After receiving the Navy's announcement, the Revolutionary Army's secret base immediately convened a high-level meeting.
When the Northern Army commander Karasu asked Dragon what measures the Revolutionary Army should take next, everyone's eyes fell on the commander, waiting for his answer.
Dragon did not respond immediately. His fingers tapped the table, deep in thought.
The Eastern Army commander, Belo Betty, along with the senior cadres, quietly waited for Dragon's decision.
Betty crossed her legs, arms folded across her chest, cigarette in her mouth, and said with a sneer:
"What's there to be afraid of? A war can't be decided by one person alone. I've gathered some intelligence on that guy—his combat power is indeed strong, but I heard his IQ is questionable. A man like that isn't worth worrying too much about."
At her side, Sabo said in a heavy tone:
"Though she's not wrong, the intelligence also shows that this Reckless Maniac Admiral has very strong Haoshoku Haki (Conqueror's Haki). He directly conversed with someone from the sixth level of Impel Down—that man was once Roger's right-hand. He can be said to be on par with Rayleigh."
"To have Haoshoku Haki… on the battlefield that makes him a troublesome opponent."
The meeting fell silent again.
The intelligence on this admiral was shocking.
But due to Sengoku's deliberate concealment, they still hadn't gathered enough detailed information.
At this moment, Dragon finally stopped tapping the table.
"No matter what, we must keep an eye on this Reckless Maniac Admiral. His appearance has indeed raised the Navy's overall strength, pushing them to a new height, making our purpose even more difficult.
But the time is not yet ripe. We will remain hidden in the shadows for now. Kuma has already said the Navy is preparing for war with the Whitebeard Pirates—they've begun summoning the Shichibukai and making preparations.
We'll continue to observe from the dark. If this Reckless Maniac Admiral truly proves too dangerous, we can strike at the right moment and let him fall!"
The room once again fell into silence.
So, the commander was planning to intervene in this war!?
This was surprising. After all, the Revolutionary Army's appearance would surely draw the attention of CP's intelligence agencies.
This war would go down in history—everyone knew that much.
But if they didn't do this, overthrowing the World Government's rule would be near impossible.
The room was quiet, no one voicing objections.
Not long after the announcement was made, several heavyweight figures arrived at Sabaody Archipelago.
Whitebeard, Red-Hair, along with Marco and Benn Beckman, hidden under cloaks, stepped into the Drunken Bamboo Bar.
Inside, Rayleigh was drinking.
Without looking up, he raised his glass and grinned:
"Red-Hair, how come you're hanging around with this old man?"
Rayleigh, a master of hand-to-hand combat, possessed no Devil Fruit power. His Haoshoku Haki (Conqueror's Haki), Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki), and Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki) were all first-rate, and his swordsmanship was also top-tier. So when Red-Hair and Whitebeard approached, he had already sensed them.
Red-Hair sighed helplessly:
"Rayleigh, can't you stop making fun of me? I'm a Yonko now, not the brat I used to be. Can't you give me some respect?"
If word of this spread, the Yonko would become a laughingstock.
Rayleigh laughed heartily, unconcerned:
"People always say that no matter how old the child grows, in a parent's eyes, he'll always be a child. You're the same in my eyes."
Red-Hair smiled bitterly, but did not argue. From a young age, Roger and Rayleigh had always treated him kindly, almost like family.
After exchanging words with Red-Hair, Rayleigh turned to Whitebeard:
"Well, what brings this old guy here today?"
Whitebeard snorted coldly:
"Hmph. How come your captain never treated me with such an attitude before? Now I'm just some old man, huh?"
"I am me, my captain is my captain. That guy still owes me a favor. He tricked me into following him on an adventure back then. Since he claimed we were brothers, why don't you repay that debt for him—get me a ship."
Whitebeard was speechless. Behind him, Marco and Benn Beckman were secretly stunned.
So, the Pirate King Roger was so broke before he set sail that he even tricked Rayleigh into building him a ship.
"Enough about the past, Rayleigh. Let's talk business." Whitebeard's voice grew heavy.
Rayleigh took a sip of his drink.
Whitebeard continued directly:
"You must have heard by now. Our second division commander, Ace, has been captured by the Navy."
Rayleigh stayed silent.
Whitebeard pressed on:
"This time, I've come to ask you to come out of retirement and join me and Red-Hair in rescuing Ace."
Rayleigh's expression shifted at those words. He glanced at Red-Hair, who nodded in confirmation.
Rayleigh was even more surprised.
He stared silently at Red-Hair, whose gaze told him everything.
Red-Hair's face grew serious. In a low voice, he said:
"Rayleigh, Ace is actually Captain Roger's son."
Rayleigh's pupils widened sharply, his hand holding the cup froze midair. His heart trembled violently.
Ace… was Roger's son!?
Though technically he had only been Roger's crewmate, in truth, he and Roger were like brothers. From the moment Roger set sail until the end of his voyage, Rayleigh had always been by his side.
Their bond was closer than blood brothers. To hear now that his brother had left behind a son, still alive… his heart surged with emotion.
And Red-Hair wouldn't lie about something like this.
Rayleigh exhaled a long breath, then suddenly grinned:
"I'm truly happy for Roger. I didn't expect his son to still be alive and well…"
Then he looked at Whitebeard:
"Alright, I'll go with you. Let's rescue Ace together."
Whitebeard felt a rush of joy. With Rayleigh joining them, they had gained a formidable ally.
But Rayleigh added with a strange look:
"Still, you and Red-Hair together—two Yonko. Isn't that enough to save Ace?"
Whitebeard was about to reply when suddenly, the door of the Drunken Bamboo Bar was pushed open.
Shakky walked in from outside, her face grim:
"Rayleigh, big news. One of the Emperors of the Sea in the New World has just fallen!"
(End of Chapter)
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