Golden Lion's words made Luffy think.
Cause another big incident?
Seeing Luffy's expression, the idea man who had proposed it immediately pressed his advantage.
He pulled a crumpled but still intact copy of the World Economic Times from somewhere. With a flick of his wrist, the newspaper flew flat toward Luffy.
"Things have been quite lively around the world lately. Don't you want to join in the fun, Straw Hat?"
Golden Lion said, "The Marines have their hands full right now. The forces left at Marineford are probably far thinner than usual."
"Your target is Marineford?"
Luffy caught the newspaper. His eyes scanned the bold headlines, and he paused.
One section was printed in large, eye-catching letters:
"The Marine Headquarters plans a large-scale relocation to a new Marineford in the New World, using the former Marine G-1 Branch as the foundation."
Below it was a blurry distant image, showing many warships on the move.
"New Marineford?"
Luffy read aloud, looking up. "Isn't Marine Headquarters at Marineford? Why are they suddenly moving to the New World?"
And they could not be bothered to come up with a new name.
"Jihahaha! You are the cause. The losses from the Impel Down War were significant, and their reputation is in tatters. Their control over the New World is crumbling."
Golden Lion threw his head back and laughed, his voice full of satisfaction.
"Whitebeard, though he lost his fruit, is strong. And Kaido and Linlin are taking advantage of the chaos. If Sengoku does not move his forces to the New World, the Marines will completely lose control there."
Moving Headquarters, creating a "New Marineford," was just a way to reassert their authority and stabilize their position.
The Marines' control over the New World had already been weak, especially after the Impel Down War.
And there had been talk of replacing the Fleet Admiral. The Marines urgently needed to restore their prestige.
So they were sending large numbers of troops to the New World.
"The Marines certainly have a lot of manpower. It has not been long."
Luffy could not help but complain. "If the Marines are in the New World, they'll have to face the Emperors."
The situation there was much more complex than at Impel Down.
There was no precedent for Emperors allying, and there was even Shanks, who helped maintain stability.
But pirates would not ally with the Marines either.
Their first reaction on seeing the Marines would be to attack them.
"This is an opportunity. No one will stop you. And this old man wants to show his face. Watching Newgate and the others making waves in the New World these past few days makes me itch all over."
Golden Lion laughed. "If you want to send a message to your crew, just go to Marineford and make a scene. There are always reporters hanging around there."
"And send the message to your crew all over the world?"
Luffy caught Golden Lion's meaning. "What kind of scene? Another fight?"
He was not a fighter like Golden Lion, who itched if he did not fight the Marines for a day.
"Not necessarily."
Rayleigh walked over, drinking. "If you want to make a splash, to let your crew know, you do not need another hard fight. I remember there is a great bell in Oris Plaza at Marineford. The Ox Bell."
"The Ox Bell?" Luffy tilted his head.
"Yes. It was originally from a legendary warship. Now it stands in the plaza, a kind of symbol of the Marines' spirit. According to their tradition, it is rung sixteen times at the turn of the year, to signify the changing of eras. If you ran up there and rang it..."
He did not finish. Luffy's eyes lit up.
This seemed like a good idea.
Very interesting.
Had you ever seen a pirate voluntarily ring the bell at Marine Headquarters?
A commemorative bell at that. It would be more than provocation. It would be outright mockery.
It would certainly be a worldwide sensation.
No matter where his crew was, if they saw the newspaper, they would understand.
"Exactly! Ring the damn bell!"
Golden Lion slapped his thigh excitedly. "When I stormed Marineford, I was too busy cutting people down and smashing buildings. I never thought of that. Great idea, Straw Hat, Rayleigh. Let's do it.
Then the world's eyes will be on us again. Let Newgate and Kaido know there is excitement in the first half too. Jihahaha!"
Jinbe did not know what to say.
He thought he might have figured out why Golden Lion had been sent to Impel Down.
Luffy rubbed his chin, thinking.
He knew quite well that Golden Lion just wanted to cause a scene.
He was not afraid of the Marines.
But after the Impel Down War, he preferred to use his strength for adventure and to protect his crew.
But Rayleigh had a point.
If it was just ringing a bell, it would send a message without causing a major conflict. It seemed efficient.
"Luffy, think carefully. The Marines will not just let us waltz in and ring the bell. Even if their main force is in the New World, those left behind are not scarecrows. And might this cause trouble for Amazon Lily?"
Jinbe was steady. He was thinking from the Straw Hats' perspective.
Yes, Jinbe had joined the Straw Hats.
Though the circumstances were a bit odd.
Luffy had just mentioned it, and Jinbe had taken it seriously.
But Jinbe's words reminded Luffy.
Hancock was, after all, a Warlord of the World Government. Sheltering him was already a risk. Causing a big scene might bring her trouble.
"Trouble?"
Golden Lion scoffed. "Pirates worrying about consequences? If Hancock is hiding you here, she is not afraid of a little trouble. Besides, we can go in, ring the bell, and run. By the time the Marines react, we will be gone. As for those left behind, who can stop us?"
Rayleigh shook his head. "The Marines' strength is not to be underestimated. Though the Impel Down War hurt them, the World Government has deep reserves. To deal with current chaos, the Marines are conducting a worldwide draft. Unprecedented in scale. They may even recruit Admiral-level monsters."
"Admiral-level?"
Luffy was surprised. "Those kinds of fighters can be recruited?"
Or rather, there were Admiral-level fighters out there who would join?
He had faced Admirals. They were very troublesome.
They were hard to kill and devastating.
Wouldn't such strong fighters prefer to be free, like Rayleigh and Golden Lion?
Or rule a territory, like the Emperors?
Why would they submit to the Marines' rules?
"Luffy, the sea is vast and full of hidden dragons. The World Government has over 170 member nations. Many have long histories. Some may join the Marines for reasons of ideology, duty, ambition, or simply to find a big enough stage."
Luffy nodded thoughtfully.
For example, the two royal guard captains of the Alabasta Kingdom were ability users and quite strong.
There were many similar fighters in the member nations.
"Indeed. Zephyr, Garp, Sengoku... in our era, many great fighters emerged from the Marines. Now, the sea is even more chaotic. The conditions and authority the World Government offers to maintain stability must be extraordinary. It's not surprising that they would attract top fighters."
Rayleigh's words made Golden Lion shrug.
"In the end, it's the World Government's system that's flawed."
Jinbe agreed. "Many strong pirates in the New World came from member nations."
"The World Government's system is pretty lousy, then."
Luffy could not help but complain. "Why did those people become pirates?"
Most people became pirates not for dreams, like Luffy, but out of desperation.
"I might even say the Celestial Dragons' Heavenly Tribute is the real cause of the Great Pirate Era."
Golden Lion laughed.
The tribute made life miserable in many countries, forcing people to become pirates.
Corruption flourished inside. Privilege ran rampant.
Even scum like the Celestial Dragons could be called World Nobles.
Golden Lion and Rayleigh, old-timers, had no love for the Celestial Dragons.
Over the years in the New World, they had probably killed a few.
But the World Government had covered it up.
Luffy's case, being public or broadcast to the world, was unprecedented.
Rayleigh also lamented, "If the world was peaceful, would there be so many pirates?"
If there were pirates, would the Revolutionary Army have grown?"
At the mention of the Celestial Dragons, Kuma, who had been standing silently like a statue, shook almost imperceptibly.
A flick fainter seemed to pass through his empty eyes. Then they went dead again.
"The Revolutionary Army?"
Luffy thought of his father, Monkey D.Dragon.
When he was a child, his grandfather had often complained.
Garp had probably wanted Dragon to be a Marine.
And Luffy had ended up like this too.
Rayleigh looked at Luffy, sighing. "Your father, Dragon, was once a Marine. He must have been dissatisfied with the Marines or the World Government. Now he is the leader of the Revolutionary Army."
A man with a sense of justice, why had he chosen a different path, founded the Revolutionary Army?
He must have seen many things he could not tolerate.
Rayleigh paused. "Your father is a legend. He has connections with many people."
He had heard these things from Shanks.
Rayleigh had to acknowledge that the Monkey family represented much of pirate history.
Garp. Dragon. And now Luffy.
Luffy seemed unconcerned, grinning. "I don't know much about my father. I barely saw him as a kid."
The last time he had seen him was in Loguetown, when Dragon had not revealed himself.
The image of a figure in a dark green cloak in the wind and rain flashed through his mind.
"So, Straw Hat? How about causing a good scene?"
Golden Lion was still stirring the pot.
He was an ambitious man who crved excitement. Watching Luffy train was interesting, but not as exciting as causing a stir.
Especially with the forces gathering around Luffy: Rayleigh, Jinbe, Kuma, and Amazon Lily.
There was potential for a good show.
His long-dormant itch for trouble was rekindled.
Why had he wanted to ally with Roger?
Because Roger's crew had strong fighters like Rayleigh. An alliance would have meant the world.
But he had not mentioned it since his last fight with Luffy.
And Straw Hat, his personality was just like Roger's. He could guess the answer.
[Warning: Today's Gura Gura no Mi development time is almost over. Soon proceed to the designated location for Armament Haki training with Hancock. Countdown to penalty begins...]
"I'll think about it."
Hearing the familiar voice, Luffy casually adjusted his pants.
He thought, "How time flies!"
He had to go soon. He did not want to experience that penalty again.
His time for developing the Gura Gura no Mi was almost up. Next was training with Hancock.
"What's there to think about? Not, Straw Hat, where are you going?"
Golden Lion was just getting excited. Seeing Luffy get up, he paused, then looked at him strangely. "We're discussing how to upend...er, how to cause a worldwide scene. You're not going to Amazon Lily for a woman, are you?"
The atmosphere was strange.
Rayleigh paused, his sake cup in hand. A knowing smile appeared on his lips.
He knew why he saw Luffy favorably.
From a certain perspective, they were alike.
Jinbe frowned. "What's the connection..."
He rubbed his round chin, trying to understand the relationship between finding a woman and planning a big scene.
With his straightforward mind, he struggled. He had no experience.
Luffy turned, his expression righteous. "Amazon Lily has a unique Haki training system. It's very insightful."
"Hahaha. That's true."
Rayleigh laughed. He agreed.
"Hey, Rayleigh?"
"Hancock's talent as a Conqueror's Haki user is rare, and the Amazon Lily style of Haki is a tradition. You've seen Shakky's Haki, haven't you?"
Golden Lion was stumped.
Jinbe understood. He nodded seriously. "Of course. Training is the most important thing."
Golden Lion's mouth twitched. Finally, he waved his hand, looking like he could not be bothered to call him out.
"Fine, fine. Go. But I've given you the idea. Think about it."
Golden Lion was still upset.
What better recruitment call could there be than ringing the Marine Headquarters' bell for the whole world to see?
"I'll think about it seriously."
Luffy nodded, "If we go, I'll have to tell Hancock and the others. It's their territory."
Gold Lion could not argue with that.
Golden Lion's idea was something Luffy was considering, but he had not decided.
He was still weighing his options.
Vivi was probably still with Morgans. She could send messages.
But she could not be blatant, or Morgans would be upset.
Morgans was not ready to openly defy the World Government.
Luffy also needed to consider that only his crew would understand the message.
Golden Lion's idea was good.
But Luffy was not like Golden Lion, always ready to fight the Marines.
He would rather avoid conflict if possible. Ringing a bell seemed like a good middle ground.
When a group of old, middle-aged, and young men, experienced and strong, got together, ideas naturally emerged.
Especially with Golden Lion around.
Perona floated nearby, watching these men, who had just been in the world-shaking Impel Down War, now shift to planning this ridiculous scheme to ring the bell at Marine Headquarters. She was silent.
This was why the Marines had such fixed opinions of pirates.
These guys could not stay quiet.
She hugged her new doll and dared not interrupt.
The discussion ended with Luffy leaving.
Luffy was thinking about another idea.
With Kuma, he could travel the world, see his crew, and talk to them.
He was leaning toward this idea for now.
But another matter was pressing.
His training time for the day was almost up. He had to find Hancock.
To be honest, after the life-and-death battles with top strong fighters in the Impel Down War, his mentality had changed toward improving his strength.
Now, he was motivated.
He had enjoyed those fights in the Impel Down War. He was not as resistant to training as before.
He had sailed for adventure and fun, but he now realized that true freedom required strength.
Without strength, everything was meaningless.
***
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