"If he can hold out until then..."
Dragon finished speaking softly and opened his palm, revealing a strand of white thread that drifted away with the wind.
Then came a long silence.
"Leader, that... that 'key of revolution', have you met him?"
After a moment of silence, Koala asked, feeling a bit nervous yet expectant.
"Yes."
Dragon responded softly, "However, today wasn't the right time; we didn't discuss anything of substance."
"Ah?"
Koala let out a cry of regret, then seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. "Then, Leader, do you really think he is..."
Koala's words were interrupted by Dragon as he turned and looked in the direction of Marineford.
"Koala, as you all know, Nico Robin is the sole survivor of Ohara and the 'lamp of revolution.' We have been searching for her for many years."
He paused before continuing, "I have always believed that the knowledge of Ohara she possesses was the key to guiding us in overthrowing the rule of the Celestial Dragons."
"It wasn't until I met her that I realized she is the lighthouse guiding us through the mist to find that key. That young man named Taro is the key!"
Koala was stunned upon hearing this, then looked a bit troubled.
"But isn't he a Marine? Will he join us?"
Dragon shook his head.
"I'm afraid not for now. It seems he has his own plans while staying in the Marines. When I invited him to join, he refused with a ridiculous excuse."
Hearing this, Koala showed a look of disappointment. "Then now..."
Dragon adjusted his coat and waved his hand.
"Alright, Koala. He is indeed the 'key of revolution,' of that I am certain."
"I will stay here for a few more days to talk with him. Once you hand Ace over to Crow, return to White Earth Island first. Do not tell anyone about what happened here."
"That 'key of revolution' has a strange attitude toward Ace. I can sense it. For now, do not act rashly, lest we ruin his plans."
Koala was shocked. In an instant, she felt that the "key of revolution," whom she had never met, and the Revolutionary Dragon were truly far-sighted thinkers.
To think they could understand each other's intentions from afar and cooperate!
"But what about Ivankov and Inazuma..." After getting over her surprise, Koala worried about the safety of her companions.
"They have their own ways of leaving this place. Don't worry!"
"Yes, Leader!"
A giant hand burst through the ground again, grabbed Koala, and retracted.
Marineford.
Under the "Era of Holding Back" from Aokiji and the "Yasakani Sacred Outline Jewel" attack from Kizaru, Law's submarine dove into the deep sea, escaping with the heavily injured Jinbe and Luffy.
"If they can still survive that, then we can only say their luck is too good, and we'll have to give up."
Landing on a mast, Kizaru spoke nonchalantly.
Akainu had a grim expression and said nothing.
"Little sister, what's going on? Why are there only two of you?" Vice Admiral Tsuru asked softly, taking Momousagi's hand.
The Navy Grand Staff Officer had been protected by Vice Admirals Gumir and Yamakaji, watching the battle from the rear.
"Well, it's nothing. We just happened to run into them on the way." Shanks, wearing sandals, walked over step by step until he reached the center of the battlefield.
"How could the garrison of Marijoa leave so easily?"
Shanks shook his head slightly, his tone very relaxed.
"If pirates like us or the Revolutionary Army were to rush in front of the Celestial Dragons, I'm afraid it would give them quite a scare, wouldn't it?"
"So, I asked them to go back first!"
Hearing Shanks say this, the high-ranking Marine officials immediately understood what had happened.
Momousagi's expression stiffened, and she leaned in to whisper something into Vice Admiral Tsuru's ear.
Sengoku grit his teeth in hatred. "Red Hair, you bastard!"
"The war has gone on long enough. Continuing now will only result in more senseless casualties."
"If anyone still hasn't had enough," Shanks drew his saber, Gryphon, with a shing. "Then we shall be your opponents."
After saying that, he looked at Blackbeard. "How about it? Teach... no, Blackbeard!"
Shanks's aura made everyone shudder.
"Zehahaha! Truly overbearing, Red Hair!" Blackbeard laughed as he watched, then turned around.
"But I've already gotten what I wanted. Let's go, boys!"
"Did I say you could leave?"
Taro stood up, leaning on thunderstorm, his voice cold.
Gasp...
The Marines gasped.
Blackbeard paused, looking back at Taro with a sneer before glancing at Shanks.
Shanks's eyes turned cold, and his Conqueror's Haki suddenly erupted, locking onto Taro.
"Everyone here, please give me some Face this time..."
Blood leaked from the corner of Taro's mouth as his Conqueror's Haki also burst forth.
"What if I say no?"
The two Hakis, one cyan-white and the other red, collided above the cliff. A wild wind howled, and the weaker Marine Soldiers raised their hands to shield their foreheads, resisting the pressure.
Pfft!
Taro coughed up a mouthful of blood, and the Internal Energy he had just managed to stabilize became chaotic again.
The cyan-white Haki suddenly dissipated, and the red Haki surged forward, heading straight for Taro.
[Mental intimidation effect detected; resisted.]
Taro exerted force with his hand, driving thunderstorm half a foot into the ground to support his body.
"Vice Admiral Taro actually possesses Haoshoku as well...!"
A Marine finally snapped out of it and muttered to himself.
Gasp...
The Marine Soldiers gasped once more.
"You must be Taro? I know you, the Marines' super rookie!" Shanks stared at Taro for a while before sheathing his sword, speaking with a light laugh.
"I heard your goal is the 'Four Emperors' of the New World. Are you trying to arrest me here?"
Holy crap, big shot, please don't get involved in the grudge between me and Blackbeard, okay?
As soon as Shanks spoke, the Marine Soldiers instinctively shrank back. The Marines no longer had the strength to start a war with a second "Four Emperor."
The high-ranking Marine officials understood this too. Sengoku frowned, deactivated his Great Buddha Form, and reached out to stop Taro.
"Red Hair, what exactly are you trying to say?" Sengoku asked in a heavy voice.
Shanks finally shifted his gaze from Taro to Sengoku.
"Please, everyone, give me some Face. Let's end the war here. Please leave the funerals of Whitebeard and Ace to me!"
Hearing this, Vice Admiral Doberman, who served under Akainu, was furious and about to shout a rebuke.
But Sengoku spoke first. While in his Great Buddha Form, all his abilities were enhanced, including his hearing and Observation Haki.
He knew what Momousagi had whispered to Vice Admiral Tsuru, so he did not hesitate.
"Very well! I'll leave it to you, Red Hair!"
Taro stiffened his neck and glared hatefully at Blackbeard.
"Fleet Admiral, we cannot let the Blackbeard Pirates leave!"
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