Whitebeard proposed launching another war against the Navy.
Although Ace and Luffy's execution had been interrupted, the time left for them was running out.
Furthermore, many officers had been captured. If they weren't rescued, their strength would be greatly reduced.
Before Dragon and Shanks could speak, Whitebeard continued:
"The World Government's Five Elders struck at the Reckless Maniac Admiral and forced him away. That, for us, is also good news.
Without a powerhouse like him — someone with the strength to rival an Emperor — the Navy cannot resist the combined forces of our three factions."
Dragon and Shanks both nodded.
Whitebeard wasn't wrong. Their comrades had been captured, and they had to rescue them.
For pirates like Whitebeard and Shanks, comrades and family were everything.
For Dragon, the captured officers carried countless secrets of the Revolutionary Army, so they too had to be freed.
"I think we can do as before, and rally more allies," Jozu said from behind Whitebeard.
If they could gather the same kind of force as before, and with the Reckless Maniac Admiral gone, victory was certain.
"Shiki, Redfield, and Bullet all hate the Navy. They'd likely agree to fight alongside us."
Sabo walked into the meeting.
"That's possible, but the problem is, we don't know where they went," Whitebeard said gravely.
He knew Shiki well. Though cunning and domineering, his hatred of the Navy was real. If he made an alliance, he wouldn't betray them.
But the problem was, they had no way to contact Shiki or the others.
After all, Shiki, Redfield, and Bullet had been the first to flee the battlefield, splitting off from them.
Sabo smiled confidently.
"That's nothing to worry about, Whitebeard. We of the Revolutionary Army have been in the shadows for years, but our intelligence on every power is thorough."
"Shiki was defeated by the Straw Hats, but the Flying Pirates weren't disbanded. He's most likely gone back there to recover."
"Flying Pirates..." Whitebeard murmured, dazed, memories returning.
Back then, the Flying Pirates had been a force equal to his own, even once pushing Roger into a desperate corner.
But times had changed. Now, their name was barely relevant, surviving only because of Shiki, a relic of the old era.
As Whitebeard brooded, Sabo handed him a Den Den Mushi.
"Here, Whitebeard — it's already connected to Shiki. You're the one who should persuade him."
Only Whitebeard could do it. In Shiki's eyes, Dragon and Shanks were juniors. Only someone from his era could get his respect.
Sure enough, Shiki, along with Redfield and Bullet, had escaped to the Flying Pirates' base.
When Whitebeard stated his intentions, Shiki refused flatly:
"Are you kidding me? I'm still injured, and you expect me to fight again?"
No matter what, he wouldn't agree.
Whitebeard pressed on:
"Shiki, the Reckless Maniac Admiral has stepped down. You don't need to worry anymore."
"Who knows if that announcement is real? Maybe it's just a Navy trap to deceive us. Whitebeard, you've gotten old. How can you not see such a simple trick?" Shiki mocked.
Because he, Redfield, and Bullet had fled early, they hadn't seen the Five Elders' attack on Good. To him, the news was almost certainly a trap.
Whitebeard tried to explain, but Shiki cut the call.
Silence fell. Whitebeard roared angrily:
"That bastard — he's been traumatized by the Reckless Maniac Admiral! The fearless man of old is gone. He's nothing but trash now!"
He clenched his teeth.
"That waste — we don't need him!!"
Everyone exchanged troubled looks.
It was clear Whitebeard no longer intended to pursue Shiki. Recruiting him was hopeless.
Dragon then turned to Whitebeard.
"Whitebeard, I remember you had dealings with Big Mom before, didn't you?"
At the mention of her name, Whitebeard quickly waved his hand.
"That old hag is pure madness. If we go to her, she'll demand an outrageous price."
Dragon pressed on:
"But we've taken heavy losses. Our crews are weakened. We need allies. Mad as she is, she's still an Emperor. Right now, she may be our best choice."
Whitebeard hesitated, deep in thought.
Just then, Benn Beckman limped forward.
Shanks, seeing his state, urged him to rest, but Beckman just smiled and waved it off.
He grinned at the group.
"Gentlemen, aren't you forgetting someone?"
The mysterious smile on his face made everyone frown.
"Who?" Dragon asked.
"Among the great powers of this world — the Golden Emperor of Gran Tesoro could count, but he's tied to the World Government, so trying to recruit him would risk exposing us.
The six Dark Emperors of the underworld also have ties to the Government, so they're not reliable.
The Vinsmoke family of the North Blue is strong, but they'd never openly oppose the World Government."
The Revolutionary Army's intelligence was frighteningly precise — they had every faction mapped out.
But Beckman's smile deepened.
"No. The one I mean isn't a faction. He's just one man. But his power equals that of an Emperor's crew..."
(End of Chapter)
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