One Piece: Surrounded at Marineford? Just kidding!

Chapter 252: The Destination is Named "Revolution"

"Revolutionary Army"

The sound wasn't loud.

But when the news reached Kuzan's ears, it was like a thunderclap.

Aokiji's hand trembled violently.

"Click."

His pupils contracted as if they were pinpoints, staring intently at Chen Ye.

"The Revolutionary Army...that Dragon guy? Are you serious?"

As a former admiral, he had an instinctive wariness of the name.

Monkey D. Dragon.

The world's most heinous criminal as recognized by the world government.

The man lurking in the shadows, plotting to overturn the entire world order.

Aokiji's brows furrowed.

"I am indeed familiar with him... but why that? Do you have contact with him?"

Chen Ye nodded, his gaze sharp.

"Not yet, but I guess the dragon is waiting for me, and I'm waiting for the dragon too."

He turned around, leaned against the railing, and looked out at the dark sea.

"Kuzan, you are lost in a lazy sense of justice because you have seen through the corruption of the Navy, but you can't find a way out."

Chen Ye's voice was calm, yet it possessed a power that penetrated the heart.

"In Ohara, you witness firsthand the so-called righteous massacre of scholars."

"And you watched as Professor Zephyr was driven to a dead end."

Every word struck Kuzan's heart like a hammer blow.

Chen Ye pointed to the sky, which was in the direction of Mary Geoise.

"The Navy's justice has its limitations; its foundation lies in maintaining the Celestial Dragons' rule. As long as those high and mighty 'gods' still exist, the Navy will forever be a watchdog."

Kuzan remained silent.

He couldn't refute it.

"And Dragon is doing something earth-shattering. He's going to overthrow the source of all evil: the Celestial Dragons and the World Government. Isn't this the true justice you've been searching for?"

"Overthrow... the source?"

Kuzan repeated in a low voice.

He recalled the tragedy of Ohara, Saul's death, and Robin's despairing eyes.

I recall Akainu's suffocating absolute justice.

Thinking back on the helplessness and compromises along the way.

If we only try to patch things up, this dilapidated ship called "The World" will sink sooner or later.

Perhaps, a storm is truly needed to shatter it completely and rebuild it.

"You won't understand just by talking. Some things need to be seen with your own eyes. I'm going to take you to the Revolutionary Army's base, Baltimore, to find Dragon."

Kuzan raised his head, the confusion in his eyes fading, leaving only deep thought.

"Bartigo...the Island of White Earth? That's a mysterious place."

Chen Ye smiled and turned to look at Zefa, who was still drinking with the white-bearded man.

The drinking contest over there has reached a frenzied stage.

Zefa, his face flushed, stood on the barrel and yelled at Whitebeard, trying to vent all the frustration he had accumulated in his life.

Chen Ye pointed in that direction.

"And bring that old man Zephyr along too. He hates the World Government and pirates even more than you do. But deep down, he craves order and peace."

Aokiji glanced at his teacher.

"Teacher... indeed, when it comes to overthrowing the World Government, that old man is probably more enthusiastic than anyone else."

Zephyr's life was one of betrayal by the World Government.

Family members were killed by pirates, and the government did nothing.

Students were massacred by pirates, but the perpetrators were recruited by the government and became Shichibukai.

He harbored hatred for pirates.

But his hatred for that corrupt system was already etched into his bones.

Chen Ye smiled.

"You two are born to be revolutionaries. One seeks answers to justice, the other seeks an outlet for revenge and redemption. Add to that the ambitious Dragon... this sea is going to be very interesting."

"Ara la la".

Kuzan exhaled a long breath of white air, a long-lost, relieved smile on his face.

"Go see that guy Ryu? Sounds... way more interesting than just riding around aimlessly on a bicycle."

"Then it's settled. We'll set off after this banquet."

Chen Ye gazed at the horizon of the sea, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

"Are you ready, Kuzan? Go see another possibility in this world. You'll understand later that this is not just a destination, but the beginning of a new era."

Just then.

In the noisy crowd in the distance, Zefa seemed to sense something.

He put down the giant wine bowl and pushed away the pirates who came over to offer him a toast.

His gaze cut through the crowd and landed precisely on Chen Ye and Aokiji.

A strange light gleamed in those hazy, drunken old eyes.

He stood up unsteadily and walked over shakily.

Zefa walked up to the two of them, let out a burp, and a strong smell of alcohol hit him.

"What are you two brats whispering about behind my back?"

"Judging from your expressions, you're definitely up to something. Are you plotting against me?"

Chen Ye smiled and looked directly at Ze Fa.

"Professor Zephyr, are you drunk?"

"Nonsense! This little bit of horse piss can't get this old man drunk!"

Zefa snorted coldly, his body still swaying, but his eyes were very clear.

"I did catch a few words from what you just said, even though I was drinking."

Zefa stretched out his rough, large hand, pointed at Chenye, and then pointed to the north.

"Revolutionary Army... Dragon... You want to sell this old man of mine to that Dragon guy?"

Kuzan awkwardly touched his nose.

"Teacher, your hearing is still so good."

Zefa ignored Kuzan and stared intently at Chen Ye.

"Chen Ye, you saved my life, and I owe you. But that doesn't mean I'll let you do whatever you want with me."

"Moreover, I hate pirates."

Zefa suddenly spoke, his voice hoarse.

"I will hate you for the rest of my life. Even if you save me, that won't change."

Chen Ye responded calmly.

"I know. The Revolutionary Army is not a pirate army. Dragon doesn't like pirates either. His original intention in establishing the Revolutionary Army was to overthrow tyranny and build a more orderly world. In a sense, his ideal and the justice in your heart lead to the same goal."

Zefa suddenly raised his head, his eyes flashing with a sharp light.

"Different paths, same destination... Hmph, what a fine example of different paths leading to the same destination."

The old man's chest heaved violently.

He turned to look at the mainmast of the Moby Dick, where the Whitebeard pirate flag was flying.

Then he looked at the dark sea in the distance, which was the direction the navy was retreating from.

"I've been discharged from the Navy. Z is ruined too. Now, I'm just a homeless old man with nowhere to go."

Zefa smirked, then glared at Chen Ye with a fierce look in his eyes.

"Alright! I'll go with you! Let's see what that dragon guy is really capable of! If his ideas can't convince his former teacher, I'll risk my life to demolish his base!"

Chen Ye's smile widened.

"Deal. You won't be disappointed."

Kuzan sighed, looking helpless.

"Teacher, your temper hasn't changed at all."

Zefa glared at him.

"Shut up, Kuzan! If you don't change your lazy ways, don't embarrass me over there!"

Kuzan pursed his lips.

"Oh dear, they've already started scolding people before we've even gone there."

Just then, a hearty laugh broke the atmosphere.

"Gurarara! Looks like you've already decided where to go, Chenye!"

The white-bearded man strode over, carrying a huge wine jar.

He was followed by Marco Esjoz and his team of captains.

The strongest man in the world, just by standing there casually, exudes a mountain-like pressure.

But his eyes held no hostility; instead, they held admiration.

Chen Ye turned around and raised his glass to the white-bearded man.

"Dad, this drinking session was really enjoyable."

Whitebeard glanced at Zephyr and grinned.

"Zef, you old devil, what's wrong? Leaving tomorrow? Not staying a few more days?"

Zefa snorted, straightened his tattered coat, and straightened his back.

"Newgate, don't think a few drinks will change my opinion of pirates. Next time we meet, if it's on the battlefield, I'll still blast you away without hesitation."

The white-bearded man laughed loudly.

"Gurarara! I'll be waiting! But judging from your current state, you probably won't have the chance to be a lackey of the Navy anymore."

The white-bearded man's gaze deepened as he looked at Chen Ye.

"Kid, the person you're taking them to see is no ordinary person, is he?"

As a legend who has traversed the seas for decades, Whitebeard's intuition is frighteningly sharp.

Chen Ye didn't hide anything and nodded slightly.

"Go and light a fire. A fire that can burn the world clean."

The white-bearded man's pupils contracted slightly, then he laughed with relief.

"Interesting! Very interesting! Roger started the Great Pirate Era, and you... you want to start another one, huh!"

The white-bearded man raised the wine jar high, spilling the wine as if in a ritual or a blessing.

"Go! Chenye! This sea is too dull; it's time for someone to stir it up!"