"I have a question."
As the only woman in the group, Kalifa adjusted her glasses and inquired.
"The Revolutionary Army liberated all four seas, yet remained dormant for nearly a decade before advancing toward the 'Paradise' again... I don't understand the logic behind this."
"Logic? I'm glad you brought that up..." The hooded figure shrugged. "For the Revolutionary Army, revolution and liberation are means and processes—but never the end goal. Our goal is singular: to usher the entire world into an era of fundamental fairness and equality."
Fairness.
Equality...
These were profoundly unfamiliar concepts in a world where slavery had existed just years prior.
"As for the logic you mentioned, it's actually quite simple... The earliest Revolutionary Army members mostly began with the liberation of the Sorbet Kingdom. As kingdom after kingdom was freed, more and more people joined... But people grow weary. They become satisfied."
"They hailed from the four seas, and at that time, the entire four seas had already largely slipped from the Marine and World Government's control... So naturally, they wanted to return to their homelands—to share their hard-won happiness with their families."
"The Revolutionary Army also needed time to consolidate and develop, hence the decade of silence. Most of the frontline fighters were relocated to the rear, becoming the main force in building up the base areas... With support across the four seas, the Revolutionary Army spent ten years cultivating a new generation of frontline revolutionary fighters."
"Life begets life, as they say, no?"
After finishing his words, the hooded figure suddenly stopped in his tracks.
"After listening to me for so long, don't you have any thoughts?"
"As the most outstanding young talents in the CP organization... surely you're not just a bunch of dullards?"
Turning around, he removed his hood, revealing platinum-blond hair that gave off a holy aura, while his sapphire-blue eyes seemed capable of piercing through all falsehoods.
At the sight of this face, every member of CP9 froze in shock.
The man before them was none other than Michael, the former Grand Inspector of the Marine, whom the entire Marine force had mobilized to hunt down five years ago before he vanished into the sea.
One of the most legendary figures in recent years had just appeared before them so calmly.
Of course, "calm" only applied to Michael himself.
As for CP9—even their strongest member, Rob Lucci—cold sweat instantly broke out on their foreheads.
This man... could kill them more easily than crushing ants on the roadside.
After all, crushing ants required bending down.
Crushing their heads did not.
"Why do you look at me with fear in your eyes?" Michael asked curiously. "It was the World Government that abandoned you, not me... Well, alright, I was the one who broadcast your search of Tom's Shipbuilding Company during the World Conference."
"W-what?" Rob Lucci's voice trembled. "You're saying... our actions at Tom's Shipbuilding Company were broadcast live at the World Conference?"
"Mhm... In high definition, too. That was the direct reason Water Seven became the Ship Country."
Finally, Rob Lucci understood.
Why both the World Government and Tom's Shipbuilding Company had gradually shifted from lukewarm indifference to outright neglect toward them...
So, they had already struck a deal long ago.
They were just a small, disposable part of that transaction.
What a joke—so much for being geniuses.
They were nothing more than pawns to be discarded at will.
With that realization, he raised his head, his expression toward Michael no longer as tense as before.
In truth, Michael was the one who had directly exploited them.
Yet, CP9 harbored no hatred toward him.
From the very beginning, they had been opposing enemies.
Any underhanded tactics against an enemy were fair game.
War had always been like this.
What they resented more was the World Government—for sacrificing them without hesitation for reputation and profit.
We do the dirty work, and you reap the rewards?
As if... that could ever be fair!
"Wow, your eyes... have changed," Michael tilted his head, observing CP9.
"Do you now feel the injustice? The burning fury in your chest? The desire for revenge against the World Government?"
"Congratulations. You are now members of the Revolutionary Army."
...
Dressrosa.
"Your Majesty, the national budget report for this quarter is concluded."
The former king and current Prime Minister of Dressrosa, Riku Dold III, stood before the throne and said.
"Is there anything else you require?"
"Leave me, Dold... I need some time alone now. We've already held four meetings today."
"These are indeed turbulent times... Then I shall take my leave."
With that, Riku Dold III exited the palace.
Doflamingo sat upon the throne.
Though still clad in his beloved flamingo-feather coat, his expression bore the numb exhaustion of overwork...
No trace remained of the underground kingpin who had nearly unified the criminal underworld—the "JOKER."
"Jihehehe, Doffy, you alright?" Trebol emerged from the shadows with his characteristic giggle as he approached.
"Got some good news for you..."
"Good news? This better not be a joke." Doflamingo rubbed his temples.
"Out with it."
"Kaido's side... the research is basically complete."
"Complete?"
"Yep. The artificial Devil Fruits are basically successful."
"Wait, explain what you mean by 'basically.'"
"Well, there are side effects... Those who eat these fruits have a chance of failing to gain powers. In such cases, they lose all facial expressions except laughter."
"...And you call this 'basically successful'?" Doflamingo's eye twitched. "This is a complete failure!"
"I wouldn't say that... People eat Devil Fruits for power." Trebol spread his hands.
"This just comes with some harmless side effects."
Doflamingo froze, then violently shook his head.
"Damn it! Playing this virtuous king role for too long is rotting my brain." When he looked up again, his natural villainous demeanor had fully returned.
"You're right. Just 'some' side effects."
But what Doflamingo didn't know was that all his words and actions were being meticulously recorded and sent to...
Alabasta.
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