"May we have a word, Your Majesties?" Queen Otohime spoke quietly.

"A word?"

The two kings exchanged confused looks, unsure what she meant.

What was there to talk about?

Otohime continued, "The World Government's power is no longer controlled by us member nations. No matter what they want to do to us, we have no power to resist. Just like Your Majesty Elizabello today—this so-called world conference is meaningless to them. Do you think this is acceptable?"

Both Elizabello II and King Riku's bodies trembled slightly.

Her words made perfect sense.

They couldn't help but listen!

"So, I believe we should do something about it."

Otohime said seriously, "We should unite and form an alliance to resist the authority of the World Government!"

The two kings' bodies trembled.

That made perfect sense!

In the heart of this massive building, where power converged, the Five Elders gathered together.

"The proposal to jointly suppress the Revolutionary Army has been approved," Mars, the bearded elder, said calmly, "As expected, many kings opposed it, but after some gentle persuasion, it passed smoothly."

"As usual, the allied countries are still divided," Saturn, the elder with a large beard, said coldly, "But that's exactly how it should be. Once the allied countries unite, the World Government won't be needed anymore."

"Speaking of unity," Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, holding a sword, pushed up his glasses, "The Neptunus couple have been very active these past few days, meeting many kings thanks to Cobra's introductions."

"Cobra, huh?"

Saturn snorted coldly, "The Nefertari family is as clueless as they were 800 years ago. Now they're even making friends with fishmen."

"Speaking of Fishman Island, what should we do about Ian?"

Peter, in a red suit, suddenly spoke in a cold voice, "How dare he threaten us? No one has ever done that before—not even Rocks in his prime."

They were being threatened by a mere pirate—and powerless to stop it. When have the Five Elders ever tolerated such humiliation?

"Ian?"

Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro thought for a moment. "We can no longer ignore him. Within a few years, he'll defeat Kaido and fully unify the Beasts Pirates. When that time comes, with the combined forces of the Land of Wano and Hive Island, who in the New World can stand against him?"

"That guy will become the second Rocks! Or even the second Roger."

The other Elders nodded silently.

A second Rocks dominating the New World was something they could never allow—let alone a second Pirate King.

"After we deal with the Revolutionary Army, we should take care of him."

The bald elder, Warcury, who seemed to hold the leader's position among the Five Elders, spoke slowly, "We really can't delay any longer."

"Speaking of the Revolutionary Army," Mars spoke up, "There's an uprising in a non-affiliated country in the East Blue, though it's still unclear if it's connected to the Revolutionary Army."

"Check it out. They've been hiding for too long, and that's no way to live."

"Right. Also, the vacant spot in the Seven Warlords needs to be filled soon."

East Blue, Bifu Kingdom.

This country was a non-government affiliated nation. Like all such countries, it was poor and backward, ignored by the world, silently rotting away in a forgotten corner.

But today, this unnoticed small country erupted in a large-scale uprising.

The first to strike were the fishermen.

The king and nobles' increasingly cruel exploitation left the people with no room to survive.

Recently imposed fishing taxes had pushed the fishermen, who braved storms to make a living at sea, to the brink of despair.

They had to pay a seventy percent tax on all fish they caught upon returning to port.

Fed up, the fishermen killed the tax officials at the harbor, then boldly stormed the city hall.

Almost as soon as the news spread, the entire country erupted in chaos.

The army the king sent out to suppress the rebellion mutinied immediately after leaving the capital and turned back to break through the gates of the royal palace.

In just three days, the palace fell, the king's family was hanged at the palace gates, and no noble or wealthy merchant escaped the catastrophe.

But this uprising had nothing to do with the Revolutionary Army.

Come on, the Revolutionary Army has been hunted down by the World Government like rabid dogs lately — how would they have the energy to deal with anything else?

They've already pulled back on all fronts, trying to avoid this storm.

Dragon saw this news in the newspapers.

"The power of the people is truly great," he couldn't help but sigh, "Whether it's a cruel monarch or greedy nobles, none of them matter before this force."

"Now is not the time to repeat old lines," Ivankov, the Revolutionary Army's second-in-command, said irritably, "The World Conference is about to end. The government and navy will soon turn their main attention to us. We should focus on what to do next."

Dragon stared at the paper quietly.

"The newspaper says that after overthrowing the king, chaos still hasn't stopped. The rebel leaders who control the army have started a civil war."

"It began as a just uprising to topple tyranny, but with the power struggles among the top, it quickly turned into a miserable civil war."

"Wasn't that obvious from the start?"

Ivankov rolled his eyes, "The power of the people is the greatest, but it's also the easiest to manipulate."

"That's why they need us."

"Exactly, that's why they need us."

Dragon took a deep breath.

"I have an idea, Ivankov. The best way to protect a single drop of water is to hide it in the vast ocean."

"Let's blend in with the common people as well."

"Spread all our members out, scatter them across the countries that need us. Under the current circumstances, we can't start a rebellion, but at least we can tell the people what they can do."

"Good idea!"

Ivankov's eyes lit up.

Breaking into smaller groups is indeed the best way to stay hidden.

And the loyalty of the Revolutionary Army's fighters is unquestionable.

Each one is a brave warrior fighting for a better tomorrow!

Dressrosa.

"Oh! What an incredible ability."

Doflamingo watched the tin puppet running around in panic and couldn't help but admire it. "I really can't remember him at all. Neither his appearance, nor his name, nor his identity. Haha, hey,"

He looked down at the puppet with amusement and said, "Are you my enemy, or my friend?"

The puppet just backed away fearfully.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Doflamingo burst out laughing, bending down happily to stroke the little girl's head beside him.

"Well done, you did well! Sugar."

The little girl silently stuffed grapes into her mouth, her cheeks puffed out on both sides.

"Now, finally, this country will return to its rightful owner!"

**********

Support me on my patreon and read upto 20 early chapters.

patreon.com/PirateKing24