"Cough cough, the World Government's intention is to rope in Shichibukai Yun Lie, stir up the New World, and then further encroach upon it."
Here, with only the three of them present, Sengoku revealed the World Government's directive without reservation.
Simply put, it was to treat Yun Lie as a pawn, using him to open the door to the New World and break the pirates' blockade of the Marine and the World Government.
"Isn't this great? It can also rescue the civilians of the New World and strike at pirates!" Garp, being straightforward, didn't think too much and simply felt this was a good thing.
"Garp, be quiet and don't speak." Vice Admiral Tsuru quickly interrupted Garp, her expression turning worried.
Garp didn't know what Sengoku had done before, but she knew perfectly well, and it was Sengoku who had asked her to do it.
She personally handled the blocking of intelligence regarding the Red Hair Pirates' journey to Water 7 to find trouble with Yun Lie.
In other words, because of their actions, the Marine had already offended Yun Lie, and she only hoped Yun Lie didn't know about it yet.
But paper can't cover fire forever; sooner or later, Yun Lie would learn of their schemes, and the longer it was hidden, the greater the backlash might be.
"How is Smoker doing lately?" Suddenly, Vice Admiral Tsuru seemed to remember something and asked.
"You mean, let Smoker go?"
Sengoku instantly understood her meaning, a smile appearing on his face as he said.
"Exactly, him!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru said seriously.
Smoker and Yun Lie usually had phone contact; this private communication, while not openly supported by the three Marine higher-ups, was tacitly allowed.
Their relationship could be described as good, after all, Yun Lie had provided the Marine with many crucial pieces of intelligence, such as the criminal clues of corrupt Marine officers like Colonel Nezumi of Marine Branch 16, Colonel Morgan of Marine 153rd Branch in Shells Town, and Admiral Nelson of Marine Branch 8, all came from Yun Lie.
It was these military achievements, exposing Marine parasites, that allowed Smoker to be exceptionally promoted from Colonel to Commodore.
Smoker disdained military achievements gained in this manner, but how could he go against Sengoku's determination?
The promotion in rank not only meant a change in status but also brought a significant increase in Marine's cultivation efforts.
As a Logia Devil Fruit user, Smoker was already highly valued by the Marine, and now, with ample resource support, he had initially mastered Armament Haki, taking his strength to the next level.
"I will issue the order right away; once Yun Lie's whereabouts are discovered, immediately have Smoker communicate with him!"
After Sengoku finished speaking, he rushed back to his office with a hurried expression, beginning to issue the relevant orders.
Garp looked at Sengoku's departing back, and though he didn't understand why, he slowly followed him.
As for whether his goal was to offer advice to Sengoku or to eye the rice crackers in the office, perhaps only he knew.
.......
As news of the battle between Red Hair and Yun Lie spread, forces across the entire Grand Line began to stir.
Marine, Four Emperors, pirates, underground organizations... various undercurrents surged, and the situation was like the sea before a storm, seemingly calm but secretly harboring raging waves.
Meanwhile, the protagonist, Yun Lie, had recovered his ability to move; although his face was still a bit pale, there was no longer any hindrance in his movements.
He stared solemnly at the green-robed man in front of him, his muscles tensed, and his mental power highly concentrated, not daring to relax for a moment.
"The world's most dangerous criminal, the leader of the Revolutionaries, what business do you have with me, a Shichibukai?"
Yun Lie's tone was cold, his eyes vigilant.
He never expected that a casual stroll would lead him to encounter Wang Lufei's father—Monkey D. Dorag, the leader of the Revolutionaries, "Dragon," whom even the World Government considered a major trouble.
"Mr. Yun Lie, there's no need to be nervous, I mean no harm." Dorag forced a smile, attempting to ease the atmosphere.
However, his habitually stern demeanor, honed by years of living on the edge of danger, made his smile appear like a fierce sneer in others' eyes.
"Nothing comes for free; you can't possibly say you just happened to run into me while strolling, can you?" Seeing that the other party showed no immediate signs of action, Yun Lie reached for two stools, motioning for Dorag to sit down and discuss further.
"To be honest, it was indeed a coincidence." Dorag's expression was serious, with a hint of awkwardness.
"I was planning to return to the Four Seas to handle some matters and intended to rest briefly on this island. As soon as I landed, I sensed your presence, and having seen the recent news, I thought to come and meet you."
He truly hadn't deliberately tracked him; everything was just a coincidence, but even to himself, his words sounded a bit strained.
Yun Lie stared into Dorag's eyes, and seeing that he didn't seem to be lying, he secretly sighed at the unpredictability of fate.
"Since it's a misunderstanding, then let it be. I don't want to get involved in your Revolutionaries' affairs; getting into trouble is not my intention."
He waved his hand, his attitude firm. After all, the Revolutionaries were the World Government's number one enemy, even more threatening than the Four Emperors pirates, and getting rashly involved would not benefit him in any way.
"I want to ask Mr. Yun Lie a question: How do you view the World Government?" Seeing that persuasion was hopeless, Dorag felt a bit regretful but still wouldn't give up, posing this crucial question.
Any force would want to bring a powerhouse like Yun Lie, who could contend with Red Hair, under their wing, and the Revolutionaries were no exception. Even if they couldn't recruit him, they absolutely couldn't let him side with the World Government.
"My attitude? Are you questioning me?" Yun Lie's eyes instantly sharpened like an eagle's, and an overwhelmingly powerful Conqueror's Haki surged out like a tide, directly pressing down on Dorag.
"Boom!" Dorag showed no weakness, a black aura rising around him as he, too, released Conqueror's Haki.
Two terrifying auras fiercely collided in the air; the sky seemed torn apart by an invisible giant hand, clouds rolled to both sides, and the ground cracked with spiderweb-like patterns.
Both sides' Conqueror's Haki were extremely powerful, locked in a stalemate for a long time, neither able to suppress the other, eventually having to retract their Haki.
"Mr. Yun Lie's answer, I already know." Dorag's lips curved into a meaningful smile, "If we can't cooperate, surely we can still be friends?"
Yun Lie's display of powerful Conqueror's Haki actually made Dorag feel relieved—such an unyielding powerhouse was destined not to submit to the World Government.
In his view, an enemy's enemy is a potential friend.
"That works too, as long as you don't tell anyone you met me, and don't try to drag me onto the Revolutionaries' ship."
Yun Lie's gaze was like a torch, fixed on Dorag, every word resounding. Since the other party had taken a step back, not giving face would make him seem ungracious, but he still added: "Otherwise, even if I don't help the World Government, you Revolutionaries won't have an easy time either."
In an open confrontation, he was confident in his strength and abilities and felt no fear, but as the leader of the Revolutionaries, Dorag's methods were unpredictable and cunning, and he had to be on guard.
What if the other party secretly used a divisive scheme, intentionally leaked the news of this meeting to the World Government, and then exaggerated it, portraying him as an accomplice of the Revolutionaries? Then he would be needlessly dragged into conflict, forced onto a path tied to the Revolutionaries.
This kind of passive situation was something he absolutely did not want to see.