In the South Blue, the Sorbet Kingdom had been shrouded in gloom ever since Kuma left.
Queen Dowager Conney spent every day washing her face with tears, while Princess Bonney kept trying to go to the New World to find Kuma.
For Bonney's safety, Dragon could only order Revolutionary Army fighters to watch her movements.
Late at night, Dragon sat alone inside the meeting room, deeply conflicted.
Not long ago, Red-Haired Shanks of the pirates had contacted him through an intermediary, expressing his willingness to work together against the Marines.
To be honest, Dragon hated pirates far more than he hated the Marines.
Although the Marines represented the oppressive nature of the World Government, within areas under Marine control, civilians were at least not subjected to sudden massacres.
Pirates were different.
They never cared about such things.
They had always represented brutality and bloodshed.
But in the current situation, if he did not join hands with pirates, the Revolutionary Army might not be able to hold out for much longer.
The West Blue had basically fallen.
Ever since Dragon recalled Sabo to supervise the production of warships capable of crossing the Calm Belt, the West Blue no longer had a powerful commander who could oppose the elite Vice Admirals under Sakazuki.
Even that Marine rising star named Miles was already comparable in combat strength to Mori, the former Revolutionary Army commander in the West Blue.
Using their artillery advantage, the Marines continuously bombarded smaller islands, destroying the defensive lines that Revolutionary Army fighters had worked so hard to build.
In order to avoid massive casualties among Revolutionary soldiers and civilians, Dragon had no choice but to abandon many strategically important but narrow islands.
All their strength was now concentrated in the Gravesend Kingdom, where they had formed a layered defense.
Whoosh.
A gust of wind blew through the room, and Sabo entered from outside in high spirits.
"Good news, Leader! We have already produced the first large ship capable of passing through the Calm Belt."
"And our production line has been set up. In just one month, we can produce two large ships, each capable of carrying two thousand Revolutionary Army fighters."
"I also contacted Belo Betty in the Eryoku Kingdom of the North Blue. Their production line has also been completed. In another month, Eryoku will be able to produce three large ships every month."
Dragon's tightly furrowed brows slowly loosened.
To him, this was indeed good news.
The Revolutionary Army could not currently defend against the Marines' offensive, and because of Dragon's own personal reasons, he was also unwilling to fight the Marines to the death.
This result was the best outcome for him.
"Good, Sabo. Keep a close eye on this matter. We do not have much time. The faster it can be done, the better. If you need anything, tell me at once. All resources within the Revolutionary Army will be tilted toward you."
Dragon patted Sabo on the shoulder.
Sabo was deeply excited.
"Yes, Leader! I have an immature idea. Because of the need for secrecy, we have currently been using only Revolutionary Army fighters with firm beliefs to operate the production lines. But if we want to speed up progress, should we recruit a large number of additional workers?"
Hearing Sabo's words, Dragon fell into thought.
When they first selected personnel to manufacture the warships, Dragon had no choice but to use only people he trusted in order to maintain secrecy.
But the situation had changed.
What mattered now was seizing every moment to increase production.
Secrecy was no longer as important as before.
After all, once they increased the number of workers, there was no way to keep everything completely secret no matter what they did.
"Yes. Go ahead and do it boldly. I will support you from behind."
Dragon spoke with an encouraging smile.
Then he changed the subject, pointing toward an island on the map.
"This is the Gravesend Kingdom in the West Blue. It is also the last remaining strength of our Revolutionary Army in the West Blue. If this kingdom is lost, then the Marines will have basically taken control of the West Blue."
"But right now, the Marines' strategic intention is not to completely wipe out our Revolutionary Army in the West Blue. Instead, they are occupying the surrounding islands and cutting off our supply lines. What do you think that means?"
It was rare for Dragon to test Sabo like this.
Because Sabo was now the Chief of Staff, the second-in-command of the Revolutionary Army. His judgment would determine the Revolutionary Army's future.
If one day Dragon led their forces across the Calm Belt and reached Mary Geoise, then Sabo would have to remain in the Four Blues and maintain the Revolutionary Army's cause.
Sabo raised his brows.
After hesitating for a long while, he said, "Leader, I think this is Fleet Admiral Christian Raleigh's order. I once studied everything he did after starting in the East Blue. Against pirates, he can be described as someone who exterminates them completely. He would not even spare unborn children."
"But when it came to those mafia groups in the North Blue, he was willing to spare those who had not committed too much evil and only punished the main culprits. Toward civilians, he is extremely protective. I even heard about a half-true, half-false incident where he slaughtered the nobles of a kingdom because of the deaths of villagers."
"Overall, Fleet Admiral Raleigh does not seem to view us as mortal enemies like pirates, but rather as opponents with different beliefs."
Dragon nodded approvingly.
It seemed Sabo had indeed grown much faster than before during this recent period.
As someone who had once had deep contact and cooperation with Raleigh, Dragon naturally understood Raleigh's character.
If Raleigh were truly a cruel man, then after the workers' uprising in the Eryoku Kingdom, what would have followed would have been a joint massacre by the Marines and the World Government's CP organizations.
Yet Raleigh had been willing to let them go.
That alone showed that Raleigh was not actually a bloodthirsty person.
"You are right, Sabo. I am glad you can see that point. That is why the decision I have made is for the Revolutionary Army fighters in the Gravesend Kingdom to remain still."
"I even clearly told Mori and Usiano that if they truly cannot resist the Marines led by Sakazuki, then they may surrender if necessary in order to preserve themselves."
Dragon spoke calmly.
A trace of panic and confusion flashed through Sabo's eyes, but he quickly steadied himself.
"Why, Leader? We clearly are not inferior to the Marines."
Dragon stood from his seat, pushed open the window, and pointed toward the sky.
"Sabo, perhaps because the recent situation has been too turbulent and the deaths of our comrades have cast a layer of fog over your eyes."
"Let me ask you. What was the Revolutionary Army's original intention? What is the Revolutionary Army's goal?"
Sabo was just about to answer when realization suddenly dawned on him.
"I understand, Leader. The Marines are not our goal, our original intention is to let the people of the entire world obtain freedom. Our goal is to overthrow the oppression of ordinary civilians by the world nobles led by the Celestial Dragons."
Dragon turned back, a pleased expression on his face.
"Since things have reached this point, I will not hide it from you anymore, Sabo."
"Before I founded the Revolutionary Army, I once worked with Raleigh. It was also after that incident that the Revolutionary Army began to flourish."
Sabo nodded.
Although this matter was relatively secretive, as the Revolutionary Army's second-in-command, he had still heard about it from others.
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