Faced with the threat of the Cross Guild, the World Government finally sprang into action, starting by cracking down on the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea.
During the Summit War, the half-hearted efforts of the Royal Seven Warlords had greatly displeased the Marines, prompting this forced summons.
If they wouldn't contribute, then they could get lost.
Moria and Hawkeye were relatively manageable.
Moria remained in the Devil's Triangle, shielded by its disorienting fog. Attempting to capture him would likely cost the Marines more than it was worth, and since Moria rarely ventured out, he posed little threat.
Hawkeye was a lone wolf with no attachments.
Doflamingo, however, had it the worst. Stripped of his Warlord title, he would once again become a wanted man, unable to stay in Dressrosa. Yet after a decade of ruling the country, how could he simply abandon it?
"Fufufufu!"
Mingo's veins bulged as his laughter took on a strained tone: "Advisor Tsuru, you must be joking?!"
"I don't have time for jokes," Tsuru replied coldly.
The Marines had been backed into a corner. With officers being assassinated daily, failure to deal with the Cross Guild would spell disaster.
But the Marines couldn't spare too many forces. Recently, the Revolutionary Army had launched uprisings in multiple nations, as if preparing for an early all-out confrontation.
She couldn't understand why the typically cautious Revolutionary Army had grown so reckless, but one thing was certain—something had gone wrong within their ranks.
Kizaru and Fujitora had already been deployed. Once this revolutionary wave was suppressed, the Revolutionary Army would be crippled.
Moreover, Kaido had recently made contact with Big Mom. According to intelligence, Kaido had been lingering near Totto Land, though his intentions remained unclear.
It was deeply concerning.
Tsuru felt exhausted.
As an older-generation Marine, she increasingly sensed the Navy's power waning, even feeling as though the organization was nearing its end.
Now, their only hope for turning the tide lay in the weapons developed by Vegapunk—a fact that only highlighted the Marines' incompetence.
"Prepare to mobilize. You don't have much time left."
"..."
Three days later, ten large battleships departed Marine Headquarters, accompanied by three Royal Seven Warlords and five vice admirals—a force equivalent to a Buster Call.
The Marines' covert operation quickly reached the ears of the Cross Guild.
Gurd also received the news.
New World, Pleasure Quarter.
[Girls' Ship] Bar.
Gurd was puzzled.
"The Navy only sent this much manpower?"
"Correct, but there may be hidden forces we aren't aware of," Stussy explained. "Not long ago, I visited the Doctor. The Seraphim project is nearing completion and could be deployed at any moment."
"How is it progressing so fast?!"
Gurd was stunned.
His own Seraphim were barely larger than toddlers and wouldn't be combat-ready for at least another year.
"You forced their hand," Stussy said helplessly. "After the Reverse Mountain incident, the Five Elders halted all of the Doctor's other projects, ordering him to focus entirely on the Seraphim and Mother Flame. Naturally, progress accelerated."
"..."
Fair enough.
Gurd considered it carefully—if he were one of the Five Elders, he'd probably do the same. Sometimes, pressure was the only way to reveal Vegapunk's true limits.
"But even with the Seraphim, the Navy wouldn't send such a small force, would they?"
"This is related to the Revolutionary Army," Stussy replied.
As both a member of Cipher Pol Aigis Zero and the Pleasure Quarter Queen, her intelligence network far surpassed Gurd's, especially in seas beyond the New World.
"The Revolutionary Army has launched revolutions in eight countries!"
"Have they lost their minds?"
Gurd frowned.
Given the Revolutionary Army's current strength, a revolution across eight nations was bound to fail. Not only were the kings of those countries still in power, but the World Government and the Marines could also mobilize forces at any moment.
Only during the World Conference, when the nations were left leaderless and the World Government and Marines were stretched thin, would the Revolutionary Army have a slim chance of success.
But even if they managed to seize territory temporarily, holding onto it would be the real challenge. Without strong figures to defend them, how could those liberated nations resist the World Government's retaliation?
Take Lulusia Kingdom, for example—it was completely erased from the map by the World Government, with countless commoners perishing.
And the Celestial Dragons' practice of annihilating one rebellious nation every three years served as a brutal deterrent.
At its core, the Revolutionary Army lacked a solid foundation. Relying solely on inciting uprisings among the oppressed was a recipe for inevitable failure.
"I'm not certain, but I have a theory," Stussy said with a playful smile. Before joining CP0, she had served in other Cipher Pol branches and had dealings with the Revolutionary Army.
"What if their goal isn't actually to succeed in revolution?"
"Hmm?" Gurd raised an eyebrow.
If not for revolution, then what was the point of such a massive spectacle? To draw the world's attention?
Stussy lowered her voice. "Gurd, the Revolutionary Army is fading into obscurity—because another, far more dazzling organization has taken their place."
"Hoenn?" Gurd's mind raced.
Was Dragon planning to lead the Revolutionary Army into joining Hoenn?
After two decades of development, the Revolutionary Army had deep roots across the world. Though they hadn't achieved major victories, their influence among the masses was undeniable.
Even if Dragon wanted to merge with Hoenn, he couldn't simply abandon the ongoing grassroots movements.
So, perhaps this grand revolution was meant to reignite the flames of rebellion in the world's eyes—to give the oppressed hope before making their exit.
A spectacular beginning, a spectacular end.
Then, they could join the Hoenn Government.
This way, the people who had been inspired would hold on, waiting for the day Hoenn arrived.
From Dragon's perspective, this logic made sense—otherwise, the Revolutionary Army would struggle to disengage from their operations across the seas.
Of course, this was all contingent on Dragon truly intending to join Hoenn and securing unanimous agreement among his officers.
"I need to go there!" Gurd quickly made up his mind.
This was just his speculation—he needed confirmation.
If Dragon really was considering this, then as Hoenn's Supreme Commander, Gurd could extend a formal invitation. It would both honor the Revolutionary Army and showcase Hoenn's eagerness for talent.
A win-win!
"Wait!"
Gurd had barely taken a few steps before he turned back abruptly. Under Stussy's puzzled gaze, he scooped her up and carried her into the room.
Stussy had gone out of her way to contact him—delivering intel was secondary. Clearly, she missed her old flame.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder!
"Ah, don't be so rough!"
"Rip!"
Grand Line, Lulusia Kingdom.
This nation was one of the closest to the Holy Land and the frontline of the eight-country revolution. Both the Marines and the Revolutionary Army had deployed significant forces here.
The island was engulfed in flames of war.
"We can't hold on any longer!"
"Retreat, retreat now!"
"Get the civilians onto the ships!"
Under the cover of the Army Commanders, the Revolutionary Army soldiers withdrew. Defeat was inevitable, but not without some gains.
The people willing to resist boarded their ships—this had been one of the main objectives of their revolution: to rescue as many oppressed common folk as possible!
Then onward, to a new world!
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