One Piece Gunslinger

Immediately afterward, Li Ang sought out Whitebeard. A united front had been reached, though some details remained to be discussed. Li Ang hoped Whitebeard would remain in hiding for the time being and not directly reveal his relationship with the Revolutionary Army; otherwise, the world's balance would be drastically altered, and they were not yet prepared for the collapse of that balance.

The plan was simply to have the Whitebeard Pirates provide cover for the Revolutionary Army's operations, gradually putting pressure on the World Government and creating the illusion that the Whitebeard Pirates were looking for an opportunity to wage war against them.

This at least alleviates the Revolutionary Army's immediate crisis. If the World Government were to go to war with the Revolutionary Army, the Whitebeard Pirates would stab them in the back, deterring the World Government from taking any rash action and forcing it into a period of deliberation.

As for the long-term planning approach, that's Li Ang's forte—farming is his forte. Once you learn my strategies, all you have to do is move on. Furthermore, Li Ang knows that some major events are yet to come. These are also opportunities for the Revolutionary Army.

With this, Li Ang's mission to the Whitebeard Pirates can be considered a successful conclusion. With such an ally, the Revolutionary Army can be more confident in its remaining actions.

After finalizing the next steps, Li Ang didn't forget to visit Ace, that troublesome little guy. Ace hadn't attended yesterday's banquet, so he hadn't listened to Li Ang's theories about the Alchemy Age. Because of this, Li Ang estimated that Ace would have to endure several more beatings from Whitebeard's iron fists before joining them.

But this is for the best; teaching Ace a lesson a few more times will wear down his arrogant attitude. Luffy hasn't been beaten up enough, which is why he's still the same mischievous person after two years at sea.

Ace and Sabo, on the other hand, seem much more mature, having changed a lot since their childhood. But that's what happens when you're the older brothers; older brothers have to act like older brothers, unlike Luffy who can continue to be mischievous. Even if they don't interfere in private, they need to be mature enough in front of Luffy.

When Li Ang saw Ace, Ace was wrapped up in bandages like a dumpling, with only his face showing, a testament to how ruthless Whitebeard had been the night before. Seeing how cruel his godson was, Li Ang silently mourned for two seconds, thinking about how many more times Ace would have to endure.

"Hey, Li Ang?" Ace said with surprise when he saw Li Ang, "Come out with me quickly."

"Uh, I'm very sorry, I can't do that." Li Ang said, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Even if there were ten of me, I still couldn't get you out of Whitebeard's clutches, so just accept your fate."

"Huh?! I don't believe it. Is there really no way at all?"

“Yes, that’s right. There’s nothing we can do right now. We’re just too weak.” Li Ang shook his head helplessly. “Want to leave? Wait until you can defeat Whitebeard.”

Ace's face paled at the thought of Whitebeard's immense power. Well, he'd always been pale.

"Does this mean we have to stay here until the end? No, I want to take the risk."

Even Lian Gang's lips twitched slightly upon hearing Ace's words. The young man was brimming with confidence; it seemed he was certain he could surpass Whitebeard in the future. He hadn't even considered the possibility of never escaping. And he dared to talk about adventure? Whitebeard could easily defeat him, which meant the other three big shots could easily defeat him too. He should just rest.

Thinking of this, Li Ang kindly reminded him, "Hey, there's something I need to correct."

"what?"

“It’s not ‘we,’ you’re the only one who’s staying here. I’ll be leaving soon.”

"How did you do that? Take me with you!" Ace shouted.

“That won’t do. Whitebeard won’t let you go because he values ​​you. I naturally won’t receive such good treatment. Come to think of it, you’re really lucky.” With that, Li Ang left Ace’s room without looking back.

"Hehe, feeling bad, huh? That's good." Li Ang strode away with light steps, ignoring Ace's calls. The petty Li Ang had successfully gotten revenge for Ace's earlier annoyance.

With everything settled, Li Ang bid farewell to the Whitebeard Pirates, asked for a small boat, and continued his solo voyage.

Chapter 328 The Place Where Dreams Begin

Okay, now that Li Ang's operation is over, let's fast-forward through time again and bring it to 1522, the 22nd year of the Great Pirate Era, which is the year Luffy set sail.

After persuading the Whitebeard Pirates, there's nothing else particularly noteworthy to do for the time being.

Let me give a quick and simple overview of the past two years.

Over the past two years, Li Ang used his intelligence network to locate Hawkeye Mihawk. When he met Mihawk, Mihawk was dressed as an old farmer, planting vegetables in the field.

Afterwards, Li Ang used the same combo he had used with Whitebeard, employing his alchemical theories, and with tremendous effort—essentially a One Piece version of the legendary "Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage"—he finally persuaded Mihawk to join the Revolutionary Army.

He was also told that these gold mines, where gold was being smelted, certainly didn't lack great swordsmen. In such an era, there was no need to worry about a lack of opponents; his opponents were all still on their way to becoming stronger.

As a result of Li Ang's actions, six of the Seven Warlords of the Sea were actually on the side of the Revolutionary Army.

Empress Hancock is Leon's girlfriend; Bartholomew Kuma is a Revolutionary Army spy; Crocodile has also smoothed out the relationship between the two sides, and the father and son have recognized each other; Jinbe has joined the Revolutionary Army along with Fish-Man Island; Buggy the Clown is kept in the dark, but in fact, the deliverymen in the New Buggy Pirates are all Revolutionary Army members, so Buggy will have to make the decision later; Hawkeye Mihawk was also persuaded by Leon in the end.

The mathematical genius Li Ang did a simple calculation: the World Government lost six Shichibukai, while the Revolutionary Army gained six. With this inflow and outflow, this gain and loss, the Revolutionary Army actually made a huge profit.

Yes, it's a huge profit, enough to make twelve Shichibukai.

Only Gecko Moria remains as a member of the World Government. Leon doesn't have any particular interest in Gecko Moria; after all, he has to save face for the World Government. If Leon takes everyone away, what face will the World Government have left?

With the difference in strength between these two Shichibukai, the World Government has lost all face.

Then, when it came to Shanks' crew, one of the Four Emperors, Li Ang originally wanted to use the same trick to outsmart Shanks. However, Shanks' crew only had one ship, which was incredibly mobile and often appeared and disappeared without a trace. Li Ang made two trips but still couldn't find Shanks and his crew.

So Li Ang simply stopped caring about this mess. In the end, he believed Shanks would definitely be able to join the right side. As for Kaido and Big Mom, Li Ang also believed that they would both stand on the other side without hesitation. These two were completely hopeless, and Li Ang didn't bother with them either, having long since considered them as unwanted bystanders.

Then, a year ago, after the World Government consolidated its funds, it quickly prepared to wipe out the Revolutionary Army. At this point, Whitebeard put pressure on the World Government through his actions.

Just as Li Ang had planned, under the dual threat of Whitebeard, the strongest man in the world, and the Revolutionary Army, the World Government chose to temporarily swallow its anger, plan for the long term, and slowly look for an opportunity.

The World Government even suspected that Whitebeard might have allied with the Revolutionary Army, but through analysis of Whitebeard's personality and behavior, and the view that "if they were really allied, they would have attacked long ago," they dispelled this absurd speculation. Little did they know that this was actually the truth; the Revolutionary Army did not attack because of other considerations.

Besides that, there doesn't seem to be much else to say; revealing the rest would be a spoiler. So, I'll leave it for the next chapters to tell you all.

Then, the journey turns to Amazon Lily, to Hancock's palace.

"BuluBuluBulu"

"Huh? Wait, there seems to be some news." Li Ang turned his head and reached for the Den Den Mushi to the side.

Seeing Leon answer the Den Den Mushi, Hancock pouted in dissatisfaction and put the cherries back in her basket. This had happened many times before, but each time she still felt annoyed and always wanted to go to Baltimore, the Revolutionary Army headquarters, to teach the person who called a lesson.

Even so, Hancock suppressed her anger and said in a gentle tone, "Work is important, let's deal with that first." Oh, how curious.

Ever since Leon and Hancock started dating, Leon has been going to Amazon Lily whenever he has free time, and visiting Hancock whenever he gets the chance. Sometimes he even leaves unimportant work to Robin, choosing instead to spend his time leisurely with Hancock.

Enraged, Robin used her Flower-Flower Fruit to handle various government affairs while cursing the despicable couple. Then, under the guise of work, she quietly called Leon, who was far away on Amazon Lily, and summoned him back.

This has led to everyone on Amazon Lily now knowing that their Empress Hancock has a boyfriend. They were heartbroken for quite some time after finding out.

Logically, the rules of Amazon Lily prohibit men from setting foot on the island, and the women are also forbidden from seeking partners. The Empress, in particular, should set a good example.

However, as Hancock often says, "I am just too beautiful," so even though Hancock led the way in breaking the rules, the people on the island still forgave her.

"Hey, Robin? What's the important matter this time?" Although Li Ang was on vacation, he could still immediately get into work mode whenever something important happened.

Of course, this is why Hancock hates Den Den Mushi. Especially since sometimes Leon would answer the phone and leave immediately; if Leon hadn't stopped her, that Den Den Mushi would have been crushed by Hancock long ago. And especially since it was always that annoying voice of Robin that came through the Den Den Mushi.

"There are three important things," Robin said calmly from the other end of the Den Den Mushi. Every time she called Li Ang and interrupted that couple, Robin felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.

Li Ang did not respond, waiting for Robin to continue.

"The first thing I want to talk about concerns Monet. After two years, Monet's theft of data from the Naval Science Department is becoming increasingly difficult to conceal. Just yesterday, a researcher discovered it, and in the heat of the moment, Monet had to kill him."

Then Monet instigated Caesar, triggering the Kingdom of Death, and the researcher Monet killed was treated as someone who hadn't managed to escape.

Regarding Monet, Li Ang initially used his sister Sugar as leverage to force Monet to work for him.

However, Monet's hatred for the Revolutionary Army had actually diminished considerably over the past two years. Coupled with Sugar's growing acceptance of the Revolutionary Army, she acted as a goodwill ambassador, siding with them and offering reasoned arguments. While Monet outwardly claimed to want revenge for her master, she had already realized that Doflamingo had merely used her and her sister.

Since they were being used both ways, at least the revolutionary army was being reasonable. So, Monet had gradually become one of the revolutionaries.

Li Ang replied, "Although it deviates somewhat from the plan, the research data stolen over the past two years is sufficient. Monet did the right thing; at that time, the priority should have been self-preservation. Let the Death Kingdom detonate ahead of schedule; it's not a big problem."

“Okay, but that’s not the problem. The problem is that Monet should also ‘die’ in this poison gas in order to escape. But we’ve received news that Monet has been ‘rescued’ and is now under tight protection, just like the other researchers.”

This meant that even if Monet wanted to escape, he couldn't. We haven't even received any contact from Monet to this day, which suggests the surveillance and protection inside are extremely tight. There's absolutely no chance of escape.

This is a headache. Besides helping to steal the information, Monet also has another very important role. If Monet can't find a chance to escape, then Li Ang will have to take other measures in the subsequent operations.

"This close surveillance shouldn't last long. If you get in touch with her, tell her not to make any rash moves. There will be other opportunities later."

Robin sighed, her regretful voice coming through the Den Den Mushi: "However, the problem isn't that simple now. This brings us to the second issue, that place in the East Blue called Windmill Village that you asked us to keep a close eye on. We just received news that the boy named Luffy has said goodbye to the people of Windmill Village and is preparing to set sail."

"Luffy has set sail? It seems the plan is entering its final stage. Where is Monet now? Is she at Marine Headquarters?"

Upon hearing that Luffy had set sail, Li Ang immediately understood just how complex the first problem had been. Normally, there would have been time to deal with it slowly, but now that Luffy was at sea, it meant there wasn't much time left. In this final stage of the plan, every step was a race against time.

"Monet and some researchers are currently being held at a naval base, while the most important scientists, such as Vegapunk, are being protected at the Navy Headquarters."

Li Ang could only instruct, "How about this, if we can't make it in time, then we'll ask the Whitebeard Pirates to attack the naval base where Monet is located and rescue her in the chaos."

Wow, now Li Ang can just open his mouth and talk about attacking naval bases. It seems the revolutionary army has made quite a bit of progress in the past two years, otherwise where would they get this confidence?

However, this also shows how much importance Leon attaches to the subsequent plans. Even if it's an attack on a naval base, he wants to ensure that Monet can escape in time to ensure the plan goes smoothly.

The core of Li Ang's plan this time revolves around that boy who is full of curiosity and longing for the sea.

"I'm going to be the Pirate King!" Luffy said to the villagers of Windmill Village who were seeing him off.

Chapter 329 Seal Released

East China Sea, a certain island.

"Koby, who is the most beautiful in the ocean?" a plump woman with freckles on her face asked, carrying a thick spiked club and looking fierce.

On the other side, a short, timid boy answered shakily, "Of...of course it's you, Miss Alvida."

Everyone knows that the most beautiful person in the world is undoubtedly Boa Hancock, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. However, no one dares to tell the truth; the last person to do so is now a fish in the belly of a fish.

Having learned from the mistakes of some experienced players who had been eliminated early on, whenever Alvida asked this question, the standard answer became that Alvida was the most beautiful person in the world.

"Since you know, then what's going on here!" Alvida said, kicking Koby to the ground and yelling, "The ground is covered in dust, it's practically dirtied my shoes!"

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..."

"Instead of apologizing, get to work! Clean all these rooms!" Alvida snapped. "And you lot, what are you looking at? Get back to work!"

"Yes, yes, Miss Alvida."

Well, it seems that this person named Alvida is not only narcissistic, but also has obsessive-compulsive disorder about cleanliness. This Alvida Pirates could practically be called the Island Cleanliness Pirates, since the crew members on this ship do most of their time cleaning.

Yes, that's right, I'm sure everyone guessed it.

Next, Koby will find a wooden barrel floating by, and after he pulls it ashore, a young man wearing a straw hat will emerge from the toilet.

Then this young man named Luffy was discovered by Alvida. Finding a strange outsider, and Alvida having a bad temper, naturally led to a fight.

Then something unexpected happened.

Luffy was easily knocked down by Alvida in a few moves, and then tied up and imprisoned along with Coby, who wanted to defect. This is a common tactic used by most pirate crews: lock them up for two days, starve them for two days, and then try to force them to join the crew. If they refuse to submit, then so be it.

In a dark, dirty little woodshed, Coby, with a look of utter despair, leaned against a pile of firewood, staring at the cobwebs on the ceiling, and said sadly, "Heh, Pirate King."

Coby recalled his conversation with Luffy and felt like he was an idiot for being able to resonate with someone as idiotic as Luffy. Thinking about it now, it was really something.

"Coby, why is that fat woman so unreasonable? She attacked without saying a word! And how come she's so strong? I didn't realize it at all," Luffy asked, looking unhappy.

However, Coby did not answer Luffy's question, but continued to grieve inwardly: "It's over, Fatty, if she hears this, our lives will come to an end. I'm only a teenager."

"Hey, Coby! What's wrong? Don't ignore me!" Luffy shouted as he struggled to stay tied up, hoping to get Coby's attention.

"Damn it, you still ask why?" Koby said excitedly, "Isn't the reason I'm locked up here because of you?!"

He was going to be the Pirate King, and Coby was inspired to join the Marines and become an Admiral. Then he took Coby to see the little boat he'd cobbled together for escape. Finally, Alvida discovered them and wiped them all out.