"Hmm!"
In the slightly dim forest, sunlight streamed through the gaps in the trees, scattering like pieces of broken gold onto the newspaper in Ben Beckman's hand, allowing him to read its contents with ease.
The more he read, the more his expression grew somber, and the more serious his countenance became.
Putting down the newspaper, he turned his head to look at Shanks and asked, "Shanks, should we go over there?"
Such matters could only be decided by the captain, Shanks.
The silver-haired individual's strength, evident from his safe retreat from Kizaru and Garp during the Sabaody Archipelago incident a month ago, already spoke volumes.
Moreover, and most importantly, it had been a month, and the World Government and the Marines had made no move against the silver-haired group.
Based on their understanding of the World Government, this was clearly impossible.
If there was an explanation, there was only one.
That was that the World Government and the Marines were utterly incapable of dealing with the silver-haired group.
Only this answer, however outrageous, was the only one they could conceive.
Therefore, the silver-haired individual's strength must have reached the level of Shanks and the others; only then would the World Government be indifferent to the death of a Celestial Dragon.
Now, with the silver-haired individual and Kaido in a great battle, and Big Mom also heading towards Dressrosa...
The departure of two Emperors would be acceptable; after all, the silver-haired group had fully displayed their strength, and he believed they could safely withdraw even if Kaido and Charlotte Linlin joined forces.
However, if he were to go as well, it would likely escalate into an even greater conflict.
After all, his relationship with Charlotte Linlin and Kaido was not good!
To ascend to the position of an Emperor, he had not hesitated to confront these two old fellows, including Whitebeard, in previous years.
After all, only when one's strength was recognized by those of the same caliber could one truly hold onto that position, not merely by reputation.
"Hmm!"
Ben Beckman nodded, put down the newspaper, and no longer paid attention to the matter.
"To what level will you reach?"
They both looked up simultaneously, gazing out at the sea, with solemnity and anticipation in their eyes.
The seas had been too calm in recent years. While this was the situation they desired, it was not one they wished to endure indefinitely.
When new forces that stirred the winds and shook the seas entered the New World, they too would anticipate it.
They looked forward to these young individuals bringing a different landscape to this sea.
Yet, they had not expected these young people to rise so quickly, so remarkably fast.
It had been less than a year since they first heard news of the silver-haired individual, and in that year, all the major events worldwide had been connected to his group.
Most recently, they had directly killed a Celestial Dragon.
Truly, they were like newborn calves, fearless of heaven and earth!
...
Grand Line, Unknown Waters.
There lay an island of white earth.
All the buildings on the island were constructed from white stone. The surrounding area was covered in yellow sand and scattered rocks, giving it a barren appearance.
This was the headquarters of the Revolutionary Army, their base of operations, an island hidden within the Grand Line, known to few except the revolutionaries themselves.
"Baltigo."
As the entire island was built on white earth, it also bore the nickname "Island of White Earth."
At this moment, on a certain open-air balcony of a large white building in the center of Baltigo Island.
Completely shrouded in a dark green cloak, with a red square tattoo on his left face, Monkey D. Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army, was earnestly reading a newspaper.
The Revolutionary Army had its own intelligence network, but to gather world news, they had no choice but to purchase newspapers from the World Economic Journal to understand the world.
As for whether the World Economic Journal would discover their location, they were not overly concerned.
After all, it was not only the Revolutionary Army here, but also countless civilians.
At least from the outside, it appeared to be just another ordinary island.
No one would ever imagine that the Revolutionary Army would establish its headquarters on such an ordinary island.
Gazing at the young face on the newspaper, Dragon's eyes were filled with emotion.
"They've come this far!"
Indeed, a month prior, upon learning of the news from Sabaody Archipelago, he had often felt a sense of awe.
No one, as a son, could comprehend the terror of the old man better than he could.
Reaching up to touch the tattoo on his face, he felt as if he could sense his father's affection through it, causing his lips to twitch involuntarily.
Lowering his hand, he looked at the contents of the newspaper and fell into thought.
"Should I go over there?"
While others might focus on the battle between Kouta and Kaido, he, as the leader of the Revolutionary Army, was focused on Dressrosa itself.
This matter might be insignificant to others, but for him, it could be an opportunity.
Much like Bass.
After Kouta's group had left, Sabo had quietly gone to Bass. He had expected to have to do a lot of persuading, but when Sabo mentioned knowing Kouta, Bass had immediately sided with the Revolutionary Army, giving Dragon a glimmer of hope.
Dressrosa now, while different from Bass at the time, had many similarities.
If they were to go now, they might be able to take control of Dressrosa and seize the opportunity to meet that silver-haired kid who had left such a deep impression on him nine years ago.
Upon thinking this, a surge of impulse arose within him, but it was quickly suppressed, and he had to abandon the thought.
At present, at the Revolutionary Army headquarters, besides this kid Sabo, he was the only one left.
Ivankov and Inazuma were in Impel Down.
Bello Betty and Archangel were in the North Blue.
Lindbergh had gone to G-5.
Crow and Mori were nowhere to be found.
"Alas! Severely lacking in personnel!"
Dragon sighed, put down the newspaper, and looked up in the direction of the East Blue.
His entire life had been one of constant busyness, so much so that he hadn't visited his son even after learning of his whereabouts.
The first reason was his fear of the old man, and the second was his guilt towards his son, a guilt that prevented him from visiting. Even if he did, it was done in secret.
After all, he was the leader of the Revolutionary Army, not an ordinary person.
After a moment of sighing, he turned and walked indoors.
Although he himself could not go, he could send Sabo.
While Sabo was still young, he had been through enough trials within the Revolutionary Army. It was time to give that kid a concrete position and add more responsibility to his shoulders.
Thinking of Kouta and Kuina, who were of roughly the same age, and now stood at the pinnacle of the world.