The current Golden Lion is neither as strong as he was in the card space, nor as weak as he was in the movie version.
Black was quite satisfied with this battle.
Golden Lion was unlucky; he was defeated not long after escaping Impel Down.
If he had known today's outcome, he might not have insisted on escaping, or perhaps he would have continued to enjoy his later years in Impel Down.
He probably still would have insisted on escaping.
After all, for people like him, there are always things more important than life.
Black only sighed for a moment, then stopped thinking about it.
He first took Mandy and Koala to wake up the people on the deck, then went to the aft cabin to check on the two CP agents.
Seeing that they were still sleeping soundly, he finally relaxed.
Black did not want his strength to be exposed to the CP's eyes.
This accidental encounter with Golden Lion was unavoidable.
His Sky Island was directly in the path to the Summit of the Western Heaven.
Even if Black didn't make a move, Golden Lion would not have allowed him to pass peacefully.
So Black decisively ambushed and knocked out the CP agents, throwing them onto a bed to create the illusion that they had accidentally fallen asleep.
He then used Conqueror's Haki to stun the Slaves on the ship.
This way, with the Celestial Dragons "unaware," the CP agents, to cover up their work errors, would pretend that nothing had happened... The sanctuary set sail again, and things indeed went as Black had expected, everything was calm.
One day, Black was playing with the women on the deck when Stella suddenly walked over with a white transponder snail:
"Your Highness, it's Mr. Aramaki's call."
Black was a little surprised.
Unless it was necessary, Aramaki usually wouldn't contact him proactively. Had something happened?
While his thoughts raced, Black had already taken the transponder snail:
"It's me."
"Your Highness."
The transponder snail mimicked Aramaki's voice:
"I've found Capone Bege in the West Blue."
"This guy was initially reluctant, but he became honest after I beat him up."
"However, I don't think he's fully convinced, so I haven't told him about Your Highness's matter."
Black frowned, a little displeased:
"Is that all?"
Seemingly sensing Black's displeasure, Aramaki quickly continued:
"There's one more thing, Your Highness. While I was in the West Blue, I discovered traces of the Revolutionary Army."
"Oh?"
Black was a little surprised. Is the Revolutionary Army so incautious?
After thinking about it, he was relieved.
Monkey D. Dragon's Revolutionary Army had just been established and was not taken seriously by the World Government.
They probably just knew such an organization existed, and its ideological platform was quite dangerous.
But they didn't think these people could cause much trouble, believing they might be wiped out by others any day.
It wasn't until the World Conference in the year 1514 of the Sea Calendar, when representatives from many Franchise nations mentioned the threat of the Revolutionary Army in the meeting, that the World Government designated Monkey D. Dragon as the most dangerous criminal.
It was also at that time that the Revolutionary Army truly entered the sight of the World Government and the Gorosei.
Black thought for a moment, then instructed:
"There's no need to do anything specifically. You can observe them without being discovered."
"By the way, Capone Bege's family has considerable influence in the West Blue. Have them keep an eye on things."
"It would be best if they could find the Revolutionary Army's base in the West Blue."
Aramaki quickly responded:
"Yes, Your Highness."
After hanging up the transponder snail, Black was no longer in the mood to play and began to ponder the Revolutionary Army problem.
The Revolutionary Army can be considered the only force that has openly declared its opposition to the World Government and is an important force in overthrowing Imu.
That's right, they are the first wave of cannon fodder.
Even though Black's current strength is already very powerful, he still has no confidence in escaping unscathed when facing Imu.
Sabo's strength during the World Conference was not weak.
Wielding his supreme water pipe, he could exchange a few moves with Fujitora.
Even if Fujitora wasn't serious at the time, Sabo's strength was at least at the level of a Shichibukai or an Emperor's First Mate.
Even so, Sabo was practically helpless when facing Imu.
Of course, in terms of raw power, Black, by continuously stacking Haki intensity, would eventually surpass Imu.
Then the problem arises again!
Excavator... scratch that!
What level is considered surpassing Imu?
Rocks, strong as he was, could kill an Admiral in Mary Geoise.
Even if this Admiral might have been somewhat diluted, not every generation of Admirals is as strong as the signal light trio.
At least he must have been at the level of Marco or Katakuri, right?
It's impossible for him to have been a civil Admiral or an art student Admiral.
The gates of Pangea Castle couldn't have been wooden doors either.
Even though Rocks' strength had reached such a level, he still returned without success when facing Imu.
Even as a transmigrator, Black couldn't figure out Imu's true strength.
What if he suddenly escalated to another dimension like in Naruto next door?
Oda could let Blackbeard and Luffy awaken the Haki of Davy Jones and Joy Boy respectively, and then team up for a Six Paths: Chibaku Tensei.
What about Black?
Moreover, the mechanism of Imu's immortality has not been clarified.
Jabra seemed to have found the weakness of the God's Knights, but Somaz only revived slower; he didn't truly die.
And whether Imu's immortality is the same as the God's Knights is still unknown.
Therefore, even if Black's strength truly reaches the point where he can instantly kill an Admiral, he must witness Imu make a move at least once.
At least he needs to understand all of the opponent's abilities and find a way to counter their immortality.
And the person who makes Imu act cannot be too weak, nor can there be too few of them.
If they are merely instantly killed like Sabo, it offers no reference value.
Black needs someone who can fight Imu back and forth, and even inflict effective damage.
Looking at everyone on the sea, the only one with the ability and reason to do so is the Revolutionary Army.
It's decided—Monkey D. Dragon!
How can an organization that aspires to overthrow the World Government not fight with Lord Imu?
Even better, Dragon doesn't know about Imu's existence.
Before Sabo's invasion of Mary Geoise, Dragon always thought the Revolutionary Army's biggest enemy was the God's Knights.
If he gained the confidence to deal with the God's Knights, he might dare to attack Mary Geoise.
Once Imu is provoked, it won't be up to him to decide whether or not to fight.
So Black now needs to accumulate conflicts between the Revolutionary Army and the World Government, letting them be the first scouts.
However, thinking about it, perhaps it would be better to arrange someone to infiltrate the Revolutionary Army?
If the undercover agent's status is high enough, they might even be able to influence the timing of the Revolutionary Army's invasion of Mary Geoise.
Black's gaze unconsciously fell on Koala, and he quickly shook his head.
"No, no!"
Koala's fundamental nature is kind; such a person, once they become an undercover agent in the Revolutionary Army, is very likely to encounter problems.
Let alone Koala, even police undercover agents often experience immense psychological pressure during the bust.
They often develop serious psychological problems after returning.
If even an undercover agent of good against evil is like this, it's truly not easy for Vergo to remain uncorrupted for over a decade.
"Perhaps I can change my approach. As long as the key information is conveyed, that's enough."
[Many readers seemed not to understand this chapter, so I've rephrased it to be clearer]