As Michael spoke, Gion had already largely grasped his intentions.
So from start to finish, she wasn't too surprised.
But Kizaru and Tokikake were looking at Michael with an unprecedented gaze.
After so many years as colleagues, it was as if they were only now beginning to understand this man…
Tokikake wiped his eyes.
In his memory, Michael had originally been a man without any ill intentions—just someone who lacked motivation…
Then, starting from a certain day, he erupted like a volcano, unstoppable.
From Marine Captain to Rear Admiral, then to Vice Admiral and concurrently Grand Inspector…
Within a few years, he had completely revitalized the Marine from top to bottom.
He had thought the Marine had welcomed its most outstanding leader in history.
But what he hadn't expected was…
Michael's ambitions didn't stop at the Marine.
They extended to the entire sea—the entire world!
"From now on… what do you plan to do?" Tokikake raised his head, his expression gradually calming.
"The World Government is definitely still thinking about how to target the Marine, as well as the Revolutionary Army you now belong to… So why not gather all our forces now and overthrow the World Government directly?"
The moment Tokikake finished speaking, everyone present looked at him in shock.
Especially Michael.
"My god Tokikake, my old friend… You, the steadfast Marine man, are even more radical than me?" Michael asked with a laugh.
"Don't tell me you've suddenly awakened?"
"You've practically set the stage already. If we in the Marine don't step up and perform, wouldn't that be a waste? So if we're going to perform, we might as well go big." Tokikake clenched his fist fiercely.
"I've long been fed up with the World Government and those tyrannical member nations!"
"I admire your attitude, but… we really can't do that." Michael reached out and pressed Tokikake back into his seat.
"Though the World Government's visible power has weakened to its lowest point in history… the only real damage they've suffered is their fractured relationship with the Marine. Not to mention, the World Government still holds immense control over the nations of the Grand Line…"
"And most importantly…"
"It's now almost certain that the World Government possesses a complete Ancient Weapon… Poseidon and Pluton remain inactive, so we can confirm that what the World Government holds is the legendary Uranus."
"Uranus requires an enormous amount of energy or the flame abilities of the Lunarian Race to activate. A single use is enough to completely obliterate a vast nation..."
"The legendary 'Hero of the Marines' Garp once emerged from God Valley, which has now vanished from the seas. It's reasonable to speculate that the World Government used Uranus to erase it entirely from the maps... all to cover up the truth of their alliance with pirates to fight against the Rocks Pirates."
After listening to Michael's account, even the composed and calculating Kizaru couldn't help but draw a sharp breath.
An ultimate Ancient Weapon capable of annihilating an entire nation...
This was far beyond the level of a Buster Call, which merely flattens a small island!
No wonder they weren't afraid of the Marines turning against them, even after relations had nearly broken down.
So this was the reason...
They had nothing to fear.
"But as you said, activating this suspected Uranus requires consuming massive energy or the Eternal Fire of the Lunarian Race... The Lunarians have been missing from the seas for so many years. Does the World Government really have it?" Gion frowned and asked.
"So, is it possible the World Government is... bluffing?"
"Isn't that like betting with someone pointing a gun at your head, gambling that their gun isn't loaded?" Michael sighed.
"If I were alone, with no ties to anyone, I'd take that bet without hesitation... But now, standing behind me aren't just the Marines and the Revolutionary Army, but also countless allies and civilians across the seas."
"If we truly step into this gamble, no matter the outcome, the cost would be too great."
"That's why I've been maneuvering among various factions, trying to gradually isolate the World Government... while also uncovering where this so-called 'Weapon' is hidden."
Kizaru and Tokikake exchanged glances.
In each other's eyes, they saw solemnity and contemplation.
Though they wouldn't immediately take Michael's words at face value, they could imagine there was little room for doubt.
After all, the Revolutionary Army's target had never been the Marines, so Michael had no reason to deceive them.
Moreover, given Michael's ambitions, the Marines would eventually merge with the Revolutionary Army after gaining full independence—they would be allies sooner or later.
But...
This matter was simply too monumental.
Too big for even an admiral and two admiral candidates to handle alone.
No matter what, they had to report this to Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
This wasn't about allegiances or their relationship with Michael...
They simply knew their limits and wouldn't recklessly court disaster.
"I understand your position—you'll have to report this to old man Sengoku..."
"Glad you understand."
"But when you report it, you don't have to include every detail." Michael said with a smile.
"Stick to the facts—just tell Sengoku that I appeared at Egghead and then headed to Sabaody Archipelago... As for why? Naturally, it was to retrieve two outstanding Revolutionary Army officers, Olvia and Saul."
"I can agree to that."
Before Kizaru and the others could react, Robin decisively accepted the terms.
Then, gazing into Michael's sapphire-blue eyes, she added with a soft chuckle.
"Also, should we suppress the news about the Alabasta scholars entering the country while we're at it?"
"Robin, it's been so long..." Michael rushed forward and, with lightning speed, messed up Robin's hair.
"You really can read my mind like a book!"
"Eww! That's disgusting! I don't want to be compared to a tapeworm!"
Kizaru, Tokikake, and Gion didn't press for further details.
Knowing about the matter but not the specifics was actually the easiest state to maintain deniability.
"Alright, since we've finished discussing... let's continue."
Seeing that no one else had anything to say, Robin calmly returned to her seat and continued accepting food being fed to her by her mother without hesitation.
Yamato, who had remained silent the entire time, suddenly looked at Robin with envy in her eyes.
"Father... jealous..."
"...Save it. I'd rather die than feed you."