Translator: PapaSmurf0700
Sabo met their questioning gazes and continued, "Right now, the Straw Hats look like reckless troublemakers to the public. They attacked Enies Lobby and openly challenged the World Government. By recruiting Nico Robin, the so-called 'Devil's Child,' and Franky, who holds the blueprints of Pluton, it's easy for people to assume they're trying to seize power."
He paused, letting the room absorb his words before leaning forward, his eyes gleaming with insight. "But what if we present this differently?"
The room grew even quieter, the tension almost tangible. Sabo's smile widened as he dropped the punchline. "The story we tell is this: the Straw Hats risked everything to storm Enies Lobby to rescue Franky, preventing the World Government from obtaining the blueprints and reviving an ancient weapon themselves."
The implications settled on the group, and Sabo pressed on. "In one stroke, they transform from rogue pirates into heroes fighting to save the world. And here's the key—this contradicts the World Government's long-held claim that they work tirelessly to prevent ancient weapons from resurfacing."
The members of the Revolutionary Army began to exchange glances, understanding blooming in their eyes. Sabo's voice gained momentum. "This narrative will sow seeds of doubt. Why would the World Government secretly pursue Pluton? It won't just erode the trust of ordinary people but shake the confidence of allied nations. These nations, who have always valued their autonomy, will become uneasy. None of them want a power strong enough to overshadow them."
The room buzzed with newfound energy, but a voice cut through, laced with skepticism. "But will anyone actually believe this?" The question came from Lindbergh, a cat-like Mink dressed in a pilot's uniform. His ears twitched, and his mechanical goggles gleamed under the room's light. He was the Southern Army commander, known for his quick-thinking mind and bounty of 316 million Berries.
Sabo met Lindbergh's gaze, his expression unwavering. "We don't need everyone to believe it outright. We just need to plant enough doubt to make them question the world they've always trusted."
At that moment, Dragon, who had been silent up until now, finally spoke. His voice was calm yet carried a weight that stilled the room. "We don't need to take this to extremes. All we need is for them to harbor doubt."
His gaze swept over the assembled commanders. "The recent Alabasta incident already pushed some of the more powerful allied countries to reduce their financial contributions to the World Government. This new incident will act as a catalyst."
A sly smirk crossed Dragon's face. "For these nations, the truth isn't as important as having a reason to act. They only need an excuse."
Sabo nodded in agreement, taking up the thread. "Supreme Commander Dragon is right. Once certain allied nations start pressing the World Government, demanding answers, it won't matter how the World Government responds. Any concession or resistance will widen the rift between them."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "And when that rift grows, that's when the Revolutionary Army has its opening."
From the darker side of the room, a voice spoke up, cold and resonant. "So, the Revolutionary Army's real target this time is those detestable nobles?"
Sabo turned, nodding at the speaker. "That's correct, Commander Karasu."
The man he addressed as Karasu stepped forward, his appearance as striking as ever. He was the Northern Army's commander, a figure shrouded in a coat of dark feathers. His bald head gleamed under the dim light, and his face was partially hidden by a beak-shaped speaker mask.
Karasu's voice, though soft, carried an unmistakable chill that seemed to cut through the room. "Are you saying the Revolutionary Army intends to join forces with the nobles? And once we topple the World Government, we'll set up a new one in its place?"
Sabo's eyes narrowed, his voice firm as he responded, "No, that's not our plan." He paused, feeling a sudden, sharp ache in his head—a fleeting memory trying to surface, one wrapped in pain. He clenched his jaw and pressed on. "The Revolutionary Army's goal has never been to align with the nobles or form a new ruling body."
He took a breath, steadying himself, and continued with conviction. "Our purpose is singular—awakening the long-dormant will for freedom across these seas. True freedom may not guarantee peace, but it will give the world more choices, more voices."
Karasu was silent, the room holding its breath as they waited for his response. Finally, after a moment that felt like an eternity, he nodded and said, "Agreed."
One by one, other voices echoed the sentiment. "Agreed."
Dragon stood, his presence commanding attention. His eyes, intense and determined, swept over the room. "Everyone, we may not yet have the strength we need, but I can feel it—our moment is approaching. The day when we formally challenge the World Government is near."
-----
On Skypiea, in the heart of Upper Yard, Franky crossed his arms and declared, "One month!"
Luffy's eyes widened, and he shouted in frustration, "Why does it have to take so long?!"
The Straw Hats had come to Sky Island and shared a lively reunion banquet with their friends. But once the celebrations ended, Luffy's focus turned to their mission.
The crew's main priority on Angel Island was straightforward—shipbuilding. And Luffy, unable to contain his excitement, had tagged along with the rest to check on Franky's progress firsthand. Of course, there was also the possibility that Luffy was eager to set out for the Moon sooner rather than later.
But Franky's answer had dashed his hopes, and Luffy's shoulders slumped, showing just how let down he felt.
Franky, with his mouth stuffed full of mechanical parts—a variety so mismatched it seemed nearly impossible to fit together—mumbled, "Hey, Luffy, this pace is already pretty fast!"
He continued, "If I hadn't eaten the Munch-Munch Fruit, it'd take even longer with just me and the priests who built the Ark Maxim."
Usopp, stepping in to ease Luffy's impatience, said, "Luffy, Franky's already one of the best in the world when it comes to this stuff. Even for him, there's no magic trick to make it any faster."
But Franky suddenly perked up, "Wait! Actually, I might just have a way!"
Luffy and Usopp exchanged surprised looks, shouting together, "So you DO have a way?!"
Franky just laughed off their complaints with a booming, "Wahhahaha!" Then he turned to the Straw Hats gathered around and said, "As I studied the Pluton blueprint, I noticed something strange. Some of the concepts in the design match those in blueprints my master once gave me."
He opened his mechanical stomach, pulling out two carefully folded design pages. "I told you before the World Government mistakenly thought I had Pluton's blueprints. What they didn't realize is that these are actually designs for a weapon to counter Pluton."
He held up the pages, his gaze serious. "It was built as a safeguard, so that if Pluton was ever resurrected, there'd be a way to defend against it. At first, I only had a hunch, but now, I'm sure these two designs came from the same group of shipwrights."
Robin's eyes lit up with curiosity, and she leaned forward, "Fascinating. This might just support the idea that—"
"—the founders of that massive kingdom destroyed in the Void Century could truly be from Sky Island or even from the moon."