Chapter 836: The Leading Figures of the New Era
The kings and leaders present in the hall were all stunned by Neptune’s declaration.
The World Conference was held every four years, and most of the kings and leaders present had been in power longer than that. This meant the majority had attended at least two conferences, some even four or five. Thus, many were well aware that the Ryugu Kingdom of Fish-Man Island had been seeking land rights for a long time.
Fish-men were actually quite active across the world, but those who came ashore fell into only two categories: pirates or slaves. No one could pinpoint exactly when this racial discrimination against fish-men began, but clearly, these two identities had in turn fueled human prejudice. In most people’s minds, fish-men were slimy, wet, ugly, and violent-tempered.
Only those who had truly visited Fish-Man Island understood that fish-men were actually a gentle race!
Among the kings present, many were friends with Neptune and fully understood the plight fish-men had long faced. However, over the years, while the World Government had outwardly eased relations with fish-men, it was only because the adventurer Fisher Tiger and his Sun Pirates had caused such a massive uproar that they had been forced to make a show of goodwill.
Deep down, the World Government never truly took fish-men seriously. After all, the biggest consumers of fish-man slaves were their masters, the Celestial Dragons. Under such circumstances, how could the World Government possibly treat fish-men as equals and recognize their status?
The kings present had originally planned to hear Neptune’s old proposal again, since they had heard that the fish-men had finally gathered the so-called petition list. Many were even prepared to support him if he brought it up. But no one expected Neptune to suddenly take such a drastic step, directly overturning the table with the World Government!
Was this… giving up all hope in the World Government?
The kings looked at Neptune with shocked and complex expressions, only to find him completely composed.
Neptune was indeed at ease. In truth, when Jinbe had returned with the Straw Hat Pirates to take his daughter Princess Shirahoshi for help, Neptune had been reluctant. But Jinbe had also brought a letter from Whitebeard.
As Neptune’s closest friend, Whitebeard’s words carried immense weight. In the letter, Whitebeard had detailed the current situation, pointing out that placing hope in the corrupt World Government, which was in cahoots with the Celestial Dragons, was unreliable. Even if Neptune presented a petition signed by hundreds of thousands of fish-men, the World Government would never allow them to live on land. As long as the Celestial Dragons remained a privileged class above all others, any fish-man who came ashore would still face the fate of enslavement…
Now, on one side were three Emperors cooperating, having seized control of the entire New World, alongside the Revolutionary Army, which could already shake the World Government. On the other side was the World Government, which had lost its final trump card, suffered heavy losses to its Marine forces, and even had its Fleet Admiral killed by the Four Emperors Black Dragon Ian. Their only remaining strength might be the Marine bases scattered across the Grand Line and the Four Seas. But with the Revolutionary Army’s uprising, these bases couldn’t even serve as firefighters and faced the danger of being picked off one by one.
Under these circumstances, which side to bet on required no further thought?
Neptune had a premonition that the fish-men’s centuries-old dream might come true today. So, after much deliberation, he had let Luffy and the others take Princess Shirahoshi, even if it meant revealing her identity as the Ancient Weapon Poseidon.
Sensing the fish-men’s desperate gamble, the kings present also had mixed feelings.
The Ancient Weapon Pluton had been found and repaired, and the legendary Poseidon had reappeared. This clearly looked like a coordinated, large-scale operation between the Revolutionary Army and the Four Emperors. This time, the World Government and the Celestial Dragons might truly be doomed…
In the live broadcast, the adorable Princess Shirahoshi, comforted by Ian’s gentle words, mustered her courage. Before the billions watching, she used her ability. At her call, massive Sea Kings, one after another, surfaced from the ocean. Their enormous forms made even the Pluton battleship look small.
These Sea Kings, summoned by Shirahoshi, shattered the world’s impression of them as brutal and ferocious. They quietly accompanied the ships on either side. This astonishing scene made the world truly understand the immense power of the Ancient Weapon Poseidon!
“What you’re seeing now is just to tell you this,” Ian said coldly, pointing at the screen. “The era of you Celestial Dragons and the World Government lording over everyone is coming to an end! Ever since Pirate King Roger set the stage for the Great Pirate Era, people have been slowly uncovering the truth of those years. Prepare for your fate. My Dragon Hunter Pirates, along with the Whitebeard Pirates and the Red Hair Pirates, have already begun to act. The moment we strike down Uranus, you Celestial Dragons and the World Government will pay for the deception and lies of those years!”
They understood! The kings and leaders present gasped. Dragon had gone to such lengths to display this broadcast in the World Conference hall precisely to show the world the fall of a ‘myth’!
The lofty Uranus was the symbol of the Celestial Dragons and the World Government. If Uranus were truly shot down from the sky, then…
The kings present then connected this to the Four Emperors Black Dragon Ian’s series of actions over the years. First, he attacked Mary Geoise and became a Warlord. Then he killed Big Mom to become an Emperor. Now Kaido was dead too. With Ian as the intermediary, the once-divided and independent Four Emperors had suddenly united! It was his emergence that brought together the most powerful pirate emperors on this sea!
Now, the Four Emperors and the Revolutionary Army had joined forces. Once the Revolutionary Army seized world power, if these pirate emperors spoke with one voice, the new government could immediately end the entire Great Pirate Era and restore order to a world in chaos!
The implications were terrifying! Ian, step by step, had been planning such a grand scheme! Among the Four Emperors, his mind was now the most fearsome!
If they truly killed Uranus and the Revolutionary Army’s coup succeeded, then even without the legendary One Piece, Ian’s prestige and reputation would reach their peak. Even the title of Pirate King would seem too small for him…
Having grasped this, Cobra and King Riku raised their hands and said to Dragon, “If Four Emperors Ian kills Uranus, then we agree to support the Revolutionary Army in forming a new World Government!”
With their lead, many other kings quickly raised their hands.
“Agreed!”
“Seconded!”
“Agreed to form a new World Government!”
“Hmph, I’ve long wanted to abolish the Celestial Dragons’ privileges!”
Two, three, ten, twenty—more and more kings voiced their support. Previously, they had been forced to remain silent under the pressure of the Celestial Dragons and the World Government. But now, with Dragon’s appearance, they realized that the World Government and the Celestial Dragons were nothing but a hollow shell, on the verge of collapse. The corrupt regime they had led for eight hundred years had been hollowed out and riddled with holes. So, the words these kings had never dared to speak now burst forth freely.
Similarly, in non-member nations across the world watching this broadcast, people were equally excited, unable to hold back their cheers.
Their people and kings had decided that if a new World Government was formed and the Celestial Dragons were expelled, they would join it.
There was no choice. For centuries, non-member nations had suffered terribly. Because they weren’t member states, their people were often treated as criminals and enslaved. Countless citizens had been sent to build bridges connecting islands. Such injustice and oppression had long made them eager to rise up.
The kings’ declarations turned the faces of the Five Elders and the Celestial Dragons pale, cold sweat pouring down repeatedly. The Celestial Dragons, in particular, knew well the sins they had committed. They understood that if the Revolutionary Army succeeded and expelled them, they would face a nightmare of consequences!
Just look at the Donquixote family from back then. Once they lost the protection of their World Noble status, those they had persecuted would devour them alive…
“Damn it! This can’t go on! Kill them! Kill Dragon!”
With a wave of his hand, the loyal subordinates of the Celestial Dragons once again charged toward Dragon’s position. But Dragon didn’t even move. Konenai and the other Revolutionary Army officers who had come with him stepped forward to engage these opponents.
The conference hall descended into chaos. The kings present, under the protection of their subordinates, quickly evacuated the hall.
The Five Elders knew they had to act. For some reason, Marine Headquarters hadn’t sent reinforcements despite the time that had passed.
The Five Elders did possess some combat strength—arguably on par with Marine Admirals. But the problem was their age. Even someone like Whitebeard couldn’t withstand the ravages of time, let alone them. Moreover, they were usually busy with politics and rarely fought. So, their strength wasn’t that great. At this point, they were probably around Vice Admiral level. With no reinforcements, they had to step in themselves.
Amid the chaos, Kogoro, one of the Five Elders—the one who always carried the legendary sword Shodai Kitetsu—appeared behind Dragon in an instant. With a flash of his blade, he struck directly at Dragon.
But at that moment, a figure suddenly appeared behind Dragon, raising a hand to block Kogoro’s slash!
“You… you!?” Kogoro stared in shock at the black-haired swordswoman before him, feeling her arm, which had stopped his strike without trembling. He was astonished!
Because this young woman was still wearing a Marine uniform!
The one who had acted was naturally Kuina. After blocking Kogoro’s slash, she drew Wado Ichimonji and swung it back at him!
Hmph! My senior brother and my junior brother are both fighting for the arrival of a new era. How could I fall behind!?
Before coming, Ian had instructed Kuina to protect Dragon. Though Ian knew that with Dragon’s strength, few could harm him, he still gave Kuina this task. Kuina didn’t fully understand why, but she was now faithfully carrying out her mission.
With one slash, the immense power from the Asura Fruit sent Kogoro flying. He crashed into the wall with a loud bang, raising a cloud of dust.
“You bastard! How dare you!” Georgia, another of the Five Elders, charged forward in fury, throwing punches at Kuina. He was a master of hand-to-hand combat, his fists raining down like water.
But Kuina calmly swung her blade to meet Georgia’s fists, which were reinforced with Armament Haki. She blocked every punch, sparks flying from the clashes.
Seeing that Georgia couldn’t handle Kuina either, the remaining Five Elders joined the fray, surrounding Kuina from all sides, determined to take down this arrogant young girl.
But Kuina snorted, calling them shameless, then transformed into her three-headed, six-armed form and engaged the Five Elders in battle!
Dragon didn’t help. He watched Kuina with a nod of approval. He knew she was Ian’s junior sister and had confidence in her strength. Aokiji and Zephyr also didn’t intervene. They understood that their era was passing. Kuina might well be the leading figure of the new generation of Marines. So, let the world see her, let them truly get to know this young woman…
The Den Den Mushi on the table faithfully broadcast this scene to hundreds of millions around the world.
One person, alone, fighting the Five Elders!
In that moment, this black-haired, beautiful female Marine shocked countless viewers…