Chapter 22: The Only Good News

[1] 『Bear, what kind of joke is this? Even that dangerous Sige-boy, assassinating [Celestial Dragons] is too risky! Does he want to attract [Marine Admirals]?』

[2] [Emporio Ivankov], suddenly hearing this conjecture, found it unbelievable.

[3] Compared to assassinating [Celestial Dragons], actions like burning the [Gray Terminal] or even overthrowing the entire [Goa Kingdom] seemed childish.

[4] The [Revolutionary Army] had overthrown multiple [World Government] affiliated nations.

[5] But assassinating [Celestial Dragons]... Unless the [Revolutionary Army] wanted open war with the [World Government], they wouldn't take such dangerous actions.

[6] 『Dragon, say something. Has Bear become more hostile towards [Celestial Dragons] after becoming [Seven Warlords of the Sea] and interacting more with the [World Government], hence thinking Sige-boy would assassinate [Celestial Dragons]...』

[7] [Ivankov] spoke at length but received no response from [Dragon].

[8] Turning around, he saw [Dragon] deep in thought.

[9] 『Dragon, you don't actually believe... Sige-boy would really assassinate [Celestial Dragons]?』 [Ivankov] asked in surprise.

[10] [Dragon] remained silent.

[11] Reason told him it was impossible.

[12] But recalling the [Bandit King] Sige's implications...

[13] The true [Mountain Bandit King] wouldn't just conquer [Mary Geoise], but even transform the entire world to create an unprecedented new era.

[14] If his goal was truly this grand... Then assassinating a [Celestial Dragon] in [East Blue] didn't seem too absurd?

[15] 『Continue observing.』

[16] [Dragon] sighed softly:

[17] 『It appears our [Revolutionary Army] must maintain focus on [Goa Kingdom].』

[18] ......

[19] In the mountain cabin.

[20] After [Dragon]'s group left, Sige sat alone in the room, contemplating for a long time.

[21] 『The golden thigh is gone. The current situation looks bad.』

[22] 『The exact suppression time remains unknown, but it's probably imminent.』

[23] Sige felt growing urgency.

[24] Even the [Revolutionary Army]'s powerful intelligence network couldn't fully grasp all [Marine] and [World Government] movements.

[25] He stood up and walked towards the door.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

[26] Pushing open the door, over two hundred pairs of eyes instantly focused on him, filled with excitement.

[27] 『Boss! The entire [Sige Bandit Group] is assembled! Please give us orders.』

[28] The bald bandit raised his arm, eliciting thunderous cheers from the crowd.

[29] 『Has Boss finished discussing with the revol... guests? Should we attack [Goa Kingdom] capital next?』

[30] 『Just give the order, Boss! We'll immediately assault [Goa Kingdom] capital and crown you king!』

[31] 『Fool! Boss' target is the [Mountain Bandit King]! How could he care about being king of some [Goa Kingdom]?』

[32] Sige looked headache-stricken at the suddenly excited bandits.

[33] 『You're all overthinking. I have no conspiracies.』

[34] Sige massaged his temples, speaking earnestly:

[35] 『The discussions with those... guests didn't reach agreement. Nothing happened, no cooperation whatsoever.』

[36] The two hundred bandits quieted momentarily.

[37] Before Sige could relax, he gaped as the bandits began nodding vigorously.

[38] 『Boss is right! We didn't cooperate with the revol... guests!』

[39] 『We have no plans, never saw any cloaked visitors.』

[40] 『Right! This is an unspeakable secret... no, a non-existent matter...』

[41] 『But Boss, if you have any secret orders, just tell us anytime!』

[42] The bandits chuckled, all wearing "I understand" expressions.

[43] Sige was momentarily speechless.

[44] If not for the impending suppression, he'd immediately disband these disobedient subordinates and lay low.

[45] Now that they'd attracted [World Government] attention, laying low was impossible. Disbanding would be self-crippling.

[46] Otherwise, would this legendary [Mountain Bandit King] have to smash entire [Marine] fleets with wine bottles?

[47] After a silent moment, Sige finally issued orders:

[48] 『Conserve energy during this period. Prepare for major combat. Also closely monitor [Marine] and [Goa Kingdom] movements.』

[49] Then recalling something, he glanced at the bald bandit: 『Absolutely no unnecessary actions. The [Sige Bandit Group] needs no further expansion.』

[50] 『Just intelligence gathering and combat preparation are sufficient.』

[51] Hearing this, the bandits grew more excited.

[52] 『There really is a major battle! Boss' big move is coming, though he can't reveal details yet.』

[53] 『Boss' target isn't just [Goa Kingdom] anymore - he's targeting the [Marines] too! I knew following Boss was right!』

[54] Watching these excited subordinates, Sige lost all desire to speak.

[55] An inexplicable irritation arose.

[56] The plot had already changed significantly through his intentional and unintentional actions.

[57] [World Government] attention, [Marine] mobilization, [Revolutionary Army]'s early involvement... and these disobedient subordinates.

[58] This [Goa Kingdom] turmoil would likely surpass the original timeline's fire incident.

[59] 『The only good news is [Garp]'s arrival was delayed.』

[60] 『Hopefully [Garp] keeps being late until the suppression ends.』

[61] Sige sighed softly.

[62] ......

[63] On the sparkling sea, Vice Admiral [Garp]'s battleship with giant dog-head prow echoed with his booming shouts.

[64] 『All because of that bastard [Red-Haired Shanks] wasting my precious time... My carefully planned training regimen for Luffy will be delayed!』

[65] They had just received orders from [Marine Headquarters] to abort their original mission and return immediately.

[66] Combined with the earlier delay chasing [Red-Haired Pirates], little time remained for [Garp].

[67] Seeing [Garp]'s reaction, nearby officers secretly rejoiced for Luffy.

[68] 『Vice Admiral [Garp]'s grandson... Congratulations on escaping this ordeal...』

[69] 『What are you muttering?』

[70] [Garp] seemed to hear the officers' whispers and shouted:

[71] 『That's my grandson! How could I abandon him?』

[72] 『But we have no time... If we don't change course immediately...』

[73] An officer reminded.

[74] [Garp] clenched his fists, recalling his recent encounter with [Red-Haired Pirates].

[75] At that time, [Shanks] had lost his iconic straw hat and expressed high hopes for Luffy...

[76] 『Even without time to personally train Luffy, I can't leave him in that peaceful [Windmill Village]. Who knows which pirate he might encounter!』

[77] 『Better leave him with mountain bandit [Dadam]. Safer than pirates - won't corrupt him.』

[78] [Garp] tightened his fists and strode towards the deck.

[79] 『Bring me cannonballs!』