Chapter 182 – Start by Liberating Slaves!
Ryuunosuke's words broke the silence, pulling Dragon out of his thoughts as he observed the Dragon Hunter Pirates.
Only then did Dragon remember why he had come here in the first place.
"Ryuunosuke," he began, "I know you're not the type to join the Revolutionary Army. You've built an incredible pirate crew—and I respect that."
"But I came because of the concept you had Sabo relay to us last time."
Ryuunosuke gave a light nod.
He understood why Dragon had come.
Indeed, if viewed through the lens of ordinary thinking, this idea was difficult to grasp—especially in a world where the aristocratic system had been deeply entrenched for centuries.
It was no surprise that a concept like his would spark resistance the moment it challenged the power of the elite.
And with the Revolutionary Army's limited resources and shaky foothold, pushing such revolutionary ideas forward would be even more difficult.
That was likely the real reason Dragon had come to see him personally.
"Uncle Dragon, some problems really are simple when you look at them clearly," Ryuunosuke said calmly.
"In the end, there is no construction without destruction."
"Anything so deeply rooted is bound to be powerful. But you call yourselves a revolutionary army—for revolution and innovation, you have to act like it."
"So what are you so afraid of?"
His words were blunt but honest.
The strategy of influencing from the bottom up—starting with the civilians—had already proven successful elsewhere.
Back in his original world, Great China had implemented this exact policy, and its development had soared.
If such a model worked there, why wouldn't it work here?
In fact, it might exceed all expectations.
"You're right. The regions where we've tested this approach have all responded well," Dragon admitted, frowning slightly.
"But there's a serious problem..."
"When we enter a new area, we struggle to earn the civilians' trust."
"If we come in by force and topple the local nobility, the people just see us as a new noble class."
"In that case, our message can't spread. It gets blocked at the source."
It wasn't a lack of desire to change.
The real issue was perception. Even if they overthrew tyrants, the people often lumped them in with the rest of the elites.
And the common folk—conditioned by generations of servitude—lacked the spirit or courage to rise up.
They couldn't yet imagine themselves as the masters of their own land.
This, above all, was the core dilemma.
"Yeah… that's not an easy hurdle to clear," Ryuunosuke murmured.
Once rigid thinking set in, only a major catalyst—something deeply emotional or symbolic—could break through.
Even if the Revolutionary Army seized control of smaller nations, to the average civilian it was nothing more than changing one ruler for another.
Their revolutionary ideals had no room to take root.
"All you have to do," a calm voice interrupted, "is build up your reputation."
Everyone turned. It was Chrollo, approaching with a small grin.
"Civilians are the easiest group to sway."
"They have no firm beliefs, no guiding convictions. All they care about is immediate benefit."
"So make the Revolutionary Army known. Let the world see what you're doing—make them believe you're their salvation."
"Then use that perception. Let them want to follow you."
"Reputation?" Dragon echoed, skeptical.
"And how exactly do we improve that? Our current situation is already precarious. The World Government's influence is massive. We don't have the luxury of time."
"Chrollo, do you have something in mind?" Ryuunosuke asked.
As the leader of the Phantom Troupe, Chrollo was a master strategist. If anyone could come up with something unconventional and effective, it was him
"It's not a grand plan," Chrollo said, smirking.
"But think about where we are right now."
"The Sabaody Archipelago—right under the World Government's nose. Close to the Red Line. Practically in the shadow of Mariejois."
"Anything we do here will be noticed."
"Add in some journalist exposure, and we'll have the world's attention in no time."
"Then ask yourself this: what do civilians really want?"
"Peace and stability," Dragon replied. "Food, shelter, clothing... basic needs."
"Exactly," Chrollo nodded. "But there's something else. Something more powerful."
"Independence of the soul."
"If you want to awaken that spark in the people, then you should start with a slave liberation movement."
"It happened in my homeland too—and it changed everything.
Ryuunosuke nodded in agreement.
Of all the causes that could shake a person to their core, nothing was more powerful than breaking free from slavery.
He had seen it with his own eyes—rescuing slaves from ships and watching them go from lifeless husks to people with fire in their eyes.
That shift—that awakening—was the very essence of revolution.
"Sabaody Archipelago, huh…" Dragon muttered. "But if—"
"If you're always afraid of what's ahead, you'll never achieve anything."
Ryuunosuke cut him off with a serious look.
"Don't talk to me about fear. You're here to start a revolution, aren't you?"
"I know that," Dragon sighed.
"But with ideals like yours… are you sure you won't consider joining the Revolutionary Army?"
"If you did, I'd gladly let you—"
"Uncle Dragon. Stop right there."
Ryuunosuke interrupted him flatly.
He had no interest in joining the Revolutionary Army.
His dream was to make his pirate crew the strongest force on the sea—a force that no world government could control.
"We're throwing a banquet," he said casually, changing the topic.
"Eat, drink, rest, and get ready."
"When the slave trade on Sabaody vanishes, you'll have more reputation than you know what to do with."
"Those slaves… give them a homeland, a town to call their own. That will be your greatest form of propaganda."
With that, he passed Dragon a jug of wine.
Dragon had wanted time to process everything that had been said… but it seemed that wasn't an option.
Instead, he found himself swept up into the banquet.
That same night, Dragon contacted the four major commanders of the Revolutionary Army—Ivankov, Sabo, and the others.
He instructed them to immediately begin organizing a slave liberation operation.
They wouldn't do something as reckless as storming Mariejois like Fisher Tiger had once done.
But targeting the largest hub of the slave trade—the Sabaody Archipelago—was a perfect first step.
The banquet lasted three full days.
Afterward, the Dragon Hunter Pirates set sail, heading for Fishman Island.
Sabo and his squad were due to arrive within two days.
Even in delicate matters like this, the Revolutionary Army wasted no time.
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