At that moment, Dragon's Den Den Mushi rang.
"Hm?"
Looking at the familiar Den Den Mushi, Dragon answered it with curiosity.
It was Vegapunk's Den Den Mushi, and that surprised him greatly.
"Doctor, is something the matter?"
From the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Vegapunk's voice came through.
"Dragon, it seems your situation is rather unsettled."
Dragon gave a bitter smile.
If even Vegapunk, someone who barely paid attention to the world, could see the Revolutionary Army's predicament, then perhaps the Revolutionary Army truly did not pose much of a threat anymore.
"Doctor, is there something you need my help with?" Dragon asked curiously.
He was not sure what he or the Revolutionary Army could still do to help this genius scientist.
Vegapunk chuckled and said, "I do not have anything I need your help with. But someone asked me to give you a set of blueprints."
As soon as he finished speaking, a set of blueprints was transmitted from Vegapunk's base into Dragon's hands.
Inside the Sorbet Kingdom, Dragon held the blueprints Vegapunk had sent over and fell into shock.
The Marine insignia had clearly been erased from these blueprints, but anyone could recognize at a glance that the vessel shown was no different from the Marines' current warships.
In other words, Vegapunk had given him blueprints for a warship capable of crossing the Calm Belt.
"Call Sabo back."
Looking at the blueprints in his hand, a new train of thought seemed to form in Dragon's mind.
Perhaps this was the only thing the Revolutionary Army could do now.
...
Inside Vegapunk's base, Enel sat bored in a chair, waiting for the call to end.
"Good. I have already given the blueprints to Dragon. He is a smart man, so he should understand how important they are."
Vegapunk clapped his hands.
All around them, researchers and guards were packing things away.
Enel was staring into space out of boredom.
"Doctor, is there anything else we need to take?"
Vegapunk looked around and shook his head.
"Other than the Seraphim inside the cultivation chambers, everything else can be replaced. Most of it is already stored inside my brain anyway."
This base, which he had used for a very long time, had reached the point where it needed to be abandoned.
On a secret island in the New World, Raleigh had already built another research base large enough for Vegapunk to use.
After all, once Vegapunk leaked the Marine blueprints to Dragon, he would definitely no longer be safe.
Moreover, the World Government had now realized the power of science and technology.
Members of the Cipher Pol organizations were already on their way.
After absorbing the World Government's funds and resources for so many years, Vegapunk had, in fact, already completed most of his research.
The remaining projects only needed time to be slowly polished.
"Understood, Doctor. Let us go."
After taking one final look at the base, Vegapunk and Enel left the cold underground laboratory together.
...
At Marine Headquarters, inside the office at Marineford, Raleigh's current workload was quite relaxed.
He was mainly responsible for formulating strategic plans.
The specific implementation of those plans and the signing of documents were left to Gion and Momonga, who were currently writing furiously beside him.
Looking at the leisurely Raleigh, Momonga gritted his teeth.
"Bastard. I did not come to the Grand Line just to sign documents for you. Hurry up and transfer me to the front line. I do not care whether it is fighting pirates or fighting the Revolutionary Army. Either one is fine."
Momonga had not been like this originally, but anyone who had to sign documents every single day would eventually collapse.
Especially now that the war had begun.
Whether it was material support for Sakazuki, support for Kuzan's side, or the worldwide Marine draft, every single matter had to be sent to Raleigh for review.
Yet Raleigh was now extremely relaxed, while Momonga had no choice but to sit here signing documents.
Raleigh revealed a cheerful, mischievous smile.
"Momonga, I am now the Fleet Admiral. My position is higher than yours, so you have to listen to me."
"Besides, it is not time for the real battle yet. As my ace deputy, there is no need for you to personally go to the battlefield this early. If you feel too tired, then when Cleveland returns, you can swap with him and have him sign the documents here."
Momonga naturally had nothing to say.
He only silently counted down the days until Cleveland returned.
...
A few days later, Sabo, who had just finished arranging matters in the West Blue and returned to the South Blue, met Dragon on an unnamed island.
"Leader, did you call me back because there is something urgent?"
Sabo was very confused.
Dragon nodded, then solemnly took the blueprints from his pocket and handed them to Sabo.
Sabo accepted the blueprints and casually flipped through them.
But after a single glance, his eyes widened.
He lifted his head in disbelief and asked, "Leader, is this not a Marine warship?"
While he was in the West Blue, Sabo had come into close contact with the Marines' new warships.
He was extremely familiar with the appearance of those vessels.
Dragon nodded.
"That's right. This is a Marine warship. The kind capable of crossing the Calm Belt."
"If we manufacture ships according to these blueprints, then we too can possess technology capable of traveling through the Calm Belt."
Sabo could not help crying out in surprise.
"My god. With this kind of weapon, we will have far more room to maneuver against the Marines' blockade."
"We may even be able to reestablish Revolutionary Army bases in the Grand Line, ensuring that the flame of the revolution burns brighter and brighter."
Dragon revealed a gratified smile.
For so many years, he had kept Sabo by his side and personally nurtured him.
It was not as if he had never considered making Sabo his successor.
"You're right. Once we have technology capable of crossing the Calm Belt, we will indeed possess endless possibilities."
"So now, our most urgent task is not to fight the Marines to the death in the West Blue, but to seize the time and build ships that can cross the Calm Belt."
"Since the Marines want the West Blue, then let them have it. We will directly attack Jog Marie and force them to turn back in defense."
Dragon's words were inspiring, and Sabo felt his blood begin to burn.
"Then what should I do, Leader?"
Sabo solemnly tucked the blueprints into his coat.
A complicated expression appeared on Dragon's face.
"I will send others to assist you. Build usable ships as quickly as possible on the islands under our control."
For the Revolutionary Army's manufacturing capabilities, Marine warships were still far too advanced.
Most of their functions were simply beyond what the Revolutionary Army could support.
So they could only simplify the designs, ensuring that the ships could meet their basic needs.
"As for the Marines, you do not need to be responsible for that for the time being. I will personally take full command."
Dragon patted Sabo on the shoulder.
Now that Sabo had his own mission, the task of opposing Sakazuki could only be handled by Dragon himself.
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