“Marshal, shall we withdraw?”
After waiting for a full two days, not only the outside world but also many soldiers and generals within the Xuanwu Navy were filled with doubt.
Why, after destroying the World Government, were they not returning home to celebrate?
Instead, they had been waiting here for two full days, maintaining a state of high alert.
Many people, including civilians and various forces across the land, were puzzled.
So, Bai Qi approached Benedict and offered his suggestion.
Bai Qi was aware of the threat posed by the Tree Spirit and Im, but simply waiting around was not a solution.
At sea, despite ample supplies, they could wander for ten days to half a month without issue.
However, this could easily cause internal unrest.
Benedict listened, then fell silent for a moment before stepping outside the ship's cabin.
“Have they still not dared to show themselves?”
“This is truly troublesome.”
Having gathered so many troops and waited for two days without the Tree Spirit or Im appearing to cause any disruption, Benedict felt a sense of helplessness.
Did they really need to disperse and try to lure them out again?
Pondering this, Benedict subsequently gave the order: “Let’s return.”
The Marshal nodded, turned, and left to relay the notification.
The massive fleet set sail, beginning to move away from the land devastated by war.
As the fleet returned, the soldiers who had been holding back their suppressed emotions for days could no longer contain themselves and erupted in cheers.
Benedict smiled upon hearing the cheers from below.
After all, the World Government had been destroyed. With only the rogue elements of the Tree Spirit and Im remaining, though they still posed a considerable threat, the overall situation was no longer in jeopardy.
Therefore, this was a true victory.
Cheers, jubilation…
It was only natural.
Not only them, but also the various forces and common people across the world who had suffered under the World Government’s oppression felt the same.
“Marshal Benedict.”
Monkey D. Dragon approached Benedict and said with a smile.
“With the World Government gone, your revolutionary cause can truly flourish.”
“Why come to me at a time like this, instead of presiding over the grand affairs?”
Even though the World Government was gone, the darkness in this world was too pervasive, and too many people were oppressed.
For these people, whose spines had been bent by hardship, to stand tall and overthrow the rule of the slave owners, external support was still needed.
In this regard, the Xuanwu Navy could offer assistance, but they could not interfere excessively.
At most, they could establish police stations in local areas.
The local environment and politics still required some force or kingdom to govern.
Otherwise, the Xuanwu Navy’s gradual growth and expansion would simply become another World Government.
One dynasty ruling the world might seem like a significant achievement.
But that was all it would be.
The Xuanwu Navy had no need for such a path; ensuring the peace of the seas was sufficient.
“How do you intend to handle Im and the Tree Spirit?” Monkey D. Dragon inquired.
How could Monkey D. Dragon not understand the threat posed by the Tree Spirit and Im?
He had waited for two days. Although his subordinates were perplexed and voiced their opinions, Monkey D. Dragon had suppressed them, instructing the commanders of each unit to appease them and quietly accompany Benedict in waiting.
Although, with his own strength, he was utterly incapable of confronting Im and the Tree Spirit.
Yet, he did not wish to depart at this juncture.
The more direct reason was that he also feared the fatal threat that the Tree Spirit and Im might pose to them if they were isolated.
“How to handle them?”
“How else can they be handled?”
“We wait for them to come out, then we can capture them.”
Benedict spread his hands and chuckled.
Monkey D. Dragon heard this and couldn't help but fall silent.
Indeed, if they didn't come out, how could they be captured?
They had to be lured out.
But no one knew who would become the target of a surprise attack.
“Are you scared?” Benedict asked, looking at the silent Monkey D. Dragon with a smile.
“If you are afraid, why not come and hide with me?”
“After all, your father and your son are already with us.”
Monkey D. Dragon chuckled at this, then turned to leave, saying, “Forget it, I still have my mission.”
“As for everything else, let fate decide.”
With that, Monkey D. Dragon transformed into a gust of wind and departed.
Benedict glanced after him, then his mind drifted to the matter of the Final Island.
Was this also considered a mission?
With the World Government gone, was the truth from eight hundred years ago still relevant?
Rayleigh knew the answer, and Jabra knew the answer.
But that answer, with the destruction of the World Government, was now merely of archeological value.
Another ten days passed.
The massive fleet of the Xuanwu Navy returned to the Xuanwu Navy headquarters in the East Blue.
The victory celebration was in full swing.
Concurrently, all Xuanwu Navy personnel were granted leave.
Those involved in daily patrols and other duties were prioritized for time off.
There were battles ongoing in various regions, but the threat of the World Government was gone.
Eager to return home, the soldiers acted according to their own plans and became active.
Their strength was such that they would not be weak anywhere.
Benedict was not worried about them not returning after their leave.
Nor was he concerned about them being killed after leaving the ranks.
The harsh realities of life always made people bow their heads.
But the protective Xuanwu Navy would make those who dared to provoke their dignity pay with their lives.
Aside from the Xuanwu Navy, the Revolutionary Army also truly began to act with unbridled freedom.
Dynasties ruled by tyrants suffered heavy blows.
The rebels were steadily encroaching on territories, winning over the hearts of the people, and spreading new values.
Therefore, the Revolutionary Army was also very busy.
And also in great danger.
For there had already been considerable casualties.
Especially among Devil Fruit users.
The leave, the relaxed regulations, were merely bait.
Before this, all surviving Devil Fruit users had become the focus of Benedict’s attention.
Starting from the fifth day of the Xuanwu Navy’s holiday, Devil Fruit users began to disappear one after another.
For instance, Bartholomew Kuma, who possessed the Nikyu Nikyu no Mi, was killed.
Ivankov the Okama King and Betty were instantly killed during an operation, right before the eyes of the onlookers.
The assailants were never seen.
All that was known was that a beam of light emerged from a spatial rift and took their lives.
This was not just happening to the Revolutionary Army.
It was also occurring within the Xuanwu Navy.
Benedict had bestowed a Flying Thunder God Technique seal upon every Devil Fruit user.
He had also instructed them to contact him if they detected anything amiss.
However, even with this precaution, when Benedict used the Flying Thunder God to transfer, it was too late.
He was unable to teleport to the recipient's side, and the killer had already escaped.
As a result, the Xuanwu Navy had lost four Devil Fruit users to assassination.
The Revolutionary Army had also suffered a loss of four Devil Fruit users.