The next morning, Pudding brought Koala, who had undergone her conditioning, to Saint Lloyd.
The moment Koala saw him, she immediately bowed her head and greeted him respectfully. "Saint Lloyd."
Saint Lloyd observed her closely. Her expression appeared somewhat dull, lacking the lively emotional range she had displayed the previous day.
From the side, Pudding explained, "Saint Lloyd, the volume of information I implanted was quite extensive. She is still slightly disoriented. After another night of rest, her condition should stabilize and appear far more natural."
Saint Lloyd gave a faint nod, a slight smile forming. "That is acceptable. This level is sufficient. In any case, Luffy and his group will meet her tonight. They will not immediately notice anything unusual."
He then turned his gaze toward Lucia. "Lucia, how long until the fleet reaches the waters near Gott Island?"
Lucia responded promptly, "We will arrive in the surrounding sea region tonight. However, Saint Lloyd, our fleet is too large. If we approach too closely, Luffy and his crew may detect us."
Saint Lloyd considered briefly before replying, "A valid concern. When the time comes, I will use my Devil Fruit ability to lift the entire fleet into the clouds. Inform the personnel below in advance to prevent unnecessary panic."
"Yes, Saint Lloyd."
Saint Lloyd shifted his attention back to Koala. "Maintain communication with Luffy's group. Ensure the exchange of supplies proceeds without issue tomorrow."
"Yes, Saint Lloyd."
...
The following night, along the shores of Gott Island, three pitch-black submarines surfaced silently from the depths.
Moments later, Luffy, Lindbergh, and several others emerged alongside members of the Revolutionary Army. After carefully surveying their surroundings, they began moving toward a modest structure near the shoreline.
This location had once belonged to the Alvida Pirates but had since been taken over by the Revolutionary Army and repurposed as a covert base.
Upon arrival, the lower-ranking soldiers were ordered to stand guard outside. Meanwhile, Lindbergh, several high-ranking officers, and Luffy's group entered a small building within the compound.
Once inside, Kildeo retrieved a Den Den Mushi from his mechanical arm and placed it at the center of the table. Everyone gathered around, their attention fixed on it. After a period of silence, Lindbergh spoke first.
"Kildeo, it is getting late. Why has Koala not made contact yet?"
Kildeo replied calmly, "Naval patrols have intensified across these waters. Although Koala's fleet is disguised as merchant vessels, discovery would still pose significant risks. She has likely been forced to alter her route repeatedly. A delay is to be expected."
Lindbergh nodded. "Once she arrives, complete the transfer immediately. Under current conditions, every extra second at sea increases the danger."
"Understood. I had Hark scout the surrounding area over the past few days. He detected no Marine presence. For now, this base remains relatively secure."
"That is reassuring."
Nearby, Luffy, Nami, and the others sat quietly, listening to the discussion without interruption.
Suddenly, a loud rumbling sound broke the silence.
All eyes turned toward Luffy.
He frowned slightly, rubbing his stomach. "I am starving..."
The food aboard the submarine had already been depleted the previous day. Given Luffy's enormous appetite, the two pieces of bread he had eaten since then were nowhere near sufficient.
Seeing this, Lindbergh immediately turned to the leaders of the other submarines. "Do any of you still have food remaining?"
Axiu, Vice Commander of the East Army, responded, "Most of my unit consists of women with smaller appetites. We still have some supplies left."
"That is excellent. Have everything brought here at once. Let Luffy eat until he is satisfied."
Luffy's combat strength was indispensable. In such a volatile situation, ensuring he remained in peak condition was a priority. The other Revolutionary Army officers understood this clearly and voiced their agreement.
Axiu quickly left to arrange the transfer.
Soon, a sizable pile of food was stacked inside the room. Without hesitation, Luffy dove into it and began devouring everything in sight with relentless enthusiasm.
The others watched in silence.
As the mountain of food visibly shrank at an alarming rate, the leaders of the other submarines exchanged looks of both admiration and disbelief, directing them toward Lindbergh.
That Luffy's submarine had managed to sustain itself this long was nothing short of remarkable.
While Luffy continued eating, the Den Den Mushi suddenly began to vibrate.
Lindbergh reacted instantly, appearing beside it in a flash and answering the call.
Koala's voice came through clearly. "Approaching Gott Island shortly."
Relief spread through the room. Lindbergh steadied himself before responding, "Understood. We will head to the western shore to meet you."
Koala did not reply and ended the call immediately.
No one found this unusual. Minimizing Den Den Mushi usage was critical. With Marine Headquarters and Cipher Pol forces active across the seas, intercepted communications could lead to disaster.
These individuals had been operating under constant pressure, where even the smallest misstep could prove fatal.
Luffy, his mouth stuffed with meat, nodded toward Lindbergh, signaling he was full.
Soon after, Lindbergh and the others exited the building, assembled the troops outside, and moved swiftly toward the western shore.
Upon reaching elevated ground overlooking the coastline, Lindbergh took out a specialized monocular telescope of his own design. It possessed superior magnification and night vision capabilities.
Through the lens, he spotted a cargo ship bearing the insignia of a merchant guild approaching steadily in the distance. At its bow stood Koala.
A look of satisfaction crossed Lindbergh's face. He immediately signaled the others, who surged forward toward the shore.
Under the watchful gaze of the Revolutionary Army, the cargo ship finally docked.
Koala disembarked alongside several individuals clad in dark green cloaks. She approached Lindbergh and spoke.
"Commander Lindbergh, all materials have been prepared. We took a longer route to avoid detection, which caused the delay."
Lindbergh placed a hand on her shoulder. "You have done well. Get some rest. I will have the supplies unloaded immediately."
Koala gave a small nod and stepped aside.
For a brief moment, a faint crimson glint flickered within her eyes.
===
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