Grand Line, first half.
Revolutionary Army headquarters.
The atmosphere was oppressive. One by one, people filled a room.
"Those who haven't arrived yet don't need to be waited for."
Dragon, seated at the head of the table, looked grave.
The intelligence officer had just told him that Karas had sent a distress call from the Vegeta Kingdom. He had been ambushed by an Army Admiral of the World Government.
The whole affair reeked of a conspiracy.
The Revolutionary Army's branch in the Vegeta Kingdom had probably been exposed.
"The situation is urgent."
Sabo, who had yet to become chief of staff, studied the message in his hands and fell into thought.
Perhaps it was a coincidence.
Sabo wasn't the only one who had returned to headquarters in recent days. There was also Mori, the West Army Commander, and Empress Khel, the East Army Commander—formerly the third captain of the Flying Pirates, replacing Belo Betty from the original story.
Besides them, there was an unexpected fish-man.
Fisher Tiger, who had once been declared dead.
The fish-man hero Fisher Tiger, who had freed the slaves of Mary Geoise and founded the Sun Pirates.
He hadn't died from blood loss or from refusing a human blood transfusion.
Instead, Revolutionary Army officers had taken him away, and he had embarked on the path of revolution.
There was also Veiled Night Jade, formerly the second captain of the Explosion Pirates. She and Sound Empress Coans had now become Revolutionary Army officers.
"This is probably a trap."
"Even if it is, we have to go. We can't abandon our comrades."
Dragon could see that, of course.
But even if it was a trap, he had to go.
There was no other choice.
"Should we notify the others?"
Telly spoke up again. He wasn't trying to stop