One Piece Gunslinger

However, Li Ang was neither of those things; he was perfectly rational and not insane at all. Similarly, he wasn't happy because he was certain of survival. When Li Ang consulted Lady Xia Li's divination years ago, he had learned of his impending death. He had absolutely no certainty about his own survival.

However, Li Ang wouldn't do anything meaningless. He was building up his rage by using a taunt skill first.

So when Li Ang saw that Zhan Guo had ordered adjustments, he not only did not restrain himself, but continued to say, "Oh my god, what did I see again? A high wall? It's made of steel, it must weigh tens of thousands of tons, and it can be raised and lowered by mechanical means. This is really funny, who came up with this idea?"

This looks impressive, using machinery to raise and lower the entire high wall, allowing for adjustments based on the battle situation. However, this contraption is nothing but a flashy but impractical device. Didn't the engineers tell you how fragile the transmission and support system must be to hold up this wall? A single attack from a corner would render the entire device useless.

This trick only works on fools.

Li Ang's tirade left everyone stunned. What, wasn't that enough? Now he's back with more? He didn't care whether his rant was reasonable or not.

Upon closer examination, Li Ang's words seem to make sense, but fundamentally he still cares about giving advice from a God's-eye view, and what he says may not necessarily come true.

Take the giant cannons, for example. They could indeed emerge from the sky or the sea, but even if that happened, would we not set them up? Frankly, emerging from the sea horizon is the most common scenario. This is the most probable situation, so naturally we would set up the giant cannons, at least to ensure we could gain an early advantage in this situation.

The high wall that followed was also nonsense. It seemed reasonable at first glance, but it actually represented a low-probability event. First of all, others might not think of this in a sudden situation. Li Ang remained calm and composed, speaking on his knees on the execution platform without any nervousness.

Moreover, if Li Ang had thought of this, wouldn't the engineers who designed this project have thought of it too? Of course they would have, and they would have taken appropriate precautions. Although it is much more fragile than this high wall, it is at least not so easy to break.

Then, Li Ang unleashed his full power, criticizing every aspect of the navy's deployment from top to bottom and inside to outside, highlighting a single core idea: relentless mockery to undermine the morale of the navy and the World Government.

In any war, verbal sparring always precedes the fighting. Even in esports, there are fast-paced trash-talkers—it's all standard practice. And Li Ang is paving the way for his future actions.

It wasn't long before Sengoku realized the problem. After being led around by the nose by Li Ang, he immediately realized that everything Li Ang said was nonsense. Unless someone tipped them off and informed the Revolutionary Army about the situation here, all of Li Ang's assumptions were just bullshit.

As the chief of staff of the revolutionary army, it wasn't too difficult for Li Ang to find loopholes and problems in the deployment, especially since he had a clear view of Li Ang's position. This meant recognizing that Li Ang was merely engaging in theoretical warfare; in actual combat, things would certainly be far more complex.

So Sengoku simply ignored Li Ang's words and continued doing what he was doing, completely ignoring Li Ang's trash talk. He also instructed the others not to pay attention to Li Ang, no matter what he said, and not to listen to him.

Although Li Ang was trash-talking, he had been paying close attention to Sengoku's actions. Seeing Sengoku giving instructions to the others, and then, after a while, seemingly tired of talking, Li Ang also stopped. At the same time, he couldn't help but let a slight smile appear on his lips.

"Is this your real purpose?"

However, this unintentional little action was seen by Garp, who was sitting to the side. Sengoku couldn't see it, but Garp saw it clearly. Although he didn't know why, his old friend Sengoku had fallen for Leon's trick.

Li Ang turned to look at Garp. It seemed that this usually carefree old man was actually quite meticulous at times, and had been paying attention to Li Ang's movements all along.

“Oh? If I say ‘yes,’ then are you going to tell Sengoku about this?” But Li Ang didn’t show any fear and smiled confidently.

Karp did not give a definite answer, but said, "If you would tell me why, maybe I won't."

Li Ang smiled upon seeing this: "As expected of the father of Dragon and the grandfather of Luffy, their personalities are quite similar in some ways. Since you want to know, then I will tell you."

At this point, Li Ang paused, not explaining directly, but instead asking, "Tell me, what is the most precious treasure in this world today? Wealth? Fame? Power? Or love? Family? Do you have an answer in your heart?"

Hearing Leon's words, Garp couldn't help but think of his son, grandson, and Ace. He had wanted them to join the Marines, but they had all chosen to oppose them. Thinking of their arguments with him over differing ideals, he still didn't know what they yearned for, and perhaps that was the answer.

"It's freedom!" Sure enough, Li Ang revealed the answer before Karp could reply.

Chapter 376 Transaction

"free?!"

When Garp heard this word, he immediately remembered that those two brats who always talked about going to sea to become pirates and used such a noisy word was none other than this word: freedom.

“That’s right, it’s freedom,” Li Ang continued. “Sometimes you can’t even feel the existence of freedom, but it is the deepest desire in everyone’s heart.”

If you still don't understand, here's a little poem: "Life is precious, love is more precious, but freedom is the most precious of all."

"For the sake of freedom, I would give up both?" Garp repeatedly pondered this sentence, trying to digest and understand it thoroughly. Does freedom truly possess such power? Even if his son and those two brats opposed him, he would still risk everything for freedom.

"But will saying these things grant you freedom?" Garp asked, puzzled. Just as he couldn't understand that going to sea to become a pirate was equivalent to gaining freedom.

It's understandable that you don't understand. It's not just Garp who doesn't understand. If everyone in the world understood, the revolution would have won long ago, and there would be no need for a final battle.

Li Ang looked into the distance and continued to explain: "So-called freedom means that people can act according to their own will without being constrained. However, such absolute freedom does not exist; freedom is always relative."

Like you right now, you're freer than me. I don't even have the right to move. If I stand up, you'll immediately push me down again. Right?

Luffy, Ace, and their crew set sail in pursuit of becoming the Pirate King, also in pursuit of freedom. They don't need to consider the World Government or obey anyone; they can do whatever they want. Therefore, they are freer than if they were Marines.

And I am the same now. Even in my current state, I haven't given up on pursuing freedom. At least I'm pursuing relative freedom, like right now. I've achieved my goal; they won't care what I say anymore. At least I'm freer in this moment than in the last. I've gained a certain degree of freedom of speech.

Even if this is the last little bit of time in my life.

"You know this is the last little bit of time in your life," Garp wanted to say. What freedom could one possibly pursue in these final moments, even just a little bit? And it was under the condition that the Navy would ensure his well-being, at least until the appointed time, and wouldn't harm him before then. Did this freedom really possess such power?

Li Ang couldn't quite explain the power of freedom, nor could he directly tell Garp, but he could describe it indirectly: "Now, only one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea has appeared, Gecko Moria. Where are the others?"

The two were just talking about freedom, but now Leon abruptly changed the subject, bringing up Gecko Moria and the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Garp was a little confused, but still replied, "That unreliable bastard Blackbeard Teach, we received news of his rampage in Impel Down. As for the others, they all promised to come, but none of them showed up. I don't know what they're doing. However, after today's incident, the World Government will consider abolishing this unreliable system. Pirates really are untrustworthy."

“That’s exactly right, they’re unreliable!” Li Ang laughed. “A place full of shackles, expecting a group of people who yearn for freedom to serve it, is simply a joke. Whether they are good or bad, benevolent or malevolent, they all yearn for freedom. What I mean is, those Shichibukai who haven’t come yet have already pledged their allegiance to freedom, understand?”

The first two sentences were fine, but the following words were too straightforward, making Garp's eyes widen. What did this mean? It was practically telling Garp that the Seven Warlords of the Sea were no longer on their side.

Fortunately, Li Ang and Kap's conversation was not loud, otherwise, if the others below had heard it, there might have been a panic.

"This is the power of freedom?! They can treat the World Government so casually, but they're willing to work for the Revolutionary Army?!" Garp exclaimed in surprise. "But if you tell me this, I'll definitely tell them too. Why are you telling us this kind of information?"

Li Ang smiled slightly at Karp: "It's very simple, it's still about freedom. I can tell you a lot of things you want to know, but you have to promise me one condition, which is to guarantee me freedom of speech, and even more freedom of speech, for the last little period of my life."

Garp has truly witnessed the magic of freedom now. For this little bit of freedom, Leon is actually willing to reveal the information he wouldn't divulge under torture. Is this freedom really that important?

"Say whatever you want, is there anyone who won't let you speak?" Garp asked, puzzled.

"Of course, the right to speak is extremely rare. How about it, as long as you promise me you can guarantee I can speak, I'll tell you everything. You can ask me three questions, and I'll answer truthfully whatever you ask, as long as I know the answer," Li Ang continued to tempt him.

Here, Leon actually dug a small pit, but he was holding back. "Only what I know." That essentially gave Garp a psychological hint: there's something I don't know.

What about what I don't know? That's something Garp has to figure out for himself. It doesn't matter what kind of intelligence it is anymore; the only thing that needs to be kept secret for a while is the strategy for the final battle. This also makes Garp think that since Leon has already been captured, what happens afterward is no longer Leon's responsibility. Furthermore, since Leon has set a limit of three questions, Garp will automatically focus on the "more meaningful" questions.

Little did they know that what happened afterward was also orchestrated by Li Ang. Once the Revolutionary Army won the decisive battle, those intelligence reports would be irrelevant. The Revolutionary Army had already gained the upper hand, and there are different ways to play when you're in a winning position. Many things don't need to be hidden like they do when you're in a losing position; instead, they need to be exposed to give people confidence.

The reason Li Ang dared to say these things to Garp was because he believed that Garp could keep his promise. If he promised to protect Li Ang's freedom of speech, he would definitely do so.

Karp hesitated for a moment, thinking that getting Leon to speak wouldn't be difficult, and besides, there was a final statement before his execution. This right of death row inmates had been a fundamental right since ancient times, and he couldn't very well cut it off. So he agreed to the request.

Alas, it can only be said that Garp had never witnessed Leon's attacks, nor the essence of thought from another world. He also underestimated the World Government's depravity. Leon knew perfectly well that if anything he said would be detrimental to the World Government, it would be immediately stopped.

Afterwards, Garp also asked Leon about the three revolutionary armies. As Garp listened to the various horrifying facts coming out of Leon's mouth, he also pondered Leon's purpose.

There's no way around it; the information is just too shocking. It claims the Whitebeard Pirates have actually joined forces with the Revolutionary Army. It claims more than ten member states of the World Government are secretly aligned with the Revolutionary Army. It claims the Revolutionary Army has expanded its military significantly, enough to rival the World Government.

These things now seem like worthless gossip coming out of Li Ang's mouth. It even makes Garp a little skeptical of their veracity. If Garp weren't so good at judging people, and didn't see through Li Ang's sincerity, he would have definitely thought it was all just Li Ang spouting nonsense.

Garp and his family share similar personalities, but Garp is far from being a fool like Luffy in terms of intelligence. Since Leon is even willing to provide such information, does he intend to personally command the battle on the battlefield? That's wishful thinking.

Actually, that's not the case. Li Ang simply wanted an opportunity, an opportunity he had been dreaming of for many years.

After being subjected to Garp's tyranny, Leon didn't utter a single word. He simply sat obediently on the execution platform, watching the people below bustle about while remaining vigilant against the possibility of the revolutionary army appearing at any moment.

And watching the broadcasting equipment that had been set up turn on and broadcast the grand battle of Marineford to people and news media all over the world, Li Ang also smiled slightly.

This is Li Ang's goal—to broadcast live globally.

This structure was erected to demonstrate the navy's strength and invincibility, with the aim of showing the world that rebellion has no good end; not only will Li Ang die, but the rebel army will also be destroyed.

However, Li Ang was truly worried for them; their intelligence seemed to have reached this level. Back then, the execution of Roger resulted in Roger's dying words creating the Great Pirate Era, causing countless troubles. Now they wanted to execute Li Ang and destroy the Revolutionary Army. Did Li Ang think they would get their way? Of course not.

Ever since Li Ang first joined the revolutionary army and discovered that his words had been published in the newspaper, he had dreamed of this day. To this end, he established his own media, and the revolutionary army started a newspaper.

However, compared to the World Government's well-established media network, it was far inferior in both coverage and efficiency. Therefore, Li Ang later conceived a bold idea: to use the World Government's media to promote what he wanted to promote.

So how could such an opportunity possibly arise? How could the world government possibly make such a mistake? How could Li Ang possibly take advantage of this mature media broadcasting network that covers the entire world?

After much thought, Li Ang realized there was only one possibility: to emulate Roger's actions, let the World Government capture him, publicly execute him, and then spread his last words throughout the world.

Perhaps everyone has this feeling: a dying person's words are the most virtuous. Of all things, life is the greatest, and what can truly move people is their last words.

Li Ang had been meticulously preparing for this last message for a long time, and today he was finally able to say it.

Chapter 377 Revealing the Answer

Yes, last words.

Since he wanted to speak sincerely, Li Ang also regarded this as his last words.

To be honest, Li Ang never imagined he would leave Marineford alive. It was all part of the plan, and this was part of the plan.

Now, we can reveal all of Li Ang's plans. From the very beginning, there was no rescue whatsoever; Marineford's preparations were futile and a complete joke.

Li Ang's plan for the final battle is indeed powerful, and could even reverse the power imbalance between the Revolutionary Army and the World Government. If successful, the Revolutionary Army would become the world's number one organization, while the World Government would be overthrown.

But all of this is not so simple; it is built upon Li Ang's sacrifice.

To understand this, the Prime Minister must know that this war that ignited everything was actually divided into two battlefields. Therefore, Leon prefers to call it a total war.

One is Marineford, where Leon is the only one on the battlefield, without any reinforcements.

Secondly, it's the whole world.

While Leon was in Marineford, with the Navy and the World Government also stationed there, what was the Revolutionary Army doing? The Revolutionary Army went all over the world, practically everywhere, but they just didn't come to Marineford or the nearby Mary Geoise.

Leon is fighting against most of the World Government and Navy forces, while the Revolutionary Army only needs to deal with a small number of other forces, as well as the homeland forces of the member states.

Moreover, it wasn't just the Revolutionary Army; there were other forces involved. For example, Alabasta sent half of its 100,000-strong army to participate in this decisive battle, and the former Shichibukai also joined the war.

They launched a multi-pronged attack, simultaneously waging war across the world, aiming to rapidly erode the world government's territory.

The goal is simple: to completely uproot the World Government's foundation. By the time the World Government reacts, most of its territory will have fallen into the hands of the Revolutionary Army. Even if they manage to retain the remaining land, the balance of power between the two sides will have been reversed. The remaining task is to spend several years slowly besieging and taking away the World Government's territory bit by bit.

However, this is also based on the fact that the Revolutionary Army has enough military strength, and the World Government is unaware that the Revolutionary Army's own combat power, plus a lot of assistance from other places, is now capable of a full-scale offensive.

Of course, if the revolutionary army could achieve great success with this strategy similar to Tian Ji's horse racing, then Li Ang's battlefield would definitely be a losing battle. One person fighting an entire army? That's a joke.

Therefore, Li Ang was prepared to die and had no intention of resisting; he was just waiting for his last words. All Li Ang really needed to do was deliver his final words.

Sacrificing one person to benefit the whole world—that was Li Ang's plan.

That's why Long initially disagreed with the whole plan. He had already lost Xiong, a close friend who had helped establish the revolutionary army, and because of this plan, he would have to lose another comrade.

That's why Leon was completely unconcerned when he learned he would die at Marineford, even almost laughing. If he died at Marineford, it would mean the plan had succeeded, Leon had successfully taken Ace's place, and the World Government had wasted their time executing him before the world.

That's why Li Ang kept saying he wanted to retire and let Kerla take over. He's gone; if he doesn't retire, are they going to let a dead man occupy the position of Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army?

That's why Li Ang made so many promises to Hancock and instructed his grandmother not to let Hancock know about his affairs. He ensured the plan's smooth execution, but Li Ang felt guilty towards Hancock. It's truly a rare opportunity to have it all.

The true nature of this plan was known only to Li Ang, Long, and Fujitora. They each had their own version of events, keeping all the other members of the Revolutionary Army in the dark.

It wasn't until the day before the plan was to be carried out that everyone discovered they weren't actually going to rescue the Chief of Staff, but rather to attack a country at sea. However, at this point, there was another version of the story.

Only the insightful Buggy, after learning of his own actions from the letters he received and understanding Leon, deduced the Revolutionary Army's intentions. He realized that Leon was going to his death, and that Buggy was merely a pawn in Leon's overall plan, destined to lead his troops to conquer several countries in this final war.

That's why they were impressed by Li Ang's wisdom and courage, even saying he surpassed the old captain. In the end, they willingly devoted themselves to the plan.