The Revolutionary Army—the largest anti-government organization on the seas—was led by Luffy's father, Monkey D. Dragon, and aimed to overthrow 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!
Thus, the Revolutionary Army was also regarded by the World Government as the greatest threat to world stability.
Lynn had declared war on the Celestial Dragons at the Sabaody Archipelago, which was much the same as what the Revolutionary Army did. He had therefore long guessed that he would eventually encounter the Revolutionary Army somewhere on these seas.
In his expectations, that should have happened no earlier than the Grand Line.
Yet the Revolutionary Army had actually sent someone to contact him in Loguetown.
It was too early, and terribly ill-timed.
Lynn looked at the man who had suddenly appeared before him. He was not a familiar face, so he was likely just an ordinary liaison or officer.
He stepped closer and said in a low voice, "Move. Whether your identity is real or fake, I have more important things to do right now."
"About the residents of Foosha Village being kidnapped by pirates, correct?"
The Revolutionary Army member adjusted his cloak and replied, "Time is short, so I'll be direct. Leave the rescue to the Revolutionary Army. For your safety, do not interfere in this matter any further. Please leave Loguetown as soon as possible!"
Lynn's expression did not change as he answered, "I'll say this one last time. Move."
"Tch, the chief was right. You really are a difficult man to talk to."
The Revolutionary Army member furrowed his brow and said quietly, "Mr. Lynn Barek, do you know who is involved behind this incident?"
"Who?"
"The World Government!"
"Oh."
Lynn nodded and continued forward, only to be blocked again by the Revolutionary Army member.
"You may not know this, Mr. Linley, but the bounty on you in the underworld has reached a terrifying level. The ones who issued it are the Celestial Dragons behind the government."
Lynn raised an eyebrow, looked at the Revolutionary Army member, and slowly said:
"Who gave you the impression that I'm ignorant?"
"This..."
The Revolutionary Army member could not help but freeze when he heard that.
Could it be that Lynn Barek knew the World Government was behind the entire kidnapping incident?
If so, how did this man still dare to come to Loguetown alone?
"Mr. Linley, please wait."
Seeing Lynn about to leave, the Revolutionary Army member grabbed Lynn's shoulder. But in the next instant, Lynn's hand had seized his wrist instead.
"So fast!" The Revolutionary Army member's pupils contracted sharply.
He was, after all, one of the Revolutionary Army's combat officers. His physical skills far surpassed those of ordinary Marines, yet Lynn had gripped his wrist with one hand. That hand was like an iron vice, locking him firmly in place!
On the other side, Lynn had already had enough of this Revolutionary Army member's fondness for speaking in riddles.
At that moment, he was like a dangerous beast. Frosty white vapor flowed from his mouth as his deep voice rang out.
"Revolutionary Army or World Government, what you say next will determine whether you leave this street standing."
The Revolutionary Army member could not help swallowing.
He did not doubt for a moment that if his next words were not valuable enough, the man before him would kill him without hesitation.
After thinking for a moment, the Revolutionary Army member pulled a document from his chest.
"This is information the chief obtained."
Lynn took the document and read it for a few moments, immediately frowning.
The information on it was indeed something he could not ignore.
According to intelligence gathered by the Revolutionary Army, Kuro's group had indeed found powerful figures to back them—not one, but two.
One was the World Government, and it was suspected that the Celestial Dragons were involved as well.
The other backer, however, was someone Lynn had never expected:
JOKER.
Lynn was naturally familiar with that name.
Donquixote Doflamingo?
Why was he wading into this mess too?!
After thinking it over, Lynn released the Revolutionary Army member and patted his shoulder in apology.
"Thanks."
After saying that, Lynn intended to keep moving forward.
The Revolutionary Army member was on the verge of breaking down. He could not help recalling how, a few days earlier, their chief, Dragon, had described Lynn Barek—
A madman who dared to declare war on the Celestial Dragons alone, a monster that knew no fear!
At first, this Revolutionary Army member had felt that the chief's assessment of Lynn was somewhat exaggerated. But now, it seemed the chief had not been wrong in the slightest.
Facing both the World Government and JOKER of the underworld, this man still continued onward without hesitation!
The Revolutionary Army member chased after him again. He recalled what the chief had told him when issuing the order:
If he could not stop that man no matter what, then tell him the whole truth and let the man choose his own fate.
So the Revolutionary Army member said to Lynn:
"This is an order from Chief Dragon. As members of the Revolutionary Army, we must ensure your safety!"
This time, curiosity finally caused Lynn to slow his steps.
He truly wanted to know—Doflamingo was one thing, but why was even the Revolutionary Army watching him now?
The Revolutionary Army member took several deep breaths and explained to Lynn:
"You freed a large number of slaves at the Sabaody Archipelago and declared war on the Celestial Dragons. Therefore, to people across the world suffering under government oppression, aside from the Revolutionary Army hidden in the shadows, you are the first person to dare challenge the World Government's authority head-on!"
"You may not know it, but in several places around the world, there are already people who have been influenced by you and chosen to resist oppression of their own accord."
"The name BOSS Lynn Barek already carries a certain power to rally people. Though it is only a small flame for now, as long as you remain alive, it will one day become a wildfire. That is why we must protect your safety!"
"—Even if we die!"
The Revolutionary Army member stared fixedly at Lynn.
At that moment, Lynn could tell from the man's eyes that everything he said was true—including that final sentence.
After thinking for a moment, Lynn asked, "How many Revolutionary Army members are in Loguetown?"
The Revolutionary Army member did not give an exact number. He simply answered, "Enough."
"Then protect the civilians."
Lynn patted his shoulder and continued toward the backstreets.
The Revolutionary Army member wanted to say something else, but Lynn suddenly spread his arms and laughed. "Tell Dragon that there's no need for some so-called rallying power, because those slaves walked out of the arena on their own two legs!"
Lynn could not help recalling that broad, powerfully built Fish-Man.
Fisher Tiger. He was about to storm Mary Geoise alone and rescue countless slaves!
He was the one who truly dared to stand alone against the World Government.
Once this is over, I really want to cause a scene in that so-called holy land with Tiger!
"As for now..."
Lynn turned around, and an incomparably savage aura crashed toward the Revolutionary Army member, making him briefly suspect that the one standing before him was a colossal beast!
That "beast" slowly said:
"Be careful. Don't get caught up in my battlefield."
Then Lynn vanished around the street corner.
Number Five Backstreet was not far away now.
Meanwhile, Vergo, who had witnessed everything from the shadows, closed his eyes and pondered for a moment. In the end, he ignored the Revolutionary Army member, turned around, and headed in the direction Lynn had gone.
Since the young master had sent him to judge how the situation should be handled, he would carry out the young master's instructions with meticulous precision.
Compared to the Revolutionary Army, the man called Lynn Barek was more worthy of his attention!
About ten minutes later.
After dealing with more than a dozen pirates blocking his way, Lynn finally arrived at the entrance to Number Five Backstreet.
The last rays of dusk shone over Number Five Backstreet.
To Lynn's surprise, this place was actually quite a bustling marketplace—
There were so many people.
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