Thus, under the leadership of Michael and Ivankov—the Revolutionary Army's founding members—these greenhorn soldiers, taking their first true steps on the revolutionary path, stumbled their way through and, albeit not with the greatest efficiency, fulfilled their mission.
The Lulusia Kingdom was largely liberated.
But what came next would be the real test for these Revolutionary Army warriors.
"I've told you, you must remember everything you learn in your daily political education classes..." Michael crossed his arms, his Wings fluttering slightly as he nagged every Revolutionary Army soldier passing by, much like an NPC in an online game repeating the same lines until server Shutdown.
"Yes, Chief of Staff! We'll remember all discipline! We won't take so much as a needle or thread from the masses!"
Watching yet another spirited Revolutionary Army soldier depart, Michael nodded with evident approval.
Just then, Ivankov's large head popped up beside him.
His increasingly flamboyant okama makeup over the years had made that broad face increasingly terrifying.
"HEE—HAW! Michael, you truly are an exceptional leader... Aside from Dragon and yourself, I've never seen anyone who cares more about their subordinates."
"Of course I care about them—they're the backbone, the fundamental strength of the Revolutionary Army." Michael shrugged, clearly in good spirits.
"The only aspect I'm not entirely satisfied with... is their inexperience and inefficiency when it comes to scuttling ships and disposing of evidence."
"HEE—HAW! You're setting such high standards for these greenhorns!"
"It's not standards..." Michael smiled at Ivankov. "It's expectations. Sincere expectations."
Michael looked up.
The sky had brightened completely now, the sun breaking free from the horizon to hang high above, its rays bathing the entire Lulusia Kingdom in warm sunlight.
"Mmm... What fine weather."
Michael smiled, and Ivankov mirrored the same expression.
"Hee—ha! I've got another question!" Ivankov asked curiously, "Why didn't you bring Jack and Yamato along this time? Like you said, rookies aren't very skilled at scuttling ships or disposing of bodies, but Jack and Yamato have been by your side all these years—this is their specialty."
"Do you think there'd be anything left for the others if those two came along?" Michael sighed helplessly.
"After all, the Kingdom of Lulusia is just a simple target for us to give the rookies a lesson... To put it bluntly, Jack alone could easily wipe out the Kingdom of Lulusia dozens of times over."
"...You make Jack sound like some kind of war machine."
"With that physique of his, he's practically a born war machine, don't you think?" Michael stood up.
"But lately, the kid's been getting a bit too cocky, often giving attitude to other Revolutionary Army officers... I'll have to let Yamato discipline him some more."
As soon as Michael finished speaking, a soldier in Revolutionary Army uniform approached.
Standing straight, he saluted Michael and Ivankov before speaking:
"Chief of Staff! Army Commander! We've finished inventorying all the royal assets of the Kingdom of Lulusia... It's quite a haul. You should come take a look."
"You don't seem... too excited about it." Michael glanced at the young soldier. "If there's a lot of wealth, you should be happy... It means the people of Lulusia will get more."
"But it also shows just how much the people of Lulusia were exploited." The young soldier's frown deepened.
"If even a weak kingdom like Lulusia was this bad... what about the powerful nations?"
"That's why we exist." Michael reached out and gave the young soldier's shoulder a firm but gentle pat.
"What was your name again? I remember you're from Alabasta..."
"Reporting, Chief of Staff! My name is Koza!" Koza nodded emphatically. "My father is Toto, the leader of the Alabasta reclamation team who founded Yuba in the uninhabited oasis!"
"Ohhh! That's why you've got such a familiar air about you!" Michael studied the young man closely.
"If I recall... you were close with Vivi of the Cobra family, weren't you?"
"That was just some childhood mischief." Koza shook his head. "But I can assure you, the Nefertari family of Alabasta is nothing like these greedy royals... Both King Cobra and Vivi are good people!"
"Hey, relax, kid." Michael chuckled at Koza's sudden tension. "Cobra's an old friend of mine... In fact, you and the other Revolutionary Army soldiers from Alabasta were all personally recommended by him."
Hearing this from Michael, Koza instantly felt relieved.
"I see..."
"Alright, Koza," Michael took two steps forward. "Now, take me to see exactly how much the Kingdom of Lulusia has plundered."
...
"The Revolutionary Army has acted! With lightning speed, they've directly seized control of the Kingdom of Lulusia."
"The majority of the Lulusian royal family were beheaded by the Revolutionary Army in front of all the citizens."
"Now, the few remaining decent members of the royal family are working with the Revolutionary Army to distribute the enormous wealth accumulated by Lulusia to all its commoners..."
"The Kingdom of Lulusia has officially become liberated territory under the Revolutionary Army."
"Most importantly... how did they enter the Grand Line without anyone noticing!?"
Ship Country, Tom's Shipbuilding Company, workers' dormitory.
The spies belonging to CP9 were currently gathered in the dormitory, reviewing their latest intelligence.
Ever since their search of Tom's Shipbuilding Company was broadcast live by Michael in front of the Five Elders years ago, Water Seven was officially elevated to the status of Ship Country...
But the CP9 spies seemed to have been forgotten by all parties.
The World Government didn't deal with them, and Tom's Shipbuilding Company didn't kick them out.
Both sides tacitly pretended nothing had happened, allowing them to continue their undercover work.
Of course, none of them—whether Rob Lucci, Kaku, Jabra, Kalifa, Fukuro, Kumadori, or Blueno—knew about the live broadcast incident.
But after years of neglect, they had come to understand that the World Government had abandoned them.
CP9 existed in name only.
"Lucci... we need to find our own way out," Kaku suddenly spoke up after a long silence, his expression resolute.
"We must accomplish something significant enough for the World Government to reinstate us."
"Something significant?" Rob Lucci looked at Kaku, recalling the information they had just heard.
"You mean..."
"If we're already undercover... why not infiltrate the Revolutionary Army?"