I Punch the Tailed Beast Ball

”They’re really something. They actually captured Marine Headquarters, and so many Marines even joined the Revolutionary Army.”

Marco remained unable to calm himself for a long time after finishing the newspaper.

He had thought the Revolutionary Army would use the favor they had earned by asking the Whitebeard Pirates to fight alongside them against Marine Headquarters.

He never expected that, just as the World Government was gathering its forces to attack the Revolutionary Army, the Revolutionary Army would launch a surprise attack of their own and directly eliminate the World Government’s main force—Marine Headquarters.

Marco had never imagined that the Revolutionary Army could defeat Marine Headquarters so quickly. After all, the Marines’ strength was obvious to everyone. They were immensely powerful, giving off the impression that they could sweep across the entire sea.

But what he found most unbelievable was that the Marine Admirals had collectively joined the Revolutionary Army. All three Admirals, without exception.

Marco found it utterly absurd. Even if the Revolutionary Army had defeated Marine Headquarters, there was no reason for all three Admirals to defect together.

Compared to saying the Revolutionary Army had defeated the Marines, Marco felt it was more accurate to say that Marine Headquarters had merged into the Revolutionary Army.

”Even Marine Headquarters is gone now. Doesn’t that mean the World Government is about to be overthrown by the Revolutionary Army?” Ace also felt that the world was changing far too quickly.

First, their great enemy Kaido had inexplicably been defeated.

Now even Marine Headquarters was gone.

Soon the World Government would become history as well.

”But since the old man has gone back to his hometown, I should find an opportunity to visit him.”

Thinking about using the news of Marine Headquarters’ defeat to tease Garp, Ace couldn’t help but smile.

The newspaper had also reported the whereabouts of senior Marine figures such as Garp and Sengoku. According to the report, both of them had awakened to the truth, retired, and returned home.

Although Garp hadn’t rescued him during the Paramount War, Ace knew that Garp had already gone easy on his behalf. Throughout the entire battle, Garp had mostly watched from the sidelines, and even when he did fight, he hadn’t used his full strength.

Therefore, Ace never felt that Garp had let him down.

On the contrary, Ace felt deeply guilty.

He had forced Garp into an impossible dilemma.

On one side was Ace, who wasn’t related to him by blood but was no different from a real grandson.

On the other side were the Marines.

”It won’t be that simple. The World Government has existed for far too long. It has faced challenges before, but in the end, the World Government always emerged victorious. The World Government possesses more than just the Marines. They have other trump cards as well.”

Marco shook his head.

”However, since the Revolutionary Army didn’t use that favor to have us fight the Marines alongside them, they’ll probably use it when facing the World Government.”

Marco’s expression became serious.

Fighting the World Government would be far more dangerous than an ordinary battle.

”Let’s see what the Revolutionary Army intends to do.”

Whitebeard spoke calmly.

If the Revolutionary Army wanted them to fight alongside them against the World Government, Whitebeard naturally wouldn’t go back on his word.

But if the Revolutionary Army expected them to charge in alone to exhaust the World Government’s strength first...

Then he was sorry, but Whitebeard wasn’t a stubborn fool.

Compared to anything else, Whitebeard cared far more about the lives of his sons.

If the Revolutionary Army wanted them to die for nothing, Whitebeard would never agree.

The division commanders all nodded.

...

The Holy Land, Mary Geoise.

”This situation is getting worse and worse. The World Government’s authority has fallen drastically, and many member nations have already begun causing problems.”

The Five Elder wearing a black suit, with curly white hair, a thick white beard, and a scar across his face, spoke solemnly.

”It can’t be helped. The Revolutionary Army hid themselves too well. They managed to infiltrate Marine Headquarters without anyone noticing. Marine Headquarters’ defeat has made those member nations believe that we no longer possess the world’s greatest military strength.”

The Five Elder wearing a white robe while holding a katana said.

”We must resolve this matter properly. It already threatens our rule.”

The blond Celestial Dragon wearing a dark red suit said.

”Let’s leave the decision to that person. This matter is simply too significant.”

The bald Celestial Dragon wearing a dark green suit said.

The people of the world only knew that the Five Elders stood at the peak of the World Government’s authority.

What they didn’t know was that the Empty Throne was not truly empty.

It had an owner.

That owner was the person whom the Five Elders referred to as ”that person”—Imu.

Even the Five Elders had to kneel before Imu.

Now that the Revolutionary Army had defeated Marine Headquarters, they posed a grave threat to the World Government’s rule.

The Five Elders believed it was time for the true ruler of the World Government, Imu, to personally handle the matter.

”Agreed.”

The other Five Elders all nodded.

Thus, the Five Elders went together to seek an audience with Imu.

Imu sat high upon the throne, wearing a crown with three towering spikes and a cloak that trailed all the way to the ground, calmly gazing down at the kneeling Five Elders.

The Five Elders knelt respectfully on the floor, reporting everything to Imu with the utmost reverence.

”We leave everything to your judgment,” the Five Elders said.

”Erase those traitorous Marines of Marine Headquarters and the Revolutionary Army together.”

Imu spoke indifferently.

”We understand.”

The Five Elders respectfully bowed before quickly departing.

They understood what Imu meant.

This time, Imu intended to personally resolve the problem.

The Five Elders immediately relaxed.

As far as they could remember, there had never been anything that Imu couldn’t resolve.

Now that Imu was personally taking action, the Revolutionary Army had reached the end of the road.

...

Marine Headquarters.

The buildings of Marine Headquarters had not suffered too much damage during the battle, so the Revolutionary Army directly turned Marine Headquarters into one of its bases.

Not only had the Marines who joined the Revolutionary Army remained there, but Dragon had also transferred Revolutionary Army forces from other regions.

Marine Headquarters occupied an excellent strategic location.

Situated on the opposite side of the Red Line from the Holy Land, it provided convenient access for launching an assault on Mary Geoise.

Although it wasn’t the ideal location, the original Marine Headquarters had actually been even better, as it had been located in the center of the Grand Line.

Still, the current Marine Headquarters was the Revolutionary Army’s best offensive position.

Since the vast majority of Marines at Marine Headquarters had joined the Revolutionary Army, the sudden influx of personnel created a significant organizational challenge.

Dragon simply established a new military branch.

It was still called the Navy.

All of the former Marines who joined the Revolutionary Army were assigned to it.

However, it was now the Revolutionary Army’s Navy.

There was no Fleet Admiral.

Like the Revolutionary Army’s other military branches, its highest rank was Army Commander.

Zephyr was appointed Army Commander.

Fujitora became Deputy Army Commander.

As for why Nagasawa wasn’t the Army Commander, the reason was simple.

He already held a position within the Revolutionary Army.

He had now been promoted to Chief Advisor and was regarded by everyone in the Revolutionary Army as its second-in-command.

Dragon’s thinking was straightforward.

Their current priority was overthrowing the World Government and the Celestial Dragons.

Everything else could wait until afterward.

Dispersing those former Marines among the Revolutionary Army’s other units would not only create an enormous workload but could also cause unnecessary problems.

Since more than half of the Marines had joined—including personnel of every rank—it was more practical to establish a new Navy directly.

That would likely maximize their combat effectiveness as well.

”Our plan has gone smoothly. The news of Marine Headquarters’ defeat has severely damaged the World Government’s prestige. Next, we will—”

Dragon was in the middle of a strategy meeting when a deafening roar suddenly interrupted him.

Nagasawa stood up and looked out the window.

Only moments ago, the weather had been bright and sunny.

Now, it had instantly been covered by an enormous mass of dark storm clouds.

Countless bolts of lightning flashed within the clouds.

Amid the darkness, a vague shadow could be seen.

It was as though something enormous was hidden inside them.