Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral's Office.
Akainu held a Den Den Mushi, secretly communicating with a spy in the New World. Veins bulged on his forehead, a clear sign of his extreme fury.
"Fleet Admiral Akainu, Calamity Gurd is trying to recruit Admiral Aokiji!"
"I already know!"
"Huh?"
"Continue your mission!"
Akainu hung up the Den Den Mushi, his fists erupting with magma and flames, burning a massive hole through his desk.
"That idiot!!!"
At this moment, the Marine Headquarters was thrown into chaos.
"Why would Admiral Aokiji—"
"No way, it must be a mistake!"
"Damn it! How could this happen?!"
In the morning, the latest issue of the newspaper arrived at Marine Headquarters, shocking every Marine with its headlines.
[Hoenn Government Officially Established!]
[Fleet Admiral of the Hoenn Navy—Aokiji!]
[Seventeen Nations Join the Hoenn Government!]
[Democracy, Freedom, Human Rights!]
[Whitebeard Pirates Disbanded!]
[Marco Joins Groudon Company!]
Admiral Aokiji, who had left the Marines, had now joined the enemy's ranks—and even become their highest naval commander.
For the entire Marine force, especially the dove faction that idolized Aokiji, this was nothing short of a devastating blow!
Holy Land, Chamber of Authority.
The Five Elders were seething with rage.
"Suppress the news immediately!"
"It's too late."
"The news has already spread worldwide!"
Clearly, the Hoenn Government had planned this meticulously. Within just one morning, they had used the media to broadcast the news across every sea.
The world was in an uproar!
The defection of one of the Marines' top-tier Admirals wasn't just a loss in combat power—it also cast doubt on the World Government's authority.
Utter humiliation!
Moreover, the World Government was in the middle of a massive recruitment campaign. This would undoubtedly shake the resolve of those seeking justice and aspiring to join the Marines.
The situation was dire!
But what worried the Five Elders the most was the Hoenn Government. Though newly established, it already had 17 member nations and was growing at an alarming rate.
In comparison, the Revolutionary Army—long a thorn in their side—now seemed insignificant. The Hoenn Government was the World Government's true threat.
"What do we do?"
"Wait for now. The Hoenn Government will surely make a move!"
"We must prepare to retaliate!"
"It seems we'll have to step in ourselves!"
The recruitment campaign had only just begun. Without at least a year, they couldn't possibly wage a full-scale war against the Hoenn Government.
Kaido, Gurd, and now Aokiji!
Just these three alone were enough to make them hesitate. Even the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates had been absorbed by the enemy.
New World, Hachinosu Island.
"Hey, hey… you've gotta be kidding me!"
"Unbelievable!"
"Does this mean the Beasts Pirates are even stronger now?!"
Pirates gulped nervously.
Hachinosu Island now flew the flag of the Beasts, and most of the Whitebeard Pirates' commanders had joined the Groudon Company.
Among them, the manager overseeing Hachinosu was none other than "Phoenix" Marco, who would be stationed in the Fortuna Community from now on.
A quick tally revealed that between the Beasts, Groudon Company, and the Hoenn Government, there were now over ten powerhouses with bounties exceeding 1 billion berries!
Absolutely terrifying!
Oni Island, small banquet hall.
Kaido stared at the newspaper, his mind completely lost in quantum mechanics, utterly baffled by how the world had turned upside down.
He had clearly done nothing, yet his Beasts had become so unfamiliar that even he barely recognized them anymore.
King was equally bewildered.
The news from start to finish was utterly incomprehensible. Why had Aokiji joined them? What was the deal with Whitebeard's remnants?
It was all too bizarre—so much so that it felt unreal.
Fake News!
After a long silence, Kaido finally spoke.
"King, how long has it been since Gurd last returned?"
"I don't remember."
"I miss him."
"..."
Meanwhile, in the member nations of the World Government.
"Democracy, freedom, human rights!"
The kings stared at these words, growing increasingly uncomfortable, even feeling a stabbing pain as if pricked by needles.
The Revolutionary Army's ideology had already unsettled them, but now the Hoenn Government's propaganda was turning up the heat.
"Damn it! How can lowly commoners have rights and freedom?"
"Democracy? They're nothing but slaves!"
"Soldiers! Burn all newspapers immediately! Ban any discussion of Hoenn—arrest anyone who violates this order!"
The kings and nobles were terrified.
The newspapers weren't just filled with buzzwords; they also promoted the Nation of Labor—stories like a worker becoming mayor through hard work, or officials rising from poverty.
Outrageous!
A farmer's son should remain a farmer, a cobbler's child a cobbler, and a noble's descendants nobles.
That was the natural order of the world!
Grand Line, White Earth Island.
Revolutionary Army Headquarters.
Ivankov, Betty, Karasu—the Army Commanders had gathered, a rare occurrence.
They had come to discuss the post-Marineford world order, summoned by Dragon himself.
But today's news had sent shockwaves through the headquarters.
That man had made his move!
"Every person deserves fundamental rights—life, liberty, education, and work—regardless of social status..."
The Army Commanders read the newspaper's contents.
Human rights, democracy, freedom.
These three concepts intertwined to form a remarkably comprehensive ideology. And it wasn't just theory—Hoenn's member nations were already implementing it.
"I feel like defecting."
"Don't be ridiculous!"
The commanders exchanged uneasy glances. These ideas struck them harder than Dragon's original recruitment pitch.
"Dragon!"
They turned to him and froze.
Dragon was holding the newspaper, his eyes burning with unprecedented fervor.
He understood now.
Everything that had puzzled him in the Nation of Labor suddenly made sense.
"So that's it... HAHAHAHA!"
Dragon laughed uncontrollably, shedding his usual composure.
After over twenty years of revolution, he finally realized what had been missing—his understanding of freedom had been shallow all along.
"Forgive me, everyone."
Dragon stood, his face apologetic.
"I need some time alone."
"We understand."
The commanders' expressions were complex.
They needed solitude too.
Hoenn Fortress, Fleet Admiral's Office.
Kuzan gripped the newspaper, veins bulging on his forehead.
So that's why Gurd had arranged that photoshoot days ago!
"Hey, hey—you threw me straight into the fire!"
"Hahaha, don't take it personally."
Gurd sipped his tea cheerfully.
He knew full well the chaos unfolding outside. This triple combo of democracy, freedom, and human rights was enough to shatter people's worldview.
Unfortunately, public opinion has always been controlled by the World Government. Even Morgans only dared to stab them in the back covertly, and would still obey the World Government's orders after being warned.
Kuzan merely complained a little. In truth, he was quite pleased with the newspaper's contents, which further strengthened his convictions.
One day, he would personally crush Sakazuki—not just in battle, but also the man's so-called justice!
"What do you plan to do next?"
"To help nations in need!"
Gurd replied with a smile.
A certain super-affiliated nation was in desperate need of assistance right now—and coincidentally, he also needed to open up free trade markets there!
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