From the moment he saw Lin Mo in the village last night, Dragon knew this child was anything but ordinary.
Just ten years old, and yet he possessed swordsmanship sharp enough to defeat Kuina in a single strike. What's more, he had just now shown a glimpse of Observation Haki. Clearly, the boy was gifted an exceptional talent, a rare seedling.
But something still felt off. Dragon sensed that Lin Mo's strength went deeper than what was on display.
So, he decided to test him with Haki.
As Koushirou realized Dragon was using Conqueror's Haki to probe Lin Mo, his expression immediately stiffened.
"Dragon, he's just a child!"
"Relax. I know what I'm doing," Dragon replied, his gaze locked on Lin Mo.
Lin Mo didn't flinch. He returned Dragon's sharp gaze without a trace of fear.
The moment he sensed Dragon unleashing his Haki to test him, he knew there was nothing left to say between them even if Dragon's intent wasn't hostile, merely inquisitive.
He quietly corked his wine gourd.
Narrowing his eyes slightly, Lin Mo's aura suddenly surged.
An equally powerful force burst forth from him, colliding head-on with Dragon's Haki.
A shockwave of raw pressure exploded outward as their Conqueror's Haki clashed. With a thunderous crack, the tea table before them shattered into a rain of splinters. Cracks spread like spiderwebs across the surrounding tea room walls under the overwhelming impact.
Neither Lin Mo nor Dragon had gone all out.
"Well now… Interesting. You didn't disappoint," Dragon's smile deepened as he prepared to intensify his Haki, eager to test Lin Mo's limits.
But before he could, Koushirou stepped in. He gripped one shoulder, then the other, stopping both men at once. His tone was sharp.
"Enough! What, are you two planning to level my dojo? Stand down!"
Though stunned that Lin Mo had also awakened Conqueror's Haki, this wasn't the time for shock.
A clash between two users of Conqueror's Haki was no trivial matter.
It wouldn't take much for the entire dojo or even Shimotsuki Village itself to be reduced to rubble.
He could tell both of them had been holding back. Even this light sparring match had caused massive destruction. If they weren't stopped, the tea room would be the least of their concerns. If any of the children training nearby got hurt, it would be a tragedy.
At Koushirou's words, both Dragon and Lin Mo withdrew their Haki.
"My apologies. Got a little carried away," Dragon said.
Koushirou let out a weary sigh.
"You two never make things easy. Dragon, you're a grown man what are you doing testing your strength against a kid?"
Dragon chuckled, then turned his gaze back to Lin Mo.
"Lin Mo, have you heard of the Revolutionary Army?"
Lin Mo stared at him, deadpan.
Of course he had...
Was this man about to extend an olive branch?
Before Lin Mo could answer, Dragon continued,
"This world runs on survival of the fittest. Too many weak, corrupt leaders hold power, and countless defenseless people suffer for it. The Revolutionary Army exists to overthrow the Celestial Dragons and the tyrannical world government, to liberate the oppressed and bring about a world of harmony, equality, and freedom."
After a short pause, Dragon added,
"I hear from Koushirou that you want to be a traveler. But why waste your talent on something so aimless? You could join the Revolutionary Army. Help us tear down this rotting world and bring light to it. What do you say?"
"No," Lin Mo replied flatly. "Revolutionary Army, Marines, pirates none of that interests me. I only want to be a free traveler, unbound by any faction. No matter how noble your cause sounds, it has nothing to do with me."
Just as he finished speaking, a familiar notification sounded in his mind.
Beep beep! Engaged in combat with Revolutionary Army leader Dragon. Sign-in progress +10%. Current total: 60%. Reward: Conqueror's Haki +1 level. Current level: LV3.
Instantly, Lin Mo's aura intensified as the boost in Haki took effect.
Before he could even react to the change, another chime echoed in his mind.
Beep beep! Refused Revolutionary Army leader Dragon's invitation. Sign-in progress +10%. Current total: 70%.
For a moment, Lin Mo froze, then a smile flickered at the corners of his lips.
A 20% gain two milestones triggered by Dragon's appearance.
As he'd suspected, Dragon's arrival was no coincidence. Interacting with him clearly counted toward mission progress.
But curiously, despite the two progress boosts, he had only received one reward.
Thinking it over, a theory formed in his mind.
The sign-in system must tie rewards to key individuals. And from each person, only one reward could be obtained.
At the moment Lin Mo's Conqueror's Haki rose in level, Dragon and Koushirou's expressions both shifted.
They felt it instantly: the boy had grown stronger.
He hadn't done anything. No fighting, no breakthroughs. Just a brief clash of Haki, and somehow he'd advanced.
Was it some kind of sudden enlightenment?
Dragon's gaze, once filled with admiration, now brimmed with something deeper: desire.
Now he finally understood what Koushirou had meant last night when he said Lin Mo was a miracle.
Only ten years old, yet already wielding such terrifying strength and potential. This boy could one day change the course of history.
Missing the chance to recruit him would be a massive loss for the Revolutionary Army.
"I get it," Dragon said at last. "You want freedom, no chains. I respect that. But you're still just ten. Traveling alone in this world is far too dangerous. If you joined the Revolutionary Army, we could protect you at least until you're strong enough to protect yourself."
"No." Lin Mo's tone was resolute. "I don't need a shield. I won't join any side. You can talk all you want it won't change my mind."
"Lin Mo"
"I'm leaving." Lin Mo cut him off, rising to his feet and walking out of the wrecked tea room without a backward glance.
Koushirou didn't stop him.
Dragon groaned, pressing his fingers to his temples.
"Stubborn little brat..."
Koushirou chuckled.
"That's Lin Mo for you. Once he sets his mind on something, good luck trying to change it."
Outside in the courtyard
Zoro had landed not far from the tea room after being sent flying by Lin Mo's punch. He'd only just managed to struggle to his feet, grumbling,
"Damn, he didn't hold back at all..."
But when he looked up, through the open door of the tea room, he caught a glimpse of something that made his heart skip.
He had seen it clear as day the moment when Dragon and Lin Mo's Haki had collided.
"Wha-?" Zoro stood frozen, stunned.
It wasn't until Lin Mo walked calmly out of the tea room, completely unfazed, that Zoro snapped out of it.
Watching Lin Mo's figure recede into the distance, Zoro's eyes glinted with determination.
His fingers clenched tighter around his bamboo sword.