The Revolutionary Army had always maintained a relatively serious atmosphere.
Despite the presence of lively personalities like Ivankov and Ginny, the overall tone remained somber.
After all, their mission was arduous and long, and the risks they would face in the future were immense.
Many lived with the uncertainty of tomorrow.
Thus, it was understandable that some who had joined the Revolutionary Army in the four seas began to waver when confronted with the new challenges of the Grand Line.
Even Michael and Monkey D. Dragon could empathize.
These people weren't like the elites and officers, who possessed formidable strength—they were just ordinary individuals...
As the saying goes, "Human strength has its limits." Michael and the others couldn't force ordinary people to follow them in liberating the world and overthrowing the World Government.
It would be like forcing a kitten to fight a tiger.
Some kittens might be fearless, but others would be paralyzed by fear.
Yet, this sudden wedding temporarily bridged the growing rift within the Revolutionary Army.
Though ideological conflicts had arisen, their original reasons for joining the cause were the same—they were comrades who had fought side by side across the four seas.
In a way, this wedding saved the Revolutionary Army from its rapidly deteriorating internal atmosphere.
As Ginny was whisked away by the women for a makeover, Kuma watched Ivankov employ his absurdly skilled tailoring technique, transforming piles of fabric into a perfectly fitted suit for Kuma's massive frame in the blink of an eye.
Michael clicked his tongue in amazement as he walked over to stand beside Monkey D. Dragon.
He stood there quietly, taking in the heartwarming scene.
"Honestly, every time I see Ivankov's tailoring skills, I'm blown away," Michael sighed. "But then I remember that the person with the strongest 'feminine energy' in the world is a drag queen, and my heart just trembles uncontrollably!"
"Then just ask Ivankov to switch to his female form... It's not like you haven't seen it before."
"Nah, I'm not the kind of asshole who forces friends to change for my own preferences," Michael shrugged. "But out of everyone, Ivankov, as their big brother, must be the happiest about Ginny and Kuma getting married, right?"
Dragon nodded.
It had been a long time since he'd seen such unbridled joy in Ivankov's eyes.
As one of the longest-standing members of the revolution, Ivankov—like Michael—was family to him.
"So... what exactly are you struggling with?"
"You must have heard every word Ginny and Kuma just said in the room, right?"
"Mhm." Michael nodded. "Actually, I don't think this is a big deal at all."
"Not a big deal?" Monkey D. Dragon, the criminal with a 1 billion bounty and leader of the Revolutionary Army, actually showed a bitter smile.
"But for me, it's an enormous matter."
"That's because your vision is too far ahead, seeing countless hardships and dangers on the path forward... But at the same time, you're overlooking what's beside and behind you." Michael shook his head.
"Although our Revolutionary Army has officially set out toward the Grand Line, we're already starting to see a gap in our forces... The grassroots are all ordinary people who joined our revolution purely out of passion. You have to understand—that passion will eventually run out."
Dragon froze for a moment, then looked at Michael.
His mind began to process Michael's meaning.
"If their mindset, willpower, and strength are no longer enough to support them in following us to spread the flames of liberation into the Grand Line... then instead of forcing them to trail behind us to their deaths, why not let them return to the four seas to manage and consolidate the revolutionary bases we've already succeeded in?" Michael spread his hands, his face full of resignation.
"The four seas are our stronghold, after all. Whether it's food, clothing, supplies, or the steady stream of weapons and intelligence, everything the Revolutionary Army currently receives comes from the four seas... So letting these veteran members, who can no longer fight on the frontlines, retreat to the rear and consolidate our foundation—isn't that a win-win situation?"
Michael's philosophy was actually very clear.
This kind of thing was commonplace in the Marines.
Those who couldn't handle the intensity of the New World would retreat to "Paradise," and those who struggled even in "Paradise" would go to the four seas.
There was always a place for them, whether on the frontlines, second line, or third line.
Even Zephyr, after resigning as an admiral, transitioned to the role of head instructor, taking on the responsibility of training recruits on the second line.
"Dragon, you've been away from stable organizational structures for too long, so you're not used to this kind of tiered, hierarchical distribution of personnel." Michael patted Dragon's shoulder and smiled.
"But you don't need to blame yourself. Strictly speaking, this should be the job of the Chief of Staff—me. As the leader of the Revolutionary Army, your most important task is to identify the right direction and lead everyone firmly toward that goal."
Dragon nodded and didn't say anything more.
Michael simply stayed by the older man's side.
In the room, after a chaotic ruckus, Ginny finally threw open the door—the bride made her grand entrance!
A pure white wedding dress, a leather gun holster, combat-ready denim shorts, and long boots...
"Get back in there and change, you damn stupid girl!" Michael instantly felt his blood pressure spike, nearly giving him a stroke at such a young age from the sight.
"This is your wedding! It's not like I didn't bring you a complete wedding dress! How did you manage to cobble together this battle-damaged look?!"
"Hahaha, Michael! This is the attitude we in the Revolutionary Army should have! Even when getting married, we must be ready to rush to the battlefield at any moment, fighting for the freedom and liberation of the whole world!" Ginny swayed her light, gauzy wedding skirt, creating a stark contrast with the heavy leather gun belt strapped across it.
"This is our faith as revolutionaries!"
Michael opened his mouth but didn't continue speaking.
"Damn it, Dragon..."
"I suddenly feel like crying."
Dragon patted Michael on the shoulder in response.
"That's normal for someone giving away a daughter in marriage."
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