Chapter 60: Reframing Revolution: Embracing Trade Unionism

Doflamingo was taken aback by the unexpected revelation that the Donquixote Family's recent activities might be linked to him.

Although it had been twenty-eight years since those events, upon reflection, he realized that at this time, he was indeed recruiting soldiers and acquiring resources in North Blue. However, he hadn't paid much attention to the Lubni Kingdom back then, considering he had plundered numerous islands in North Blue.

As he pondered the implications, Doflamingo couldn't help but wonder if he had encountered Roja, the leader of the Revolutionary Army, in another world.

Reflecting on his own journey, Doflamingo acknowledged that he, too, had risen to prominence at a young age. Recognized by Torrebol and his group at the age of ten, he returned to North Blue and established a formidable pirate crew.

Similarly, Roja's path to leadership began after the destruction of the Krojashi Kingdom in his youth, propelling him onto a trajectory of deception and conquest.

"If there's indeed a connection between us, it's going to be quite troublesome," Doflamingo concluded with a sigh, realizing the potential complexities of their intertwined destinies.

Doflamingo furrowed his brow as he contemplated the situation. In this other world, by this point in time, the Donquixote Family under his command had already established significant power in North Blue. However, facing Roja, even someone as proud as Doflamingo couldn't help but feel uncertain about his chances.

"Nevertheless, it shouldn't pose a major problem. The Kingdom of Lubni is heavily guarded by Marines, making it unlikely for me in this other world to dedicate considerable effort to attacking here," Doflamingo reasoned.

"Roja and the Revolutionary Army's primary focus is still on the revolution. Their main adversaries are the world government and the Marines, and they're unlikely to confront pirate families like mine directly," he concluded after some deliberation.

Despite being a pirate, Doflamingo couldn't help but acknowledge the usefulness of Roja's multifaceted approach to problem-solving. Roja's ability to analyze situations and characters, distinguishing between primary and secondary enemies and targets, was admirable and worth emulating.

Meanwhile, Trafalgar Law expressed his hope for Doflamingo's demise at Roja's hands, though acknowledging the slim possibility given the strength of the Donquixote Family at this time.

Crane chimed in, noting that while the Donquixote Family wasn't weak, Doflamingo himself was still relatively young at this point in time.

Sengoku interjected, reminiscing about Rosinante, whom he had encountered in North Blue around this period.

Lindbergh expressed his lack of interest in the Donquixote Family, instead focusing on Roja's approach to the deadlock in the Lubni Kingdom. Many others shared his curiosity, as the kingdom was essentially a heavily guarded territory of the World Government. Any uprising would prompt an immediate influx of troops to quell it.

Roja had already analyzed the situation and concluded that it was a deadlock, a sentiment echoed by many observers. This was not a problem that could be resolved simply by addressing logistical issues.

"Donquixote Family," Roja muttered under his breath after hearing the team's report.

"Is there any additional information?" he inquired.

"Unfortunately, due to the recent occurrence, we haven't had sufficient time to gather more information. That's all for now. We'll continue to follow up and investigate," the team member responded.

"It's alright. This isn't your fault," Roja reassured them with a smile, gesturing for them not to blame themselves.

After some contemplation, Roja turned to Naguri and instructed, "Mr. Naguri, please go and thoroughly investigate this Donquixote Family."

The elite fighters of the Revolutionary Army were competent in combat, particularly in East Blue, but they were somewhat apprehensive about operating in North Blue, which was renowned for its chaos and formidable adversaries.

Furthermore, facing a pirate group of considerable strength like the Donquixote Family only added to their hesitation.

"I understand. Leave it to me. I'll make sure to investigate this so-called Donquixote Family thoroughly," Naguri replied confidently.

Naguri possessed a strong sense of self-assurance, backed by considerable strength even in the New World. While North Blue was chaotic, he regarded it as akin to East Blue in terms of challenge.

"In addition, since the area was previously known as a notorious illegal zone, I suggest investigating the black market. If possible, locate an arms dealer and gather contact information," Roja added.

"I'll take care of it," Naguri nodded in acknowledgement.

"Meanwhile, continue monitoring the port city," Roja instructed the other soldiers of the Revolutionary Army. "And remember, it's best to disguise yourselves during the investigation and exercise caution around the locals."

Since his conversation with the crow, Roja had become acutely aware that the locals in the port city might not necessarily align with their cause. Despite being victims of the coal incident in the Kingdom of Lubni, the workers in the steel factory coal mine and the local inhabitants had been intentionally divided.

Moreover, many individuals in the port city had previously worked as supervisors, and their interests were intertwined with those of the royal family.

Of course, this didn't imply that they were outright enemies but rather that they would instinctively prioritize the interests of the ruling class before fully aligning themselves with the revolution.

After organizing some tasks, Roja dismissed everyone.

"We're still a bit short on manpower," Roja mused, lightly rubbing his face.

By "manpower," Roja referred to individuals with considerable strength who could operate independently. The chaotic nature of this world, combined with the prevalence of formidable individual combatants, meant that strength was essential for survival.

Among their ranks, only two and a half individuals could be considered sufficiently strong: Dragon, Naguri, and Roja himself, who counted as half.

For tasks like investigating the Donquixote Family, Roja had to send Naguri out, as individual fighters from the Revolutionary Army were ill-equipped to face high-bounty pirates due to their limited training and weak foundations.

There were numerous other matters that Roja wanted to investigate, highlighting the need for additional capable individuals.

For instance, Roja needed to ascertain the specific strength of the Marines surrounding the Kingdom of Lubni, including the number of warships and their estimated arrival times. He also needed to assess the situation of islands within the kingdom's jurisdiction to determine if they could serve as retreat options following a successful uprising. Additionally, Roja needed to investigate whether the large grain merchants around Lubni could supply enough grain for tens of thousands of people.

All these tasks were fraught with danger. Simply sailing the seas of North Blue posed risks, as one needed the strength to fend off pirate attacks to ensure safe passage.

"Let's approach this step by step," Roja said, taking a moment to calm himself with a long sigh.

He felt the weight of the pressure on his shoulders. Unlike the situation in the Kingdom of Goya, where the royal family was weak, and the majority of the people were centrist, in Lubni, Roja bore responsibility for the lives of thousands of people amidst uncertain circumstances.

Furthermore, while he had been confident in his ability to overthrow the rule of the Goa Kingdom, even in the face of potential attacks from the World Government, he had been able to ensure the safety of rebels by retreating to the Korber Mountains.

The situation in the Lubni Kingdom was vastly different. A failed uprising would likely result in brutal suppression, with little hope for escape for those seeking evacuation.

The weight of responsibility, equivalent to the lives of over 100,000 people, pressed heavily on Roja's shoulders, yet he swiftly adapted. He possessed the spirit of revolutionary optimism, honed through his experiences.

Starting the revolution alongside Fujitora and establishing a country under the dictatorship of the proletariat in the Kingdom of Goa had bolstered Roja's confidence. Now, armed with a ship, adequate funds, and over a hundred elite cadres of the Revolutionary Army, including stalwarts like Naguri, Roja's position was considerably stronger than when he first ventured into East Blue.

Under the cover of night, Roja and Fujitora took flight from a high altitude, heading towards Coal and Iron City.

Throughout the day, Fujitora had been pondering a question, and as evening approached, he finally voiced his curiosity to Roja.

"Roja, why did you assign Mr. Naguri to investigate the Donquixote Family? They're just a North Blue pirate faction," Fujitora inquired.

Roja chuckled, pleased to provide an explanation to Fujitora's query.

"Firstly, reports from our comrades indicated that the Donquixote Family recently raided the port city. Whether it was mere plundering or targeted at the coal and steel resources here, their boldness suggests they're not overly intimidated by the presence of Marines, despite the substantial Marine presence around the Kingdom of Lubni."

"Secondly, during our time in North Blue, the Donquixote Family is the first pirate group I've encountered that has taken control of an island for development. This indicates that their leader possesses ambition and strategic acumen surpassing that of typical pirates."

"Thirdly, the fact that they've managed to seize and occupy a longstanding illegal zone suggests they possess considerable strength and prowess."

"While our information about them may be limited, these observations lead me to believe they're not to be underestimated. They're likely a formidable pirate group, far surpassing the typical North Blue pirates we've encountered thus far."

"As a significant pirate force in proximity to the Lubni Kingdom, they are, like us, natural adversaries of the Marines. I've been contemplating whether we can leverage this," Fujitora remarked thoughtfully.

Roja's expression turned serious as he responded, "Honestly, I'm also searching for a breakthrough. The situation in the Lubni Kingdom is dire, and the path to revolution is fraught with difficulties. Gathering more intelligence about this place is crucial."

"Then let's see if we can uncover any useful opportunities from this information," Fujitora suggested.

"Thank you, Roja," Fujitora expressed his gratitude, sensing the weight on Roja's shoulders. "If you need anything, just let me know."

"Don't worry, I will," Roja reassured him with a smile.

Later that day, they continued their labour in the coal mines. Despite the depths already reached, coal still remained abundant, leading them to wonder if the reserves were indeed endless.

"It would be a relief if the coal were to run out here," Fujitora commented as they toiled side by side.

The Lubni Kingdom boasted considerable coal wealth, yet only the royal family and nobles reaped its benefits. For the common people, life had not improved but rather became more challenging due to this abundant yet inaccessible resource.

Fujitora's emotions were stirred by this realization. Without coal, the environment here wouldn't be so detrimental to health. Without coal, the attention of the World Government wouldn't be as intense, and the uprising might have succeeded long ago.

"The first breakthrough point is right here," Roja's eyes gleamed with excitement upon hearing Fujitora's observation.

"What?" Fujitora inquired, intrigued by Roja's sudden enthusiasm.

"Although it's not certain yet, we can tentatively designate it as 'coal digging,'" Roja explained with a smile.

"Coal digging?" Fujitora's confusion deepened.

After a day's labour, Roja and Fujitora returned to their room. As the night grew darker, both of them sensed movement underground. Soon after, a two-meter-wide opening appeared in their room, and Roja and Fujitora wasted no time entering it.

Descending down the winding passage, they arrived in a vast underground space where the crow awaited them.

"How are you feeling?" Roja approached the crow, pulled out a chair, and sat down, wearing a gentle smile.

"I hope you can lead us in the revolution, please, Mr. Roja." The crow stood up and bowed deeply to Roja.

After pondering for a long time, the crow came to a realization. He understood that with his current capabilities, it was impossible to address the issues Roja had raised, and the success of the uprising seemed out of reach.

He reflected on the revolutionary guidance he had studied, observing the process of revolution in the Goa Kingdom. He read about comrades who had endured five years of hardship in a garbage dump, witnessing their journey from despair to overthrowing the aristocracy and claiming their rightful place as masters.

"I see," Roja acknowledged with a nod, his tone gentle yet resolute. "Sit down first. The revolution is not something that can be accomplished overnight. Let's take it step by step."

The soothing tone seemed to have a calming effect, and the crow complied, taking his seat.

Roja surveyed the room, a smile playing on his lips as he took in the presence of the crow, Morrie, and the thousands of oppressed comrades outside.

Though the enemy was formidable, there were also numerous comrades standing together.

A surge of confidence welled up within him. Who said the revolution couldn't succeed?

Revolutionaries always found a way, even if none seemed apparent. 

"The first step: gathering information about the steel plant," Roja declared, his demeanour shifting to one of seriousness. He retrieved pen and paper, addressing the crow. "I'll ask, and you provide the details."

As Roja posed one question after another, the crow responded with what information he had gathered. Some answers were detailed, while others were more general, but each exchange drove the investigation forward.

Time passed swiftly as the dialogue continued, with neither Roja nor the others feeling the weight of exhaustion despite the late hour.

Roja's inquiries were precise, his analyses sharp. Through this process, the crow and his comrades felt a glimmer of hope reigniting for their seemingly stalled uprising.

Despite being the leader of the workers' rebellion, the crow had amassed a significant amount of information, streamlining Roja's investigative efforts and bringing them closer to uncovering potential breakthroughs in their struggle.

Roja quickly summarized the information gathered, outlining the division between enemies and allies in their struggle.

"First, we identify our enemies and allies. The immediate enemies are the soldiers enforcing the blockade and the Marines suppressing the area. Our friends are the workers in the iron and steel factories, as well as those in the coal mines. The overseers, while not outright enemies, can potentially be persuaded to our cause," he explained.

"Understanding our allies and enemies, we can determine the goals of our revolution. From what I've gathered, there are two main groups among the workers: the natives and the slaves sent by the World Government," Roja continued.

"It's important to note that their motivations may differ. The slaves likely seek escape from this place and may resort to resistance and riots to achieve their goals," he concluded.

Roja's instructions were clear and direct as he assigned tasks to the crow.

"For the indigenous workers, especially those with families, negotiation might be more favourable. They may not want to leave their hometowns and seek only minor concessions from the World Government and the royal family. I need you to investigate this point thoroughly; it's crucial," Roja stated, his gaze firm as he looked at the crow, who nodded in acknowledgement.

"And before you begin these investigations, there's one more task for you," Roja continued, his voice unwavering.

"Just say what you want, and I will definitely do it," the crow responded seriously.

"Establish a trade union," Roja commanded, his voice resonating with authority.

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