Chapter 16: Marine's Defection: The Vanished Admiral

The Whitebeard Pirates hold the upper hand, and all their key members are currently assembled in Sphinx.

When it comes to working together, the Whitebeard Pirates have always been the most united.

After quickly ensuring everyone is on the same page, the Whitebeard Pirates anxiously await the moment to respond.

The chat room is crowded, and there are only a few choices for answers.

Ultimately, success depends on luck and how quickly questions are answered.

It's not just the Whitebeard Pirates who share this perspective right now.

Even on the Thousand Sunny, the Straw Hat Pirates have swiftly figured out each other's choices.

They are all in sync, with everyone joining the chat room. The current number of members ensures that someone can select all possible answers.

However, the final reward depends on luck.

As for the Kingdom of Kamabaka...

At the moment, Dragon was deep in thought.

Considering it from the Revolutionary Army's standpoint, Dragon pondered which sea area Monkey D. Roja would primarily explore.

In fact, if we expand the timeframe to ten or twenty years, Dragon has a notion.

The spot where the Revolutionary Army leaders spend the most time would undoubtedly be the Revolutionary Army headquarters.

Regarding the headquarters selection, Dragon is leaning towards placing it in paradise.

No matter how many times you make the choice.

Paradise refers to the first half of the Grand Line.

This sea area is crucial as it connects the New World and the four seas, providing the flexibility to return to any of the four seas through the Upside Down Mountain.

Furthermore, the World Government's grip on Paradise is somewhat weaker compared to the Four Seas. If the headquarters is situated here, the chances of being discovered are relatively low.

As for the New World, Dragon doesn't even consider it.

The New World's environment is too harsh, and its isolation poses a significant challenge.

The sole means of returning to the four seas is through the Calm Belt, and traversing the Fish-Man Island at the bottom of the 10,000-meter seabed is perilous.

If he were Roja, Dragon believes the headquarters should be in Paradise.

Of course, this is assuming Roja swiftly concludes the research and establishes the Revolutionary Army's headquarters.

If the research takes an extended period, there's a high chance of selecting one of the East, West, North, and South Blue seas. Dragon leans towards the North Blue.

The North Blue is the most hostile among the four seas, with turbulent magnetic fields, currents, and air flows. It's nearly as perilous as the Grand Line.

Moreover, this sea area has the least control exerted by the World Government among the four seas.

The tumultuous North Blue seems like a strategic choice for the Revolutionary Army to harness the power of the world's masses.

Even Dragon himself spent the most time in North Blue, considering its advantages.

"My choice is North Blue and the first half of the Grand Line," Dragon stated.

Those in attendance were all key members of the Revolutionary Army, and quite a few had joined the chat room.

In this instance, Dragon made a concerted effort to make sure every answer had a participant, then concentrated on advocating for the choice he favored.

As for the New World option, Dragon didn't really want to consider it, believing it to be the most unlikely choice.

But Koala, known for her decisive character, ultimately chose the New World, closing the final gap.

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In a moment, everyone made their choices as swiftly as possible.

[The answers are in, and the correct choice is 6, New World.]

[The correct choices are Koala, Silver Rayleigh, and Aokiji.]

[Koala receives a reward: a random resurrection card.]

(Note 1: After receiving the random number resurrection card, a specific number of years will be randomly assigned, with a guaranteed minimum of ten years.)

(Note 2: The resurrection card with a random number of years can only be used for revival, and any extra years cannot be converted into lifespan.)

[Silver Rayleigh receives a reward, becoming twenty years younger.]

[Aokiji receives a reward, and the potion is significantly enhanced. After usage, it can heal all bodily injuries, and the surplus energy enhances overall physical fitness.]

Upon the announcement of the question-and-answer rewards, everyone became excited.

Increased lifespan, a resurrection card, and comprehensive strength enhancement.

These three rewards practically fulfil the primary desires of over 99% of people worldwide.

The elderly desire longevity, the living crave strength, and the undead yearn for resurrection.

Aokiji: Well, I didn't think just picking one would lead to victory. Now, my injured leg can finally be restored.

Garp: Congratulations, Aokiji. When will you return to the Marines?

Aokiji: I'm sorry, Mr. Garp, but I'm still uncertain at the moment.

Sengoku: There will always be a place for you on the Marine side.

Zephyr: Words are more powerful than a song, Sengoku. The current Marine is nothing but a lapdog for the World Government. Kuzan, why not join my newly formed Marine?

The top brass of the Marine are in disarray.

Meanwhile, in a sea area in the New World.

On the icy sea, Aokiji, seated on his bicycle, examined a bottle of light blue potion in his hand.

It materialized instantly after the reward distribution.

"Is this a comprehensive strengthening potion? I wonder how miraculous its effects are. It would be great if it could mend a broken leg."

Aokiji patted his left leg.

His left leg was shattered during the battle with Akainu for the position of Marshal.

It's not just the calf; the entire knee and calf are gone. Even with a prosthetic leg made of ice, his mobility is severely limited.

Being able to repair his leg is a significant relief. As for other strength enhancements, Aokiji doesn't have high expectations because his current physical fitness is already very robust.

Contemplating this, Aokiji consumed the potion in his hand.

His entire body warmed up for a moment, akin to soaking in a hot spring, accompanied by intense itching, particularly on the severed limb.

However, this sensation lasted only briefly.

Before Aokiji could respond, his left leg was fully restored.

Moreover, as Aokiji moved his body, he sensed a significant improvement in his overall physical fitness.

His physical fitness is at a monstrous level, granting him the strength to contend with a formidable opponent of the same calibre for ten days and nights.

Now, his physical fitness has seen further enhancement.

Given another confrontation with Akainu, Aokiji is confident in his ability to emerge victorious. Such is the potency of the comprehensive strengthening potion.

With just a potion bottle, the combat power of an admiral level, already at the pinnacle of the seas, takes another step forward and becomes even stronger.

However, after a brief moment of excitement, Aokiji's expression regained its composure.

Yet, he pondered, "So what if I become stronger?"

Returning to compete with Akainu for the position of Marshal is out of the question for him.

Strength is not the most crucial factor in Aokiji's current state of confusion. His perception of himself and the world is utterly muddled.

"I can't find my direction in life," he reflects.