Ivanov suddenly leapt out from the pile of prisoner corpses.
That pile of bodies concealed a secret entrance to Level 5.5, the "New Fish-Man Paradise."
His gaze fell on Kuma.
The same companion who had once fought side by side with him, shedding blood together for the revolutionary cause.
Kuma… why was he here in Impel Down?
Yet, after confirming that the newcomer was Ivanov, Kuma simply nodded at him with a smile.
A simple gesture, yet one that carried a thousand unspoken words.
"Revolutionary Army, Grand Line Corps Commander…"
Hawk walked forward slowly, his eyes fixed on the strangely dressed man. "Emporio Ivanov?"
"Navy?!"
Ivanov immediately assumed a battle stance, his sharp nails aimed at Hawk.
Kuma stepped forward, his massive frame perfectly blocking Hawk. He shook his head slowly at Ivanov.
This subtle action transformed Ivanov's caution into shock.
Why was Kuma standing protectively in front of a Navy Rear Admiral?
What on earth was going on?
Hawk remained calm as he regarded Ivanov.
Emporio Ivanov.
One of the Revolutionary Army's founders, Grand Line Corps Commander, Queen of the Kamabakka Kingdom, and a Paramecia-type Horm-Horm Fruit user.
Hawk had been so busy harvesting "justice points" that he had almost forgotten this Revolutionary Army officer.
In the original story, the Revolutionary Army sought to liberate oppressed people worldwide and overthrow the Celestial Dragons.
But their actual efficiency and power… Hawk didn't respect.
The Revolutionary Army's Commander-in-Chief, the "Sweat King" Monkey D. Dragon, was elusive, performing small-scale raids on the Holy Land and cutting off supply lines.
Effective, yes, but Hawk thought…
Their scope was too narrow, their efficiency too low.
The situation on the seas had already changed dramatically.
With Admiral Sengoku at the helm, the top echelons had resolved to lead the Navy in breaking the shackles of the World Government, achieving true independence.
The Navy would no longer be the Celestial Dragons' lapdog. They would become the creators and guardians of order across the seas.
And this presented the Revolutionary Army with an unprecedented opportunity.
A chance to cooperate with the Navy and jointly reshape the world.
The future global order should be like this:
The Navy, as the sole and strongest military force, would handle destruction.
Smash the flaws of the old world, ruthlessly eliminate the Four Emperors, eradicate all villainous pirates, and sweep the Seven Warlords system into history.
When necessary, they would turn their cannons on Mary Geoise, letting those self-proclaimed gods the Celestial Dragons taste mortal fire.
Wherever the Navy fleet sailed, all evil would be purged, all corrupt order crushed.
The Revolutionary Army would handle construction.
On the "cleaned" land left by the Navy, they would build a new order.
They had ideology, vision, grassroots experience, and knew how to mobilize the people, how to establish a government that genuinely served them.
The Navy would clear the path with swords and fire for the birth of the new world.
The Revolutionary Army would build its framework with thought and governance.
One for external action, one for internal structure.
One wielding the sword, one holding the plow.
In this way, the seas would finally see a true dawn.
Of course, this was Hawk's current plan. He still needed to coordinate with the Admirals and discuss matters with the Revolutionary Army's leadership.
After all, even without the Revolutionary Army, the Navy could accomplish all this.
It would just be more convoluted, more prolonged.
With the Revolutionary Army, the process would be faster and more efficient.
Hawk reached into his pocket, pulling out a Den Den Mushi and tossing it to Ivanov. "Don't worry. I bear no hostility."
"You must have been out of contact for a long time."
"Call your Commander-in-Chief, give him a status report, and by the way, I'd like a word with him."
"Huh…?"
Ivanov instinctively took the Den Den Mushi, staring at Hawk in surprise.
This Navy officer…
Not only wasn't arresting him, he was letting him call to report safely?
"Ivanov…"
At that moment, Kuma's voice rang out. "Trust Rear Admiral Hawk…"
"Kuma…"
Ivanov looked at the companion who had escaped the God Valley with him, the trust in Kuma's eyes slowly easing his doubts.
He hesitated for a moment, then dialed the call.
After a few transfers, the other end of the Den Den Mushi carried the sound of howling wind.
"Ivanov?"
A calm, steady voice spoke.
"Dragon, it's me!"
"You escaped?"
Ivanov glanced at Hawk. "It's complicated. A Navy Rear Admiral wants to speak with you…"
Silence fell on the other end of the line.
High above, a man in a dark green cloak with a mysterious tattoo on his left cheek rode the fierce wind.
Commander-in-Chief of the Revolutionary Army, Monkey D. Dragon.
His eyes were distant, thoughtful.
He had rushed from the Barudigo Revolutionary Army HQ to the East Blue, intending to see his son and set him on the path to pursue his dreams.
He hadn't expected that, upon nearing Log Town, he would encounter his old man, Garp.
Before he could speak, Garp's fist, wrapped in Conqueror's Haki, descended like a flood.
The old man struck and roared,
"Times have changed!"
"If that brat Luffy sets sail as a pirate again, it's a dead end!"
Dragon couldn't comprehend why his normally carefree father's temper had flared so intensely.
But during his stealthy infiltration of the East Blue, he had noticed something strange.
The entire East Blue was unnaturally clean. Pirates were virtually absent.
Previously, a Navy Rear Admiral had bombarded Mock Town, erasing it entirely from the sea. Word had already spread across the Grand Line.
The Navy had grown iron-blooded, uncompromising, and ruthless.
Now Ivanov called.
A Rear Admiral wanted to speak with him?
What had happened to the world?
And what course should the Revolutionary Army take?
"Hello. I am the Commander-in-Chief of the Revolutionary Army Monkey D. Dragon."
"Hello. I am Navy Headquarters Rear Admiral Renn Hawk."
"Rear Admiral Hawk…!!!"