Easy victories can easily make people drop their guard—this was a timeless truth once taught in the Marines tactical manuals.
It was a theory created by an unknown Vice Admiral who, when facing a cunning group of pirates, deliberately allowed them to achieve small victories step by step.
He fed their egos, lowered their vigilance, and made them sloppy.
This strategy works against any opponent: slowly setting traps, making them psychologically adapt to your rhythm, and then striking decisively when they are fat and happy.
Although the rebels in the Eryoku Kingdom hadn't fallen into such a trap yet, they had already begun to look down on their opponents.
Psychologically, they were drifting.
They conducted no detailed investigations, gathered no intelligence on the approaching Marines or World Government officials, and relied solely on their own morale and strength.
Undoubtedly, this was an extremely fatal mistake.
At this moment, standing on the deck of the ship preparing to leave, Dragon's understanding of revolution deepened profoundly.
He finally realized that revolution is not just an idealist's slogan!
Anyone walking the path of revolution must tread as if on thin ice, proceeding with the utmost caution to reach the end.
One wrong step, one moment of arrogance, and it's over.
This realization drew Dragon's full attention.
He believed that since this complacency had emerged now, it would inevitably reappear in the future.
If the root cause of this issue wasn't thoroughly investigated and fixed, Dragon knew he would have no means to resolve it the next time it arose.
"Karasu, Swore, board the ship," Dragon commanded, his voice steady but heavy.
Behind Karasu and Swore gathered rebels of varying heights—steadfast revolutionaries and those willing to follow Dragon in leaving this nation to build a new future.
In truth, they were a minority; most people had no desire to depart their homeland, regardless of the danger.
"Dragon-san, we're heading back."
A middle-aged man who often followed Karasu bid a polite farewell to Dragon.
He left with an air of ease, heading back toward the shore.
Dragon watched his retreating figure as if observing a multitude of rebel soldiers who shared the same mindset—the desire for comfort over the hard road of total freedom.
"Chief, let's go," Karasu urged.
Seeing his comrade lead others away, Karasu wanted to run after them, to persuade them to stay and fight, but Dragon raised a hand to stop him.
"Karasu, I know you and he are very close, but I have a piece of advice for you," Dragon said, his eyes dark and serious.
"Respect others' destinies, and let go of the urge to save everyone."
Dragon was not an overly idealistic person; during his time in the Marines, he had encountered all manner of cunning and cruel pirates, as well as the filthiest evils of the world.
Years of witnessing oppression had fueled his desire to change the world, but he never insisted that everyone must share his views.
The development of the Freedom Fighter Army had simply grown from a group of like-minded individuals.
You cannot force a man to be free.
For those who remained indifferent, Dragon felt regret but would never linger to persuade them at this moment.
"Chief, we've arranged for the remaining personnel. We can set sail immediately," Swore hurried over to report.
They had seized most of the kingdom's ships, which were more than enough to evacuate everyone, especially since so many had decided to stay behind.
"Good. You and Karasu take the fleet and head to the Far-North Nation. Establish a base there for the Freedom Fighter Army," Dragon ordered.
"Remember, once you arrive, you must impart the Revolutionary Program to every soldier. Right now, most fighters only have a superficial understanding of the revolution. They need to know why we fight, not just how."
"I'll stay behind to meet someone. After that, I'll depart."
Karasu and Swore nodded.
Following the victory of the uprising, Dragon's presence had grown increasingly authoritative.
Although many rebels boarding the ship were reluctant to leave and eager to confront the World Government, they obediently boarded under Dragon's command.
Of the rebels in the Eryoku Kingdom, roughly thirty thousand followed Dragon in leaving the country, while the remaining seventy thousand stayed behind, awaiting a fate they could not yet foresee.
....
Meanwhile, on the sea.
A gentle sea breeze blew as the naval vessel powered toward the Eryoku Kingdom, yet the high-ranking officers aboard seemed entirely unconcerned about the outcome of the mission.
On the spacious deck, two sun loungers lay side by side.
Raleigh and Borsalino lay lazily on them, soaking up the atmosphere.
Raleigh had comfortably positioned a large sun umbrella above himself to shield against the scorching sun, leaving Borsalino exposed.
[Sleeping in front of superiors, Slacking Points +500]
"Oooooh, Raleigh, move the umbrella a bit toward me. I'm getting too much sun! It's bad for the skin," Borsalino complained, stretching his neck and trying to get closer to Raleigh's shade.
Unfortunately, the two sun loungers were too far apart for him to reach without getting up.
"Damn it, sleeping right in front of me? I'm going to dock your pay," Borsalino said fiercely, though he didn't move a muscle to actually stop him.
Raleigh, who had been sound asleep, seemed to hear a phrase that struck a chord in his soul.
'Dock your pay.'
He immediately removed his eye mask and looked at Borsalino with a bright, ingratiating grin.
"What are you talking about, bro? How could I not share with you?" Raleigh reached out and turned the sun umbrella toward Borsalino's side.
Feeling the cool shade, Borsalino nodded in satisfaction.
"That's better. Raleigh, what's the point of us going there anyway? By the time we arrive, the rebels have probably already run away. No one would stay behind—that would be too foolish. It's a wasted trip."
Borsalino lamented that this trip was utterly pointless work.
Raleigh picked up a fresh coconut from the table, poked a hole in it with his finger, and drank from it as he spoke.
"This is what the Marines should do. Whether the rebels will be waiting for us in the Eryoku Kingdom, no one knows. But whether we go or not is a matter of the Marines' stance. No matter what orders the World Government issues, as members of the Marines, we can't oppose them. It's a matter of identity. We show up, we look busy, we go home."
Truth be told, Raleigh didn't really want to say these things, since Borsalino understood them as clearly as a mirror.
But to avoid unnecessary guessing games between them, Raleigh often preferred to be straightforward, especially since the person beside him was Borsalino.
Honestly, if Borsalino weren't reliable, Raleigh would have died five years ago in some unknown corner of the North Blue.
"Yoohoo, Raleigh's foresight is truly frightening," Borsalino drawled.
Although he claimed to be scared, he was practically melting into his sun lounger, completely relaxed.
"This matter isn't urgent. Instead... news of you defeating Bryndy World has spread everywhere." Borsalino said it quietly, but the weight of his words was heavy.