First Half of the Grand Line – Baltigo, Headquarters of the Revolutionary Army
Baltigo is a hidden island, so well concealed that not even the World Government's vast intelligence network can locate it. If they could, they would've long since sent an army to wipe it out, for the Revolutionary Army poses a greater threat to the World Government than even the Yonkou.
After ending a call with Kuma, Dragon exhaled heavily, a deep and heavy sigh betraying the weight on his heart. He had just made a critical decision.
"Dragon, is something bothering you?"
Sabo, who had just walked in, looked puzzled. The man before him was usually calm and unshakable, but now carried a solemn, almost painful expression. Sabo sensed immediately that something significant was about to unfold.
"Sabo, do you think I'd make a good father?"
Dragon's question came unexpectedly.
"If you ever married and had a child, I'm sure you'd be a great father" Sabo replied earnestly.
In truth, only a few within the Revolutionary Army knew that Dragon had a son — Kuma was one of them. Very few were even aware that Dragon was the son of the famous Marine hero, Monkey D. Garp. Dragon rarely spoke of his family, and certainly never joked about such things.
"Sabo… I already have a son. He's about your age."
"What? You serious? That's not a funny joke, Dragon."
Sabo's eyes widened in disbelief. He almost thought Dragon was messing with him — but Dragon never joked. And that look in his eyes... Sabo knew he was dead serious.
"Monkey D. Luffy. He's my son. But as a father... I've never once fulfilled my duty to him."
"And now… he's imprisoned in Impel Down."
Sabo was still trying to process this when Dragon pushed a bounty poster across the table toward him — Luffy's face stared up at him. Next to it was the headline of a newspaper announcing the upcoming public execution of Ace.
"Luffy…?"
The name tugged at something buried deep within Sabo's mind — something familiar. He looked up at Dragon, then noticed Ace's name in the paper… that face… something clicked.
"Ace!?"
Suddenly, memories exploded in Sabo's mind like a dam breaking. He clutched his head, staggered backward as the flood of forgotten memories surged through him.
"Sabo? What's wrong!?" Dragon stepped forward, concerned.
But Sabo cried out:
"I remember everything!"
He remembered it all — his childhood with Ace and Luffy, the bond they shared as brothers. It all came back.
Stunned, Dragon listened as Sabo explained, and at last, understood the full depth of the connection between them.
"Dragon, I have to save Luffy! And Ace! They're both in Impel Down!"
"I won't let them suffer, and I won't stand by while Ace is executed!"
Sabo was resolute, his voice urgent.
"I'm going too," Dragon said. "Ivankov is still inside Impel Down — though not a prisoner. If we work together, we can get Luffy out."
Dragon had already resolved to go to Impel Down after speaking with Kuma. If a father wouldn't go to save his son, then what kind of father was he?
The truth was, Dragon had always felt he owed too much to Luffy. His son had grown up never even knowing who his father was.
"We must rescue both of them" Sabo insisted.
Though Dragon was committed to saving Luffy, he was indifferent toward Ace. Ace wasn't his concern — that was a matter for the Whitebeard Pirates. His sole purpose was to rescue his son.
And besides, it was time for Ivankov and others to get out of Impel Down.
Right now, nearly all of theMarine's top forces were concentrated in Marineford — making this the perfect moment for the Revolutionary Army to strike Impel Down.
The best opportunity would be to attack just before or during the day of the public execution.
At this moment, the Marine couldn't afford to spare troops for anything outside the Whitebeard conflict. Elior and his actions had proven that — Akainu and the others had retreated solely to avoid losing their top combat power before the battle.
This was it. If they missed this window, another might never come.
Sabo was not turned away.
Soon after, Dragon convened an emergency strategy meeting with his top commanders and officers — the army commanders, Sabo, and others were present.
"The objective of this mission" Dragon announced, "is to infiltrate and strike Impel Down on the early morning of the public execution. Our goal is to extract Ivankov and all our allies within the prison."
He didn't openly mention rescuing Luffy — after all, that was a personal matter. But everyone there respected Dragon deeply and would follow him into any battle.
And though no one asked, they all knew — if Dragon was leading the charge personally, it wasn't just about Ivankov.
Excitement filled the room. The Revolutionary Army had its target.
Ivankov was one of their greatest field commanders, and deep within the prison, there were many potential allies ready to rise up.
Impel Down was about to become a battlefield.