The natural system started off strong, but the navy finally reached its peak!

Each impact left a human-shaped hole in the wall, the metal at the edges twisting and melting, with sparks and smoke scattering along the way.

Finally, he embedded himself deep within a pile of massive, wrecked machinery, countless cables and parts snapping and crackling, partially burying him within.

The dust settled slowly.

Lu Qi lay embedded in the ruins, his head bowed, his arms hanging limply, his body covered in wounds, his breath faint and almost gone.

Only the slight rise and fall of his chest proved that life had not completely left him.

Luffy retracted his fist, his arm returned to its original shape, and the white steam slowly dissipated.

He glanced in Lucci's direction and scratched his head.

"They should... still be alive, right? Never mind, Nami and the others are calling for them!"

From activating fifth gear to instantly defeating Lucci, the entire process was breathtakingly fast.

It's practically a complete stomp and a massacre of noobs!!

In the original manga, Luffy toyed with Lucci and then instantly defeated him!

Chapter 641 Dragon, I am more successful and smarter than you!

Meanwhile, at the Naval Headquarters, New Marineford.

Urgent intelligence regarding Straw Hat Luffy's landing on Egghead Island and his conflict with CP0 has been delivered to the Fleet Admiral's office immediately through the Navy's special channels.

Gern sat behind his large desk and calmly read through the contents of the encrypted telegram.

Without showing any surprise on his face, Tesoro waited quietly.

He did not immediately issue orders to deploy troops, nor did he show any eagerness for the Vegapunk database.

Instead, he stood up, alone, and left the office.

He did not return to his lounge, nor did he go to the operations command center.

Instead, he turned and headed towards the depths of headquarters, towards the heavily guarded temporary prison constructed of special alloys and sea stone.

The heavy gate slid open slowly after identity verification, emitting a low hum.

The interior was cold to the touch, and the air was filled with a faint smell of disinfectant and metal.

Gern dismissed all the guards and went alone into the innermost solitary cell.

The cell was small, and the walls were made of a special alloy mixed with sea stone powder, giving it a dull grayish-white hue.

In the center of the room, a figure was bound to a specially made stone chair by several thick chains of sea stone.

Chains bound his wrists, ankles, and torso, suppressing all his Devil Fruit abilities and physical strength.

Hearing footsteps, the person slowly raised their head.

The dark green cloak had already been removed, revealing short black hair and a weathered, hard-featured face.

The iconic red square tattoo on his left cheek was still very noticeable.

At this moment, however, those eyes that once made the World Government tremble appeared somewhat dim, carrying the weariness of unhealed serious injuries and the powerlessness under the shackles.

The leader of the Revolutionary Army, Monkey D. Dragon, or rather, Dragon.

He was secretly transferred here from G-4 base, apparently for closer surveillance.

"Your Revolutionary Army... has been causing quite a stir in Paradise (the first half of the Grand Line) and some places in the New World lately."

“Senior Dorag,” Gern said calmly, his voice echoing in the silent cell.

Dragon's body twitched slightly, and he slowly raised his head.

His face was still pale and his eyes were tired, but the resoluteness that belonged to a leader had not completely disappeared.

He looked at Gern and replied weakly.

“Gern…”

"After all... I lost."

A defeated general dares not speak of bravery.

What's more, being defeated and captured alive in a two-on-one confrontation!

The loser loses the right to speak, and their subordinates can only fight individually or fall into chaos.

Gern took a few steps closer, looking down at Dorag, who was bound by chains, and remained silent for a moment.

Then, he said something that made Dorag's pupils dilate violently, almost making him think he was hallucinating.

"I can let you go."

"!!!"

Dorrag's expression suddenly changed!

The dim light in his eyes suddenly shone brightly, as if it had been rekindled!

He stared intently at Gern, his voice trembling with excitement.

"What...what did you say?!"

“I said,” Gern repeated, his tone flat, “I can let you go.”

He casually pulled over a simple chair next to him, sat down, and looked at Dorrag at eye level.

"The revolutionary army's ideology..." Gern began slowly, "I agree with it."

"The World Government... should not exist. The Celestial Dragons' privileges, eight hundred years of oppression... must be ended."

A complex light flashed in Dragon's eyes: "Then why... are you still against the Revolutionary Army..."

“Because I’m more successful than you!” Gern interrupted Dragon without any politeness, his tone resolute, carrying an unquestionable confidence and arrogance!

"I left the God Valley battlefield, choosing to deceive Professor Zephyr from the start..."

Gern's gaze drifted into the distance, looking back at a path strewn with thorns yet steadfast in its resolve.

"I've come this far step by step!"

“I am not you, Dragon.” Gern looked directly into the other’s eyes.

"When faced with the predicament of the Navy at that time and the oppression of the World Government, you chose to break away completely, start anew, and establish the Revolutionary Army."

This path is difficult, long, and... it remains outside the mainstream power system, making it difficult to gain a decisive 'base' of support.

"And I... am smarter than you."

"I knew long ago that if I truly wanted to overthrow the old world, possess the world's fundamental base, and control the vital passageways of the four seas and the Grand Line,..."

The 'Navy,' wielding the most powerful machinery of violence and acting as the maintainers of the existing order, is the key to overthrowing everything!

“So, I didn’t leave.” Guern’s voice was deep and powerful. “I chose a path that was more difficult and dangerous, but one that would be twice as effective if I succeeded.”

Starting from the inside, step by step, layer by layer, peel the Navy away from the bloated and rotten body of the World Government!

He held up his fingers and counted them one by one:

"The planning and influence began during the time of Marshal Steelbone... and continued to be secretly promoted and accumulated during the tenure of Marshal Warring States..."

And now, I, Gern Reginald Sigmar, boldly declare independence!

"The Navy, through decades of forbearance, planning, and relay of succession by three marshals!"

"Assembly...independent!!"

Gern clenched his fist tightly, his eyes burning with intense fire.

"This is my revolution!!"

"Compared to your revolutionary army's... piecemeal fighting on the fringes, relying on incitement and guerrilla tactics, it's like 'playing house'..."

Gern leaned forward slightly, his tone carrying an absolute declaration.

"I believe I am the 'only one'!"

"because......."

Gern spoke slowly and deliberately.

"I wield far more, more... global influence than you!!"

"!!!"

Dragon fell completely silent.

He lowered his head and remained silent for a long time.

Gurn was right; the choices made by both sides resonated with the core principles and course of action of his decades-long revolutionary career.

He had to admit that the path Gern had chosen, though seemingly one of "betrayal" and "usurpation,"

However, its efficiency and achievements (an independent and powerful navy) far surpass the revolutionary army's decades of struggle.

Yes... if the navy, this behemoth, itself becomes a revolutionary force... then is there any need for a revolutionary army?

This thought filled Dorrag with a deep sense of powerlessness and bewilderment.

After a long while, he slowly raised his head, and the complex emotions in his eyes gradually settled, replaced by a calm scrutiny.

He looked at Gern and asked in a deep voice, "What...do you need me to do?"

He stopped questioning and began to consider the possibility of a deal.

It seems that Guern had been waiting for this sentence.

So after Dorag spoke, he leaned back and placed his hands on his knees.

"Drag, when I told you this after I became the independent navy, it was from the bottom of my heart."

"The ideals of the revolutionary army, your way of working among the people, that ability to ignite the fire in people's hearts... the navy needs them."

The revolutionary army should be integrated into the navy, and ideological work should be carried out to instill in them the beliefs of 'liberation' and 'justice'.

It has truly taken root in the hearts of every soldier and every civilian in the controlled area.

"This is the foundation for long-term stability and security."

“You can become the Navy’s… ‘political commissar’.”

Dragon's brow furrowed even more: "What do you need me to do? Help you win over and incorporate the remnants of the Revolutionary Army?"

This seems like a reasonable guess.

However, Gern suddenly changed the subject and dropped a bombshell.

The demand that made Dorag's eyes widen instantly, almost making him jump out of his chair (if the chains allowed)

"Do not."

Gern shook his head, his gaze sharpening as he spoke.

"I need you... to lead the revolutionary army..."

"Attack the Holy Land, Mary Geoise!!!"

"what?!"

Dorrag could no longer remain calm and cried out in shock!

Attack Mary Geoise?!

That central hub of the World Government, the lair of the Celestial Dragons, the summit of the Red Line with the Knights of God, the pinnacle of CP0's fighting force, and countless defensive fortifications?!

"What...what did you say?!"

Dorrag's voice changed once again due to extreme shock.

Gern seemed oblivious to his shock and continued in that calm yet undeniable tone.

“I will release you, and... the Navy will provide you with the necessary supplies, weapons, medicine, and food.”

They will also provide a batch of... freed slaves who are unable to return to normal life and who harbor deep hatred for the Celestial Dragons; they will become the most steadfast vanguard.

He looked into Dragon's eyes:

"Furthermore, the Navy will also... support a 'hero' to act alongside you."

“A hero?” Dragon instinctively thought of his father. “My father, Garp…”