" So... what you're saying is that you want us to cooperate with the Big Mom Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates?"
Monkey D. Dragon narrowed his eyes at Michael, who had just arrived directly from the New World.
" Are you sure they'll obediently work with us?"
Although Dragon had only been in the Navy for a short period, his impression of pirates was not a good one.
So when Michael first proposed this cooperation, Dragon's instinct was to reject it.
But what Michael said next left him with no room to refute.
" What you're trying to achieve is the liberation of the entire world. That means not only freeing everyone from the oppression of the Celestial Dragons and the World Government but also freeing civilians from the threats of pirates. And now, there's a chance to transform the two largest pirate groups into two nations. Don't you think that's an opportunity? This one move would not only create a deep divide within the pirate community but also push these two pirate groups—both filled with powerful figures—toward becoming proper nations. No matter how you look at it... it's all benefits and no harm."
Michael spoke a lot, and fast.
But his point was clear…
For the Revolutionary Army, this was an absolutely risk-free win.
Handled properly, they could even turn the Whitebeard Kingdom and Totto Land into a formal alliance.
And to make that happen, they would start from their weak point, which was also the Revolutionary Army's greatest strength—
Agriculture.
Feed them, and their ears will open. Only then can the idea of "equality for all" be planted in their minds.
" What you said... does make sense."
Dragon frowned, then let out a sigh.
" But how can you guarantee that after those two pirate groups establish nations, they won't become worse than the countries we've already liberated?"
" Dragon-san, you've spent so many years focusing on Revolutionary Army affairs. It's normal if you're not that familiar with the current New World." Michael smiled. " The lives of commoners in most New World countries are far worse than those in Totto Land."
" But I heard that, although it's been abolished now, Totto Land's citizens used to have to hand over one month of their lifespan every six months to Charlotte Linlin... Isn't that more terrifying than the extortion of those so-called nobles?"
" Of course not."
Michael shook his head firmly.
" Let's assume someone could live to 100. Based on the rule of giving up one month of life every six months, the average lifespan in Totto Land is around 85 years... But in other countries, even if people don't lose their lifespan, how many actually die from war or hunger? In the end, they won't even live to 45, let alone 85."
Michael's words left Dragon frozen on the spot.
After some thought, he silently nodded.
Indeed.
Even if they have to give up some lifespan, in exchange they get a stable and prosperous life.
After all, under the protection of the Charlotte Family, Totto Land is safer than any other country.
At that moment, Dragon couldn't help but glance at Michael again.
This guy… probably had the idea of turning these two least "pirate-like" pirate groups into nations from the very beginning.
It was just that now the conditions finally allowed it to happen.
" Be honest with me. How long have you been holding this in?"
" If I tell Dragon-san that this has been my plan from the very beginning, would you say I'm scheming too much?"
" ...Can you talk properly?"
Dragon twitched the corner of his mouth. Seeing Michael's deliberately coy expression, he knew better than to ask further.
" Talking properly means... what the hell were you thinking, handing two Devil Fruit users to the Navy for free?"
Michael suddenly changed the subject, steering it toward Monet and Sugar.
" Is that a problem? Even though Monet and Sugar were following Ginny and Kuma, they were never official members of the Revolutionary Army. If they want to join that Navy youth program that selects geniuses from around the world, let them."
" You just agreed like that?"
Michael frowned at Dragon.
" That's not like you."
" Do I really have to spell it out? Dear Chief Inspector of the Navy and Revolutionary Army strategist, Michael? In the future you're weaving, the Revolutionary Army and the Navy… they're basically heading toward the same goal, aren't they? Sooner or later, we're all going to be on the same side."
Dragon calmly exposed Michael's biggest secret—second only to his time traveler identity.
At that moment, Michael stiffened slightly.
" ...Was I that obvious?"
" Obvious? You might as well have whispered in my ear, 'The Navy and we are wearing the same pants! Our goal is to liberate the world together!'"
Dragon sighed and went on, " Of course, that's also thanks to that talk I had with the old man."
" Talk?"
Michael thought for a second, then pointed at the slipper print tattoo on Dragon's face with a grin.
" You mean this sandal mark?"
" ...I'll say it one more time. It's just a tattoo."
" Fine, whatever you say."
Michael nodded.
" So you and Garp already laid it all out back then, huh?"
" Do you want me to remind you of the fact that he's my father?" Dragon replied calmly. " There was never any real conflict between us—just a difference in the kind of justice we pursued. But now that we're heading in the same direction, that barrier is gone. Otherwise, why would I so easily send Luffy to Navy Headquarters?"
" ...Anyone who says the Monkey family are brainless brawlers, I'll smack them myself! You guys are sharper than monkeys!"
" Ahahaha! Well, we are Monkeys, after all!"
...
" Navy youth program? What's that? And they're recruiting worldwide?"
" Probably a talent reserve, right? Honestly, except for Michael's bunch, the younger generation of the Navy isn't exactly impressive."
" Planning ahead… sounds like something Sengoku would do."
....
Mary Geoise.
The Five Elders were sitting in their seats.
At that moment, a figure wearing a gray cloak appeared before them.
" You're here."
" Mm..."
The man nodded and removed his hood—
It was none other than Figarland Garling, the Celestial Dragon publicly exiled by the Five Elders.
" Figarland Garling, forgive us for what we did... But as part of this ruse, it was the only way for you to get close enough to uncover Michael's true identity."
" I understand... That's why I agreed to this plan back then."
Figarland Garling nodded.
" And the plan has paid off. There's new information about Michael's identity."
" He... is a member of the Revolutionary Army."
---
read +200 chapters on Patreon tambeerg