New World, Vegapunk's research base.
The island was quiet.
Since Enel and Bullet left, only Vegapunk, his clones, and some unmanned machines designed by Vegapunk remained.
For once, Vegapunk wasn't conducting his research but sitting there in a daze.
After a long while, Vegapunk took out a Den Den Mushi from his pocket and made a call.
"Hello? Have you made up your mind, Dr. Vegapunk? Our Revolutionary Army welcomes your arrival."
The voice on the other end of the Den Den Mushi was none other than Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army.
No one would've known that the leader of the Revolutionary Army and the Navy's top scientist were in contact.
Vegapunk took a deep breath and said gloomily, "Dragon, I won't go to your side."
A surprised voice came from Dragon.
Judging by the Den Den Mushi's expression, Dragon rarely showed astonishment.
"What's wrong, Doctor? Are the conditions we offered not generous enough?"
The Revolutionary Army offered Vegapunk favorable terms.
Unfortunately, Vegapunk was no longer the Vegapunk from the original story.
He found a path that led to Justice, and the leader on this path was far more rational and clear-headed than Dragon and the others.
The current world's situation was shaped by his own efforts.
The rapidly developing Revolutionary Army was merely a target he needed to set up in front of the World Government.
Of course, Vegapunk wasn't foolish enough to reveal everything to Dragon.
Instead, with a troubled expression, he said, "Dragon, the weapon blueprints and some mechanical designs I gave you earlier were just whims of mine. I've come to realize my mistake."
"So this will be our last conversation. Even if he's forgiven me, I can't forgive myself. The Revolutionary Army is already powerful enough and may become our enemy."
Dragon fell silent on the other end of the Den Den Mushi. He'd known Vegapunk for a long time.
Through their discussions, he believed Vegapunk possessed the power to change the world.
If Vegapunk could be absorbed into the Revolutionary Army, its potential would be elevated.
However, due to his prior discussions with Raleigh, Vegapunk declined Dragon's invitation.
What Dragon would never know was that although his theories were advanced, without Raleigh's covert influence, the Revolutionary Army couldn't have formed its Revolutionary Program, slogans, and ideology so early.
Slogans and programs were different things.
When Dragon only had slogans, he was almost invisible in the world.
Even if he wanted to attract others to join the Revolutionary Army, he could only start with slaves persecuted by the World Government.
But after receiving the program from Raleigh, their ideology swept through the common people across the Four Blues like a flood.
After a long pause, Dragon finally spoke. "I'm sorry, Doctor. Thank you for the assistance you provided to the Revolutionary Army's cause."
"I don't know how things will develop in the future. Perhaps one day our two forces will become adversaries, but the Revolutionary Army will always be grateful for the help you provided at the beginning of our movement. The Revolutionary Army's offer to you won't change. Even if you become an enemy, we'll keep the position of chief scientist reserved for you."
Dragon's attitude was sincere.
If it were any other scientist, even if they were unwilling to go for the time being, they would've politely accepted Dragon's goodwill.
But Vegapunk was the kind of stubborn person who wouldn't.
"Sorry, I can only realize my ideals here."
After saying this, Vegapunk ended the call on the Den Den Mushi and casually tossed it into the shredder inside the research institute.
Watching the Den Den Mushi's body being torn to pieces, Vegapunk felt as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his heart.
...
In the New World, after Raleigh and Sakazuki communicated at the Marine base, they formulated a simple plan.
Before the Pirates could gather their forces, the Marines would take the initiative and launch an attack.
Raleigh would lead his elite fleet from left to right, confronting the Red Hair Pirates, while Sakazuki would lead his soldiers from right to left, facing the Big Mom Pirates.
Both sides would break through their defenses as quickly as possible and then converge in Kaido's territory.
Blitzkrieg, a pincer attack formation.
This tactic required an army that was capable in combat and obedient to orders, with each unit having its own tasks at specific times.
If one side failed to reach the designated position within the allotted time, the side that advanced first would become isolated and overwhelmed by the swarming Pirates.
However, this tactic suited Sakazuki's personality.
After all, it was just about attacking—something both Sakazuki and Raleigh excelled at.
In the conference room, Raleigh and Sakazuki sat at the front, with their subordinate officers below them, including Momonga, Enel, Gion, Tokikake, and others.
"Everyone has reviewed the battle plan, so let's prepare. We don't have much time or resources—we must hit them hard in the shortest time possible."
Most of the officers below looked at the two Admirals on the stage with fiery determination in their eyes.
They were largely hawks.
During this period of preparation for war, a fire had long been burning in their hearts.
If not for Sakazuki and Raleigh's efforts to restrain them, they would've already taken Battleships to fight the Pirates.
"No problem!"
"It's about time we did this!"
"Just watch my performance then."
"I'll take the lead—don't anyone try to take it from me."
"You take the lead? Are you up for it? You should sit down. Leave the lead to me—I guarantee I'll break through the Pirates' defenses first."
Raleigh and Sakazuki watched the noisy scene of the officers arguing below, smiles on their faces.
Morale was high—now was the time for the decisive battle.
"Since everyone understands the meeting's spirit and the battle plan, go and prepare. You have one night to get ready."
...
Inside the base at night, lights blazed as Marine soldiers began moving supplies under the command of their respective officers.
This time, they mainly transported various weapons and ammunition, with not much food prepared.
For a blitzkrieg, there was no need for much food storage.
The plan formulated by Raleigh and Sakazuki was to fight for seven days, with fourteen days' worth of food prepared—that'd be enough.
If not for Raleigh's strict requirements, most people probably would've prepared only ten days' worth of food and loaded the rest with weapons and ammunition.