"Since we're both intelligent people, I won't beat around the bush. I've learned many things in the Eryoku Kingdom. Could you... help me review them?"
Dragon now held Raleigh in high regard.
The notebook Raleigh had "gifted" him was a revelation, and he believed this strange Marine would be a steadfast ally on the revolutionary path.
Raleigh nodded, pulled up a chair beside Dragon, and fetched some draft paper and a pen.
"Go ahead, senpai."
Dragon leaned forward, his intense gaze fixed on the map Raleigh had provided.
"My original plan was straightforward: start an uprising in the Eryoku Kingdom, use the miners' anger, and overthrow the royal nobility here." He paused, his brow furrowing.
"But my thinking has changed now. We can't really change anything. Even if we overthrow the kingdom's rule, execute the king, and free the slaves... there won't be better development."
Raleigh smiled, knowing exactly where this was going. "It's because of the Marines and the World Government, right?"
Dragon nodded. "You're absolutely right. Even if we mobilize all the workers, the middle class, everyone... we can't solve the external problem. The power of the Marines and World Government is just too immense. They will simply blockade the island and starve us out."
"My current idea," Dragon continued, "is to take the kingdom's citizens... all of them... to another place after overthrowing the nobility. We find a remote island and develop slowly there."
Raleigh fell into thought, writing and calculating on the paper.
He tapped the pen against the desk.
"That's... very difficult to achieve, senpai. This isn't evacuating dozens or hundreds of people. A kingdom like this has at least tens of thousands of citizens. 150,000 miners alone. Plus families." He drew a large circle on the map.
"No matter which direction you retreat, the World Government will find you. The target is too big. It's simply not feasible. You'd be a floating city, waiting to be sunk."
"Then what do you suggest?" Dragon earnestly sought Raleigh's opinion.
After thinking for a moment, Raleigh decided to nudge Dragon toward his own plan.
It was cleaner that way.
"The World Government is powerful because they control the world's strongest force: the Marines."
He drew a large square labeled 'WG'.
"But," Raleigh added, drawing several smaller circles around it, "our Marines isn't without opponents. Pirates. The Mafia. Troublesome non-affiliated nations."
Dragon seemed to understand somewhat.
Raleigh wrote down the names of several factions on the draft paper: Kaido, Big Mom, Shiki, Roger.
Then he drew curves to illustrate the relationships between them, making it clear for Dragon to see at a glance.
The world was a web of chaos.
"Can the uprising in Eryoku Kingdom succeed? I believe it definitely can, especially with you joining in," Raleigh said. "But what I want to say is, even if it succeeds, your external pressure will be unprecedented."
"Therefore," Raleigh tapped the paper, "since you're determined to revolt, you need to find forces in the external environment that can counterbalance the World Government. You need a distraction."
Dragon was quite surprised to hear this.
"Forces that oppose the World Government? Are you suggesting I seek out... those lawless pirates?" Dragon's words revealed his deep distrust.
To him, pirates were just another form of oppressor.
Raleigh nodded. "Whether you're willing or not, I believe the only thing that can divert the World Government's attention right now... are precisely those lawless pirates."
"But such a revolt would be too childish, wouldn't it?" Dragon countered, frowning. "Relying on criminals? I believe a revolt should rely on one's own strength."
Raleigh wasn't surprised by Dragon's perspective.
The current Dragon was still just an idealist, a man who believed in purity of cause.
He didn't yet understand what revolution required for victory.
Unite all forces that can be united.
Pirates, the Mafia, merchants, corrupt officials.
If they hate the Government, they are your friends.
This was exactly how Raleigh operated.
"Sepai," Raleigh sighed, leaning back. "Your current level of understanding is still too low. This world is sick. There's no so-called absolute justice or absolute evil. Are there no bad people in the Marines? Are there no good people among pirates?"
After hearing Raleigh's words, Dragon fell into deep thought.
It was true.
He had seen so-called pirates protecting civilians from corrupt nobles.
He had seen Marines burning villages for "Absolute Justice."
It was precisely because the Marines didn't embody the justice Dragon sought that he had left.
"Then... what should I do?" The current Dragon was somewhat swayed.
He was willing to listen.
"It's simple," Raleigh said, a glint in his eye. "For your revolt, you need weapons and equipment, right? Karasu mentioned you were short on it."
"I happen to know a Mafia family that deals in this. They're called the Donquixote Family. They're quite powerful, very discreet. You can purchase a large batch of arms through them."
Raleigh smiled internally.
'And just like that, I connect my two pawns.'
"As for other aspects," Raleigh continued, "I can't provide you with much direct help. I have a reputation to maintain."
"However... during your revolt, our Marines—specifically, the ones under my command—won't take action against you. My goals don't conflict with yours. What I truly need to do is cut off the World Government's influence in the North Blue."
A faint scent of blood seemed to emanate from Raleigh's words.
Dragon spoke with deep understanding.
"Although the Marines is powerful... how can justice bound by chains be true justice?"
The direct reason Dragon left the Marines was because he had once served as a guard for the Celestial Dragons.
At Mary Geoise, he witnessed the deepest darkness in the world.
He saw the bubble helmets, the slaves, the casual cruelty.
It disgusted him.
As they talked, Dragon came to understand why Raleigh was unwilling to leave the Marines.
Raleigh's idea was to gradually strip away the chains the World Government had placed on the Marines, allowing this colossal beast to truly uphold justice.
It was an ambitious plan. Dangerous.
But Dragon felt that Raleigh's approach might actually work.
"So, you plan to change the world by starting with the Marines," Dragon said with admiration.
"That's a remarkable dream."
However, he had no intention of changing his own mind.
Everyone has their own path.
"Senpai," Raleigh said suddenly. "Actually, the contents of this notebook aren't my ideas."
Dragon blinked. "What?"
"Many years ago, when my brother and I were living in the North Blue, we discovered it in a cave. But because the content was too shocking and subversive, we burned it. This notebook is just me rewriting what I remembered."
Raleigh waved the notebook in his hand.
Dragon was initially surprised, but after a moment's thought, he understood.
It made sense.
How could a young Marine write such a perfect revolutionary program?
"It was... a legacy," Dragon whispered, touching the cover.
"Yes. A legacy." Raleigh lied effortlessly.
"Senpai," Raleigh said earnestly, "I'm not trying to persuade you, but what's happening in the world now has happened before. There's nothing new under the sun. Revolutions have occurred in the past, but clearly, they failed—failed so completely that not a single word about them remains in history."
Dragon still found it hard to believe.
"Something like this... how could people forget about it?"
Raleigh replied somberly.
"How is that impossible, Senpai? Have you forgotten about the Void Century?"
"How many of the pirate overlords who were active in the previous era can you still remember? Rocks D. Xebec? In fifty years, who will remember his name?"
"Time is a powerful force. But the World Government is more powerful. If they could fabricate the Void Century years ago, they could just as easily create another blank century today."
Raleigh stood up. "Alright senpai, it's late. I should rest now. Remember: you never came looking for me. And buy those weapons."
Raleigh left the office without looking back.
Dragon nodded.
With a gust of wind, he, along with the notebook and draft papers, vanished without a trace.
....
Early the next morning, in the underground secret base.
Karasu and Swore, freshly awakened, entered the main cavern.
They saw a nearly extinguished candle and a towering figure still sitting at the table.
"Dragon-san? Did you stay up all night?" Karasu asked.
"Yes," Dragon said, his eyes bright despite the fatigue. "I met a very interesting person yesterday and obtained something... quite useful."
He held up the notebook. "Gather everyone. I want them to see this."
After briefly assembling the group, Karasu and Swore huddled together and began flipping through the notebook Dragon had brought back
. They kept exclaiming in amazement.
"Incredible!" "Look at this tactic!"
Their excitement piqued the curiosity of those around them.
"Dragon-san, where did you find this book? It's incredible—I never imagined revolution could be like this."
After reading the book, Karasu and Swore felt like they had been blind their whole lives.
"It was given to me by a friend," Dragon said simply.
"There's a second matter," Dragon announced, his voice commanding the room.
"I learned from my friend that there's a Mafia family in the North Blue called the Donquixote Family. Their main business is arms trading. Karasu, you can arrange for some people to contact them immediately. Procure a batch of heavy weapons."
Clap, clap, clap.
After hearing Dragon's second announcement, the assembled members applauded enthusiastically. The morale in the room skyrocketed.
"Excellent, Dragon-san! That means we're only one condition away from launching the uprising!" Swore exclaimed.
"The last condition won't be so easily met," Dragon warned, pouring cold water on their fire.
"We need to wait for a specific opportunity. An external distraction. Before that, we prepare."
.....
Inside the Marine base, Raleigh was listlessly drinking coffee.
Dragon had left very late yesterday, severely disrupting Raleigh's rest.
"Damn this world," he grumbled, rubbing his eyes. "Why couldn't smartphones have crossed over too? Staring at a wall is boring."
The sunshine today was perfect.
Very suitable for slacking.
Raleigh planned to take a sun chair to the roof.
However, the door opened.
"Raleigh," Gion said, marching in. "We've received a tip from civilians. They say a previously rebellious wanted criminal is hidden in the city, and he's been taken away by accomplices. They hope we can go investigate."
Raleigh didn't need to think—it must have been Barena who reported it.
"Since it's the people's request," Raleigh said, standing up and draining his coffee, "we'll go search around. Upholding justice is our duty, after all."
He changed into his Justice cloak.
This time was different from yesterday—yesterday was incognito, today was official patrol!
A massive warship was prepared. Raleigh had reorganized the soldiers, weeding out the weaklings and promoting the loyal ones.
Only elite troops remained.
Woo-woo— The warship's horn sounded, and they sailed toward the main port of the Eryoku Kingdom.
"We warmly welcome the Marines' arrival!!!"
Unlike Raleigh's previous visit, the King himself was at the dock.
The fat monarch was thrilled.
The Marines meant stability.
It meant he could keep being rich.
Vibrant red carpets lined the way. Flowers were thrown.
"It seems they're giving us quite the reception," Raleigh muttered to Cleveland.
"Rear Admiral Raleigh!" the King squealed, grasping Raleigh's hand with sweaty palms.
"The Kingdom of Eryoku warmly welcomes you! We have prepared a lavish lunch! Please, follow me!"
....
Within the opulent palace, Raleigh, well-fed and satisfied, sat on a plush sofa.
He held a glass of premium red wine and a costly cigar.
"Raleigh-sama is truly accomplished at such a young age!" the nobles flattered.
"Indeed! You're destined to be a major figure!"
"As expected of Vice Admiral Borsalino brother!"
"My attainment of the Rear Admiral position has nothing to do with my brother being a Vice Admiral," Raleigh lied smoothly, exhaling smoke.
"It's all through personal effort."
"But you are correct," he added, swirling his wine. "Since I'm here, I'll naturally resolve Eryoku Kingdom's issues. You won't need to live in fear any longer."
'Of course they won't need to fear,' Cleveland muttered inwardly. 'Because you're planning to eliminate them anyway.'
The King clapped his hands.
The lavish main doors swung open.
Soldiers carried large wooden chests into the hall.
"Raleigh-sama," an official said with an ingratiating smile. "This is our modest token of appreciation."
He tipped the chest over.
Crash!
Stacks of Belly, gleaming gold bars, jewelry, diamonds, and boxes of cigars spilled across the palace floor in a dazzling, vulgar display of wealth.
Raleigh's eyes lit up.
"Oh my. How... modest."
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