Does the Revolutionary Army pose a threat to Mio?
No.
While the Revolutionary Army is formidable, it lacks many top-tier fighters. Despite its long history, much of its existence was spent on the run from the World Government. Its focus has always been on the grassroots. Thus, while it commands a considerable number of mid-level forces, it lacks sufficient strong individuals.
This level of strength poses little threat to the Black Crows.
However, it's undeniable that the Revolutionary Army is exactly what Mio needs.
Mio understood their ideals. While ambitious, his ambition didn't prevent him from also desiring a peaceful and prosperous world. That peace would make his rule more stable.
Therefore, having the Revolutionary Army's support would make his conquest easier.
After all, the Revolutionary Army had been pursuing this very goal for years. Once disrupted and reorganized, its members could be absorbed into the Navy or the World Government, accelerating Mio's domination of the seas.
Of course, if the Revolutionary Army refused, Mio wasn't worried.
He would simply train a suitable candidate himself.
It would only take time.
As Mio's voice fell,
Dragon fell silent, his expression thoughtful.
After a moment, he looked up at Mio and said in a deep voice. "What you say… makes some sense."
"I can promise you that."
"But I hope you won't start the next era of the Celestial Dragons. Otherwise, even if I am no match for you then, I'll continue my efforts to overthrow your rule, just as I do now."
"Oh, don't worry," Mio said calmly, sitting down. "I have no such ideas. Since I want to rule the world, I naturally seek stable rule, not rebellions everywhere. Stability simply means ensuring people have food, clothing, and purpose. That may be difficult now, but once we eliminate the pirates, it will be much easier."
"So, what do you plan to do next?" Dragon asked.
He neither denied nor fully agreed with Mio's words, but he felt it was worth trying.
At least, Mio's words gave him a glimmer of hope.
If pirates were eliminated, civilians would have no worries about survival and would gain a sense of purpose. Wouldn't everyone on the seas be happy then?
"It's simple," Mio said with a cold, murderous grin, his eyes gleaming.
"Just wipe out those guys in the New World. Once they're gone, the remaining pirates will be easy to deal with."
"And then there's… the secret of Raftel!"
The New World was the heart of piracy, second only to Roger's Great Age of Pirates. The Navy had no foothold there. The World Government's reliance on pirate alliances had turned it into a haven for criminals, a no-man's land.
Pirates hunted elsewhere could always escape into the New World. Capture there was rare.
And the greatest lure was Raftel.
Many pirates claimed they sought the One Piece, but most were driven by its legend rather than reality. Still, countless pirates set sail for that dream.
If possible, Mio wanted to step onto Raftel himself, learn the truth hidden there, and decide what to reveal.
As long as the necessary obstacles were removed, peace would eventually return to the seas.
The Navy and World Government had lacked both courage and strength. But now, under Mio's control, those obstacles no longer existed.
Following Mio's conversation with Dragon and the others at Mary Geoise, the seas remained restless.
The reason was the war at Marineford.
Reports had already spread worldwide.
Portgas D. Ace, Captain of Whitebeard's Second Division, had been revealed as the son of Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King. He carried the "evil bloodline" and was executed by Admiral Akainu.
Edward Newgate—Whitebeard, the world's strongest man—had also fallen, slain during the same battle.
Worse still, Marshall D. Teach—Blackbeard—had betrayed Whitebeard, recruited the worst criminals from Impel Down, and claimed Whitebeard's power, becoming the first man in history to wield two Devil Fruits.
And so, Whitebeard's death signaled the end of an era.
The Navy celebrated victory.
But a new, merciless figure had risen—Blackbeard.
"Whitebeard is dead!!"
"Unbelievable! This news is shocking!"
"That Teach bastard actually stole Whitebeard's power! He's a dual-fruit user now. How is that possible?!"
"So with Whitebeard gone, doesn't that mean the throne of the New World Emperor is empty?"
"Hahahaha! Our chance has come! Set sail, boys!"
"Damn it! The New World is going to plunge into chaos again."
"Who will take Whitebeard's place? Blackbeard?"
Around the world, debates raged.
Most eyes turned toward the New World, unaware of the hidden truth in Mary Geoise.
Meanwhile, Marine Headquarters lay in ruins.
Collapsed buildings had been replaced with makeshift tents. Wounded soldiers filled the grounds.
Inside one tent, three figures gathered:
Sengoku, Garp, and Tsuru.
The admirals were absent.
"What happened?" Tsuru asked, frowning. Her instincts told her something worse was yet to come.
Garp's face was grim. The war here had ended, but they had no news from the World Government's side.
And they couldn't send reinforcements.
The Navy had suffered devastating losses, and with the world watching Marineford, any sudden movement would expose their weakness and shatter the Government's prestige.
Besides, if the World Government had already fallen, sending troops would mean marching into a trap.
"Huff…" Sengoku exhaled heavily, his brows furrowed. "In short, this cannot spread. If it does, the whole world will descend into chaos."
"What do you mean?" Garp asked sharply.
Tsuru's eyes widened. She stared at Sengoku, her voice trembling. "Could it be…?"
"Yes." Sengoku's expression twisted into a bitter smile. He nodded, his hands trembling despite his effort to remain calm. "I just received word from Mary Geoise. Fleet Admiral Sora himself contacted me."
"The World Government… has been defeated."
"And now, the Black Crow Pirates have completely seized control. Even Admiral Sora has submitted to them. They demand the three of us arrive at Mary Geoise tomorrow. If we refuse… the Navy will cease to exist."
The tent fell into stunned silence.
Garp's eyes widened, disbelief flooding his face. A long moment passed before he slammed his hands on the table, his voice hoarse.
"How is this possible? The World Government actually… lost?!"
"As unbelievable as it sounds, Sora would not lie," Sengoku said gravely. His voice was steady, but his clenched fists betrayed his inner turmoil.
Even Tsuru was shaken. But her sharp mind focused on the key question.
"What is their purpose in summoning us?"
"I don't know," Sengoku admitted. "But no matter what, we must go."
They had no choice.
If they refused, the Black Crows would erase the Navy.
And Sengoku couldn't allow that.
Like Sora, his loyalty to the word "Navy" ran deep.
If the Navy vanished, pirates would run rampant, and the people would suffer.
He wouldn't let that happen.
No matter the humiliation, they had to go.