After understanding Monkey D. Dragon's journey, Benedict gave him a thumbs-up.
He had to admit, surviving Im's assassination and reaching this place was truly remarkable.
"You are truly brave."
"That you could both escape the clutches of death and arrive here."
Monkey D. Dragon was not pleased by Benedict's words.
The Revolutionary Army's high-ranking combat power had suffered heavy losses.
The reason they sought refuge at Xuanwu Navy Headquarters was out of desperation.
Fortunately, Im had not attacked the lower ranks, so despite the significant losses among the Revolutionary Army's high command, its operations were still proceeding vigorously.
After all, only Devil Fruit users had fallen.
Other martial arts experts and sword masters were still steadfastly carrying out their missions.
This was also why Monkey D. Dragon was willing to risk great danger to come to Xuanwu Navy Headquarters and seek Benedict's protection.
"Actually, if you wanted to seek refuge, you could have just said so, and I would have personally come to bring you here, or sent someone to pick you up."
Benedict was not joking.
At least on the matter of dealing with Im, their goals were aligned.
"Since you are here, then stay here properly."
"However, before that, I need to leave something on you."
"Don't worry, this is to protect you, and it will allow me to arrive by your side at any moment."
Monkey D. Dragon and Karas did not refuse, and Benedict proceeded to leave the Flying Thunder God mark on them.
All the Devil Fruit users had gathered today.
Their current activity range was within Xuanwu Navy Headquarters.
If Im wanted to assassinate these individuals, it would undoubtedly cause a stir.
Furthermore, within this area, if Im dared to appear, Benedict would be able to sense it immediately.
However, this was still not completely safe.
Therefore, Benedict decided to leave a clone to operate outside while he himself remained hidden.
Not only that, Benedict also began to operate very conspicuously outside, even openly taking the Great Tengu Kiyokaze into the Land of Extreme Evil.
"Marshal, regarding the Final Island, most of the intelligence I've gathered indicates that it hides all the treasures collected by Roger."
"However, given your emphasis on it and the environmental changes in the Land of Extreme Evil, it's likely not that simple, is it?"
Great Tengu Kiyokaze flew along with Benedict's clone and said.
"Final Island."
"You say it holds infinite treasures? That's definitely false."
"The Roger Pirates were indeed very strong during that era."
"However, their members, their purpose, was more about exploration than plunder."
"A pirate crew that only explored and made their name famous throughout the world, how much treasure do you think they would have?"
Benedict's interest in Final Island had never been about the amount of treasure there.
What he cared about was what secrets Final Island held.
Yes, secrets.
A secret that all members of the Roger Pirates were willing to guard even unto death.
Even under his pressure, Rayleigh only revealed secrets that could be told.
There were many more secrets he had not divulged.
Since they were unwilling to speak, he would go and see for himself.
After destroying the Celestial Dragons, the Final Island, which the system had previously refused to mark, finally appeared on the map.
Initially, Benedict had given up and no longer cared about the truth.
But now, in order to lure Im out.
And also to conveniently see what was there, he had come.
Benedict believed that by entering the Land of Extreme Evil and appearing to be trapped within,
Even if Sakata Gintoki and the other Devil Fruit users were gathered together, they would surely intervene.
After all, hunting Devil Fruit users could make the Tree Spirit stronger.
"The fact is, some people believed it, so they made every effort to search in that direction."
"And some people, purely because they are evil, go out to sea just to more conveniently unleash their inner wickedness."
"Even more so, this is something that the upper echelons of the World Government need to see."
"It's all for the convenience of their rule."
"This 'raising gu' concept, that's what it means, isn't it?"
Great Tengu Kiyokaze had his own understanding.
As an intelligence officer, his role was primarily to collect, analyze, and summarize.
Therefore, his perspective on people and events was different from others.
"Your understanding is completely correct."
"This world is indeed a world of 'raising gu'."
"All races other than the Celestial Dragons are the 'gu' raised by the World Government."
"However, this alliance of the World Government is also a 'gu' raised by the Five Elders."
"Merely a controlled puppet."
"But what is even more shocking and interesting is that everyone in this world, including the Five Elders and Im, might be a 'gu' raised by someone else."
"Until this raised 'gu' poses a threat to the one who raised it, it will be eliminated by the raiser."
Benedict felt that he had grasped the pattern of this world.
Layer upon layer, all of it was intentionally orchestrated by others.
Upon hearing this, Great Tengu Kiyokaze revealed a thoughtful expression.
After a while, he finally understood and said, "Marshal, you mean if Im dies, we will face even stronger enemies?"
"Where are they?"
"Why is there no relevant intelligence information in the reports from all over the world?"
In Great Tengu Kiyokaze's view, the World Government was Xuanwu Navy's greatest adversary.
And Im and the Tree Spirit were the strongest enemies they faced.
He found it difficult to comprehend where else in this world there could be even stronger enemies.
"If it were that easy for you to guess, then far too many people would have been erased from this world."
"Of course, it's not entirely like that."
"Perhaps there will be new developments too."
Benedict pondered for a moment, then smiled and said.
The unknown future, while allowing for countless bizarre speculations,
The outcome was often bleak and desperate.
This was simply because they were weaker, knowing the truth but powerless to resist, and constantly suppressed.
"We've arrived!"
The system provided a prompt, and a flashing red dot appeared right where they were.
However, this location was a vast expanse of ocean, with nothing visible.
Benedict did not doubt the system's capabilities, so there must be secrets here that he was unaware of.
After a moment of thought, Benedict descended and entered the seawater.
Great Tengu Kiyokaze followed closely.
At this very moment, the scene changed.