The South Blue, a certain secret base of the Revolutionary Army.
Ivankov rushed into Dragon's office, holding the newspaper that had shocked him beyond belief today.
"Dragon! Dragon!" Ivankov shouted. "Have you seen today's news?"
"Stop shouting. I am thinking," Dragon said from behind his desk. He was also reading the newspaper, his expression extremely complicated.
"Pirate King Roger! The World Government says he is the leader behind our Revolutionary Army. Is that true? Did you really reach some agreement with him on Baterilla Island? Did you get him to join us?" Ivankov looked at Dragon in disbelief.
Recently, the Marines and CP agencies in the South Blue had dealt a heavy blow to the Revolutionary Army.
They had caused the Revolutionary Army great losses. Dragon truly had not expected that the moment he raised the banner against the World Government, the World Government would immediately strike with such force and leave him stunned.
With the Revolutionary Army's current strength, they were not actually capable of fighting the World Government head-on. They could only flee everywhere like rats crossing the street.
And under these constant blows, many members inside the Revolutionary Army had become uneasy.
After all, before this, they had not been an armed force fighting the World Government. They had been a civilian self-defense organization.
So after the World Government struck hard, many people chose to leave the Revolutionary Army.
Of course, there were also many oppressed people who saw the flame of revolution. They responded to Dragon's call across the South Blue and began joining the Revolutionary Army.
It could be said that this stage was an important turning point for the Revolutionary Army.
And right now, Dragon urgently needed a major event that could stir people's hearts and unite the Revolutionary Army.
Before this, he had still been thinking about where to begin and how to create such a major event.
But now, it seemed he did not need to risk launching any operation.
Someone had delivered it straight to his door.
What could inspire people more than Pirate King Roger joining the Revolutionary Army and being given a bounty of six billion Berries?
Dragon did not have Roger's fame. In the South Blue, he had only a little reputation. Across the four seas, he was even less significant. Because of that, the Revolutionary Army was also looked down upon as a small disturbance.
But now, if Roger charged at the front and became the Revolutionary Army's banner, the influence would be tremendous.
And with a fierce figure like Roger standing on the front line, drawing the World Government's attention, the Revolutionary Army could greatly reduce its own pressure, quietly relocate, develop, and build strength.
Thinking of this, Dragon looked seriously at Ivankov.
"That is right. Roger and I spoke for several days on Baterilla Island. At that time, he decided to bring his talent to our Revolutionary Army. You know this as well—he is my father's greatest rival. If the two of us join forces, we will definitely create excellent chemistry. As for the World Government, I can only wish them luck…"
Although Roger had not joined the Revolutionary Army and had only given him a batch of food supplies, Dragon had already decided to announce it this way.
Roger was the Revolutionary Army's spiritual mentor.
His great will guided them.
"For real?!" Ivankov asked in surprise.
"Real my ass!" Dragon glared at Ivankov. "I did invite him, but he rejected me. But that does not matter. At this point, even if it is false, it has to become true. The Revolutionary Army needs this influence, and we need this matter to inspire people and unite the strength to resist the World Government!"
After a slight pause, Dragon said, "Quickly contact the World Economy News Paper. In the name of the Revolutionary Army, issue a public declaration. We must firmly establish that Roger is one of our Revolutionary Army's great leaders. Understand?"
"Got it. I think Morgans will be very happy to publish this kind of big news!" Ivankov laughed loudly.
"Do not forget Gaban too. Hm… and count Rayleigh in while you are at it!" Dragon thought for a moment, then added.
After all, Gaban had indeed reunited with Roger and fought fiercely against Dragon's old man in the New World. Dragging him into this was perfectly reasonable.
As for Rayleigh, he was one of the three great pillars of the Roger Pirates. Everyone knew that.
If Gaban and Roger had joined, then Rayleigh joining too was reasonable, right?
Anyway, if they were going to borrow a tiger's skin and raise a grand banner, then they might as well be as bold as possible.
No one knew the truth.
Besides, it was the World Government that first announced Roger was the leader behind the Revolutionary Army. It was not Dragon who said it first.
He was simply cooperating with the World Government's own publicity.
July 26, 1492, Sea Circle Calendar.
The World Economy News Paper published the Revolutionary Army's declaration.
In the declaration, Dragon officially admitted that former Pirate King Roger was indeed the hidden leader of the Revolutionary Army. He greatly respected Roger. The two had once held intense ideological discussions on Baterilla Island and reached many points of agreement.
Furthermore, the Pirate King's right hand, Dark King Silvers Rayleigh, and the Pirate King's left hand, Mountain Eater Scopper Gaban, had also joined the Revolutionary Army.
Dragon even declared that he sincerely hoped people from all walks of life across the sea would actively join and support the Revolutionary Army.
...
On Sabaody Archipelago—
Rayleigh looked at the newspaper in his hand with a grave expression.
A few days earlier, he had already contacted Roger and learned the whole truth.
It turned out Roger had not caused trouble at all. He had simply been discovered by Garp's son on Baterilla Island, and in passing, he had provided a large batch of food supplies to the organization that was still called the Freedom Figthers at the time.
Not long afterward, Dragon became the leader of the Revolutionary Army.
After Roger learned this, he knew there was no way to explain it clearly. So he immediately sold off his property, fled to the New World, and arranged to meet Gaban so they could settle in Elbaf together.
As a result, he ran into Garp halfway.
Soon after, the matter of him supporting the Revolutionary Army was exposed, eventually developing into this situation.
At the time, Rayleigh had found it a little unbelievable.
But now, looking at the newspaper and seeing Garp's bastard son shamelessly say that he, Rayleigh, was also a Revolutionary Army officer, he was truly speechless.
He was on Sabaody Archipelago working honestly as a coating craftsman. He had done nothing at all.
And somehow, this huge blame had landed on his head.
Who was he supposed to reason with?
Shakky leaned over the bar with great amusement and teased the speechless Rayleigh.
"Mr. Revolutionary Army officer, do you need me to spread word in the underworld for you? I can say all of this is just the Revolutionary Army's wishful thinking."
Rayleigh folded the newspaper, tossed it onto the table, and shook his head.
"What would be the point? The World Government has already decided that Roger is part of the Revolutionary Army. Gaban has also been dragged in by Roger, so he cannot wash himself clean no matter what. As for me… forget it. Let them say whatever they want. As long as they do not come looking for me, it is fine. Otherwise, I really will start killing people, and then we can go settle in Elbaf too."
"Hahahahaha! When you put it like that, I am actually looking forward to it," Shakky said with a loud laugh.
...
New World, Frost Island.
Valthior was also sitting in the palace at this moment, looking at the newspaper in his hand with a speechless expression.
Obviously, as soon as this matter caused an uproar, Valthior had contacted Roger to ask what was going on.
Then the two of them began cursing each other over the Den Den Mushi.
Roger cursed him for being disloyal and actually using his name to write those filthy stories.
Naturally, Valthior refused to admit anything. He even said Roger did not know what was good for him and had wasted the more than sixty billion Berries he had given him.
But after they finished cursing each other, they quickly began discussing the situation. Roger also explained things, letting Valthior know the truth.
Just then, Spencer walked in from outside and said, "They are fighting again. On Harsk Island, Garp led a Marine fleet and caught up with Roger and Gaban again. The two sides are currently fighting fiercely…"
"Looks like Mr. Garp is truly furious. Hahahahaha," Valthior laughed loudly.
This was already the third major battle between Garp and Roger's side in less than a month in the New World.
They were truly chasing and fighting the whole way.
In the middle, both sides had even passed through the Whitebeard Pirates' territory. But reportedly, the Moby Dick moved aside immediately and had transferred away two days in advance, showing no intention of joining the excitement.
That made sense.
At a time like this, whoever joined the excitement was just asking for trouble.
Was it not better to watch from the side?
"Are we not going to help?" Spencer asked, somewhat eager.
"No. Absolutely do not get involved in this matter. Look at that bastard Dragon—he is simply shameless. Whoever gets dragged in will happily receive the title of Revolutionary Army officer. Is that not a joke? Even Whitebeard ran away. Why would we join in?" Valthior immediately shook his head.
He had no intention of becoming a Revolutionary Army officer, so watching the excitement from the sidelines was enough.
Besides, if Roger truly could not handle it, that guy would definitely ask for help. Had he not dragged Gaban in without hesitation? Good brothers were meant to be used at times like this.
But right now, Roger had not asked for help at all. When they had spoken earlier, he had sounded like although things were very exciting, he was enjoying it.
So Valthior had no intention of interfering. Let them make trouble.
As for the Revolutionary Army, it actually benefited Valthior.
The Revolutionary Army would draw much of the World Government's attention, making it easier for Valthior to act.
Elbaf's strength was immense. Roger and Gaban were both making their way there. Besides, the world's strongest nation deeply hated the World Government.
So Valthior could almost judge that once Roger and Gaban escaped near Elbaf's waters, Garp would not continue chasing.
He could not withstand Elbaf's counterattack together with Roger and Gaban. If he kept pushing, the matter would become impossible to clean up.
At that time, the Marines led by Garp would naturally withdraw.
And this farce would also come to an end.
Roger's "crimes" might not be cleared, but Valthior felt that Roger most likely would not participate in the Revolutionary Army's later affairs. He should retire together with Gaban in Elbaf.
Otherwise, he could simply go find Dragon directly. Why come to the New World?
In that case, after a few years passed, the sea would still be the same as before.
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