Chapter 106: The Embryonic Form of the Revolutionary Army, The Approaching Reverie
"What happened to Hermes?"
When the ship arrived at Delta Island, Amphelite noticed that the usually energetic Hermes was now extremely listless, hanging on Nanamo's shoulder like a scarf, looking as if life had lost all meaning.
"Nothing much. Maybe it's doubting its own intelligence level. You were meditating in the cabin the whole time, so you didn't see what it did just now."
Meditation is essentially seeking a state of tranquility and focus. It is helpful for cultivating Observation Haki. After getting started through the method of "taking a beating," meditation practice can increase the accuracy of Observation Haki perception.
"This island is safe, and the people you meet on the island are trustworthy. However, there are fierce beasts in the mountains and forests. Like Sea Beasts, they are dangerous animals. No leaving the group at will.
Move according to the groups assigned earlier, following the teachers leading you."
The dry land gave many people a peculiar feeling. Whether Fish-men or Merfolk, they actually had a yearning for land, especially the Sabaody Park on the Sabaody Archipelago.
Many people's dream was to go there and play once, but most of them only dared to watch from afar in the sea.
Although Delta Island didn't have an amusement park, it could bring them a completely different experience.
With the islanders' preparation, the resettlement work went very smoothly. Now, some people were settled on Delta Island, and some were prepared to be sent back to their hometowns along the way. The ones difficult to handle were actually those pirate slaves.
Although they all said they wanted to repay the kindness now, the character of pirates had always been an unknown variable. Trustworthy pirates were the minority.
Among pirates, alliances and betrayals occurred frequently. Nereus was not at ease placing these people directly on Delta Island as well.
It was also inappropriate to treat them like the slaves from the auction house before. After all, they were rescued from Mary Geoise; sending them back was definitely out of the question. Letting them go their separate ways directly would also be a waste of combat power, as these people still had some strength.
"A place to go... there really is one..."
Thinking for a while, Nereus thought of a place where he could arrange for them.
Not long ago, in the East Blue, in an ordinary port city.
On a barren hill by the sea, a man was sitting on an exposed rock, looking at the distant pier. The pier was crowded with all kinds of people.
However, they were not working but were being observed and selected like commodities.
"Mr. Dragon, according to the intelligence we collected, these workers were forcibly conscripted from all over the country by the Kingdom. The new King ascended the throne and squandered the Heavenly Tribute originally meant for the World Government on various extravagant consumptions.
Now he has sold half of the national territory to a neighboring country to reduce the share of Heavenly Tribute required, and is treating the people who originally lived there as slaves to fill the gap in the Heavenly Tribute."
"We... should also act... That gentleman did something unprecedented in Mary Geoise. I don't have his ability, but I also want to do something."
The death of the Marine Fleet Admiral and the release of all slaves in Mary Geoise were magnificent feats in Dragon's eyes.
He knew Salazar. Although he wouldn't go so far as to clap and cheer for Salazar's death, after the God Valley Incident, Dragon absolutely did not believe that he, as the Marine Fleet Admiral, knew nothing about it.
Therefore, there was nothing to pity about Salazar's death. What Dragon regretted most was that among those dead soldiers, there were also those who genuinely joined the Marines for justice, yet died in a place they shouldn't have been.
[Is Mr. Nereus wrong? Or the officers who ordered them to carry out the mission? No, none of them are wrong. The one at fault... is the root cause, the World Government.]
Whoosh!
The sky began to darken. Waves began to surge on the originally calm sea surface. Strong winds made it impossible for the guards at the port to open their eyes.
And in this gale, the flag originally belonging to this Kingdom was torn to shreds...
If Dragon were left to develop on his own, although Dragon at this time had gathered some manpower, what he mainly did was protest in various places without any major conflicts occurring.
It wasn't until the Ohara Incident and the Buster Call that armed conflicts began to appear in the name of the "Freedom Fighters" (Self-Defense Army). The Revolutionary Army was born much later.
But now, Dragon's steps were much larger. Neighboring countries had already set off to participate in the Reverie, and nearby Marines were on their way to escort neighboring Kings. Taking this opportunity, Dragon launched his own operation in this country.
Compared to himself two years ago, who relied entirely on firearms for combat power, Dragon's strength had increased by more than just a bit. He could no longer be mentioned in the same breath as that Marine soldier in God Valley.
On one hand, he found a Devil Fruit; on the other hand, the God Valley Incident seemed to have made him figure some things out.
Garp had laid a solid foundation for his body and also imparted some combat cultivation insights. With the enhancement of the Fruit, Dragon's strength improved by leaps and bounds. At least in the East Blue, he could be considered a powerhouse.
As long as it's a decent combat-type Devil Fruit, one can basically achieve this step in the Four Blues.
In just half a day, the rule of the royal family ended here, and the King fled in panic.
The ships originally used to transport slaves became ships Dragon could use to transfer citizens.
He knew he couldn't leave people here. According to common sense, this behavior would be defined as rebellion, and the World Government might send Marines to help that King reclaim the throne.
Staying here to fight a positional war—Dragon didn't have that ability. In the end, he could only take some people willing to follow him and embark on a journey across the sea.
The East Blue was huge. Finding a place to settle down was still achievable.
Just as Dragon was thinking about where to go next, a Transponder Snail on him suddenly rang.
"Dragon, you should remember who I am, right?"
"Of course... Mr. Nereus."
This Transponder Snail was thrown to him by Nereus back then. Even without looking at the Transponder Snail's mimicked face, Dragon knew clearly who was on the other end.
"I saw in the newspapers before that group protest incidents occasionally occurred in the Four Blues. You led those, right?"
"It was me. But now I understand that fists... are more useful than slogans."
"Sounds like you've become a lot stronger? The sound of waves around you... you're on the sea, right? If you trust me, when you settle down, give me a location. I have some manpower here.
I won't hide it from you. These people were once slaves of the Celestial Dragons, but they were also pirates. I don't have a good place to settle them here. If your strength has grown enough to keep them in check, perhaps they can be of use."
"Is that so... I understand. Thank you for the help. I happen to be short of manpower here."
Opponents in the Four Blues were indeed relatively weak, but this also meant that finding reliable cadres in the Four Blues wasn't an easy task.
If they also held resentment towards the Celestial Dragons, they could be considered fellow travelers.
"My subordinate will deliver the people for me. I'll have him test your strength."
"Mhm, thank you."
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