"Figarland Garling?"
Rayleigh frowned.
"The one from God Valley?"
Gloriosa nodded.
The three of them present had all personally experienced the battle of God Valley back then. You could say they were old acquaintances of Figarland Garling.
They also knew that not long ago, through Michael's arrangements, the old bastard had been exiled to the New World — and the entire God's Knights had departed from Mary Geoise along with him.
But now, in such a short period of time, he'd somehow already discovered that Michael was one of the founders of the Revolutionary Army…
And he'd even sold that intel directly to Shakky?
"That Figarland Garling bastard… what's he playing at?"
Gaban scratched his head.
"He can't seriously want Shakky, that information broker, to spread the word to everyone, can he?"
"He must be trying to completely expose Michael's identity. So there's no way he only sold the intel to Shakky… After all, Shakky isn't the only information dealer in the world."
Gloriosa sighed.
"Right now, rumors that Michael is part of the Revolutionary Army have already started spreading across the seas — beginning in the New World."
"Rumors?"
Rayleigh's brows furrowed.
"Where did they come from?"
"It's not exactly clear where the first source originated… but most people are saying the information came from the Pleasure District and from within the World Government's affiliated nations."
Rayleigh nodded slowly.
The Pleasure District… the World Government's allied nations…
"Could this be a sign that the World Government's preparing to move against Michael?"
Rayleigh sighed.
"No matter how you look at it — even though that old bastard Figarland Garling was exiled — he's definitely still in contact with the Elders! He's still one of the strongest among the Celestial Dragons, after all."
Schemes and conspiracies weren't really what frightened Rayleigh.
But an open scheme like this — one laid bare for all to see — that was what truly made him feel the pressure.
Because this was clearly not something the World Government had fabricated out of thin air. Michael really might be one of the Revolutionary Army's founders.
If that were true, then even if Michael denied it, his prestige within the Navy would take a heavy blow.
And wasn't that precisely what the World Government had always wanted?
"What should we do about this?"
Gloriosa frowned deeply.
"We're already tied to Michael completely — he's our core. No matter what happens, if we want to continue operating in this sea, we must ensure Michael's safety."
"You're right… we do need to act."
Rayleigh nodded after a moment of silence, then turned to Gaban.
"Gaban, find a way to contact Monkey D. Dragon. We need to meet and talk."
"Monkey D. Dragon… the leader of the Revolutionary Army?"
"Who else could it be?"
Rayleigh chuckled.
"Now that I think about it, we and the Revolutionary Army are practically wearing the same pair of pants… after all, we've got the same benefactor, don't we?"
...
After completely entrusting the Youth Training Unit to Zephyr, Michael once again witnessed firsthand what a true teacher looked like.
In just a few short days, the previously unruly youths had already begun to show proper discipline under Zephyr's training.
But, of course, there were always exceptions.
Luffy and Nami — the two troublemakers — were still bouncing off the walls, unable to stay still for even a minute.
Ace and Nokigao could only sigh helplessly.
Zephyr, however, didn't seem angry at all. In fact, he looked rather amused.
"They're still just kids, after all. You can't crush their personalities completely, can you?"
Zephyr shook his head, putting on a serious face.
"They need to learn discipline and self-control, yes — but that doesn't mean turning them into lifeless machines. Having a couple of wild catfish stirring things up might actually be a good thing."
"Zephyr-sensei, if you ask me, we should just laugh. Holding it in like that — what if you give yourself internal injuries?"
"Hahahaha! Michael, you really found yourself some outstanding young talents! I can guarantee that a few of them have potential that's no less than Sakazuki and the other two — maybe even greater!"
Zephyr finally couldn't hold back his laughter anymore.
But after laughing heartily, his expression turned serious again as he looked back at Michael.
"However… there's one person who doesn't quite fit in the Youth Unit."
"Doesn't fit?"
Michael frowned.
"You mean… this person's too weak?"
"No, I mean that little swordswoman… Tashigi, wasn't it?"
"That's right — Tashigi. She's the only swordsman in the Youth Unit."
"Then that's exactly what I mean."
Zephyr nodded.
"Under my training, she could certainly grow stronger — but for a swordsman, just having a powerful physique without corresponding swordsmanship is a terrible imbalance. So, to avoid wasting her potential, I think she needs a teacher who specializes in swordsmanship… someone like that idle Hawk Eyes hanging around you."
"Hawk Eyes? No way."
Michael immediately shook his head.
"Him? Teach someone? Not a chance. I'd be more worried about him ruining her instead."
The Hawk Eyes of this era was not yet the same as the one in the original timeline — the master swordsman who had perfected his craft.
His personality and social skills weren't exactly suited for teaching others.
More importantly, Hawk Eyes' swordsmanship wasn't really compatible with Tashigi — or with most swordsmen, for that matter.
Only someone like Zoro — practically the second main character — could break through that limitation.
"But right now, Hawk Eyes is probably the strongest swordsman in all of Marine Headquarters, isn't he? Even Gion only surpasses him slightly in Haki and raw power."
"Being strong with a sword doesn't mean he can teach swordsmanship."
Michael shook his head again.
"Leave that to me — I actually have a perfect place in mind for her…"
"A perfect place?"
"The East Blue — Shimotsuki Village. There's a man there who may not match Hawk Eyes in combat ability, but when it comes to teaching swordsmanship… even ten Hawk Eyes couldn't compare to him."
"As long as you've got a plan… Wait — East Blue? Shimotsuki Village?"
Zephyr suddenly froze, his expression turning strange as he stared at Michael.
"Don't tell me you haven't heard the rumor?"
"Rumor?"
"You really don't know?"
"I finally got a few days off to rest — of course I haven't been keeping up with anything."
"Sigh… You've got some nerve, kid."
Zephyr frowned.
"There's been a rumor spreading through the New World — that you're part of the Revolutionary Army! And now you're planning to head straight into the Four Seas — Revolutionary territory!"
"Ah, so that's the rumor, huh?"
Michael's lips curled into a grin.
"Then I suppose I'd better not disappoint them, right? I am a good person, after all."
"…You? A good person?"
Zephyr's eyes widened as he stared at Michael, utterly dumbfounded by his shamelessness.
"If you're a good person, then I'll jump off this cliff right now!"
"Don't be ridiculous. Jumping from here wouldn't even scrape your skin…"
---
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