When Michael spoke, Gion had actually already grasped the essence of what he wanted.
So from beginning to end, she wasn't particularly surprised.
But Borsalino Kizaru and Chaton, on the other hand, looked at Michael with an expression they had never worn before.
After being colleagues for so many years, it felt like they were only now beginning to understand this man…
Chaton raised a hand and wiped at his eyes.
In his memory, Michael had once been a man with no ill intentions—just someone who lacked motivation…
Then one day, he suddenly erupted like a volcano, unstoppable once it began.
From Navy Commander, to Rear Admiral, then to Vice Admiral and concurrent Chief Inspector…
Within just a few years, he revitalized the entire Navy from top to bottom.
He had once believed the Navy had finally welcomed the most outstanding leader in its history.
But what he didn't expect was…
Michael's ambitions were not limited to the Navy.
They extended over the entire sea—over the entire world!
"From now on, what exactly… do you plan to do?" Chaton lifted his head, his expression gradually calming,
"The World Government is definitely still thinking about how to deal with the Navy, and how to deal with you now that you're with the Revolutionary Army… so why don't we gather all our strength right now and overthrow the World Government directly?"
As soon as Chaton finished speaking, everyone present turned toward him with astonished faces.
Especially Michael.
"Good heavens, Chaton, you—a steadfast Navy man—are even more radical than I am?" Michael asked with a laugh. "Don't tell me you suddenly awakened?"
"You've already set up the whole stage. If we Navy folks don't go up and perform, wouldn't that be such a waste? So since we're going to perform, we might as well go big." Chaton struck the air with his fist.
"Besides, I've long had enough of the World Government and those extortionate allied nations!"
"I really appreciate your attitude, but… we can't actually do that." Michael reached out and pressed Chaton, who had stood up, back into his seat.
"Even though the World Government's visible power has been weakened to the lowest point in history… the only real thing that's broken is its relationship with the Navy. And on top of that, the World Government still holds enormous control over the nations on the Grand Line…"
"And more importantly…"
"At this point, it's basically confirmed the World Government possesses a complete Ancient Weapon. Since Poseidon and Pluton are both in an unactivated state, it can be determined that what they hold is the legendary Uranus."
"Uranus requires an enormous amount of energy or the flame ability of the Lunarian race to operate. Just one use is enough to wipe a massive nation from existence…"
"That God Valley where Garp earned the title of 'Navy Hero'—its disappearance from the sea can very likely be attributed to the World Government using Uranus to erase it from the map entirely… all to cover up the truth about collaborating with pirates to defeat the Rocks Pirates."
After listening to Michael's explanation, even the worldly, calculating Kizaru couldn't help but draw in a sharp breath.
An ultimate Ancient Weapon capable of destroying a great nation…
This wasn't comparable to a Buster Call flattening a small island!
No wonder—even after completely falling out with the Navy, they weren't afraid of the Navy turning against them.
So this was…
Confidence built on absolute power.
"But you just said this suspected Uranus requires enormous energy consumption, or the undying flames of the Lunarian race… but the Lunarians have disappeared from the sea for years. Does the World Government actually have any?" Gion frowned. "So is there a possibility the World Government is… bluffing?"
"That's like gambling with a man pointing a gun at your forehead—betting there's no bullet in the chamber." Michael sighed. "If I were alone, with no ties to anyone, I'd take that gamble without hesitation… but now I have not just the Navy and the Revolutionary Army behind me, but countless allies and the people of the entire sea."
"If we stepped into such a gamble, no matter the result, the price would be far too great."
"That's why I've been moving between all factions, trying to gradually erode and isolate the World Government… and at the same time, find out where exactly this so-called 'divine weapon' is being hidden."
Chaton and Kizaru exchanged a look.
From each other's eyes, they saw the same heaviness—and contemplation.
Even if they didn't fully trust everything Michael said, it was basically impossible to refute.
After all, the Revolutionary Army never targeted the Navy in the first place, so Michael had no need to deceive them.
And with Michael's plans, the Navy—after becoming completely independent—was bound to merge with the Revolutionary Army eventually. They were destined to become one family.
But…
This matter was far too great.
So great that not even one Admiral and two Admiral candidates could shoulder it.
No matter what, this was something they had to report to Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
This wasn't about sides. It wasn't about personal loyalty to Michael…
It was simply knowing their place. They weren't about to get themselves killed.
"I understand your thinking. You definitely have to report this to Sengoku…"
"Good that you understand."
"But when you report it, you don't need to report it in too much detail, do you?" Michael said with a cheerful smile.
"Just stick to the facts—tell him I appeared on Egghead and then went to the Sabaody Archipelago… as for what I was doing, obviously, I was retrieving our Revolutionary Army's excellent officers, Olvia and Saul."
"I can agree to that."
Before Kizaru or Chaton could react, Nico Robin responded immediately.
Then she looked into Michael's sapphire-blue eyes and smiled softly.
"And should we also quietly cancel the matter of Alabasta scholars entering the country?"
"Little Robin, long time no see…" Michael rushed forward and, faster than a lightning bell chiming, ruffled Robin's hair into a mess.
"You really are the roundworm in my stomach!"
"Ew! That's disgusting! I don't want to be a roundworm!"
Kizaru, Chaton, and Gion didn't press further.
Knowing something—but not knowing the details—was actually the easiest way to conceal the truth.
"All right, since the discussion is over… let's continue."
Seeing that everyone was done talking, Robin calmly sat back down beside her mother and resumed accepting her mother's feeding without hesitation.
From the very beginning, Yamato, who hadn't spoken a single word, suddenly looked at Robin with envy.
"Father… envy…"
"…Spare me. Even if I die, I'm never feeding you."
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Fanfic is finished. 583 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg