The Grand Line, Gagao Island.
One of the World Government's member nations, the Kingdom of Gegoria.
Located near Reverse Mountain, this was once an obscure nation. Thirty years ago, after the crown prince—later the previous king—returned from his travels and studies,
he discovered a vast mineral vein in the royal family's exclusive hunting grounds, stretching for an unknown distance.
With mining and trade, the country's wealth rapidly grew, and twenty-four years ago, it became one of the World Government's member nations.
Unfortunately, after the previous king's only child ascended the throne, a string of reckless decrees followed.
Voices of dissent grew louder and louder, showing signs of spiraling out of control...
...
In the pitch-black jungle outside the royal capital.
The weather was not good, thick clouds blanketing the stars above.
Unless you got within five meters, you would never notice the people lying in ambush here.
And there were many—far too many—hidden all through the forest.
Revolutionary Army G-Army (Grand Line Army) Commander, Emporio Ivankov, stared at the faintly glowing watch on his wrist:
"Half an hour left. How's the deployment?"
A calm, steady voice replied.
A man with a stern, cold face, his hair and clothes split into two colors—half white, half orange—spoke:
"Don't worry. Everything is ready."
Both his hands had transformed into massive scissors, his combat form:
"The path to the castle has already been cut open."
"We can connect to the walls at any time."
Ivankov nodded.
"Good. Prepare for battle."
"For some reason, I feel uneasy about this one."
Normally always laughing and joking, Ivankov was strangely serious tonight.
A sense of foreboding clung to him.
Inazuma frowned.
"I feel it too."
"This mission is too risky."
"After all, this is a World Government member nation—trouble is inevitable."
Ivankov sighed.
"Can't be helped. Our growth was too fast."
"Even if we pour all our funds into weapons,"
"it's still not enough to arm all our fighters."
"We can't send them into battle barehanded."
"Most of them are ordinary people, after all."
"If we can take this country,"
"with the iron reserves here, we could build our own armory."
"Even support fighters across all four seas."
"We have to try."
Inazuma sighed as well.
"Finish the battle quickly, appoint a representative, and leave as soon as possible."
"Once things settle, the World Government won't interfere directly."
"But this feeling... it's not a good omen."
Ivankov nodded.
"Exactly."
"End the battle quickly."
"Tonight's operation is also a test of the World Government's response."
"It carries great importance—we can't afford failure."
"Let's see how the World Government reacts afterward."
"This will be crucial for the Revolutionary Army's future."
Buru buru~ buru buru~
The sudden ringing of a Den Den Mushi broke the jungle's silence.
Everyone froze, then exhaled in relief as Ivankov picked it up.
"Hu—"
"Scared me to death, Dragon."
"What is it?"
Dragon's calm voice came through.
"Everything ready, Ivankov?"
Ivankov replied:
"Of course. Everything is set."
"Tomorrow this nation will leave the World Government."
On the other end, Dragon looked at the intelligence report in his hand, paused a few seconds.
"Are you sure?"
"If not, call it off."
"According to the latest intel, six Navy warships are heading for Gagao Island."
"They'll arrive before dawn."
"Seems the World Government is reacting even faster than expected."
"The test is over."
"No need to risk it anymore."
"We'll find another way for the weapons."
Ivankov checked the time.
"Before dawn, huh..."
"I think we can pull out before the Navy arrives."
"This iron mine is too important."
"With it, we won't have to worry about weapons for a long time."
"We have to try."
"Revolution always involves risk."
"Let's gamble."
...
Baltigo, Revolutionary Army Headquarters.
Dragon lowered the report, sighing softly.
"Then—"
Clap, clap, clap—
Applause echoed.
A familiar voice spoke from the other side:
"Well said."
"Unfortunately..."
"You bet wrong."
Crack—
The Den Den Mushi call cut off.
Dragon's pupils shrank sharply... that voice...
Sakazuki!!!
Boom!!!
He became a raging wind, tearing out of headquarters.
Countless lights flared on.
Tonight in Baltigo would not be peaceful...
...
Gagao Island.
In the jungle outside the royal capital.
Sakazuki rose from not far away, clapping slowly.
"Well said."
Ignoring the frozen Revolutionary soldiers,
"Unfortunately..."
"You bet wrong."
He walked step by step toward Ivankov, pressing a hand over the one holding the Den Den Mushi.
Crack—
Ivankov's hand, along with the Den Den Mushi, was crushed into mangled flesh.
Ivankov's enormous face twisted in pain.
"Ahhh—damn it, damn it, damn it!!!"
"When—?!"
Inazuma reacted instantly.
"Everyone! Don't hesitate!!!"
"Run now!"
"Stay alive!!!"
He stabbed his scissor-hands into the ground, slicing upward.
The earth rose like layers of paper, crashing down toward Sakazuki!
Sakazuki glanced at the oncoming waves of earth.
He swung Ivankov's body aside.
Ivankov's massive frame smashed through the earthen waves, breaking them apart before collapsing unconscious.
Inazuma gritted his teeth, halting his attack, eyes locked on Sakazuki.
Bang bang bang—
The surrounding fighters opened fire.
From the royal walls, lights flared as soldiers gathered in formation, clearly alarmed by the battle.
Sakazuki scanned the Revolutionary fighters.
"What a pleasant surprise."
"If I hadn't come tonight, you might have succeeded."
"I just saved this kingdom from rebellion."
"I'll have to make them pay for this later."
Bullets tore countless holes through his body, useless against him.
Some even hit Ivankov by accident.
Inazuma roared furiously.
"Everyone!"
"Evacuate the island now!"
"No illusions!"
"Unit leaders, get them out!"
"That's an order!"
"An order!!!"
Gunfire ceased...
But none of the fighters retreated, weapons still aimed at Sakazuki.
Sakazuki chuckled coldly, glancing at Inazuma.
"Your soldiers are well-trained. Loyal too."
Inazuma's giant scissor-hands snapped shut. Damn it...
And then Ivankov, lying limp on the ground, suddenly snapped his eyes open.
"Hyahha!!!"
Spikes shot from his fingers, stabbing toward Sakazuki...
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The fanfic is Finished on p@treon/tambeerg. 414 chapters in total