Days passed in a flash.
Zebra Island finally welcomed peace after a long time.
Not only had the flames of war between the pirates and the Labor Uprising temporarily ceased, but the residents of the various towns were also enjoying days free from hunger.
The pirates who had come to suppress the rebellion not only refrained from harming the common people but also spent their days in leisure, as if on vacation.
On the beach.
"Thunderclap Palm!"
Yamato, dressed in a beautiful swimsuit, leaped into the air with all her might, her right hand crackling with electric light as she slammed it down on the volleyball!
"Boom!"
The flaming volleyball struck the ground beside Gurd like a cannonball, sending up a cloud of sand that splattered all over him.
"Wahaha, I win!"
The girl jumped up excitedly, leaving Gurd feeling dizzy.
Where did all these balls come from!
Beach volleyball match.
10:0!
Gurd shot a resentful glare at Chikara, blaming her for being so clumsy that he lost the game.
"I'm so sorry."
Chikara's voice trembled with a hint of tears.
She was all thumbs and couldn't keep up at all.
"Go get me a glass of juice."
"Yes, Gurd-sama!"
A moment later.
Gurd lay comfortably on a beach chair, enjoying Chikara's service, completely forgetting about the task of suppressing the uprising.
During the past few nights, many villagers had provided them with information, and quite a few had even tipped off the rebels or delivered food.
But he didn't care about any of that.
He treated it like a vacation; after all, he wasn't the one in a hurry.
"I'm having so much fun."
Yamato leaned over beside Gurd, and Speed came over as well.
"Yamato, let me put some sunscreen on you!"
"Let me do it!"
Gurd quickly got up.
How could he trouble someone else with such a task?
At that moment, at the rebels' stronghold.
A well-dressed man holding a water pipe arrived at the stronghold with a girl by his side.
The second-in-command of the Revolutionary Army, Sabo!
With his partner, Koala.
Gabul felt a weight lift from his heart upon seeing Sabo; he had been unable to sleep well for days, consumed by worry.
"Sabo, you finally made it."
"Yeah."
Sabo nodded solemnly.
He hadn't expected that the Earth Calamity would employ such terrifying tactics. They had prepared for a struggle, but now it felt like they were hitting cotton.
"What's the situation now?"
"People are on edge!"
Gabul forced a smile.
The soil for revolution needs to be cultivated under the rule of tyranny, but now the Beasts Pirates had adopted a strategy of appeasement, winning over the villagers.
This had thrown him completely off balance.
In the past few days, the events in town had spread among the laborers, and coupled with the urging from their families, many laborers were wavering.
Gabul, having come from a poor background, understood the laborers' mindset; if it meant their families could have enough to eat, what did a little hardship matter?
But he knew all too well that the Beasts Pirates could not be so gentle. Once they left, the Beasts would surely revert to their former brutality.
If the revolution failed, it would inevitably lead to brutal retaliation.
The repeated lessons of blood had long taught him not to trust those wolves; the revolution must be carried through to the end.
However, given the current situation, the laborers' uprising might collapse before the Beasts Pirates even attacked.
They were holed up in the deep mountains, starving and shivering, relying solely on sheer willpower to hold on. Once that willpower dissipated, the consequences were unthinkable.
"Earth Calamity Gurd."
Sabo's expression grew increasingly grave.
Ordinary people have limited insight and can easily be deceived by pirates.
If the revolution fails, all previous efforts will be in vain, and the laborers will continue to be exploited by the Beasts.
Thus, action must be swift!
Sabo quickly made up his mind and asked in a low voice, "Gabul, if we take the initiative to attack, what are our chances of winning?"
"Attack."
Gabul's face darkened.
If he had a choice, he would never opt for a direct assault; guerrilla warfare was his forte. A frontal attack not only had a low chance of success but would also increase casualties.
But the arrow was on the string, and it had to be released.
There was no time for hesitation.
With each passing minute, the laborers' resolve would waver further; this revolution was a race against time.
Gabul took a deep breath, his gaze resolute: "If you can deal with that Earth Calamity, I'm confident we can drive the pirates away!"
Among the Beasts Pirates that had come, only that Earth Calamity was a significant figure; the rest of the pirates were mostly nameless.
"Alright, leave the Earth Calamity to me!"
Sabo replied without hesitation.
Seeing this, Koala immediately grabbed Sabo's face and scolded, "Sabo, what are you trying to prove? Do you have any idea how powerful that Earth Calamity is?!"
"Of course I do!"
Sabo adjusted his hat's brim.
"Earth Calamity" Gurd had been hailed by Whitebeard as the "Strongest Rookie," and for the past few months, all the news had been about him.
His formidable strength was beyond doubt!
"Koala, I'm well aware that I might not be a match for that man, but now is not the time to back down!"
"I also know that this revolution will ultimately end in failure, but we must win this battle!"
"We need to drive the Beasts Pirates away, even if it's just this once, so that the people on the island can ignite the fire of revolution in their hearts and have the courage to take up arms against violent rule!"
The Revolutionary Army was still very weak, even struggling to move forward, but as long as the hope in the hearts of the people remained, the fire of revolution would not extinguish.
Therefore, he had to step up.
"I knew it would come to this."
Koala sighed helplessly.
It was always like this; once Sabo made a decision, he would never look back, and she would always be left to clean up the mess afterward.
"I'll support you!"
"Thank you, Koala."
Sabo smiled brightly: "I knew you would help me!"
"Hmph, stop trying to be cute!"
The girl gritted her teeth in frustration.
On the beach.
The movements of the Labor Uprising soon reached Gurd's ears.
There were moles among the crowd!
Not every citizen could firmly stand with the laborers, especially when they could receive tangible benefits from the pirates.
"Can't hold back so soon."
Gurd thought for a moment and called for Scotch: "Scotch, send someone to relay a message to the Labor Uprising: as long as they lay down their weapons and surrender, returning to work at the weapon factory, their previous mistakes can be forgiven!"
"Yes, Gurd-sama."
Scotch respectfully withdrew.
He had also noticed the changes in the Labor Uprising over the past few days, and his admiration for Gurd had risen once again.
He had clashed with the rebel army and knew how high their morale was, but Gurd had effortlessly shattered the rebels' fighting spirit.
So despicable and shameless; truly worthy of being an All-Star of the Beasts Pirates!
"That kid's gaze toward me seems a bit off."
Gurd shook his head and continued to lie back, enjoying his vacation. It had been rare to have such a leisurely time after all the running around.
"Gurd, come play in the water!"
In the shallow water, women dressed lightly waved at Gurd, especially Yamato, who shouted the loudest.
Gurd sighed and got up.
Couldn't these little girls let him lie down in peace for a while?
"Coming!"
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