Chapter 545: The Battle Begins

Fujitora’s move made the situation on the battlefield even more unpredictable. Many Marines began to wonder if they were dreaming. The Hero of the Marines had suddenly revealed himself as a Revolutionary, and now Admiral Fujitora was also a member of the Revolutionary Army.

Out of the three Admirals, only the veteran Admiral Kizaru was not a Revolutionary. The Marines found it utterly unbelievable.

"Issho, what are you doing?" Sengoku could not help but ask.

Although he was already semi-retired and technically had reason to stay out of it, he still considered himself a Marine as long as he had not fully retired.

Without changing his expression, Fujitora replied, "As you can see, I am helping the Revolutionary Army."

Although Fujitora had a good relationship with Sengoku, at this moment, his conscience was clear. He was fighting to liberate the people.

The reason he had joined the Marines in the first place was because piracy had become rampant, civilians were suffering, and countless lives were being ruined. Although Fujitora was blind, he saw more than many people with perfect eyesight.

He joined the Revolutionary Army because he saw that they truly fought for the people and genuinely stood on the people’s side.

"Don’t tell me you were also someone who originally set out to join the Revolutionary Army, got lost, and ended up joining the Marines. Didn’t you once say that since you’d joined the Marines and become an Admiral, you should accomplish something?" Sengoku asked.

Fujitora did not deny it. He nodded calmly.

"I joined the Marines because I wanted to do what little I could for the people suffering in misery."

"But during my brief time in the Marines, I realized that even as an Admiral, the help I could provide to the people was extremely limited. Countless mountains weighed upon them. Even if the Seven Warlords were abolished, there would still be the Celestial Dragons, kings, and nobles oppressing the people."

"So, Sengoku... I’m done being a Marine! Only the Revolutionary Army can truly remove the oppression crushing the people!"

Fujitora’s words left Sengoku speechless because everything he said was true.

The Marines were, by nature, the military organization directly under the World Government. As a military force, how much could they really do to help civilians? At best, they could suppress pirates and maintain public order. Even that was difficult because the Great Age of Pirates had produced far too many pirates for them to handle.

If the Marines truly helped civilians the way the Revolutionary Army did, then they would cease to be Marines. They would become wanted criminals.

Helping the people instead of serving as the government’s instrument of rule? That was rebellion, and rebellion meant being hunted.

Sengoku sighed before turning to Garp.

"This has reached the heart of Marine Headquarters, Garp. You can’t just stand by and watch."

By Sengoku’s estimate, it would take at least three Admiral-level fighters just to hold Nagasawa back.

That was merely to stall him, not defeat him.

Sengoku believed that defeating Nagasawa would require gathering every officer in Marine Headquarters and supporting them with overwhelming artillery. Even then, it would only work if Nagasawa chose to stand and fight instead of escaping.

Now that Nagasawa had both Aokiji and Fujitora helping him, if Garp still refused to fight, Marine Headquarters would truly be in danger.

"As long as I’m still wearing this Justice Coat, I’m still a Marine. Naturally, I’ll fulfill my duty as one," Garp declared.

Although he admired Nagasawa greatly, he could not simply watch him destroy Marine Headquarters.

That said, if Nagasawa were captured and thrown into prison, Garp would gladly bring him his favorite desserts every time he visited.

"Old man, you’re still the same as ever."

At that moment, Dragon descended from the sky wearing a green coat, accompanied by the five Revolutionary Army Commanders and Sabo. He grinned at Garp.

"But today, I can’t let you interfere with my Revolutionary comrades."

Seeing Dragon descend, with so many top Revolutionary leaders beside him, Sengoku’s eyelids twitched and his blood pressure rose. Unable to hold back, he cursed.

"Garp, you bastard!"

Sengoku truly had enough of Garp.

His son was the Supreme Commander of the Revolutionary Army.

His grandson was a Supernova pirate.

The talent he had personally recommended to the Marines had devoted himself wholeheartedly to joining the Revolutionary Army.

Sengoku felt that if Garp had never been born, he might actually have contributed more to both the World Government and the Marines. The trouble this man indirectly caused was simply unbelievable.

"You brat."

Garp was equally surprised to see Dragon appear at Marine Headquarters. Ignoring Sengoku’s complaint, he laughed as he scolded his son.

"That man is Dragon, Supreme Commander of the Revolutionary Army, the World’s Most Wanted Criminal!" the Marines cried out in shock.

This was the true leader of the Revolutionary Army, the man the World Government feared most.

At the same time, they wondered when Marine Headquarters had become a place where people could come and go as they pleased.

Then they remembered that two Admirals were Revolutionary infiltrators.

Well... that explained it.

With two Admirals helping, bringing people into Headquarters was effortless, especially for someone as powerful as Dragon.

"And the people beside him! Emporio Ivankov, the Queen of Kamabakka Kingdom, East Army Commander Belo Betty, North Army Commander Karasu..."

The Marines looked around and realized that nearly every major figure in the Revolutionary Army had arrived.

"So this is your plan as well," Sengoku said. "We wanted to wipe out the Revolutionary Army in one blow, and you wanted to wipe out Marine Headquarters in one blow."

With so many high-ranking Revolutionaries gathered—including Dragon himself, who rarely appeared—Sengoku did not believe they had come for a friendly reunion.

Without question, the Revolutionary Army intended to destroy Marine Headquarters and eliminate the only force capable of opposing them.

"Wipe out the Marines?" Dragon replied. "We’re primarily here to find like-minded revolutionaries. War is not the goal. It is merely a means."

Dragon spread his arms and began his revolutionary speech.

"Marines, how many of you still remember why you joined the Marines? How many of you still understand the meaning of the word ’Justice’ written across the cloaks on your backs..."

Dragon’s speech was passionate and deeply inspiring. Many Marines lowered their heads and began reflecting on themselves.

Naturally, Akainu was not going to let Dragon continue so comfortably.

His arms transformed into blazing magma once again as he prepared to attack.

But in the next instant, he stopped.

A sword coated in Armament Haki rested against his neck.

Akainu recognized the blade immediately.

It was the very same sword that had unleashed the slash which nearly killed Charlotte Linlin in a single strike.

"Sakazuki," Nagasawa said with a smile, "it’s rude to attack while someone is speaking. As Fleet Admiral, you should lead by example."

The Fleet Admiral had a sword at his throat.

The only Admiral who wasn’t a Revolutionary, Kizaru, was locked in a standoff with Fujitora.

The Marine officers were anxious beyond belief, yet none dared act rashly.

At the end, the Revolutionaries Nagasawa had cultivated within the Marines stopped hiding.

They stepped forward to speak for the Revolutionary Army, urging their comrades that only by joining the Revolutionaries could true justice be carried out. The World Government would inevitably be defeated by the more advanced ideals of the Revolutionary Army.

Only then did the Marines realize something astonishing.

Not only were there Revolutionary Admirals, but numerous Marines beneath them were also Revolutionaries—including many Vice Admirals and Rear Admirals with promising futures.

Seeing this, Sengoku let out a deep sigh.

He was not particularly surprised.

If even Fujitora had become a Revolutionary, why couldn’t the lower-ranking Marines?

His sigh came because, regardless of how today’s battle ended, the Marines would decline.

Two out of the three Admirals were Revolutionaries.

How could the World Government ever trust the Marines again?

If Nagasawa and Fujitora could be explained away because they had become Admirals through the World Military Draft, what about Tashigi, Smoker, Gion, and the others? They were Marines through and through, yet they had also joined the Revolutionary Army.

What excuse could the Marines possibly offer?

Even if Marine Headquarters survived today’s crisis, the World Government would never trust them the same way again.

Stricter surveillance and tighter control would inevitably follow.

Without hesitation, Sengoku activated his Devil Fruit ability.

His body transformed into a gigantic golden Buddha standing dozens of meters tall.

Swinging a fist larger than an ordinary house, he smashed it toward Dragon.

Dragon calmly rode the wind aside, easily avoiding the attack.

"Hahaha! As expected of my son. Sengoku can’t even touch him!" Garp laughed gleefully.

Sengoku glared angrily at Garp, who was enjoying the spectacle.

"Garp! Are you going to fight or not?!"

The moment Sengoku finished speaking, Garp shot forward.

His fist, coated in pitch-black Armament Haki, smashed viciously toward Dragon’s head.

But Dragon knew his father far too well.

He had been guarding against Garp the entire time.

The instant Garp moved, Dragon rode a violent gust of wind into the sky, narrowly avoiding the Iron Fist.

Boom!!!

Garp’s Haki-coated punch slammed into the ground.

A massive explosion erupted instantly, leaving behind an enormous crater.

The shockwave alone sent nearby Marines flying.

"As expected of the former Hero of the Marines, Iron Fist Garp," Sabo exclaimed in amazement after witnessing Garp’s terrifying speed and destructive power.

Kizaru seized the opportunity and fired dozens of light bullets toward Nagasawa, hoping to rescue Akainu.

However, Nagasawa paid Akainu no attention whatsoever.

He simply kicked Akainu away before swinging his blade and cutting every light bullet apart.

Large numbers of Marine officers responded to the call to battle.

But they were intercepted by the Marines who had joined the Revolutionary Army.

Although the number of Revolutionary Marines was not large, many of them were Marine elites with considerable prestige.

After the shock of Nagasawa and Fujitora’s betrayal, combined with the recorded footage and Dragon’s speech, many Marines hesitated to fight against former comrades and respected seniors.

The five Revolutionary Army Commanders joined the Revolutionary Marines, pressing their advantage while morale wavered.

After Sengoku and Garp entered the battle, Aokiji moved to Dragon’s side to help him fight them.

There was no need to worry about Nagasawa.

No one present was his match.

"Forgive me for disappointing your expectations," Aokiji said earnestly to Sengoku. "But as a Revolutionary, I won’t hold back against you."

Sengoku had always valued Aokiji.

When he stepped down as Fleet Admiral, Aokiji had been his preferred successor.

Although he ultimately failed to become Fleet Admiral, Aokiji had always been grateful for Sengoku’s trust.

"What a headache. Things really have turned out like this," Sengoku sighed.

"But don’t underestimate me. I don’t need you to hold back."

Moments later, Sengoku and Aokiji clashed.

Brilliant golden light collided violently with freezing blue ice.

Kizaru was simply too fast.

Although he could not defeat Fujitora quickly, Fujitora also struggled to pin him down.

Relying on his speed, Kizaru repeatedly interfered with Dragon and Aokiji’s battles.

If Fujitora had been a pirate, he could have summoned meteors to force Kizaru into dealing with them.

But although he had joined the Revolutionary Army, Fujitora still refused to endanger innocent Marines.

Watching Kizaru dart around so freely, Nagasawa raised an eyebrow.

Pointing Ryūjin Jakka at him, he said,

"Kizaru... don’t move."

Kizaru instantly froze in midair.

Facing Nagasawa, he unconsciously stood at attention with the French military salute.

"Tch... why did you stop fighting Sakazuki?" Kizaru muttered.

He genuinely did not dare move.

His speed might be extraordinary, but he had no confidence in dodging the slash that had nearly killed Charlotte Linlin in a single blow.

Perhaps he could evade it.

But he had no desire to gamble.

If he lost that gamble, he would either die or be crippled.

Akainu, bruised and battered, glared at Kizaru.

Having watched Nagasawa defeat the Four Emperors through the live broadcast, Akainu had thought he understood Nagasawa well enough.

Only after facing him personally did he realize every countermeasure he had imagined was completely useless.

Nagasawa was simply too powerful.

Akainu had absolutely no ability to fight back.

All he could do was take the beating.

Looking at the Marines still hesitating, Akainu became even angrier.

He was getting beaten senseless over here, yet they still weren’t dealing with the traitors and coming to support him.

"Gion... why..." Momousagi looked at Chaton, who now stood on the opposite side, unable to stop herself from asking.

Although she had rejected Chaton’s one hundred marriage proposals, that was only because she didn’t think he would make a suitable husband.

As a comrade and colleague, however, he had always been dependable.

After thinking for a moment, Chaton smiled.

"Sometimes people simply want to do something they truly believe in.

"I’ve just chosen what I wanted to do."

"They’re no longer Marines—they’re traitors! Eliminate the traitors first, then deal with the Revolutionary Army!" Akainu roared.

The Marines looked toward him.

Some of those with weaker self-control could not help laughing.

Akainu looked utterly ridiculous.

His face was swollen and bruised, yet he still maintained a stern expression.

Seeing Marines actually laughing, Akainu was just about to explode in anger—

When Nagasawa punched him again.

Once more, Akainu had no time to care about anything else.

Several Vice Admirals exchanged glances, their hearts sinking.

They knew...

Marine Headquarters was probably doomed.

The Revolutionary Army was far stronger than they had imagined.

Far stronger than anyone had ever imagined.