Chapter 129: Inevitable
Mary Geoise
The atmosphere inside the pangea castle are very scary and depressing.
Reports covered the long table before the Five Elders. Each one carried more bad news than the last.
Some Marine bases had rebelled against WG and Government-affiliated kingdoms had refused to send the tribute anymore.
Several Cipher Pol agents had disappeared after secretly releasing confidential information to the Revolutionary Army.
The World Government's control was collapsing faster than anyone had believed possible.
Saint Saturn crushed one of the reports in his hand.
"Those foolish ants" he growled. "The World Government provided them with weapons, ships, and authority. Is this how they repay us?"
"The Marines believe Dragon words," said Saint Ju Peter.
Saint Mars looked towards the map on the table. Red marks covered the seas, representing territories that had openly declared their support for the Revolutionary Army. Several nations had removed the World Government's flag from their capitals, while others had closed their ports to loyal Marine ships.
"The Revolutionary Army now possesses more warships than our remaining forces," said Saint Mars. "We also heard Admiral Aokiji and Vice Admiral Garp have also rebelled against Marine."
"We need to kill Revolutionary Army once and for all," added Saint Warcury.
Saint Nusjuro rested a hand upon the hilt of his sword.
"We need a Holy Knight or we will self join the war."
The others looked at him.
"Summon the Holy knight, we need to end this fast" he continued. "Order every kingdom still loyal to us to send its army."
Suddenly they can heard Imu called them.....
(TIME SKIP JUTSU)
...
WORLD GOVERNMENT COUNTER ATTACK
The World Government command spread across the seas within an hour.
Although it was weird there is still some government who are still loyal with the celestial Dragon, all of them are corrupted kingdom who have king as their tyrant.
Every loyal kingdom was ordered to send soldiers, weapons, and ships towards the Red Line. Refusal would result in the removal of royal protection and the immediate classification of that kingdom as an enemy.
Some Tyrant immediately send the help to WG, but even with this help there is only 3/5 kingdom who are left compared to before.
Furthermore, the country who didn't have a good leader didn't have much of resources compared to a good country because their king and higher up use that money for their indulgence.
Civillian were taken from their homes and forced aboard ships. Prisoners were offered freedom in exchange for fighting the Revolutionary Army. Mercenaries and bounty hunters were promised enormous rewards for the heads of Dragon, Luffy, and Jack.
The remaining Marines gathered at the Red Port under Fleet Admiral Sengoku
Admiral Kizaru stood beside him, while Admiral Sengoku watched the arriving army with a confident smile. Thousands of Cipher Pol agents filled the streets.
Above the Red Line, the Holy Knights surrounded Mary Geoise.
For the first time in centuries, the World Government gathered nearly every force under its control in one place.
From a distance, their army appeared endless.
Sengoku stared at the disorganised soldiers arriving from the affiliated kingdoms.
"Sengoku san, do you feel regret didn't join Garp San?" asked Kizaru. Earlier, Garp and Aokiji had left Marine, they didn't want to protect the World Government anymore.
"Do you feel Dragon would win this war?" shotted Sengoku.
It instantly make Kizaru felt silent while Sakazuki who only left one arm looked at fleet admiral. He almost get retired but because of the sudden news, he was still recruited and the betrayal of Garp and Aokiji left the admiral empty seat.
"I agree with Dragon," continued Sengoku. "But, will they win this? Will it become better world? I really don't know, that is why I decided to hold the flag firmly and helps WG."
If Jack is here, he will say Sengoku is delusional but luckily he wasn't here.
"After I crush the pirates and the traitors," Sakazuki muttered, "I'll deal with the corruption inside the World Government myself."
Kizaru glanced at him. "That sounds like a dangerous thing to say in Mary Geoise and stupid too."
"Say what you want." replied Sakazuki.
Kizaru looked towards the Red Line didn't reply back to Sakazuki.
.....
GOING MERRY.
A large holographic map floated above projection table.
Jack had used Phastos technology to collect information from satellites, Marine communications, and the Revolutionary Army spies. Red lights covered the area surrounding Mary Geoise.
Each light represented an enemy ship, military base, enemy unit, or defensive weapon.
Usopp stared at the enormous number of red lights.
"I think the map is broken."
"It isn't," Jack replied.
"Then make it broken!"
Nami struck Usopp on the head.
"This isn't the time to panic."
"I'm not panicking," Usopp protested. "I'm calmly recognising that the World Government has gathered an army large enough to kill us several times!"
Zoro leaned against the wall with his swords beside him.
"We only need to cut through them."
"You can't cut an entire army!"
"Not with that attitude."
Sanji looked at the map.
"The World Government must be desperate if they're gathering all its forces in one location."
"That makes them dangerous," said Nojiko. "A cornered enemy will use everything it has."
Vivi stared at the symbols representing the armies sent by the affiliated kingdoms.
"Some of those soldiers don't want to fight us," she said. "Their kings are being threatened."
Jack nodded. "Cowards," muttered Ace.
"They have always ruled that way," said Sabo. "Other people suffer so the Celestial Dragons can remain safe."
Luffy sat at the table, staring at the highest point of the Red Line.
"Imu is there?"
Everyone became silent.
Jack looked at him.
"Yes. Imu is somewhere inside Mary Geoise."
"Is Imu strong?"
"Stronger than anyone we have faced."
Luffy grin widened.
"Then I'll fight Imu."
Nami slammed her hands against the table.
"You can't decide that after hearing only one sentence!"
"Why not?"
"Because there are hundreds of thousands of enemies between us and Mary Geoise!"
Luffy looked at Jack.
"Can the Merry fly over them?"
"Yes."
"Then there's no problem."
Nami slowly turned towards Jack.
"Don't encourage him."
Jack smiled but said nothing.
Luffy's plan was reckless, yet Jack had been considering the same thing. A direct attack on the Empty Throne was the fastest way to end the war.
The problem was getting the Going Merry through the World Government's defences without abandoning their allies.
Jack enlarged the map.
"The Revolutionary Army and the rebel Marines will attack the Red Port," he explained. "That will force the World Government to divide its forces. While they are occupied, the Going Merry will fly over the Red Line and enter Mary Geoise."
"And what happens after we land?" asked Vivi.
"We destroy the World Government."
The room became quiet again.
Usopp raised his hand.
"Could you explain that part in more detail?"
"That was the detailed explanation."
Usopp stared at him in disbelief.
Bartolomeo slammed his fists against the table.
"A direct attack on the centre of the World Government! As expected of Luffy-senpai and Jack-senpai!"
"You are the only person excited by this plan," said Nojiko.
"I'm excited," Luffy replied.
"That doesn't make it better."
Jack turned towards Dragon, who had remained silent throughout the discussion.
"The fleet with us isn't the Revolutionary Army's full strength."
"No," Dragon replied. "Our commanders are still stationed throughout the four seas and the Grand Line."
"I need all of them."
Dragon studied Jack face.
"You want the entire Revolutionary Army to participate in one battle?"
"The World Government has gathered everything it has," said Jack. "If we give them time, they'll start destroying the kingdoms that refused to obey. This war is already inevitable."
Dragon looked at the map.
Calling every commander would leave their liberated territories with fewer defenders. However, if they defeated the World Government at Mary Geoise, there would be no need to defend those territories from it again.
"What about Blackbeard?" Dragon asked.
Jack's expression became serious.
Teach had remained strangely silent after the livestream. While other pirates took advantage of the World Government's weakness, the Blackbeard Pirates had disappeared.
That worried Jack more than an open attack.
"He is waiting for us to weaken each other," Jack replied. "Teach won't miss a war involving every powerful force in the world."
"Then we should keep part of the army in reserve."
"No. If Blackbeard appears, I'll deal with him personally."
Ace looked at Jack.
"Teach is mine."
"He can cancel Devil Fruit powers," Jack reminded him. "He is the worst possible opponent for you."
"I don't care."
"I do," said Luffy.
Ace turned towards his younger brother.
Luffy's expression had become unusually serious.
"We already lost you once," he said. "I'm not letting that happen again."
Sabo nodded.
"You don't have to fight Teach alone."
Ace looked between his brothers before releasing a tired breath.
"Fine. But I'm still hitting him at least once."
"You can hit him after I remove his Devil Fruit powers," Jack promised.
Ace smiled.
"I can accept that."
Dragon walked towards the communication room.
"I will summon the commanders."
Jack followed him.
A specially modified Den Den Mushi waited at the centre of the room. Its signal could reach every Revolutionary Army base in the world.
Dragon placed his hand on the receiver.
"Are you certain?" he asked.
Jack looked through the window at the former Marine ships sailing around them.
For years, the Revolutionary Army had fought in secret. They liberated one island at a time, always avoiding a direct confrontation with the World Government's full military power.
That was no longer possible.
The enemy knew they were coming.
"Yes," Jack answered. "Call everyone."
Dragon activated the Den Den Mushi.
Its eyes opened as the symbol of the Revolutionary Army appeared across communication devices in every sea.
"This is Monkey D. Dragon," he announced. "All commanders are ordered to gather their forces and proceed towards the Red Line."
Belo Betty received the message in the East Blue.
Morley heard it beneath the Red Line.
Karasu and Lindbergh stopped their preparations and turned towards their soldiers.
Across the world, Revolutionary Army cells revealed themselves and began marching towards their ships.
"The World Government has declared war against everyone who refuses to accept its rule," Dragon continued. "It has gathered its army at Mary Geoise and intends to destroy every nation that stands against it."
Dragon paused.
"We will not hide any longer."
Thousands of revolutionaries raised their weapons.
"We will meet them at the Red Line. We will free the slaves of Mary Geoise, remove the Celestial Dragons from power, and end the rule that has lasted for eight hundred years."
Dragon's voice remained calm, but it carried across the world.
"To every soldier who believes people deserve freedom, join us."
The transmission ended.
Jack looked at Dragon.
"There is no turning back now."
"There was no turning back from the moment your livestream began," Dragon replied.
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