Thread by @3SkullJoe

#ONEPIECE Theory

Dragon's Retribution

Monkey D. Dragon was first introduced to us in chapter 100.

We did not know who he was at the time but he appeared to save Luffy from Smoker.

As Luffy escaped, Dragon quoted Gol D. Roger -

We later learned that Dragon is Luffy father and the leader of the Revolutionary Army.

Unlike pirate, the rebel army directly opposes the World Government, waging wars and staging coup d'états in order to liberate the civilians of kingdoms that are members of the WG.

Some examples of countries that the Revolutionary Army have liberated include Vira, in the Grand Line, Centuarea, in South Blue; & somewhere unnamed in North Blue.

Dragon's Revolutionary Army target kingdoms such as the Vodka & Lulusia.

The corrupt monarchs of these kingdoms will extort their civilians, wage wars & even sell people in to slavery & war in order to raise Celestial Tributes.

As we saw in Kaido's flashback, these acts of corruption are done in order to gain favour from the World Government, earn status as a member state; or even a seat at the Reverie.

This is what Dragon was talking about when he said this during the Ace, Luffy & Sabo flashback.

The corrupt conditions of the Goa kingdom reflected the general state of the world under the rule of the Celestial Dragons.

Most recently, we learned that this philosophy expressed by Dragon is in part inspired by the events of Ohara.

Dragon already led a group called the Freedom Fighters, but the massacre at Ohara led him to forming the Revolutionary Army

He did this with Ivankov & Kuma at his side

Since then, the Revolutionary Army has known many victories but they have also suffered some significant defeats.

At some point that we still don't know for sure, both Ivankov & Kuma were captured.

Earlier on, we also saw that the Revolutionaries had lost their main HQ, Baltigo, following the invasion of the Blackbeard Pirates & subsequent raid of CP0.

Most recently, we saw the Revolutionary Commanders raiding Lulusia kingdom.

They save the civilians such as Moda - who appeared in Ace's cover story - & told them to contact them if they needed help.

Dragon had summoned his commanding officers in order to launch an operate to raid Mariejois during the Reverie.

There they would declare war against not just the World Government, but the Celestial Dragons specifically.

Although Sabo and the other commanders succeeded in making their declaration - by destroying a monument symbol of the Celestial Dragons.- This operation did not go to plan.

After Sabo witnessed Kuma being used as a slave, the plan changed and they ended up fighting Fujitora & Greenbull in order to rescue Kuma.

They managed to escape with Kuma but Sabo was lost after he stayed behind.

That brings us back to the Lulusia kingdom and to current events.

We recently learned that Sabo had managed to escape to Lulusia kingdom.

However, Sabo had to get a message to Dragon.

Sabo had witnessed Imu on the Empty Throne & learned the secret behind the rule of the Celestial Dragons and the World Government.

Unfortunately, before he was able to tell Dragon what he saw, this happened.

Lulusia kingdom has seemingly been wiped from existence & Sabo is missing.

As if things couldn't seem to go more wrong at a worse time. Shortly afterwards, Kuma disappeared back to Mariejois.

With all these things going wrong, how can Dragon fight his war against the Celestial Dragons? What will he do next?

Save Sabo? Help Kuma? Rescue Vegapunk? Claim territory? Attack the Celestials?

Why not all of the above?

I believe that Dragon will send Belo Betty & Morley to support Kuma & Karasu & Lindberg to retrieve Sabo.

At the same time, he will call upon allied nations to call to arms & take over World Government bases & facilities. Such as the Navy's 'G Bases'.

That only leaves two objectives, save Vegapunk & attack the Celestial Dragons somehow.

This leads me at last to what I believe will be 'Dragon's Retribution'.

Operation: Dragon Storm.

The name 'Dragon Storm' at first was only supposed to connect to the myth told by Celestial Dragons about the D. clan. That they will always bring another storm.

This storm is effectively a metaphor for the war that will end the rule of the Celestial Dragons.

Dragon's war.

However, the name 'Dragon Storm' also has another root of inspiration & it is this one that leads me to what I believe Dragon himself will do next.

'Dragon Storm' is also the name that astronomers in 2004 gave to a giant thunderstorm on the planet Saturn.

Luffy, the Straw Hats & Vegapunk are currently trapped at Egghead, unaware that a fleet of 100 ships is approaching led by Kizaru.

Even as a newly dubbed Emperor, this will be a massive challenge for Luffy & the Straw Hats. They will most likely need support.

It is also in Dragon's interest to save Vegapunk, as he is one of his oldest allies. We even saw Shaka communicating with Dragon at the start of the arc.

I believe that Dragon will come to Egghead and defeat the fleet.

This will represent the arrival of the foretold storm.

If Dragon arrives and defeats the fleet ships, then Luffy & the Straw Hats will be able to defeat Kizaru, especial if they have the help of Vegapunk.

If they are able to defeat Kizaru, then the Navy will be defeated. Saturn will be defenceless.

I believe that Dragon will not miss this chance to get at one of the Gorosei. He will kill Saturn.

One of the Gorosei is now dead.

If something of this magnitude were to happen, it would shake the World Government to it's core.

The other Gorosei are likely to panic & Akainu will be called on to protect them.

But most importantly. It may force Imu out of hiding.

To conclude. I believe that this will lead to Dragon then confronting Imu directly.

This is 'Dragon's Retribution'. -
'Operation Dragon Storm'.