Marine Headquarters · Marineford.
After hearing the report from Loguetown in the East Blue, Sengoku the Buddha's expression darkened.
Even Fist Garp, who had been munching noisily on rice crackers, fell silent.
The main figure in this incident was his rebellious son.
"Dragon seriously wounded Wang Shi in Loguetown and destroyed half of the Pirate King Execution Platform!"
Sengoku the Buddha hung up the Den Den Mushi and spoke coldly to Garp.
That whole family of his was such a headache.
Besides Dragon, the Leader of the Revolutionary Army, even the Supernova Fire Fist Ace was Garp's grandson.
It was enough to drive him mad!
"It has nothing to do with me. I gave up trying to control that brat a long time ago."
Garp promptly disclaimed responsibility, though a trace of worry appeared on his face.
He didn't know why Dragon had attacked Wang Shi.
Was it because Wang Shi had started a war?
Or was the Revolutionary Army trying to assassinate the emperor?
But Dragon had attacked Wang Shi, and Garp was very worried that Wang Shi might retaliate against Foosha Village.
"Sengoku, I'm taking leave to return to the East Blue. I have to go back this time!"
Garp left the Fleet Admiral's Office at once. He intended to return to Foosha Village and stay there for a while, to clean up the mess caused by Dragon's attack.
He had to make sure Wang Shi didn't target Foosha Village.
"Damn it!"
Sengoku the Buddha cursed in frustration. He had to handle the attack properly.
This had escalated into an attack by the Leader of the Revolutionary Army on the East Blue's strongest Affiliated Nation.
Sengoku was sure Wang Shi and the Goa Empire wouldn't let this go.
While the Marine Branch in Loguetown was reporting the incident to Marineford, Empress Sally and the Goa nobles had already sent a report to the World Government and requested protection.
The ruler of the East Blue's strongest empire had been attacked in the Marine stronghold of Loguetown, and Emperor Wang Shi had been seriously wounded.
The World Government had to give the Goa Empire an answer!
Holy Land Mary Geoise.
When the Five Elders learned that Dragon, the Leader of the Revolutionary Army, had appeared in the East Blue and attacked the Goa Emperor, they held a special meeting.
"Wang Shi has caused quite a stir lately, but he's been very cooperative about paying the Heavenly Tribute."
"A compliant king of an Affiliated Nation like him shouldn't be killed by the Revolutionary Army."
"Order CP0 and CP9 to launch a purge and sweep out those Revolutionary Army branches!"
···
Since the Leader of the Revolutionary Army had dared to target the king of an Affiliated Nation, the Five Elders would retaliate.
They had already planted spies in several Revolutionary Army branches.
They could reap a small harvest.
The CP9 agents on Enies Lobby received the World Government's orders and immediately set out to deal with the Revolutionary Army branch assigned to them.
Jabra, Fukuro, and Kumadori planned to assassinate three squad leaders from the branch, then continue their sting operation.
But Fukuro's big mouth accidentally exposed the plan.
Jabra and the others were forced to wipe out all 23 members of the Revolutionary Army branch. Even their undercover agent was exposed prematurely, so they had no choice but to return to Cipher Pol.
Jabra and the others were also chewed out by Spandam.
Such an easy branch to use for a sting operation—and it was gone just like that.
It had been a steady source of credit.
Spandam was furious.
Under the Five Elders' orders, CP0 agents also launched an operation to kill Army Commanders.
CP0's years of hunting the Revolutionary Army had been fairly successful.
Ten years ago, they had captured Ginny, the Revolutionary Army's East Army Commander, and handed her over for a Celestial Dragon to enjoy.
A few years ago, they had captured the Revolutionary Army's Grand Line Deputy Commander Ivankov and Commander Inazuma, then locked them both up in Impel Down.
Their record was impressive.
This time, they set their sights on the Revolutionary Army's new East Army Commander, Belo Betty.
The Revolutionary Army Leader's attack on the Goa Emperor in the East Blue had caused a terrible stir.
After all, even the emperor of the East Blue's most powerful nation had been attacked and seriously wounded. The kings of other Affiliated Nations were even more afraid.
They didn't have Wang Shi's strength. The Leader of the Revolutionary Army or one of the Army Commanders could kill them in an instant.
···
Wang Shi was recovering from his injuries in Loguetown and had no idea that his attack had prompted the World Government to launch a purge of the Revolutionary Army.
After returning to Foosha Village, Dragon spent the next few days receiving one piece of bad news after another, along with reports of losses. His face grew livid.
He was forced to leave the East Blue at once and return to the Revolutionary Army Headquarters on the Grand Line to take charge.
He also regretted provoking Wang Shi, that hornet's nest.
He was just an emperor of an Affiliated Nation on the verge of awakening Conqueror's Haki.
Why had he gotten curious and gone looking for trouble?
Now, because of Wang Shi, the Revolutionary Army had lost dozens of squad leaders and hundreds of members.
Even East Army Commander Belo Betty had been injured, and Deputy Commander Ahiru had lost a hand.
Dragon regretted it deeply.
And he had now received word that Wang Shi hadn't died.
The thought that Wang Shi had not only survived but awakened Conqueror's Haki made Dragon's face darken even further.
He had somehow gained an enemy like this, and it was weighing on him.
Wang Shi's Exile Ability was powerful enough to banish even his Wind Blades and lightning.
That meant Wang Shi could banish many powerful fighters.
Apart from Dragon himself, even the four Army Commanders might be in danger if they encountered Wang Shi.
An Exile Ability that powerful had to come from an exceptionally powerful Devil Fruit.
It was like Kuma's Paw-Paw Fruit and the Pirate Empress's Petrification Ability—almost impossible to counter.
After all, there weren't many people on these seas with advanced Haki and Conqueror's Haki coating.
At the Revolutionary Army Headquarters on Momoiro Island, Baltigo.
When the four Army Commanders and the other officers learned that the World Government's great purge had happened because Leader Dragon attacked Wang Shi, the Emperor of the East Blue, they could only accept their losses and swallow the bitter pill.
···
At the Marine Branch in Loguetown, East Blue.
"Heh, this is the benefit of being an Affiliated Nation."
Wang Shi looked over the reports and news Tashigi had brought him while gnawing on Sea Beast Meat, his eyes full of amusement.
Didn't see that coming, did you, Dragon?
I hadn't even retaliated yet, and the World Government had already slapped the Revolutionary Army for me.
Looks like paying the Heavenly Tribute wasn't a waste.
Let's see which Revolutionary Army members or Four Emperors' pirate crews dare mess with me now.
"Your Majesty, Empress Sally keeps urging us to return to the Goa Empire."
Kaya gently changed Wang Shi's bandages, carefully conveying Empress Sally's message.
"No rush. I'll head back once I've recovered for a few more days."
A glint flashed in Wang Shi's eyes as he considered how to retaliate against Dragon.
It was true that he had deliberately used Dragon's killing intent and pressure to force himself to awaken Conqueror's Haki.
But there was no denying that Dragon had nearly killed him.
He still deserved payback.
But there was no need to report the location of the Revolutionary Army Headquarters to the World Government.
That wouldn't benefit Wang Shi.
On his path to usurping Imu's position, the Revolutionary Army could still be useful. He could let them keep drawing the World Government's attention.
"Your Majesty, that fellow Bartolomeo has brought you more fruit and wine."
Eric walked in to report to Wang Shi. He felt that Bartolomeo would surely become one of his colleagues someday.
He was already acting like a loyal underling, bringing Wang Shi gifts.