Holy Land Mary Geoise, Pangu City.
Inside the spacious and bright palace, the Gorosei were posed in their usual manner, some standing and some sitting... Saint Jeygarsia Saturn threw the two pieces of intelligence sent back by Who's-Who and the Knight of God onto the table.
"Beelzebul..."
"He has been in Elbaf for half a year and has still not retrieved that legendary devil fruit. It seems Harald's previous words were not false..."
For a fellow like Beelzebul to spend half a year without being able to obtain the legendary devil fruit undoubtedly confirmed what Harald had said earlier.
It was indeed extremely difficult.
Saint Jeygarsia Saturn did not understand how a mere hammer could first stop Harald and then block Beelzebul; it was truly inconceivable.
They couldn't have planned this together, could they?
After a moment's thought, Saint Jeygarsia Saturn silently rejected the idea, as the two didn't even know each other before. How could they have unified their stories in such a short time?
Harald was wholeheartedly committed to having Elbaf become an affiliated nation of the World Government.
There was no reason for him to deceive the Gorosei.
As for Beelzebul, since he had already consumed a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit, he could not consume another, so his desire for that fruit was not particularly high.
On the contrary, the reward promised by the World Government was enough to keep Beelzebul highly motivated.
Saint V. Nusjuro interrupted,
"Let's put the matter of Elbaf aside for now."
"In recent months, the Revolutionary Army has become increasingly flagrant in its actions. Several affiliated nations have already come under attack. We must order the Marine to eliminate the Revolutionary Army as soon as possible."
In the past, the Revolutionary Army only dared to operate in non-affiliated areas, and the damage and impact they caused were ultimately limited.
It was far less important than taking Elbaf.
But now,
The Revolutionary Army was actually shouting—
Slogans like 'Attack the local tyrants and divide the land', 'Liberate the slaves', 'Equality for all', and 'Long live the people'.
They are attempting to overthrow the aristocratic rule of the affiliated nations and establish a democratic republic where the people are the masters of their own house.
The Marine, pirates, and slaves are all means for the World Government to maintain and consolidate its rule, and the actions of the Revolutionary Army are clearly digging up the roots of the World Government!
It is simply lawless.
How can this be allowed?
Compared to the unforgivable actions of the Revolutionary Army, having Beelzebul retrieve the legendary devil fruit from Elbaf seemed less urgent.
"We must distinguish between what is urgent and what is important."
Hearing this, the other members of the Gorosei nodded one after another.
"Seconded."
"Seconded."
Saint Jeygarsia Saturn took over the conversation,
"Regarding the Marine, Sakazuki and several Vice Admirals are guarding the Marine New World G5 Branch,"
"Garp is stationed at the G1 Branch,"
"Borsalino is currently protecting Vegapunk. Order Kuzan to take charge of this matter."
Saint V. Nusjuro interrupted, and Saint Jeygarsia Saturn took over; it seemed like a small matter, but it was actually a struggle for the right to speak.
It was true that the Gorosei held equal status, but there were those who didn't like to talk and those who did.
Saint Jeygarsia Saturn had to ensure his position as the number two authority in the World Government, even ignoring Lord Imu's orders if necessary.
It wasn't the first time Saint Jeygarsia Saturn had done this; he had done it once two hundred years ago.
Precisely because of that fluke two hundred years ago, which went undiscovered by Lord Imu, Saint Jeygarsia Saturn's boldness had grown over the years.
"In addition, order Spandine to lead CP9 and cooperate with Kuzan's operation to annihilate the Revolutionary Army."
"Seconded."
"Seconded."
...First Half of the Grand Line, Paradise.
Island of White Earth, Baltigo.
The island's terrain was desolate, covered with yellow sand and scattered rocks; it was currently an important base for the Revolutionary Army.
Inside a dilapidated building on the island, the signature laughter of the Okama King, Ivankov, echoed incessantly.
"Hee-haw!!!"
"Dragon, Comrade Crow, the North Army Captain, has already led the rest of the comrades to a safe evacuation."
"With the funds provided by the Gentleman, our Revolutionary Army is finally doing well!"
"Yes," Dragon thought with a myriad of emotions.
Since parting with Mr. Beelzebul, Dragon had reorganized the Self-Brave Army into the Revolutionary Army with the assistance of Ivankov and Crow.
And they fully studied advanced revolutionary concepts to arm every Revolutionary Army soldier.
Just as they were about to start something big, they awkwardly discovered that the Revolutionary Army was impoverished, unable to even provide a decent weapon for the soldiers.
Even the cleverest housewife cannot cook without rice.
Let alone carrying out a revolution.
It was at that time that Dragon finally understood why Vegapunk had rejected invitations many times; to do great things, funds are indeed indispensable.
Without money, it is difficult to move even a single step!
Just as the Revolutionary Army was sinking into the vortex of insufficient funds, the Revolutionary Army's greatest partner—Mr. Beelzebul—stepped in.
Within half an hour,
With Kuma's help, the Gentleman traveled back and forth to Baltigo several times, bringing countless refined gold ingots.
In one fell swoop, he solved the Revolutionary Army's predicament.
Then, without even having a meal, he left the Revolutionary Army's base with Kuma. This selfless spirit made the three of them admire him even more.
With the support of huge funds,
After being armed with advanced revolutionary concepts, the Revolutionary Army was equipped with excellent weapons, and the fire of revolution finally burned across the Four Seas.
In the past half year, they have successively liberated three non-affiliated nations and one World Government affiliated nation.
"Comrade Ivan."
"Just as the Gentleman said, our Revolutionary Army's dream of overthrowing the corrupt World Government and giving the people freedom will eventually be realized."
"I have received news that the World Government has ordered the Marine Admiral Aokiji to move out."
"We will lie low for a while and let the comrades act after this storm has passed."
"Also, notify Crow."
"Regarding the Gentleman's identity, no matter what, the three of us must never reveal it."
Having such an important partner hidden in the shadows is entirely beneficial to the Revolutionary Army. The time to reveal the Gentleman's identity will be when the final battle truly arrives.
"Don't worry, Dragon."
Ivankov was clearly in a very good mood: "I am the person with the tightest lips in the world."
"Dragon, the Gentleman once mentioned that the World Government and the Marine dispatch undercovers. Should we also dispatch a few comrades to go undercover?"
Dragon hesitated for a moment and finally nodded.
"The matter of going undercover is worth our consideration."
"But we must send comrades who are loyal to the revolution and can flexibly handle various situations..."
Speaking of this, Dragon suddenly gave a bitter smile.
"Ivan, we are short on people."
"We lack talent in all aspects, and even more so, we lack like-minded comrades who can move forward hand in hand."
Ivankov's eyes rolled, and he suddenly had an idea.
"The Revolutionary Army indeed lacks talent, especially high-end combat power. After all, the Gentleman cannot easily make a move."
"Dragon, have you considered... having a child? You can certainly feel at ease raising your own child."
"Nani?!" Cold sweat broke out on Dragon's forehead.
Not long ago, his old man had specifically called to urge him: 'You brat, hurry up and find a wife and have some fat grandsons; I'll train them all to be Marines.'
At only thirty-four years old, he was being urged to marry?
No, he was being urged to marry and urged to have kids!
But with the great cause of the revolution not yet accomplished, how could he have a home?
Dragon secretly made up his mind: until the revolutionary cause is completed and the whole world is liberated, he will not marry or have children.