Pressure is a funny thing. It can crush a man, or it can turn coal into diamond. For Cleveland, pressure had been the catalyst for growth.
In just a few short months managing the Kingdom of Eryoku, Cleveland had transformed from a simple, rough-edged Marine officer into a skilled politician.
He moved with a new confidence, his eyes scanning the room with a calculating sharpness that hadn't been there before.
Cleveland finished his glass of water, setting it down on the table with a soft clink.
Across the desk, Raleigh placed the final document onto a stack of papers. He rubbed his temples, processing the information.
"Miles," Raleigh said softly, not looking up. "Have all the materials been collected?"
"Yes, Master," Miles replied instantly.
He understood the cue.
This was going to be a top-secret conversation.
Miles quickly refilled Cleveland's water cup, then grabbed the arm of the bewildered Bessermer Reginald.
"Come on, Reginald. Let's check the perimeter," Miles said, pulling the lanky captain toward the door.
"Huh? But I wanted to hear—"
Thud.
The heavy oak door closed, cutting off Reginald's protest.
The sound of the lock clicking shut echoed in the silence. The guards outside moved away, leaving the room completely isolated.
Now, it was just the two of them.
Cleveland didn't waste time with pleasantries. He reached into the inner pocket of his coat and pulled out a thick, black leather notebook.
He slid it across the desk to Raleigh.
"The foundation is laid," Cleveland reported, his voice low and serious. "Our intelligence network has been initially established."
Raleigh opened the book. The pages were filled with names, locations, and codes.
"Break it down for me," Raleigh said.
"Currently, our grip is strongest in the East Blue and the North Blue," Cleveland explained. "We have the most personnel there. Merchants, tavern owners, low-ranking soldiers—they are all feeding us information."
"The South Blue and West Blue remain relatively weak for now," Cleveland admitted. "We don't have the history there. But the agents we do have in those regions are all our own people, loyal to the core."
Raleigh nodded. This made sense. The North Blue was their home turf, and Raleigh had started his career in the East. It was natural that their influence was strongest there.
"What about the Grand Line?" Raleigh asked.
"We haven't infiltrated personnel into the Grand Line or the New World yet," Cleveland said. "It's too dangerous, and we lack the manpower. For now, all intelligence regarding the New World is obtained through official Marine channels..."
Cleveland paused, then added, "...and through the underground dealings of the Donquixote Family."
Raleigh nodded in approval.
He had always placed great importance on intelligence. In any war, the side with the bigger guns might win a battle, but the side with the better eyes wins the war. Information was the most lethal weapon in the world.
"We don't need to rush the Grand Line yet," Raleigh said calmly. "The Marines have eyes everywhere. We can use their network for now to verify what we hear from the underworld. Focus on solidifying the Four Seas first."
Cleveland nodded and flipped to the first marked page of his notebook.
"Next item: Monkey D. Dragon."
Raleigh leaned forward. This was what he was most interested in.
"Dragon's organization is developing at a pace that frankly... terrifies me," Cleveland admitted. "He is operating in the 'Far North Country.' Although his organization is composed of the coal workers we sent from the Eryoku Kingdom, they are no longer just miners."
Cleveland pointed to a report. "They have been transformed. Dragon works with them during the day—digging ditches, carrying loads, sweating alongside them. He refuses special treatment."
"And at night?" Raleigh asked.
"At night, he teaches," Cleveland said. "He explains his 'Revolutionary Program.' He teaches them why they are poor, why the nobles are rich, and how to fight back. He is turning them into loyal soldiers of a cause."
"A few thousand couldn't handle the hardship and left," Cleveland noted. "But the ones who stayed? They have fully comprehended his ideology. Dragon's 'Revolutionary Army' has firmly established a foothold."
Raleigh sat back, a small smile playing on his lips.
"He is a natural," Raleigh thought.
Dragon was born to lead.
Even in this timeline, starting from scratch, his progress was lightning fast.
At this rate, the Revolutionary Army would be raising the banner of rebellion across the globe before Luffy was even born.
"Good," Raleigh said. "Let him cook. What's next?"
Cleveland turned the page. His expression grew darker.
"The West Blue," Cleveland said. "Specifically, the Kingdom of Ohara."
"You asked me to monitor the scholars there," Cleveland continued. "I purchased information from local informants. It confirms that a group of scholars and archaeologists has formed a so-called 'Historical Text Exploration Team.'"
Cleveland frowned. "The informant says they are planning to set sail soon to search for Poneglyphs. Additionally, I have dispatched a Station Chief there. He is currently establishing a permanent intelligence station on the island of Ohara."
Raleigh nodded slowly. He tapped his finger on the desk.
"Cleveland," Raleigh said, his voice turning cold. "Send a message to that Station Chief. Tell him: Do not forget his mission."
"Sir?"
"He is there to observe, not to make friends," Raleigh warned. "He must not develop sympathy for the scholars. He must not fall in love. And most importantly... when the order comes to withdraw, he must leave immediately. No hesitations."
"Understood," Cleveland said, writing it down.
Raleigh sighed internally.
He knew the future.
He knew about the Buster Call. The World Government would not tolerate Ohara researching the Void Century.
Raleigh couldn't stop the scholars; they were stubbornly principled seekers of truth. He couldn't stop the Government; he wasn't strong enough yet.
He didn't want his own spy to die a meaningless death alongside them when the island burned.
"In my view," Raleigh thought, "the fate of Ohara is a tragedy written in stone."
Cleveland, unaware of Raleigh's dark premonition, pulled out a large, folded chart from the back of the notebook.
He spread it out over the desk. It was a map of the New World.
"The power dynamics in the New World have shifted," Cleveland explained. "Since the death of Rocks, the chaos is settling into a hierarchy."
He pointed to a massive area colored in gold.
"First, the Flying Pirates under 'Golden Lion' Shiki. They control the most territory and have the largest fleet. Currently, he commands over eight thousand men, and he is recruiting more every day. He seems to share the same ambition as his former captain, Rocks—world domination."
Cleveland pointed to two other large areas.
"The other remnants of Rocks are also powerful. 'Whitebeard' Edward Newgate and 'Big Mom' Charlotte Linlin command the second-largest territories. However, unlike Shiki, they are relatively quiet. They focus on protecting their turf rather than aggressive expansion."
"And the rest?" Raleigh asked.
"Lone wolves," Cleveland said. "Gol D. Roger and his first mate Rayleigh. Kaido of the Beasts Pirates. The 'Red Count', Patrick Redfield."
"These individuals are monsters," Cleveland noted, "but they don't hold much land. Because of this, Naval Headquarters considers their threat level 'moderate.' The Fleet Admiral believes the priority must be launching an offensive against the Golden Lion."
Raleigh nodded. "That is a sound assessment... for now."
If Raleigh were sitting in Marineford, he would probably do the same.
Shiki was the most direct threat to the Government's rule.
"So," Cleveland proposed, looking at Raleigh, "since the New World is stabilizing, should we attempt to establish intelligence stations along the Grand Line? We could start slowly."
Raleigh remained silent for a long moment. He stared at the map.
Finally, he gently shook his head.
"Don't be in such a hurry, Cleveland," Raleigh said softly. "The world situation isn't static. What you perceive as calm... it is just the tremors before a volcanic eruption."
Raleigh knew the timeline.
This year was quiet.
But next year? The Edd War between Roger and Shiki would shatter the balance.
And three years later, in Sea Circle Calendar 1499, everything would change. Gol D. Roger would conquer the Grand Line.
He would find the One Piece. He would create the Great Pirate Era.
The world was about to catch fire.
"We don't need to confront those monsters right now," Raleigh said firmly. "We are still too small. If we step into the New World now, we will be crushed."
"What we need to do is continuously build up our strength in the shadows."
Raleigh clenched his fist. "Like a volcano. It sleeps for decades, silent and unassuming. But when it finally erupts... it shakes the heavens and the earth. We must be the volcano."
Raleigh reached into his drawer and pulled out a small booklet. He slid it to Cleveland.
"These are the graduation files for the first batch of trainees from our base," Raleigh said. "The ones Miles trained."
Cleveland opened the booklet. It contained the profiles of 300 soldiers.
These men had been pushed to their limits.
They had mastered the basics of the Navy Six Styles. Most had awakened basic Haki. Their mindsets had been transformed; they were loyal not to the World Government, but to the ideals of the "Daybreak" base.
"They are ready," Raleigh said.
Cleveland nodded, scanning the stats. "With their current strength, they are stronger than most Branch Captains. They can easily handle the pirates in the Four Seas."
"Exactly," Raleigh grinned. "But I don't want them just hunting pirates."
Raleigh pointed at the map of the Four Seas.
"Cleveland, use your authority. These officers and soldiers are to be mixed with regular personnel transfers."
"Send them to the East, West, South, and North. Assign them to Marine bases everywhere."
Raleigh's eyes gleamed with ambition.
"Every major base in the Four Seas must have our people embedded inside!"