The Little Flame Called [BOSS]

The Revolutionary Army—the largest anti-government organization on the seas, led by Luffy's father, Monkey D. Dragon, with the goal of overthrowing the World Government's unequal rule.

If pirates were merely outlaws beyond the World Government's jurisdiction, then the Revolutionary Army was actively plotting to overthrow the World Government!

Therefore, the Revolutionary Army was also considered the greatest threat to world stability by the World Government.

Linley had declared war on the Celestial Dragons in the Sabaody Archipelago, which was similar to what the Revolutionary Army did, so he had already guessed that he would eventually encounter the Revolutionary Army on the seas.

In his predictions, this situation should have occurred on the Grand Line at the earliest.

But now, the Revolutionary Army had actually sent someone to contact him in Loguetown.

It was too early, and also too inconvenient.

Linley looked at the man who had suddenly appeared before him. It wasn't a familiar face; he was likely just an ordinary liaison or cadre.

He stepped closer to the man and said in a low voice, "Get out of the way. Regardless of whether your identity is real or fake, I have more important matters to attend to right now."

"It's about the Windmill Village residents being kidnapped by pirates, isn't it?"

The Revolutionary Army member adjusted his hood and replied, "Time is short, so I'll get straight to the point. We, the Revolutionary Army, will handle the rescue. For your safety, please do not interfere further. Leave Loguetown as soon as possible!"

Linley's expression remained unchanged as he replied, "I'll say this one last time: get out of the way."

"Tsk, the leader was right, he's such a difficult man to communicate with."

The Revolutionary Army member frowned and said in a low voice, "Mr. Linley Barek, do you know who is involved behind this incident?"

"Who?"

"The World Government!"

"Oh."

Linley nodded, then continued to walk forward, only to be blocked by the Revolutionary Army member again.

"Perhaps you don't know yet, Mr. Linley, but your bounty in the underworld has reached a terrifying level. The ones who issued the bounty are the Celestial Dragons behind the government."

Linley raised an eyebrow, looked at the Revolutionary Army member, and slowly said:

"What gave you the illusion that I'm ignorant?"

"This..."

Hearing this, the Revolutionary Army member couldn't help but freeze.

Did Lynn Barek know that the World Government was behind the entire kidnapping incident?

If so, how dare this man come to Loguetown alone!

"Mr. Linley, please wait a moment."

Seeing Linley about to leave, the Revolutionary Army member grabbed Linley's shoulder, but Linley's hand had already countered, grabbing his wrist.

"So fast!" The Revolutionary Army member's pupils constricted.

He was, after all, one of the Revolutionary Army's combat cadres, with physical abilities far exceeding those of ordinary Marines. Yet, at this moment, Linley was holding his wrist with one hand, a grip as strong as a vise, locking him in place!

Meanwhile, Linley had had enough of this riddle-loving Revolutionary Army member.

He was now like a dangerous ferocious beast, with frost forming white mist from his mouth as he spoke in a low voice:

"Be it the Revolutionary Army or the World Government, what you say next will determine if you can leave this street on your own two feet."

Upon hearing this, the Revolutionary Army member couldn't help but swallow.

He had no doubt that if his next words lacked sufficient value, the man before him would kill him without hesitation.

After a moment of thought, the Revolutionary Army member took out a document from his pocket.

"This is the information the leader obtained."

Linley took the document and read it for a few moments, his brow immediately furrowing.

The information on it indeed made him pay attention.

According to the intelligence obtained by the Revolutionary Army, Kuro's group had indeed found powerful figures to back them—not one, but two.

One was the World Government, with the involvement of Celestial Dragons presumed.

And the other backer was someone Linley never expected:

[JOKER].

Linley was certainly familiar with that name.

Donquixote Doflamingo?

Why was he getting involved in this mess!

After thinking for a moment, Linley released the Revolutionary Army member, then patted his shoulder as an apology.

"Thank you."

With that, Linley intended to continue walking forward.

The Revolutionary Army member was on the verge of collapse. He couldn't help but recall the evaluation of Linley Barek by their leader, "Dragon," a few days prior—

A madman who dared to declare war on the Celestial Dragons alone, a monster who knew no fear!

At first, this Revolutionary Army member thought their leader's assessment of Linley was a bit too high, but now it seemed the leader's evaluation was spot on.

He was facing both the World Government and the underworld's "JOKER" simultaneously, yet this man continued forward without hesitation!

The Revolutionary Army member chased after Linley again, recalling the words their leader had spoken when giving the order:

"If you absolutely cannot stop that man's progress, then tell him the entire truth and let him decide his own fate."

Thus, the Revolutionary Army member said to Linley:

"This is an order from our leader, Mr. Dragon. As members of the Revolutionary Army, we must ensure your safety!"

This time, curiosity finally made Linley pause.

He really wanted to know, Doflamingo was one thing, but why were the Revolutionary Army members now targeting him too?

The Revolutionary Army member took a few deep breaths and explained to Linley:

"You liberated a large number of slaves on Sabaody Archipelago and declared war on the Celestial Dragons. Therefore, for the people suffering under the government's oppression all over the world, besides the Revolutionary Army hidden in the shadows, you are the first person to dare to openly challenge the World Government's authority!"

"You may not know it, but in several places around the world, people have already been inspired by you and have actively chosen to resist oppression."

"The name "BOSS" Linley Barek has already gained some influence. Although it's just a small spark right now, as long as you are alive, it will eventually grow into a prairie fire. That's why we must protect your safety!"

"—Even if it costs us our lives!"

The Revolutionary Army member stared intently at Linley.

At that moment, Linley could see from the Revolutionary Army member's eyes that he was telling the truth—including the last sentence.

Linley thought for a moment and asked, "How many Revolutionary Army members are there in Loguetown?"

The Revolutionary Army member didn't give a specific number, only replying, "More than enough."

"In that case, you should be responsible for protecting the civilians."

Linley patted his shoulder and then continued heading towards Backstreet.

The Revolutionary Army member wanted to say something more, but Linley suddenly spread his arms wide and laughed, "Tell Dragon that there's no need for any so-called influence, because those slaves walked out of the Coliseum on their own two feet!"

Linley couldn't help but recall that powerfully built Fish-Man.

Fisher Tiger, who was about to wreak havoc on Mary Geoise by himself to rescue countless slaves!

He was the one who dared to stand alone against the World Government.

"After everything here is finished, I really want to cause some trouble in that so-called Holy Land with Tiger!" Linley thought to himself.

"As for now..."

Linley turned his head, and an incredibly ferocious aura washed over them, making the Revolutionary Army member suspect he was facing a giant beast!

That "giant beast" slowly said:

"Be careful not to get caught in my battle."

Then, Linley's figure disappeared around the street corner.

He was not far from Number Five Backstreet.

Meanwhile, Vergo, hidden in the shadows, witnessed all of this. He closed his eyes and pondered for a moment. In the end, he ignored the Revolutionary Army member and turned towards the direction Linley had left.

Since the young master had instructed him to assess the situation and decide how to proceed, he would follow the young master's orders meticulously.

Compared to the Revolutionary Army, the man named Linley Barek was more worthy of his attention!

About ten minutes later.

After dealing with over a dozen pirates who blocked his path, Linley finally arrived at the entrance of Number Five Backstreet.

The last rays of the setting sun shone upon Number Five Backstreet.

To Linley's surprise, it turned out to be a rather lively marketplace—

So many people.