The Revolutionary Army had always carried a rather serious tone.
Even with two wild personalities like Ivankov and Ginny around, the overall atmosphere remained heavy.
After all, what they were doing carried enormous responsibilities, and the risks they would face in the future were just as great.
Some of them lived with the thought that today might be their last.
This was why many who had joined the Revolutionary Army back in the Four Seas started to back down when faced with new challenges from the Grand Line.
Even Michael and Monkey D. Dragon understood this.
Unlike the elite and the officers, these people didn't possess overwhelming strength. They were just ordinary people, one after another...
As the saying goes, "There's a limit to human strength." Michael and the others couldn't force a bunch of ordinary people to follow them, liberate the world, and overthrow the World Government.
It would be like forcing kittens to fight tigers.
Some kittens might fear nothing, but some would always be ruled by fear.
And today's sudden wedding unexpectedly pushed aside, at least for the moment, the huge rift that had begun to form within the Revolutionary Army.
Though their ideals had clashed, they had all started as comrades who had swept across the Four Seas together when they joined.
In a sense, this wedding had saved the Revolutionary Army from a rapidly worsening internal atmosphere.
When Ginny was dragged into a room by the women for a complete makeover, Kuma stood watching as Ivankov unleashed his bug-level tailoring skills, turning piles of fabric into a suit perfectly tailored to Kuma's massive frame in the blink of an eye.
Michael clicked his tongue and walked over to stand beside Monkey D. Dragon.
He simply stood there quietly, watching this warm scene unfold.
"Honestly, every time I see Ivankov's tailoring technique, I'm blown away," Michael sighed. "But then I remember the most powerful femininity in the world belongs to a cross-dresser, and my heart just can't help but shiver!"
"Then just let Ivankov switch to his female form… It's not like you haven't seen it before."
"Forget it. I'm not the kind of idiot who forces a friend to change just to suit my tastes." Michael shrugged. "But Ginny and Kuma getting married—Ivankov must be the happiest one here, right?"
Dragon nodded.
It had been a long time since he'd seen such joy in Ivankov's eyes.
As the one who had fought alongside him in the revolution the longest, Ivankov, like Michael, was family to him.
Thinking of this, Dragon unconsciously reached for the sandal mark… no, the tattoo on his face!
Especially family who didn't beat him up—that was rare indeed.
"So… what exactly are you conflicted about?"
"You heard everything Ginny and Kuma said in that room, didn't you?"
"Mm-hm." Michael nodded. "Honestly, I don't think it's a big deal at all."
"Not a big deal?" Monkey D. Dragon—the leader of the Revolutionary Army—actually showed a bitter smile. "To me, it feels like a huge deal."
"That's because your vision is too far ahead. You see all the hardships waiting on the road ahead… but at the same time, you've overlooked what's right beside you and behind you." Michael shook his head.
"Yes, we've set our sights on the Grand Line, but we're already seeing a power gap forming… The people at the grassroots are all ordinary folks running on nothing but passion. And passion… eventually runs out."
Dragon froze and looked at Michael.
His mind was already turning over Michael's words.
"If their mindset, will, and strength can't keep up enough to carry the fire of liberation into the Grand Line with us… then instead of forcing them to march to their deaths behind us, why not let them return to the Four Seas and help develop and strengthen the bases we've already freed?"
Michael spread his hands helplessly.
"The Four Seas are our great rear base! All our food, supplies, weapons, and intelligence come from there… Letting those who can't fight on the front lines anymore secure the rear—wouldn't that be a win-win?"
Michael's idea was crystal clear.
The Navy had been doing this for ages.
Those who couldn't handle the New World fell back to Paradise. Those who struggled even in Paradise were sent to the Four Seas.
Frontline, midline, rear—there was always a place for everyone.
Even Zephyr, after stepping down as Admiral, had taken up the role of chief instructor, holding the line by training new recruits in the rear.
"Dragon, you've been away from structured organizations too long," Michael patted Dragon's shoulder with a smile.
"You're not used to a system with layers and ranks anymore. But you don't have to blame yourself. Honestly, this should be my job. You, as the leader, just need to set the grand direction and lead everyone toward it without wavering."
Dragon nodded silently.
Michael simply stayed with him.
From the room came a flurry of noise, and finally the door burst open—Ginny, the bride, made her dazzling entrance!
A white wedding dress, a leather gun belt, combat-ready denim shorts, and tall boots…
"Get back in there and change, you damned disciple!" Michael almost burst a blood vessel on the spot, nearly suffering a stroke at his young age. "This is your wedding! I brought you a full wedding gown, didn't I?! How did you end up with this patchwork battlefield style?!"
"Hahaha, Michael! This is exactly the image we Revolutionary Army soldiers should have! Even at our weddings, we have to be ready to charge onto the battlefield for freedom and liberation at any time!"
Ginny twirled the light fabric of her skirt, contrasting sharply with the heavy leather gun belt.
"This is the faith of the Revolutionary Army!"
Michael opened his mouth but said nothing more.
Though Ginny was much older than him, she insisted on calling him big brother. Combined with her childish temperament… she had always been like a little sister to him.
But now, Michael suddenly felt… the girl had grown up.
"Damn it, Dragon…"
"I suddenly feel like crying."
Dragon patted Michael on the shoulder in return.
"That's normal for the family of the bride."
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