Speaking of which, even in the bizarre and unpredictable One Piece World, the Lulusia Kingdom stood out as particularly ill-fated.
First, its kings grew increasingly incompetent generation after generation, and the Celestial Tribute grew heavier year by year.
Even after the Reverie had reduced much of the Celestial Tribute, excessive taxes remained.
Then, its geographical position was peculiar—surrounded by waters with no proper neighboring nations, only unclaimed territories or non-affiliated islands.
As a result, pirates ran rampant in the surrounding seas.
In earlier years, when the Lulusia Kingdom was still strong, pirates dared not make any moves.
But as its decline continued, the kingdom gradually transformed from an unapproachable hedgehog into a fat sheep that everyone wanted to tear a piece from.
Not to mention, it would later be erased from the world map entirely by Imu.
For the commoners living in this country, it was like seeing ghosts in broad daylight.
From top to bottom, every corner seemed to be pushing them toward death.
It wasn't until the Revolutionary Army established offices in the Lulusia Kingdom that its people could finally catch their breath.
Whether aiding the extremely impoverished or helping the nation's citizens escape poverty, the Revolutionary Army became a beacon of hope for survival in the eyes of Lulusia's people.
However, after the Reverie in the year 1516 of the Sea Circle Calendar, King Seki returned to the Lulusia Kingdom.
Previously, he had turned a blind eye to the Revolutionary Army's presence—after all, wealthier citizens meant more benefits for him...
But this time, he unhesitatingly expelled all Revolutionary Army offices from the kingdom's borders.
He had no desire to be branded a traitor by the World Government and its allied nations over such trivial interests.
King Seki believed that in times like these, one should cling even tighter to the World Government and the Celestial Dragons.
The Revolutionary Army? What a bunch of worthless scum!
Even their Chief of Staff, who had infiltrated the Marines for years, had been forced into hiding under their pursuit, never daring to show his face again!
"Hmph, the Lulusia Kingdom is my property!"
"It's only right that the lowly commoners dedicate everything to their king!"
Seated in his royal chambers, he gazed down upon the entire Lulusia Kingdom with arrogance.
Unbeknownst to him, along the distant coastline, the Revolutionary Army Fleet was quietly approaching Lulusia's territory.
The king remained oblivious, lost in the intoxicating allure of his power within his chambers.
The royal family was equally unaware, for this was the hour of their revelry and indulgence.
The guards knew nothing either...
The Lulusia Kingdom's guards had long been reduced to a handful of the old, weak, and infirm still holding their posts.
They weren't there to protect King Seki but for the sake of Lulusia's citizens.
So when they spotted the Revolutionary Army Fleet...
They unhesitatingly guided the fleet into the harbor, simultaneously eliminating what few spies King Seki had left.
Soon after, a group emerged from the docks—workers who made their living there.
As if coordinated, each took responsibility for a different area, moving through streets and alleys to awaken every citizen of Lulusia.
The people, as if they had long awaited this day, raised torches and gathered toward the kingdom's largest square.
There, amidst the crowd, stood a man in a white robe with two pairs of pristine Wings on his back, warmly engaging with every Lulusian who approached him.
In his eyes lay sorrow, hope...
But above all, a towering fury.
The citizens knew this rage wasn't directed at them but at Lulusia's incompetent and corrupt royals.
"An angel... Has an angel come to save us?" a little girl's voice suddenly rang out from the crowd.
"Can we really live better lives?"
A heavy silence fell.
The people of Lulusia didn't know what future awaited them after this night.
But it would surely be far better than the days before.
Michael looked up, spotting the little girl in the crowd.
Then, his eyes brightened.
"Moda? You're Moda, right?" Michael smiled.
"Your parents are chefs at Marine G-2 Branch—Shi and Da, correct? I'm old friends with Vice Admiral Gion, the base commander there."
"Y-you know my parents, Angel-sama?"
"You may call me an angel, but I'm no 'sama' lording over you." Michael stepped forward, crouching to Moda's level.
"Of course, I'd prefer you call me Michael. If that's too informal, you can add 'brother' after it."
"M-Michael... brother."
"Mm." Michael gently patted Moda's head.
"I've come to set you free."
After Michael spoke those words, Moda could no longer hold back her tears, which streamed down her face.
But those tears weren't just symbols of pain and sorrow.
They also represented relief and happiness.
Many of the surrounding citizens also shed tears along with Moda's sobs.
Moda's parents worked for the Marine, so her life in the Lulusia Kingdom was relatively comfortable by local standards.
Even so, she had been filled with despair about the future.
Until... Michael appeared.
"Heee—ha! Michael, you sly devil!"
Just as the Revolutionary Army and civilians were bonding, an ill-timed large head suddenly popped in sideways.
"You're already in your thirties, yet you're letting a little girl around ten call you 'big brother'—that's shameless, don't you think?"
"...Ivankov! You're truly a master at ruining the mood!" Michael lifted his head in exasperation, looking at the Queen of Kamabakka, Ivankov.
"Is everyone ready?"
"Of course!" Ivankov stretched out his arms, forming a "Y" shape with his body, and continued, "This is the Revolutionary Army's first armed revolution after years of silence! Everyone's beyond excited!"
Michael nodded.
The Revolutionary Army had remained silent for a full decade.
But this was unavoidable.
Back then, most of the Revolutionary Army members from the Four Seas chose to retreat to the rear, building logistical bases for the organization.
As a result, frontline personnel had been extremely scarce over the years.
The silence wasn't just to reduce the World Government and major nations' attention on the Revolutionary Army—it was also to train and nurture a new generation of frontline fighters.
Now, the fleet led by Michael consisted mostly of newly recruited and trained Revolutionary Army soldiers from the past decade, with only a small fraction being veterans.
Today marked their first true step on the path of revolution.