Albert set off with Bartolomeo in search of Nami. While they traveled, Bartolomeo couldn't help but admire Albert.
Thanks to Albert's observation of Haki, they soon located Nami in a bookstore.
"Nami!"
"Why are you so late? I've been waiting forever! Huh? Who's this rooster head?" Nami complained as she handed a package to Albert.
Albert gestured toward Bartolomeo and explained, "I was delayed because I got into a fight. This is Bartolomeo, my new little brother. Bartolomeo, meet my wife, Nami."
Immediately, Bartolomeo stepped forward, greeting her with enthusiasm, "Hello, Sister Nami! I'm a fan of Albert-senpai and his little brother on the side!"
"Hi, Bartolomeo, nice to meet you," Nami replied politely, then leaned toward Albert and whispered, "Is this our new crew member?"
"How can—"
Before Albert could protest, a sudden realization struck him. Nami had a point: it was just the two of them on the ship. Someone needed to take the helm every day, but since he was Nami's man, he couldn't let her do all the work. So, he usually handled the sailing himself. But having a little brother could change that, couldn't it?
He surveyed Bartolomeo closely. The kid's loyalty seemed top-notch, and he had solid strength. Wasn't this the younger brother Albert had been seeking?
Clearing his throat, Albert smiled and said, "Bartolomeo, I want you to join my ship as my nakama."
"What?" Bartolomeo was suddenly overwhelmed with joy. "Really? Albert-senpai, can I really be your nakama?"
"Absolutely," Albert nodded, continuing the charade. "I have high hopes for you. From now on, call me big brother."
"Yes! Alb, Alb... Albert-big brother!" Bartolomeo exclaimed, tears welling in his eyes from happiness. Albert-big brother was so approachable!
Secretly, Albert held up his fingers in a victory gesture. He had successfully recruited one.
As a gust of wind swept by, Nami glanced up at the darkening sky, her brow furrowing. "Huh? Is it about to rain? This can't be! I clearly observed that no rain was forecasted!"
Meeting her gaze, Albert smiled mysteriously. "It appears the weather is changing. Bartolomeo, you should head back to the ship with Nami and keep her safe."
"Yes!" Bartolomeo rallied, thumping his chest in solidarity.
"Nami, let's head back to the ship. What are you going to do?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.
Albert looked up at the clouds with a confident smile. "I'm going to witness something extraordinary and meet someone."
"Just be careful. I'll be waiting for you on the ship."
"I'll be back shortly."
Once Nami left, Albert leaped onto a rooftop to survey his surroundings. He soon spotted a figure cloaked in green on a distant building. A hint of a smile played on his lips. "As expected, it's your doing."
At the execution platform, the Straw Hat was imprisoned by Buggy the Clown, who was poised to strike with his knife.
Just then, a bolt of lightning descended from the heavens at the very moment Buggy's knife was about to fall. Buggy was knocked unconscious, while the execution platform was set ablaze.
"Hahaha... I'm still alive!" the Straw Hat laughed gleefully.
Albert, observing from the rooftop, smirked toward the figure of Monkey D. Dragon nearby. "What a good father he is. I knew he wouldn't stand idle while his son faced death. The storm is a fortuitous wind for the Straw Hat. What a coincidence! This must be your doing, father. It seems your fruit can manipulate the weather. It's likely the Mythical Zoan, Azure Dragon Fruit."
Legends say dragons command the clouds, while tigers control the winds. In Albert's mind, the Chinese dragon, known for summoning rain and storm, was the first thing that came to mind. If the Phoenix Fruit exists in this world, then it makes sense that the mythologies of the Four Holy Beasts also carry over into Oda's realm.
As the Straw Hat Pirates attempted their escape, Smoker quickly subdued the Straw Hat.
Just as Smoker was about to use his sea-stone weapon to eliminate the Straw Hat, Dragon appeared out of nowhere, grasped Smoker's arm, and whispered something to him. A powerful gust of wind swept through, blowing the Straw Hat Pirates and the navy away while effectively demolishing the artillery platform. Dragon really handled that well.
"Monkey D. Dragon, I didn't expect the world's most wanted criminal to show up here. Why are you saving him?" Smoker called out.
"Hehehe..." Dragon chuckled softly. "Why would I stop a man from setting sail?"
"Hey! Dragon, the wind you just stirred up caused a lot of damage to the civilians!"
Albert suddenly appeared, catching Smoker's serious attention. "What are you doing here?"
Albert smiled and pointed at Dragon. "Me? I'm here to discuss things with him."
Smoker looked incredulously at Albert. "Discussing with Dragon? You're kidding, right? He's the world's top revolutionary!"
"Hehe, discussing is an interesting concept. What do you want to talk to me about?" Dragon regarded Albert with intrigue.
Albert tilted his head, fixing his gaze on Dragon as he replied earnestly, "About the damage you've caused to other people's properties."
The navy below thought, this is absurd. He's scolding someone notorious for causing property damage? Ridiculous!
"And if I did?" Dragon replied with a smile.
"Then I'll arrest you."
"Really?"
"Of course."
With that, Albert unleashed his full power, enveloping himself in Haki, and charged at Dragon with the force of a mountain tiger.
Bang... Bang bang...
Their fists collided, creating a sound reminiscent of metal clashing. It was clear that Dragon was worthy of his title as the world's top revolutionary, and Albert felt the impact reverberate through his body.
"Hehe, just as expected of Dragon. How about this?"
Albert focused his strength, and his arms shimmered in a deep black hue, noticeably thicker than his previous Armament Haki.
"Martial arts Force! Block and Hammer!"
He traced circles with his hands like hammers, generating a sonic boom that charged toward Dragon's chest.
Dragon's expression shifted, his earlier disdain replaced with seriousness as his hands morphed into claws, countering Albert's attack.
Bang...
A loud explosion erupted between them, sending invisible waves tearing through the air and parting the rain. Both combatants stumbled back, retreating.
Pfft...
As Albert reeled from the force of the impact, he found himself propelled backward, skidding more than twenty meters before regaining his footing, whereas Dragon only retreated less than ten.
"Haha, this is entertaining. You're quite impressive, kid, but you're not a match for my skills."
Albert retrieved a sword from the ground with his foot, grasping it as he faced Dragon with a confident smile. "Really? I concede in physical abilities, but I'm a swordsman."
"Oh really? That's interesting, but that sword doesn't look very special!" Dragon chuckled at the weapon in Albert's hand.
"Here, start with this sword." Smoker tossed Shigure toward Albert, prompting a surprise from them all.
"Isn't this Tashigi's sword?" Albert asked as he caught it.
"Hmph! Just letting you borrow it for now." Tashigi replied indignantly.
Smiling at Tashigi, Albert thanked her, "I'll make sure to return it."
As Albert wielded Shigure, his demeanor shifted dramatically—he exuded an intense sharpness. He swung the sword with vigor, unleashing a powerful sword aura racing toward Dragon.
Bang...
Dragon, now defensive, transformed his hands into dark dragon claws and crushed Albert's sword aura with a single motion.
"With swordplay like that, one could mistake you for Mihawk!" Smoker remarked.
Albert, astonished, looked at Shigure and thought, A good sword really amplifies combat prowess; this sword aura feels threefold more powerful.
"Hehe, I didn't expect a swordsman of your caliber from the East Sea," Dragon chuckled, intrigued.
"In that case, prepare for another strike from me."
Bang bang...
As Dragon swiftly dodged, he unleashed his Conqueror's Haki, sending an oppressive pressure crashing down upon Albert.
Suddenly, Albert felt the weight of the air increase dramatically, causing his movements to falter. Squinting at Dragon, he pondered whether this was the effect of Haki suppressing an opponent.
Yet, in that moment, Albert's blood surged with adrenaline, igniting his fighting spirit. The sluggishness began to fade as he roared and attacked Dragon with his sword.
Clang, clang, clang...
With explosive speed, Albert struck at Dragon's vital points with dizzying precision. His swordsmanship resembled a man possessed, unpredictable and relentless.
"Hahahaha..."
"One Sword Style – Flying Slash!"
"One Sword Style – Mountain Split!"
"One Sword Style – Dominate the World!"
"Slash! Heaven! Draw! Sword! Technique!"
Boom, boom, boom...
The sound of powerful slashes echoed around them. Smoker and the others sidestepped, while Tashigi stood in awe, captivated by Albert's swordplay, whispering to herself, Is this his swordsmanship? Unbelievably strong!
The battle continued, filled with sword auras, physical prowess, Conqueror's Haki, and an array of attacks from both sides. Their intensity only grew as they fought.
Boom...
After an intense exchange, both fighters landed apart from one another. Albert's windbreaker was tattered, while Dragon's dark green cloak endured only to be shredded by Albert's sword aura.