Moved by Crow's sentiments.
The Revolutionary Army officers exchanged glances, each unable to suppress a wry smile, acknowledging the vast disparities between individuals.
Truly incomparable!
Dragon remained silent, a bead of cold sweat unknowingly trickling down his forehead.
But upon glancing at the world map affixed to the wall, he seemed to reach an understanding, smiling with relief.
He surveyed the room, addressing the officers with a grave expression:
"There's no need for self-deprecation, our path is the same, only the approach to completing it differs."
"The Revolutionary Army, like roots buried deep underground, has nurtured the soil of resistance in the darkness for twenty years. As for Lord Shano..."
Dragon gazed at the stormy clouds outside the window.
His sight seemed to penetrate the vast sea, seeing that young, arrogant figure standing with a sword draped in a black cloak:
"He is more like a lightning bolt that tears through the night sky, igniting hope in the brightest manner. However, this world requires both the dawn of hope and the continuously burning fire."
Twenty years of effort has made the world less dark and desperate, hasn't it?
Dragon felt at peace with himself.
"Exactly, we are essentially like-minded comrades. There's no point in comparison!"
Across the table, seventeen-year-old Sabo, already promoted to Chief of Staff, adjusted his hat and laughed heartily:
"In moments like these, what's more important is seizing the opportunity created by the Endgame to amplify our message and expand our victories, right?"
"Those territories the Endgame can't touch, the places newspapers alone can't reach, and government agencies, Navy Bases, even the Holy Land Mary Geoise... So many places need to know the truth, it's our turn to act!"
"Well said, Sabo!"
Betty raised her arm in cheerful support.
"That's exactly what we should do!"
A stern gleam flashed in Dragon's eyes as he looked around, pressing both hands on the table, solemnly speaking:
"Transmit my order, the Eastern Army, Western Army, Southern Army, Northern Army... and the Grand Line Army! Commence operations immediately!"
"Ladies and gentlemen, since that lightning bolt has already shattered the night, why don't we on the ground make this fire burn brighter?"
——————
At the Alabasta Royal Palace.
Princess Vivi sat on the steps beside the throne, tightly gripping the latest World Economic News, her breaths growing rapid.
Beside her, Guard Commander Jaka and Peru looked grave, while King Cobra stood by the window, gazing silently at the scorching desert beyond.
"Father..."
Vivi lifted her head, her voice choked with anger, tears of rage shimmering in her eyes. "They're not human! Whether the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, the World Government, or those Navy—how dare they... how dare they treat living people as prey!"
Have the other nineteen families really fallen to this level since hundreds of years ago?
Ancestor Lily, your decision to leave the Holy Land back then was truly wise...
Cobra turned around, stifling the complex emotions in his eyes, heaved a deep sigh.
"You're right, Vivi. This world is indeed darker than we imagined."
He approached Vivi, gently stroked his daughter's head, and smiled, "But that's precisely why, as a member of the Nephilim Family, we must not back down."
"Your Majesty!"
Jaka's expression changed slightly, urgently stepped forward, "Please reconsider, we must not act rashly..."
"No need to reconsider!"
With a stern face, Cobra interrupted!
"If I lack the courage to speak against such atrocities, am I still fit to be your king? Am I still worth your risking your lives to protect?"
Not waiting for Jaka to persuade him further, he decisively waved a hand, stating:
"Get me in contact with the Holy Land Mary Geoise. I want to openly condemn the World Government's atrocities in the name of the Alabasta Royal Family!"
————
And it's not just Alabasta?
From the Sakura Kingdom on the Grand Line to the Florus Kingdom in the East Sea, from the Flower Country in the West Sea to the Brandy Kingdom in the North Sea...
Of the 170 member nations of the World Government, more than half of the royal families either reached out to Mary Geoise or sent strongly worded protests!
And the rest.
While not publicly expressing their stance, murmurs spread in private, panic surged, and trust in the World Government plummeted to an all-time low.
And it's not just the royals?
Farmers, fishermen, merchants, doctors, nuns... even the lowest-ranked Navy Soldiers, as well as officials within the World Government itself!
The voices of protest and condemnation spread like wildfire, actions fueled by rage erupted like a volcano.
The World Government's offices all over suffered from public unrest, forcing them to shutter their gates, while many Navy Branches across the Four Seas saw massive defections in the hundreds, even thousands!
The major figures at the Holy Land Mary Geoise were overwhelmed, barely able to cope.
And just receiving the news at Navy Headquarters, Marinfanto, is likewise destined not to remain calm...
——————
Bang!
Vice Admiral Yamakaji could no longer contain his fury, slammed the newspaper on the table and stood up.
His normally gentle round face was now filled with anger, as he sternly demanded:
"Marshal of the Warring States! What is going on here! The newspaper talks about hunting games... the Heavenly Celestial Dragons slaughtering civilians, with the Navy providing escort, even assisting in clearing out areas... Are these, are these things really true?!"
"..."
Sengoku weakly lifted his head, his face pale, lips trembling, desperately trying to somehow speak, but no sound emerged.
Crash!
More and more Navy Officers passed around the newspaper, soon, more and more stood up, shocked and angry, feelings swelling over the assembly like a tidal wave.
"Speak, don't you owe us an explanation?"
"I've been in the Navy for twenty years, just wanting to eliminate the evildoers at sea! But now? Have we become the most vicious, most despicable villains?!"
"Answer us, Marshal!"
"Exactly! We demand an account!"
"What bullshit justice! I didn't wear this uniform to be a hatchet man for the Heavenly Celestial Dragons! I'd sooner turn pirate! At least pirates don't slaughter tens of thousands of civilians!"
"Silence!"
Akainu finally couldn't restrain himself, slamming the table, his magma-infused left arm charring a black hole on the surface.
He turned, his icy glare sweeping across, the immense pressure spreading freely, halting the uproar in the conference room.
"Look at yourselves!"
Akainu's voice was cold, harshly stating:
"What are you doing? Forcing the hand? Rebelling? Do you have any respect for the Marshal? As soldiers, your first duty is to obey orders! When did it become your place to point fingers at superiors?"