Elior had killed the Revolutionary Army's second-in-command, and judging by Sabo's position within their ranks, it was certain the entire Revolutionary Army now loathed him.
Of course, Elior couldn't let them go either.
To him, the Revolutionary Army was nothing more than a band of troublemakers. With their current strength, the idea of overthrowing the Celestial Dragons was nothing but wishful thinking.
After all, their power had limits.
While the overall might of the Revolutionary Army was comparable to that of a Yonko crew, could even one Yonko truly topple the rule of the Celestial Dragons?
That day, Elior led a strike force of his own.
Shiryu, Crocodile, Weevil, Law, Urouge, Cavendish, and of course, hundreds of soldiers from the Germa.
This operation wasn't aimed at facing Dragon directly, so there was no need to deploy his entire force.
The intelligence report confirmed that Dragon hadn't joined the liberation of this particular nation—only two Revolutionary Commanders had been dispatched.
But even if Dragon had been present, Elior felt it wouldn't matter. If necessary, he would simply destroy them all.
Elior never once believed Dragon's strength could match his own—not even Garp's could.
That was Elior's confidence.
Elsewhere in the New World, the Kingdom of Gothia had fallen into chaos. Stirred up by the Revolutionary Army, the oppressed citizens had risen against their tyrannical king.
To lead the revolution, two commanders had been sent: Morley and Belo Betty.
Belo Betty possessed the terrifying ability to inspire. With just a few words from atop a platform, she could rouse the fighting spirit of thousands, giving ordinary citizens the courage to resist and fight.
Her importance to the Revolutionary Army was undeniable. She was their spirit, their rallying flame. In times of despair, Betty could ignite the will of the troops and keep their cause alive.
Now, the citizens of Gothia, inspired by her words, marched with weapons in hand, shouting for freedom.
"For freedom and happiness!"
"For freedom and happiness!"
Their voices thundered as thousands surged forward. Revolutionary Army soldiers looked on with pride. Another tyrant's reign would fall today, and their movement would claim yet another victory.
Under Betty's encouragement, the assault on the palace began.
The frightened king trembled within his fortress, cursing the Revolutionary Army yet powerless to resist.
An hour later, the palace fell. Amid roaring cheers, the king and his family's heads were raised high on pikes. A tyrannical nation had been erased, and under the banner of the Revolution, a new order was to be born.
"Betty, this one went smoothly. No strong defenders at all" Morley said with a grin.
"Yes" Betty replied, "but we still have a long road ahead of us, Morley."
Morley nodded. "A long road indeed."
Then came a voice, lazy yet cold.
"Long? You don't have that much time left."
The figures of Elior and his crew appeared before them.
The moment Betty and Morley laid eyes on him, their faces drained of color. To the citizens, it was like staring at a demon.
"It's the Yonko, Elior!"
"No way! Why would a Yonko appear here of all places?!"
"It's over… what are we supposed to do?!"
Fear spread like wildfire. Few in the New World did not tremble before the Yonko. And Elior stood at the very peak.
Morley's innocent smile was gone, replaced with dread. Betty's face hardened with rage.
"Betty, we're in trouble. He came here for us. There's nothing in this country worth his time otherwise."
"Maybe" Betty growled, glaring at Elior, "but I don't care. He killed Sabo. He's our enemy!"
Elior raised his hand, and his subordinates instantly understood.
"Let the fun begin."
Shiryu, Crocodile, Weevil, and the others surged forward. The Revolutionary soldiers had no choice but to fight, though their morale was already shattered in Elior's presence.
If Elior had unleashed his conqueror haki, most of them would've collapsed outright. But this was a time for his men to shine.
"Fight to the death!" Betty cried, unleashing her ability to stir courage.
But before the words could take root, Elior was already upon her.
His fist buried itself in her stomach, launching her like a cannonball into the ruins of a building.
"Betty!" Morley screamed, panic filling his voice—only to be intercepted by Shiryu and Weevil. Against them both, his odds were grim.
Betty gasped in agony, barely conscious, her frail body broken. She was no warrior, only a spark of inspiration. Elior hadn't even used his full strength—otherwise she'd already be dead.
He spared her for one reason:
Her value.
Alive, she could be forced to reveal what Elior truly wanted—the location of the Revolutionary Army's headquarters.