Regarding the plan proposed by Luffy, Dragon naturally supported it after thinking for a moment.
It wasn't an evil plan. On the contrary, it was a legitimate and righteous path.
"However, the greatest challenge of global food redistribution will be transportation capacity. About that… what do you intend to do?"
Dragon asked as if testing his son.
"Father, don't forget that I'm the Fleet Marshal of the New Navy."
Luffy smiled faintly and answered casually:
"In the future, I imagine the Navy's main mission, aside from eliminating pirates, will be maintaining the safety of trade routes."
"In the end, both things are practically the same."
"Escorting merchant ships will become the Marines' primary role in the future."
Luffy then declared firmly:
"I'm going to end the Age of Pirates… and begin the true Age of Navigation!"
What was the Age of Great Navigation?
Maritime trade.
Trade brings prosperity.
"To achieve that, I'll open connections between the Red Line and the Four Seas. I'll completely transform the world and connect every ocean!"
"Without the Red Line acting as a barrier, communication between the seas will become much easier, and that will inevitably lead to flourishing maritime trade."
"I intend to establish branches in every sea: East Blue, West Blue, North Blue, and South Blue; using grain as the main commodity and creating the foundation of the new era."
"As for the Grand Line, because of the extreme climate, navigation is far too dangerous. Cargo ships can encounter countless natural disasters. That's why I'll use special vessels to guarantee fast and safe deliveries."
For example, the Thousand Sunny and the Going Merry had consumed Ship Spirit Fruits, obtaining the ability to navigate automatically.
As long as they had already visited an island before, they could cross space-time and instantly arrive at their destination.
The future logistical capabilities of the global food company would be built precisely upon that technology.
After hearing the entire explanation, Dragon was momentarily stunned.
"It seems you've already thought out a completely viable plan…"
This definitely wasn't something improvised.
Luffy had clearly been thinking about this for a very long time.
And that was true.
Ever since the Marineford War, Luffy had already been reflecting on this matter.
Thinking about it, Dragon turned toward the Revolutionary Commanders and said:
"We'll need all of your help regarding Luffy's plan."
The following days were spent on Momoiro Island, the current headquarters of the Revolutionary Army.
For three entire days, Luffy and Dragon worked together to meticulously build the plan for the future.
Dragon fully supported his son's idea and immediately sent the four Revolutionary Commanders to the Four Seas, aiming to establish contact with countries that had undergone, or were about to undergo, revolutions.
While the men discussed the future of the world, the women also quickly grew closer.
Nami and the others got along very well with Koala, and after discovering that she had once been a slave, they came to hate the Celestial Dragons even more.
Slavery.
Whenever that word appeared, the Celestial Dragons inevitably came with it.
"The World Government is literally a regime built upon slaves!"
Uta clenched her fists and declared:
"I've already decided! I'm going to call the final battle song 'Liberation of the Slaves'!"
Robin laughed softly.
"I'm afraid Luffy's plan won't advance so easily. It's not only the Celestial Dragons who enjoy slavery. There are many slave-owning countries throughout the world."
"Leave it to me!" Uta replied confidently. "Everyone who stands in Luffy's way will be thrown into the trash heap of history by me!"
"Hahaha… Miss Uta really is terrifying." Koala couldn't help laughing.
Nami shook her head helplessly.
"So the new era will become the era of slave liberation?"
Nojiko then lightly nudged her younger sister and whispered:
"Nami… haven't you noticed yet? This Koala clearly admires Luffy. At this rate, you might end up gaining another sister."
Hearing the teasing, Nami strangely ended up feeling pleased.
"That just proves I have good taste."
Nojiko was left completely speechless.
Ten days later.
Sea of the Sun.
The legendary final island, Laugh Tale, had been moved to that region.
After being continuously charged for half a month, Pluton, one of the Three Ancient Weapons, had finally reached maximum capacity.
At that moment, observing the gigantic bluish sphere faintly glowing before him, Luffy couldn't help asking Franky:
"This thing isn't going to explode, right?"
"I already repaired the entire deteriorated structure! Don't you trust me, Luffy?!"
Franky proudly slapped the enormous sphere.
"This isn't ordinary glass. I don't even know what material it's made from, but it won't break even from one of my punches! Relax. As long as Nami doesn't dump too much electricity into it, it won't explode."
Pluton's power source was electricity.
In theory, Nami's Goro Goro no Mi could also recharge it.
"Have you done any tests yet?"
Luffy nodded.
"Not yet. We were waiting to complete the full charge first. Want to test it now?"
Franky's eyes sparkled with excitement.
To him, Pluton was just a gigantic technological toy.
And now that it was finally operational, he obviously wanted to see the results.
"Of course."
"Where are we going to test it? This power is no joke. A single shot could destroy an entire island… maybe the Calm Belt?"
Franky suggested.
"No. We're going to Mariejois."
Luffy smiled calmly.
"We'll use the Celestial Dragons as test targets."
Franky went expressionless.
Using Celestial Dragons as test targets…
That really did sound like something Luffy would do.
"Wait a second… just the two of us?"
"Of course."
Luffy immediately used the power of the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi to control Pluton and make it fly from Laugh Tale toward the Holy Land Mariejois.
Originally, Pluton did not possess the ability to fly.
But in Luffy's hands, it had gained complete aerial mobility.
The vessel possessed only a single main cannon.
Its attack method was a gigantic plasma cannon.
By the time they arrived at the Red Line, it was already nighttime.
The darkness of night served as excellent cover.
However, after Luffy's previous attack, Mariejois now possessed dozens of times more surveillance troops.
Additionally, the skies above the Holy Land were constantly patrolled.
Naturally, a giant like Pluton would be detected immediately if it approached too closely.
"Luffy!"
On the deck, Franky spoke quickly:
"Pluton's main cannon requires charging before firing! It'll make a ton of noise! They'll notice instantly!"
"A lot of noise?"
"Not just that! The entire cannon starts glowing! An insane amount of light! If we fire now, it'll look like a second sun appearing in the sky!"
Franky shook his head.
"Why don't we test it somewhere else?"
His concerns were completely reasonable.
A target that large would be easily discovered.
And what if the enemy attacked first?
Franky wasn't afraid of fighting.
With Luffy there, he felt safe.
But Pluton was another story.
If it broke, he didn't even know how to repair it.
"Makes sense."
Luffy then smiled.
"In that case, I'll head down there and make some noise to draw attention. You wait for my signal and prepare the shot."
After speaking, he had already flown off the deck.
Franky's eyes widened.
"Wait, idiot! You'll get caught in Pluton's blast too!"
"Relax. I'll be fine."
Luffy waved carelessly and disappeared into the darkness.
Franky became desperate.
Was he supposed to fire this cannon or not?!
If Luffy got hurt, Luffy himself probably wouldn't care.
But Nami and the others would definitely destroy Franky afterward.
"Seriously… this guy only gives me headaches!"
Holy Land Mariejois.
While Pluton advanced silently through the night…
Inside Pangaea Castle, within the Room of Flowers.
Unlike the darkness outside, that place looked like a paradise illuminated by sunlight.
Colorful flowers swayed softly while birds sang around them.
Imu stood at the center of the garden, raising a finger to attract butterflies.
Outside, the Five Elders knelt.
Beside them also stood York, Vegapunk's satellite "Desire."
At that moment, York was already wearing the clothes of the Celestial Dragons.
"My lord, the Mother Flame is ready for testing at any moment!"
York declared confidently.
"I know."
Imu's voice was cold.
Without even looking back, he commented:
"The world has become far too noisy lately. The newspapers continue spreading the truth about the Void Century, and even the affiliated nations have begun rebelling."
Upon hearing that indifferent tone, Saint Saturn revealed a dark expression.
"Lord Imu… which light shall be extinguished tonight?"
"Has the fleet sent to Dressrosa returned yet?" Imu asked calmly.
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter answered in a deep voice:
"The Straw Hats proposed a hostage exchange. Akainu is handling it at the moment."
Saint Marcus Mars then spoke:
"Should we erase Dressrosa using the Mother Flame?"
Imu remained silent.
In the past, perhaps he would have simply done so.
But now the situation was different.
He needed to consider the Navy's reaction.
If he destroyed Dressrosa now, Luffy would retaliate immediately, and the hostages would certainly die.
Even Akainu would begin directly opposing him.
After a moment, Imu finally spoke:
"Alabasta."
Then he gently raised his hand.
Five photographs appeared before everyone present.
Nefertari Cobra.
Nefertari Vivi.
Nico Robin.
Shirahoshi.
And… Uta.
"Let's begin with the first—"
However, at that instant, Imu interrupted himself.
His expression changed for the first time.
A figure had suddenly appeared inside the Room of Flowers.
The image of Straw Hat Luffy was already known throughout the entire world.
But the Luffy who appeared there at that moment was different.
Besides the white ring floating above his head, there were also illusory wings shining behind his back.
"Straw Hat!!"
The Five Elders widened their eyes.
Luffy smiled casually.
"Good evening, rulers of the world."
His gaze swept over the kneeling old men before finally stopping on Imu.
He had seen that figure before.
But back then, he still couldn't clearly make out their appearance.
Now he could.
Luffy's eyes widened slightly.
"So you're a Lunarian… that really was unexpected."
"Joy Boy…"
Imu spoke calmly while staring at Luffy.
"You've caused me many problems."
He didn't use "Luffy." He called Luffy by the name Joy Boy.
That meant Imu already recognized Luffy as someone on the same level.
No longer a mere mortal.
But another "god."
Luffy simply smiled.
"Don't call me by that name. I have absolutely nothing to do with the failures of the previous generation."
In the next instant, Conqueror's Haki exploded outward.
An absurd pressure instantly covered all of Mariejois.
Imu's pupils contracted.
Luffy's voice echoed calmly:
"So you were thinking about extinguishing some lights just now? Alabasta?"
He smiled coldly.
"You're not firing anything."
BOOM!
Conqueror's Haki exploded violently.
The colossal pressure crushed everything around it.
The four Five Elders were forced directly onto the ground.
"Impossible…! What level of Haki is this?!"
The four of them were completely shocked.
(End of Chapter)