Chapter 540: Winds of Rebellion

“Victory is within our grasp. Overthrow the World Government, and the people of the sea will finally be free from the Celestial Dragons’ exploitation.”

“True equality and justice will finally come. Slavery will end, and everyone can live their lives in peace.”

“…”

After Dragon’s rousing speech, some already wavering Navy soldiers remembered the things they’d done for the World Government over the years and quietly laid down their weapons.

Still, a number of stubborn Navy soldiers gripped their swords, glaring at Dragon from a distance.

For them, joining the Navy had given them a chance at a real life. It let them shed their past as slaves and chase success.

Even if it meant acting like loyal dogs for the Celestial Dragons, it was a price they were willing to pay—at least they wouldn’t starve to death on some street corner.

But if they joined the Revolutionary Army, they’d be pulled into battle all over again, maybe even die in some nameless alley. It felt like gambling everything they had—win, and they’d have it all; lose, and they’d be left with nothing.

“That’s right—even if you keep being the World Government’s dog, you won’t get a good end.”

Just then, a Navy soldier stepped forward, outrage sparking in his voice as he addressed everyone around him.

“My cousin’s uncle once got shot dead by a Celestial Dragon just for not bowing fast enough while walking down the street. We never even found his body after.”

“Yeah, that’s happened to me too!”

His words struck a chord, and more and more soldiers started stepping forward.

“I was born in the Skaya Kingdom. Back then, we weren’t even a member of the World Government.”

“But to force us to join, the World Government sent in agents who assassinated the king and many of the princes.”

“Under their tyranny, we were forced to join the World Government. For years we’ve paid tribute as Heavenly Gold, but it’s long been more than our kingdom can handle.”

“If we don’t pay, the World Government threatens to turn our kingdom into a hunting ground, unleashing cruelty on innocent people. Most folks can’t even afford basic supplies and end up forced out to sea.”

“Even when we set up merchant fleets, the Navy and World Government squeeze us dry at every turn. You can’t earn a living—so people end up forced to become Navy or pirates, living with a knife at their throat every single day.”

…

Another Navy soldier stepped out, sharing his own story.

In truth, Dragon had placed these soldiers here.

This was all to tug at their hearts and remind them what and who they were fighting for—their homes, their families, and the world they lived in.

There were still plenty of low-ranking Navy soldiers who held onto a glimmer of justice. Unlike their higher-ups, these men hadn’t been completely bought by the World Government. The lower down you went, the easier it was to shake their beliefs.

“Enough with the nonsense! The Navy is the true voice of justice across these seas.”

“Dragon, no matter what you say, you’ll never shake our faith in justice!”

Udyr, seeing the soldiers around him start to waver, shouted angrily at Dragon.

If Dragon kept talking, the Navy could fall apart right here and now.

He couldn’t let that happen. He was the World Government’s most loyal hound—even his rank had been bestowed by them.

Ever since he’d become an Admiral, he’d understood just how valuable power was. If the Navy collapsed, his title would vanish too. No way would he let that happen right in front of him.

“The Navy standing for justice? Don’t make me laugh.”

Dragon’s tone was suddenly sharper. “You know better than anyone what the World Government and the Celestial Dragons are like. As an Admiral, you must be fully aware.”

“Why was the Buster Call launched against Ohara? Was it really just because they tried to study that blank century?”

“And why was Flevance called the White Town?”

“It was all because of the World Government’s greed. The people there were forced to mine a precious white mineral, ended up contaminated by deadly metals, incurable and facing death.”

“Then the government claimed it was a virus and had them all executed. Out of more than a million people, only a few tens of thousands survived. Tell me, weren’t you the World Government’s accomplice in all this? Isn’t that the work of an executioner?”

“The evidence is all right in front of you. What more are you resisting for?”

Dragon’s words made most of the Navy soldiers shift their gaze to Udyr.

They’d heard about these events before but always thought the World Government was behind it. Now they realized the Navy had been involved too.

Were they really just the World Government’s black-gloved hands, sent to do dirty work the government couldn’t touch itself?

Before Udyr could argue back, the sound Dragon had been waiting for echoed through the Navy’s ranks.

“I’m done—I’m leaving the Navy!”

Onigumo was the first to step out. With his fierce look and a scar on his face, he had already been secretly contacted by the Revolutionary Army and promised to declare his defection.

He’d just been waiting for the right moment—he hadn’t expected it to come so fast.

“I’m quitting too!”

“Count me in! I don’t want to wear the Navy uniform and serve this rotten World Government anymore.”

“Me too! I’m done!”

One after another, Navy soldiers flung their Cloaks of Justice to the ground, gathering behind Onigumo.

It was a silent protest, powerful enough to stun even Sengoku and Garp, along with the rest of the stunned Navy.

“Father, what about you?”

Dragon’s stare was clear as day. If Navy hero Garp declared he’d turn his back on the Navy, the world would never be the same. Even the balance between Navy and pirates would shatter.

With Garp’s help, there’d be a real shot at toppling the World Government.

But before Garp could answer, Tradis stepped forward.

“I’m leaving the Navy too.”

That declaration was the final straw. Every soldier present snapped.

At least two thirds of them threw off their Cloaks of Justice, gathering together.

“You—you all…?”

Udyr could hardly believe it. Just because of Dragon’s words, so many soldiers were now leaving Navy Headquarters.

Even his longtime comrade Tradis had second thoughts.

“Sengoku, Kong—you’ve been wanting to break from the World Government too, haven’t you? It’s only because the Navy has no income of its own that you’ve stayed.”

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

As soon as he finished, several red fireballs exploded in the sky once again.

Dragon immediately knew time was running out. “No matter what the Navy decides, just stay out of the coming fight.”

“Whitebeard, Kaido, take the top fighters and move out! The battle’s at its peak now!”

“Don’t miss what’s about to happen!”

As Dragon said this, his eyes lingered on Luffy with his trademark white hair. He never wanted his own son dragged into such a terrifying battle.

The fight raging above the World Government and this one in Navy Headquarters were on completely different scales. One mistake, and even Dragon himself could lose his life.