The natural system started off strong, but the navy finally reached its peak!

Because of his taciturn nature, he was the only person in the entire G-10 base, besides Gern, who would often come up to him and talk to him.

An annoying guy who's happy to do it even if all he gets in return is cold stares and ridicule...

Their relationship is strange.

One was like a shut-in gourd with its mouth welded shut, while the other was like a loudspeaker that never stopped.

But Barrett found himself subconsciously responding to Enel's provocations, even engaging in pointless banter with him.

Although on the surface, they always put on an act of looking down on the other party.

but……

but now……

Looking at that noisy guy now lying there lifeless.

Barrett felt an unprecedented, cold and violent rage surging wildly from the deepest part of his heart, almost overwhelming his reason!

He was really angry.

I'm extremely angry.

In the shadows, he gripped the Den Den Mushi he had never used before, his knuckles turning white from the force.

Those beast-like eyes gleamed with a light more dangerous than when facing the strongest enemy.

Someone will have to pay the price for this.

The price of blood.

.......

On the other side, Ribo's infusion of life energy seemed to have temporarily stabilized Enel's near-fatal injuries.

Although far from out of danger, at least it has stopped deteriorating.

Tezzolo and Toritoma exchanged a glance, both of their eyes flashing with the same determination.

Can't wait any longer.

Tezzolo gave Lipo a "it's up to you" look, then turned around without hesitation and walked quickly out of the oppressive medical room with Toritoma.

He went straight to the balcony of the base command room, where it was relatively quiet.

He pulled out a uniquely designed Den Den Mushi that connected directly to Guern's personal device, took a deep breath, and dialed the number.

"Bru bru... click." The Den Den Mushi quickly connected, mimicking Gern's slightly lazy smile.

"Moshi Moshi~ It's Tesoro? What's wrong?"

Is the base facing cash flow problems again? Or has Barrett dismantled the training grounds again and needs reimbursement?

Gern's offbeat voice came from the Den Den Mushi, with the sound of sea breeze in the background.

"Oh, by the way, I'm almost done with my work here. I'm planning to stop by Orange Town in Donghai on my way back. I heard their oranges are pretty good. I'll bring you some local specialties when I get back..."

“General Gern.” Tesoro’s cold voice rudely interrupted Gern’s enthusiastic words.

The sound from the Den Den Mushi abruptly stopped.

A brief silence fell, as if even the sea breeze had stopped.

Without the slightest hesitation, Tezzolo stated the fact—a fact that could ignite a powder keg—in the most concise and icy language.

……

Meanwhile, in the East China Sea, at the bow of a merchant ship bound for Orange Town.

Guern, who was sitting cross-legged, leisurely watching the sea, heard Tesoro's report through the Den Den Mushi...

The lazy smile on his face vanished instantly.

There were no exclamations, no questions, and not even any exaggerated expressions.

He simply and calmly put the Den Den Mushi back into his pocket.

Throughout the entire process, his eyes remained completely still, as if he had only heard a casual greeting like "The weather is nice today."

However, Mihawk, who was standing not far behind Gern, sensed something was wrong almost instantly!

An indescribable, extremely oppressive, and terrifying atmosphere, like the calm before a storm, was silently spreading from the center of Gern!

Hawkeye frowned instinctively; he had never felt such a deathly coldness from Gern before.

Just as he was about to ask a question, Guern slowly turned his head.

Hawkeye's gaze met Gern's eyes.

Gone was the former high spirits, the playful banter, and the fervor of battle…

All that remained was a pure, unfathomable, cold, and silent killing intent!

Gern's lips moved slightly, his voice calm and still, yet carrying a chilling decisiveness.

"Back to the New World."

Chapter 315 'Tyrant'

Meanwhile, in a secluded place far from the center of the conflict, the headquarters of the Revolutionary Army, Baltigue.

Inside the cold, white stone-constructed conference room, Monkey D. Dragon sat alone at the head of the long table.

He leaned back in his chair, his eyes closed, but his furrowed brows and slightly trembling fingers betrayed his extreme inner turmoil.

The news that came when Ginny was kidnapped...

Bartholomew Schön's silence seemed to bear the weight of the world's sorrow and plea...

Ivankov's excited tone...

These images and sounds, like a nightmare, lingered and echoed in his mind day and night, tormenting his nerves.

It's not that he didn't want to save her! Ginny is also an important commander of the Revolutionary Army's Eastern Army, and a family member whom Kuma cherishes dearly!

For both public and private reasons, he desperately wanted to immediately mobilize all his forces to storm Mary Geoise and rescue the people!

Many radical cadres at headquarters have privately or publicly petitioned him to deploy forces.

Even if it means a direct conflict with the World Government, they will try to rescue Ginny.

but……

Dorrag clenched his fists in pain.

But... that's the World Government! A colossal machine that has occupied the pinnacle of the world for eight hundred years! And it even involves the Knights of God!

Could this be an elaborate trap?

A deadly conspiracy to use Ginny as bait to wipe out the newly emerging main force of the revolutionary army?

As the founder and commander-in-chief of the revolutionary army, he carried the weight of not just his own life on his shoulders.

Rather, it is the future of the entire organization, and the hope of countless comrades who believe in him and are willing to dedicate themselves to his ideals!

Therefore, he cannot... he absolutely cannot gamble with the very foundation of the revolutionary army because of his personal feelings and impulses!

To embark on a high-stakes gamble with slim chances of success, or even one that could lead to utter ruin!

He can't afford to gamble!

It's like a train apprehension question: are you going to run over one person or a group of people?

And the joystick was in the hands of Monkey D. Dragon.

Therefore, he could only suppress his inner torment and face the bear and Ivankov.

And the other cadres offered that weak and feeble promise: "I will find a way."

But what was the result?

More than ten days have passed.

He hid alone in this empty, cold conference room, claiming to be thinking about a comprehensive rescue plan, but in reality... he was just stalling.

He locked himself up, not to ponder any brilliant plan, but more to escape—to escape the expectant gaze of the bear.

To escape Ivankov was to escape the sense of powerlessness and guilt that arose from the "weighing" within oneself.

He knew that with every second that passed, Ginny's chances of being rescued diminished, and his inner guilt intensified.

But he still couldn't make the decision that could lead the revolutionary army to its destruction.

"Sigh..." A heavy sigh, filled with exhaustion and helplessness, slowly echoed in the empty conference room.

Dragon slowly opened his eyes, looking at the map on the table that marked the current territory of the Revolutionary Army, his expression extremely complicated.

"I think everyone will understand me..."

..........

On the other side, a certain country in the Grand Line, having been liberated, forced itself to immerse itself in the battlefield, thus scattering and venting its anger.

A battle had just ended, and a man was leaning against a broken wall.

At this moment, all the revolutionary soldiers who passed by looked at him with a hint of fear.

The bears' ferocity during the recent liberation battle showed them another side of themselves.

Not a gentle priest, but a... true 'tyrant'!!

But Xiong ignored the strange looks and just leaned against the broken wall.

He then took out the handkerchief Ginny had given him on his last campaign, intending to wipe the blood from his hands, but as he pulled out the handkerchief...

A small piece of paper that had been scattered out appeared before him and was tightly gripped in his huge hand.

The above is Ginny's messy yet still slightly playful handwriting.

[Little Bear, I'll tell you a secret next time I go back. But Little Bear is so dense, so I'll give you a hint first—it's "we"!]

"us".

This word struck like a thunderbolt, instantly shattering the barriers that the bear had built with silence and obedience.

His Ginny, the only warm and radiant sun in his life, was not only taken away, but their child was also...

A small life, embodying all the love and hope they had for each other amidst their suffering, was now also facing unimaginable danger.

Time seemed to stand still.

The cold stone walls of Mary Geoise, the silent tears of her parents as they were dragged away, the loneliness of self-exile, and the humble hope for the legendary drum of liberation, "Nika"...

All the fragments of memory spun wildly at that moment, and then shattered before those two words.

The hope of freedom? If even the people we love most cannot be protected, what meaning does that distant, ethereal 'freedom' have?

Waiting for a savior? Nika might be able to liberate the world, but will he be able to save his Ginny and his child in time?

The fear remained; the World Government's imprint was deep within his soul, a shadow stemming from his childhood as a slave.

But this time, a more primal, more violent emotion rose from the fear.

That was the rage of a father and a husband.

“We are, we are…” Xiong whispered, his voice hoarse but no longer trembling.

He lived in fear his whole life.

Fear of power, fear of loss, fear of death, fear of these inescapable shackles—that's why they keep running.

Immediately afterwards, Xiong suddenly pulled out the special small Den Den Mushi from his pocket.

"If I could, I wouldn't want to ever need to contact you again, Mr. Guern!"

Because right now, I am... truly, truly happy.

The words from back then still echo in my ears, but there's another saying...

"If one day you really lose something very important..."

"If you are unable to help yourself, use this to contact me."

“Mr. Guern…” Bear’s fingers gripped the Den Den Mushi tightly, an unprecedented resolute power filling his massive body.

"A father is not afraid!"