The founding of the Revolutionary Army wasn't considered a major event.
In fact, it might not even appear on the World Government's radar before the liberation of another nation.
The one-billion Belly bounty placed on Monkey D. Dragon by the World Government was more of a warning than anything of real significance.
All he had done was overthrow a single country in the South Blue.
To the World Government, that threat was even smaller than the increasing number of pirates gathering in Paradise—the first half of the Grand Line.
In the original story, the World Government also underestimated the Revolutionary Army in the same way.
It wasn't until fourteen years later—in the year 1516 of the Sea Circle Calendar, during that year's Reverie—that the World Government finally began taking Dragon and the Revolutionary Army seriously, declaring them "the greatest threat to the World Government within the next five or six years."
In other words, the Revolutionary Army still had a long period of quiet development ahead, growing in the shadows.
...
By now, the banquet had ended. After witnessing the iconic moment of the Revolutionary Army's founding, the citizens and soldiers had finally calmed down and returned home to rest.
But the core commanders of the Revolutionary Army were gathered around the table at their base, discussing the most important matters at hand...
"We're still short on funds. And it's foreseeable that as our numbers grow, food will also become a serious issue."
"Also, we're not the only revolutionary force in the world. For those who wish to resist tyranny, we must help them as much as we can."
"And for those who join us, we must provide weapons and teach them how to fight."
"I need an army—one that can someday spread across the entire world."
Dragon sat in the central seat as he spoke.
But everyone's eyes, including Dragon's, turned toward a man slouched in his chair nearby.
"Hmm? Why are you all looking at me? Continue the meeting. It's not like I've got a sandal print on my face."
Michael glanced around, looking puzzled.
"You're our Revolutionary Army's Chief of Staff!" Ginny shouted, pointing at his face. "Don't act like this has nothing to do with you! You're the one who dragged us into this revolution in the first place!"
"Tch. Kuma, shut your big dumb girl's mouth, or let her shout louder so the whole world knows Vice Admiral Michael is the Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army!"
Though Ginny always held a bit of hostility toward him as a former Marine, Michael really couldn't bring himself to be angry at her.
Too pitiful. Pitiful enough to give him yet another reason to stab those Celestial Dragons to death.
"Though Ginny is quick-tempered, she's not wrong," Dragon nodded, looking at Michael. "I'd like to hear your opinion."
"Dragon, you're absolutely right about the overall direction, but it's still too vague."
Michael straightened up as he spoke.
Though he had a lazy demeanor, he had immense respect for the traditional revolutionary methods of his ancestors.
When it comes to revolution, attitude is everything.
"Just like we said from the start—we want to help others resisting tyranny. That's absolutely correct." Michael spread a world map across the table. "But your awareness isn't sharp enough. Why must it be only those resisting tyranny? What about the royal families who still provide their people with a happy life under the World Government's oppression—can't they be our allies?"
"What about the rare few World Government officials who haven't been corrupted?"
"What about those adventurers and treasure hunters—people who are essentially just explorers but happen to be labeled pirates?"
"Don't be surprised. Revolution means uniting every force that can be united. As long as they can truly help reshape and rebuild this world..."
"Even if I have to drink with my enemies and sit at the same table with them—so be it!"
With every sentence Michael spoke, the expressions on the Revolutionary Army officers' faces changed.
This kind of theory... they had never heard of before.
But after hearing it, it felt like a revelation.
Was this what they called "revolutionary conviction"?
"Unite all forces that can be united..."
Monkey D. Dragon kept repeating those words, a glint growing in his eyes.
His goal had never been wrong. It was his methods that had not gone all-in.
Michael was right. Why limit the Revolutionary Army to just those resisting tyranny?
Anyone dissatisfied with the World Government could be brought into the revolution!
"That's right. Our most important goal is to overthrow the World Government. So any faction, as long as it helps us achieve our revolutionary aims, can be allied with!"
"We must distinguish between primary and secondary contradictions. Until we resolve the primary one, all secondary contradictions can be ignored."
Michael suddenly looked up.
Good grief!
Just a moment, and they're already drawing inferences on their own?
No wonder they call this man a born revolutionary!
Michael quietly wiped the sweat from his brow, then turned back to the world map.
"Dragon, as for the issue of funds and food—there's a simple solution."
"For money, we'll just rob the Heavenly Tribute." Michael pointed at a few fixed sea routes.
"Generally speaking, the Heavenly Tribute is shipped along certain established routes. The member nations send it to designated drop-off points, where it's picked up by World Government work ships or Marine warships, and then transported to Mary Geoise."
"But... wouldn't that mean we're stealing from poor civilians?" Ginny finally relaxed her frown, her question pure and sincere.
And beside her, the towering Kuma also looked at Michael with the same puzzled expression.
Michael exchanged glances with Dragon, a little exasperated.
Ginny and Kuma were just too innocent. Their thinking was far too one-sided.
"Let's not even talk about how you'd return the money to the people afterward." Michael tapped his head. "Use your brains. Before the revolution succeeds, even if you do return the money, it'll just get taken away again through unjust taxes."
"So, rather than 'taking from the people,' we should use it for the people. Using these resources to speed up the revolution is the greatest return you can give to those who paid the Heavenly Tribute."
"Making sure they never have to pay it again—that's our true goal, isn't it?"
Ginny and Kuma looked at each other and said nothing for a long time.
Michael didn't bother explaining further to them. Instead, he pointed to a spot on the map—the East Blue.
"Here, Dragon, your hometown. Foosha Village and the surrounding islands in the East Blue are famous for their abundant resources—especially Shimotsuki Village. Their grain production is often several times, even dozens of times greater than neighboring regions. They have massive grain reserves."
"Shimotsuki?" Dragon paused in surprise. "As in the one from Wano?"
"Exactly. Shimotsuki Kozaburo, the renowned swordsmith from Wano Country."