Thus, under the leadership of Michael and Ivankov, the two original founders of the Revolutionary Army, this group of freshly risen fighters — taking their first real steps on the path of revolution — stumbled through and, with not-high efficiency, completed the mission that belonged to them.
The Lulusia Kingdom was basically liberated.
But what came next would be the real test for these Revolutionary Army fighters.
"I've said it — you must absolutely remember what you learn in your daily political-ideological classes…" Michael folded his arms, his wings trembling slightly, and nagged every Revolutionary soldier who passed him, just like an NPC in an online game spouting a few lines when the server shuts down.
"Yes, Chief of Staff! We will definitely remember all the rules! We will absolutely not take a single stitch or thread from the people!"
Watching another Revolutionary soldier leave in high spirits, Michael nodded approvingly.
Ivankov's big head drew closer from the side at that moment.
Over the years his exaggerated drag makeup had made that big face of his increasingly intimidating.
"Hee—ha! Michael, you really are an outstanding leader… besides Dragon and you, I haven't seen anyone who cares about their subordinates so much."
"Of course I care about my subordinates — they are the Revolutionary Army's backbone, its fundamental strength." Michael shrugged; his mood looked decidedly good. "The only thing I'm not completely satisfied with… is their experience and efficiency when it comes to sinking ships and disposing of bodies."
"Hee—ha! You sure ask a lot from these rookies!"
"That's not asking…" Michael smiled at Ivankov. "It's expectation — a sincere expectation."
Michael looked up.
The sky had brightened; the sun had broken free of the horizon and now hung high, its light warming the whole Lulusia Kingdom.
"Hm… nice weather."
Michael smiled, and Ivankov showed the same smile.
"Hee—ha! I have another question! Why didn't you bring Jack and Yamato this time?" Ivankov asked, puzzled. "Like you said, the rookies aren't familiar with sinking ships and clean-up work, but Jack and Yamato have been at your side all these years — that's their specialty."
"If you brought them, do you think anyone else would even have any work to do?" Michael sounded a little helpless. "After all, the Lulusia Kingdom is an easy target we can use as a lesson for the rookies… to be blunt, just Jack alone could easily annihilate the Lulusia Kingdom dozens of times over and back."
"…You make Jack sound like a war machine."
"With that physique, however you look at it, he's a natural war machine, okay?" Michael stood up.
"But this kid's been getting cocky lately, often giving other Revolutionary officers the cold shoulder… I need Yamato to straighten him out a bit."
As Michael finished speaking, a soldier in the Revolutionary uniform walked over.
He stood straight, saluted Michael and Ivankov, then spoke:
"Chief of Staff! Army Commander! We've finished inventorying the royal family's property in the Lulusia Kingdom… It's quite a lot. You should come see it."
"You don't look… very excited." Michael glanced at the young soldier. "If there's a lot of property you should be happy — that means more for the people of Lulusia."
"But it also shows how heavily the people of Lulusia were exploited." The young soldier's brow deepened. "If a weak country like Lulusia suffered so much… what about the stronger nations?"
"That's why we appeared." Michael reached out and patted the young soldier's shoulder, not too hard. "What's your name again? I remember you're from Alabasta…"
"Reporting, Chief of Staff! My name is Koza!" Koza nodded heavily. "My father led a reclamation team in the uninhabited oasis Yoba in Alabasta!"
"Oh! I knew there was something familiar about you!" Michael studied the young man carefully. "I remember… you had a good relationship with Vivi of the Cobra family, didn't you?"
"That was just a childhood entanglement." Koza shook his head. "But I can assure you, the Nefertari family of Alabasta are not in the same camp as those greedy royals… Whether it's King Cobra or Vivi, they're good people!"
"Hey, don't get excited, kid." Michael looked at Koza, who had grown tense, and found it a little amusing. "King Cobra is an old acquaintance of mine… in fact, those Revolutionary soldiers from Alabasta, including you, were personally recommended by him."
Hearing that, Koza's mood relaxed instantly.
"I see…"
"Alright, Koza." Michael stepped forward. "Now take me and show me exactly how much the Lulusia Kingdom has plundered."
...
"Revolutionary Army action! In a lightning-fast strike they directly took the Lulusia Kingdom."
"Most of the Lulusia royal family were executed by the Revolutionary Army in front of all the people."
"Now, the remaining decent royals are working with the Revolutionary Army to divide the huge wealth the Lulusia Kingdom gathered among all its civilians…"
"The Lulusia Kingdom has officially become a liberated land under the Revolutionary Army."
"Most importantly… how did they enter the Grand Line without anyone noticing!?"
...
Tom's Shipbuilding Company — Shipwright Dormitory.
The spies assigned to CP9 were all sitting together in the dormitory, studying the latest intelligence in their hands.
Ever since that time when their search of Tom's Shipbuilding Company was live-broadcast by Michael in front of the Five Elders, Water Seven had officially been upgraded to the Country of Ships…
But the CP9 spies felt as if they had been forgotten by everyone.
The World Government did not deal with them, and Tom's Shipbuilding Company didn't throw them out.
Both sides tacitly pretended nothing had happened and let them continue their undercover work.
Of course, Rob Lucci, Kaku, Jabra, Kalifa, Kumadori, Fukurou and Blueno — none of them knew about the live broadcast.
But after years of being left alone, they more or less realized the World Government had given up on them.
CP9 — a name kept more for show than reality.
"Lucci… we must find a way to survive on our own." Kaku, after a long silence, suddenly lifted his head and said firmly, "We must accomplish something big enough to make the World Government reactivate us."
"Something big enough?" Lucci looked at Kaku and thought of the information they'd just read.
"You mean…"
"Since we're all undercover anyway… why not join the Revolutionary Army?"
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