Assemblance of the revolutionary army!

Grand Line, first half, Akxing Sea, Fulin Island.

The once tranquil sea was shattered by gunfire and screams, turning the azure waters red with blood. The smell of burning ships and bodies filled the air, nauseating anyone who dared to breathe it in.

Beneath the waves, carnivorous sea creatures lurked, waiting for the opportune moment to feast on the aftermath of war.

"Westlin, Vidogo, how dare you openly attack the Marines and the World Government! Aren't you afraid that Headquarters will mobilize fleets to hunt you down? If you retreat now, I can pretend like nothing happened, otherwise, you will face utter destruction!"

With a glance at Vice Admiral Wallace, who suffered heavy casualties on the warship, Commander Wilson felt an extra pang of pain. Originally, assisting the World Government in transporting Celestial Gold seemed like an easy task to him.

But little did he expect that the people on Fulin Island had set up an ambush long before their arrival. When they disembarked to collect the Celestial Gold, the World Government officials were immediately killed by the crowds surrounding the port, using brutal means beyond comprehension.

Aware of the dire situation and attempting to retreat, Vice Admiral Wallace discovered that their fleet, outnumbered and outgunned, was blocked in the harbor by multiple enemy ships. Even worse, defense cannons on the shore joined in the attack. Amidst the chaos, Wallace even saw ordinary civilians aiding in the assault by ferrying ammunition.

In a desperate attempt to break free, only his ship managed to escape the siege. However, now the heavily damaged warship was being pursued by the enemy, with the inevitable outcome clear to all.

"Still unable to contact nearby Marine branches?"

Wallace asked heavily, turning to the Marine beside him. Normally, his adjutant would handle such matters, but in the heat of battle, his adjutant had tragically perished, leaving Wallace to appoint a temporary replacement.

"Report, Vice Admiral. The enemy has jammed our communications. We cannot... cannot reach nearby branches or Headquarters."

Despite trying to appear fearless, the temporary adjutant's words betrayed his inner fear.

Unable to communicate meant no reinforcements, and no reinforcements meant they were likely facing death.

Watching the youthful faces of his crew, Wallace felt immense pain. These young sailors were the future of the Marines; they should not be dying in vain like this.

He had indeed been careless this time. He never imagined that an island under the direct control of the World Government's allied nations would openly attack the World Government and the Marines.

While pirate attacks on the Marines were not uncommon in the New World, this was a direct challenge to the World Government's authority, happening in a region where the Marines and the World Government wielded significant control—the first half of the Grand Line.

Such actions were deemed an intolerable crime by the World Government. Failure to respond swiftly would undoubtedly undermine the Government's rule.

Thus, anyone daring to defy the authority of the World Government would be swiftly eradicated to preserve the Government's reputation. Wallace believed these individuals must be aware of the consequences.

"You're naive! If we let you go, how can we justify the deaths of the innocent people of Fulin Island who have suffered under the oppression of the World Government for so many years? This is just us collecting some interest!"

Westlin retorted to Wallace's words with a sneer.

Witnessing the sorry state of the Marines, who had once been complicit in the oppression by the World Government, was a source of great satisfaction for the people aboard the enemy ships.

"Vice Admiral Wallace, you need not concern yourself with what comes next. We have already decided that once we finish this business, we will directly enter the New World. If your Marines have the guts, you can try to join us in that realm reserved only for the strong," Vidogo said casually.

"However, once we reach the New World, who captures whom remains to be seen!"

"For the sake of sparing the ordinary residents on the island?" Wallace asked, facing the figures on the large ships in the distance.

Upon Wallace's inquiry, both Westlin and Vidogo fell into silence.

Eventually, it was Westlin who spoke. "Although it pains us, for the sake of everyone, we must ensure you all rest in the depths of this sea!"

With Westlin's words, the two sides plunged back into fierce combat!

For Westlin's group, their objective was to annihilate Wallace and his forces, then masquerade the attack as an ambush on them. This would divert the attention of the Marines and the World Government away from themselves. Otherwise, they could expect the enraged World Government to rain down their fury on Fulin Island.

For Vice Admiral Wallace, his goal was to lead his young Marines to survive.

So, there was hardly any room for reconciliation between the two sides.

Above the bloody and brutal battlefield, nobody noticed a giant raven hovering overhead, carrying a man who observed the chaos below.

"Another rebellion against the oppression of the World Government?" the man murmured with a crow-shaped amplifier.

As he pondered, his cloak, like black flames, seemed to come alive. Just as he was about to take action, a breeze swept by, and a hand pressed firmly on his shoulder.

"Who goes there!"

Startled, Karas turned to see who had approached him. Considering he was at an altitude of kilometers, it was inconceivable for someone to sneak up on him undetected.

He then noticed the face hidden beneath the cloak.

"Dragon!"

Karas exclaimed in disbelief, then his expression darkened.

"Are you here to arrest me?"

"Karas, of unknown origin, recently attacked several nobles from World Government allied nations and annihilated a World Government tax collection squad in the Carmen Island waters..."

Dragon listed each incident.

"What do you mean?"

Karas looked at Dragon and asked in a deep voice.

"Just seeing your dissatisfaction with the current state of the world. Are you willing to join me in changing this world?"

With a sincere smile, Dragon extended his right hand towards Karas.

Looking up at Dragon's sincere expression and the outstretched hand, Karas was stunned.

According to the intelligence he had, this Vice Admiral, who had already gained his title, was practically a supernova under Marine training. Under normal circumstances, he would be a prime candidate for promotion to Admiral. Yet now, he was leading a rebellion?

After a moment of hesitation, Karas smiled. Changing the world, overthrowing the oppressive nobles and the World Government sounded like an interesting proposition.

"Gahaha! Overthrowing the World Government and changing the world? Count me in." Karas let out a strange laugh, then reached out his right hand to firmly grip Dragon's.

Woo~ woo~ woo~

Soon, a strong wind swept across the once calm sea, diverting the forces of the two warring factions in different directions.

Throughout the bloody and ruthless battlefield, no one noticed a figure silently observing the conflict from above.

...

"Vice Admiral Wallace, communication has been restored!"

The Marine serving as temporary adjutant handed Wallace a Den Den Mushi.

"...."

"I am Vice Admiral Wallace. We have been ambushed. Only my ship has managed to escape. The attackers were former residents of Fulin Island, Westlin and Vidogo..."

After hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Wallace sighed as he looked towards Fulin Island. There was nothing more he could do.