The Straw Hats' Journey!

Ace and Sabo's actions had been beyond Tsugikuni Yoriichi's expectations, but overall, their operation had carried out his plan quite well.

Although they had failed to force the Revolutionary Army to the negotiating table, collecting Heavenly Gold had at least become much smoother.

As long as they successfully planted the idea that "Marine Headquarters is strong" in the minds of those affiliated nations, he could gradually use Marine Headquarters' influence to interfere in their domestic politics.

He was already doing so now, but thus far, the Marines' efforts had only been minor skirmishes. They still had no way to wield major influence on a global scale, and with Marine Headquarters' current strength, they could only exert substantial influence over a small number of affiliated nations.

As Marine Headquarters' plans proceeded smoothly, the once-chaotic seas gradually settled down.

The New Marines' reunion with Marine Headquarters had ultimately had an enormous impact on the world's balance. Free from the World Government's restraints and no longer opposed by the New Marines, once their greatest enemy, Marine Headquarters could finally devote all its energy to comprehensive development and construction.

This year, Marine Headquarters had accomplished a great many things. Besides dispatching trusted officers to collect Heavenly Gold from the affiliated nations, they had also gained complete control over Enies Lobby, which had once been under the World Government's rule. So long as the kings of the affiliated nations could not convene the World Conference, Marine Headquarters could completely hollow out the World Government's authority through Enies Lobby.

Externally, Marine Headquarters had removed every obstacle that might hinder the exercise of its authority. Internally, it was streamlining its bloated system. Under Borsalino's leadership, Marine Headquarters had shut down a large number of laboratories and freed many capable researchers, allowing them to pursue research in other