay! Then I'll do my best!"
Ron nodded.
"Alright, Sabo, I'll give you a 100-meter head start. Let's see if you can escape."
Sabo smirked.
"You're going to regret this."
--––--––-------------------------------
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