The Revolutionary Army's establishment was actually a long time ago.
Over the years, this force had grown steadily and gradually came to the World Government's attention. The World Government's attitude toward the Revolutionary Army had shifted from initial disdain to gradual concern.
But by this point, it was often already too late.
The Revolutionary Army, having developed to a certain stage, had united many forces and dispersed personnel worldwide. Without gathering them, the World Government couldn't do much.
"The Revolutionary Army's combat strength seems far too weak compared to the World Government. Do we really need to help them?" Yukiko asked after Dragon and the others left.
In her view, the Revolutionary Army's forces were somewhat underwhelming. Though their goal was to overthrow the World Government's rule, the gap in strength was still too great.
The probability of revolution succeeding was actually very low. If this motley crew failed and dragged Inazuma into it, the loss would outweigh the gain.
"Help? Yukiko, you've misunderstood. This isn't help—it's a transaction," Ren shook his head.
Selling decommissioned Ruin Guards to the Revolutionary Army at low prices was indeed a favor, but it could also be called a transaction. Early on, Ruin Guard production had been too high. After the market saturated in recent years, many Ruin Guards remained stockpiled in Enkanomiya.
Ren was simply using this opportunity to dump them.
As for whether the World Government would think they were supporting the Revolutionary Army from behind, he didn't care at all.
Doing business—did he care who the buyer was?
Even if the World Government wanted to hold them accountable, they'd have to consider whether Inazuma might genuinely throw its lot in with the Revolutionary Army.
They said conquering a kingdom was easier than maintaining it. The World Government, guarding this precarious regime, despite its vast power, could only constantly compromise in many situations.
Fundamentally, this regime's roots had already begun to rot.
In Ren's view, Dragon's Revolutionary Army was actually quite promising. But in this world of pirates playing house, many things were destined to develop more like fairy tales.
Monkey D. Dragon, relying on his son being the protagonist, was innately undefeated.
Even the "Drums of Liberation" existed—no wonder the World Government wouldn't be destroyed in the end would be strange.
But Ren actually didn't care about these things. He only needed to wait slowly and give a push at the critical moment. The Revolutionary Army, Luffy—in his eyes, they were all just chess pieces.
Having them attract the World Government's attention was good for Inazuma.
"Alright…" Yukiko nodded, then remembered something. "Oh right, Lord Ren. Keiko said not long ago that the Elemental Equipment has been successfully developed. The Archon War Armor project is nearing its final stage."
"The Elemental Weapons have been created?" Ren asked, surprised.
"Flame Spear, Thunder Hammer, Cryo Spray—all powered by elemental energy." Yukiko left for a moment and returned with several specialized weapons.
Keiko and Stussy's Advanced Elemental Theory progress had been very smooth, with contributions from Robin and Olvia as well.
However, due to the limitations of elemental energy fillers, only the Thunder Hammer and Cryo Spray could currently be mass-produced. The Thunder Hammer's elemental energy came from the Electro Crystals Ren had created, while the Cryo Spray's energy source was clearly Yukiko's contribution.
With Ren's help, Yukiko had successfully created a crystal similar to Electro Crystals, now named the Cryo Core—a consumable item.
The Flame Spear's elemental core came from the Mera Mera no Mi, but Sabo, the Fruit user, wasn't yet strong enough. Mass-producing Smoldering Pearls was difficult.
"With this, the Skirmishers can be equipped with these Elemental Weapons, and their combat strength will greatly increase," Ren said.
Now, the Fatui's Skirmishers had been placed under Lucci's command, while Yamato had become the leader of the Oni Force.
After Yukiko and Jasmine retired, Kuki Shinobu and Kuki Yoimiya also gradually disappeared from the high seas. Inazuma's main fighting force had achieved this generational transition.
After retiring, Shinobu and Yoimiya didn't stay on Seirai Island but returned to Udon, taking up the role of Daimyo.
As for the Kairagi and other military forces, they had also returned to Inazuma, gathering in Hakura as the nation's defensive power.
Hakura's Daimyo was Kurozumi Higurashi's daughter. After Kurozumi Orochi's death, she had taken the name Kurozumi Shinu and, under Kurozumi Higurashi's guidance, had become a reasonably competent Daimyo.
Incidentally, Kurozumi Higurashi and Kurozumi Semimaru, who hadn't been killed by Kaido, had actually lived until today. These two old bones could fracture if touched lightly—they looked like those two Leaf Village elders who still hadn't died in Boruto.
Interestingly, the "opening of the country" that Kozuki Oden had failed to achieve in his lifetime was now being implemented under Kurozumi Orochi's daughter's rule, with Hakura completely opened.
Currently, Hakura was the only region among Inazuma's provinces fully open to the outside. Every year, many merchants and pirates came here, entering Inazuma through Udon Port.
Over the years, Hakura's residents had changed their mindset considerably. The prosperity of foreign trade had also promoted Hakura's economic development.
Besides Hakura, another open province was Suzuran.
Shimotsuki Ushimata was a rather bold Daimyo. Plus, due to Kozuki Oden's influence, he wasn't opposed to opening the country. After Hakura's full opening, he became the second province to fully open.
Outsiders within Hakura and Suzuran's boundaries could move almost as freely as Inazuma's own residents, with few restrictions.
But the other provinces were different. Flower Capital, Kuri, and Udon—these three provinces remained under strict blockade. Entry required extremely strict procedures.
Even domestic residents needed complete documentation to travel between these three provinces.
…
"Is that Inazuma's mainland ahead?"
A Marine warship cut through the waves, carrying both Garp and Sengoku. They gazed at the massive waterfall cascading from the sky, sighing in wonder.
"According to intelligence, this used to be a country called Wano," Sengoku frowned.
Not long ago, they had discovered that the "Seirai Archipelago," long believed to be Inazuma's mainland, wasn't actually Inazuma's true location. The real Inazuma was historically a country called Wano.
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