New World, Hachinosu.
As the former territory of Rocks, this island had been a gathering place for heinous pirates for many years.
Today, ninety percent of the pirates on the island gathered in the plaza to watch the live broadcast.
Behind the crowd, a sinister laugh came from a figure draped in a wide black robe.
"Shiryu, if I hadn't acted to save you, your end would have been the same as Vasco Shot and the others."
Beside him, Shiryu was also draped in a black robe that covered his face. He spoke indifferently:
"Teach, aren't you afraid of being hunted down by Luo Chen for taking in a traitor like me?"
"Zehahahaha, can he find me? The sea is vast and boundless; finding a person is no less difficult than finding a single fish."
Blackbeard lowered his voice and sneered.
Although he couldn't defeat Luo Chen, the other party wouldn't be able to find him either.
The only pity was that Whitebeard's corpse was in Luo Chen's hands.
His plan to seize the Tremor-Tremor Fruit was likely hopeless.
Shiryu glanced at him imperceptibly, a wicked smile revealing itself on his broad chin.
"The World Government is about to lose. Why don't you tie me up and take me back to exchange for Luo Chen's trust and seek a position under his command?"
"I don't think we have any chance of winning if we make an enemy of Luo Chen."
Hearing this, Blackbeard slowly clenched his fist and grinned. "A man's dream will never end."
"Even if it's Luo Chen, I want to give it a try."
He had originally considered lurking by Luo Chen's side.
Just like lurking in the Whitebeard Pirates for many years to obtain the Dark-Dark Fruit.
Who knew that today Luo Chen would threaten to wipe out pirates?
This completely dispelled Teach's infiltration plan.
Now, he could only temporarily avoid Luo Chen's sharp edge, hide, and wait for an opportunity.
Moreover, the World Government had not yet been completely destroyed.
In the unlikely event that Luo Chen was seriously injured or even died in the battle with Imu...
He could use the Dark-Dark Fruit to seize Luo Chen's Devil Fruit ability.
Luo Chen's fruit was definitely stronger than Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit.
Blackbeard scanned the noisy pirates around him and laughed. "I'll form my pirate crew right here."
He wanted to select and recruit some powerful pirates.
Only with subordinates could he get things done.
...
Baltigo, Revolutionary Army Headquarters.
At this moment, Dragon, Emporio Ivankov, Sabo, and other high-ranking members of the Revolutionary Army were gathered in the conference room, watching the live broadcast footage.
The room was silent, and the expression on everyone's face was very strange.
Emporio Ivankov's mouth was wide open, and he couldn't help but say, "The Jinghai Army... isn't their goal the same as our Revolutionary Army?"
"And isn't Luo Chen's power a bit too strong?"
In the final released footage, Luo Chen single-handedly defeated the incoming Five Elders, God's Knights, Marine Admirals, and the Fleet Admiral...
The Five Elders and God's Knights were imprisoned.
The high-ranking Marines defected.
Even Imu was beaten back to Mary Geoise.
Everything the Revolutionary Army dreamed of, Luo Chen had achieved it all.
Emporio Ivankov's mood was very complicated right now.
Shock, envy, jealousy, confusion...
Dragon and Sabo had similar thoughts.
They never expected that, without their knowledge, Luo Chen would defeat a large-scale attack by the World Government.
And the results were brilliant.
He even took advantage of the situation to establish the most powerful force in the world currently, the Jinghai Army.
Luo Chen plus the nine Admirals of the Jinghai Army.
Any single one of them was a subordinate Dragon wouldn't dare to dream of recruiting.
The strongest man in the world of the past, Whitebeard.
The World's Greatest Swordsman from hundreds of years ago, Shimotsuki Ryuma.
Marine Admirals, the Marine Fleet Admiral...
If he could recruit just one such existence, he would wake up laughing from his sleep.
Sabo's tone was filled with marvel and envy. "Ryokugyu, the new Admiral promoted by the World Government, can only be an Admiral Candidate in the Jinghai Army."
"The Pirate Empress and the entire Whitebeard Pirates have all joined Luo Chen's command."
"This force, the Jinghai Army, will become the most powerful threat the World Government has ever faced in history."
Dragon thought of how he had once advised Luo Chen to avoid the enemy's edge for the time being, and couldn't help but give a bitter laugh.
The man had crushed the World Government with his own strength.
His act of persuasion back then now seemed so ignorant.
Dragon looked at Emporio Ivankov and Sabo, and said in a deep voice, "We have to make a choice."
"Where the Revolutionary Army goes from here—whether to continue accumulating strength or to board Luo Chen's giant ship to assault the World Government—needs careful consideration."
Accumulating strength meant staying put.
Regardless of whether the winner was Luo Chen or Imu, their Revolutionary Army would not suffer losses.
If they rose up together with Luo Chen, there were risks.
But the potential return was that their Revolutionary Army might achieve the goal of overthrowing the rule of the World Government and Celestial Dragons several years in advance.
Emporio Ivankov frowned. "This concerns the entire Revolutionary Army. Let's recall the four Army Commanders to discuss it."
Sabo took a deep breath and was the first to vote. "My suggestion is to rise up together with the Jinghai Army."
"Of course, this means we might have to integrate into the Jinghai Army."
The power of the Jinghai Army far exceeded that of the Revolutionary Army.
The goals of both sides were converging, and Luo Chen's ambition was even greater.
Not only overthrowing the rule of the Celestial Dragons and the World Government but also sweeping away pirates.
If the Revolutionary Army united with the Jinghai Army, it would be difficult to have equal status.
Instead, like the Whitebeard Pirates, the entire army would be incorporated under Luo Chen's command.
Dragon nodded. "Recall the Army Commanders from various places first. We will make a decision after discussion."
He alone could not decide the direction of the Revolutionary Army.
...
At the entrance to the New World.
The former G-1 Marine Branch had been changed to the New Marine Headquarters after Marineford sank.
On the Marine plaza, the soldiers were in disarray, their morale low, completely losing organizational discipline.
Watching Fleet Admiral Sakazuki and Admirals Aokiji, Kizaru, and Ryokugyu in the live broadcast footage, they were disheartened.
At the very front of the army were two Admiral Candidates.
Chaton and Momousagi.
The two had been recalled to Marine Headquarters not long ago to temporarily manage the Marines.
Facing the current mess, Tokikake had a splitting headache.
Momousagi's beautiful face was covered in frost.
A few days ago, she had received a handwritten letter from her elder sister, Tsuru.
She learned everything the World Government had done to Tsuru.
Playing the live broadcast footage at Marine Headquarters today was something she had done deliberately.
In the distance, three black-suited CP agents suddenly ran over.
Scanning the live broadcast screen, they shouted coldly, "Turn off the live broadcast immediately!"
Chaton frowned slightly.
Momousagi looked over with cold eyes and scolded, "Get lost!"
The leading CP agent immediately said angrily, "Vice Admiral Gion, this is Commander-in-Chief Kong's order!"
Gion's peach-colored eyes were indifferent. The long sword at her waist was suddenly unsheathed, slashing out a beam of sword energy.
The three CP organization agents didn't expect she would dare to attack. Their expressions changed drastically, but they couldn't dodge even if they wanted to.
They were instantly slashed into serious injuries and fell into a pool of blood.
"Gion, you..." Tokikake was astonished.
The three agents were here to convey the order of Commander-in-Chief Steel Bone Kong.
Presumably, it was also Imu's order.
For Gion to act like this, could it be that she also intended to defect from the Marines?
"Sister Tsuru treated me well, yet the World Government used her life to threaten Mr. Garp to join the war. Where is the kingly demeanor of a ruler in that?"
"The current World Government acts despicably. How is it different from pirates and bandits?"
Gion's cold voice resonated through the plaza.
She asked the numerous Marine soldiers, "Today, I have decided to break away from the World Government and join the Jinghai Army."
"If anyone is willing, you may leave with me."
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