As a former former former empress of the Kuja, Gloriosa really wanted to flip the table. Judging by the speed at which Hancock was packing her luggage, this clearly wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision.
Several large trunks were packed up neatly and in order. It looked very much like she'd been planning this for a long time.
Well, that wasn't quite right either. Hancock had advocated relocating years ago, but the idea had been shelved due to practical constraints.
Now it seemed she simply hadn't acted immediately. Who knew what she'd been doing behind the scenes all this time.
"Do you think relocating is that easy?! The Kuja have lived here for generations. If you want everyone on the entire island to leave, you'll need at least a month of preparation.
Supplies for the voyage, the exact route, the place to settle, security along the way.
Even if all of that is settled, we still don't have enough ships."
Gloriosa also understood what the current situation was. In the past, the Kuja had relied on the Calm Belt and successive empresses to live in relative isolation. But with breakthroughs in Marine technology, new warships had already found ways to pass through the Calm Belt.
Coupled with the new weapon displayed during the Summit War and the Dressrosa incident, the Kuja's level of security had plummeted.
If the World Government really were to abolish the Shichibukai system, then with their natural defenses gone, the Kuja would not only be unsafe; they would likely become priority targets.
At this point, even Gloriosa admitted that relocating was a good choice. The real question was how to do it.
"So, Granny, you're not opposed to relocating itself, but to the way we're moving?"
"That's right, Hancock. This matter needs careful, long-term planning. Before the Marines act, we still have some time to prepare."
"No, there's no need to consider that much. Sister Olga has already sent word. They'll help us move the entire island. We just need to hurry and secure any unstable objects on the island so they don't fall from the sky."
Only then did Hancock hand over Olga's message to Gloriosa. The result was the same, but Gloriosa had the distinct feeling that she'd been led straight into a trap.
"Snake Princess, did you already have this in mind from the beginning?"
"Yes, Granny Nyon. This is the best option. I'm not afraid of those Marines, but Amazon Lily needs a new shelter. This place is no longer suitable."
Gloriosa quickly skimmed through the documents Hancock handed her. When the words "move the island" entered her sight, her aged body visibly shuddered.
On this sea, moving an island was not mere talk.
As the former former former empress, Gloriosa was already very old and had once roamed the outside seas.
She had witnessed the abilities of the Flying Pirate Golden Lion, and she had heard the legends of Oars the Continent-Puller. Now, she herself was about to experience a legend.
"Why… wait until the Marines take action in a few days before moving?"
She had no real objections to the plan. Given Hancock's eagerness to pack herself up and ship herself off, and Olga's habit of treating this place like a vacation spot, there would be no problem with the Kuja relocating there.
Besides, although the Kuja forbade men from landing as a tradition, reproduction still depended on men. There was no river like the Mother-Child River on this island. [TN: The Mother-Child River was a moat located in the centre of Xiliang Women Kingdom in the classical novel Journey to the West. There was no man in the Xiliang Women Kingdom. Its female inhabitants who are over 20 years old will drink water from the river and can get pregnant afterwards.]
Pirate crews that went out raiding usually had more contact with men. According to the documents, a new autonomous territory would not affect them.
Gloriosa did not doubt that Kaido possessed such power. Her only question was why Kaido wanted to wait.
From the Kuja's perspective, leaving immediately while there was no danger, or using Olga's abilities to block out the danger, would have been the optimal solution.
"Sister Olga says their Governor-General doesn't want to make a move that looks like fear. Even if they retreat, they intend to do so openly, right in front of the enemy."
"In other words, before evacuating, we still need to be ready for battle."
"No need to panic, Granny Nyon. These people seem to have forgotten one thing; we were appointed by the World Government precisely because of our strength."
On the Amazon Lily sealed off by the Calm Belt, the Kuja had already begun to move. And ten thousand meters below, in the deep sea, new developments were unfolding as well.
"King Neptune, you should have felt it during this conference. The so-called round-table meeting, this idea of equal dialogue among kings, is nothing but a joke."
"Dialogue between nations always involves ancient history, and the roots of opposition run even deeper. As long as no blood is spilled, it's all labeled as peace, but if this continues, things will only get worse.
The attitude of the Celestial Dragons can't be changed by a single exception like Mjosgard."
"So, King Neptune, it's time for us to make a change."
The goal of the Levely was peace, but with fifty affiliated nations gathered together, even if they all desired peace, it was impossible to reach consensus so easily.
Every country has its own problems. Powerful nations watched each other, letting their affiliated nations fight in their stead, using resources and technology as bargaining chips.
Claims of equal standing were nothing more than empty rhetoric. The gaps in wealth, religious beliefs, and national power made true equality impossible. Even when united, they were merely trampling each other with smiles on their faces.
"Indeed… Issue a notice to all citizens. During this period, no one is to go to the surface. All citizens currently outside are to return to Fishman Island or New Fishman Island as soon as possible. The seas are about to change."
The Ryugu Kingdom rarely issued such orders. In the past, it had merely advised against such actions, and if people didn't listen, there was little that could be done. This time, however, it was a rare and explicit prohibition.
"Tiger, we'll be counting on you over at New Fishman Island. Before the relocation is complete, I'll have to trouble you to keep a close eye on things."
At this moment, the most excited person was Morgans.
[King of Alabasta, Nefertari Cobra is confirmed dead. Princess of Alabasta, Nefertari Vivi missing.]
[Revolutionary Army attacks Mariejois. Possible culprit behind the incident.]
[Shichibukai system abolished! Cutting ties with criminal pirates!]
[Massive underground tunnels, the shadow beneath Mariejois.]
These were the headlines Morgans had put together so far. Wapol kept his mouth shut about what had happened inside the hall, so Morgans could only speculate based on the photos he had obtained.
From the angle of those photos, the label of "Cobra's killer" was something Sabo could no longer wash away.
As for Vivi—Morgans wouldn't admit it even if beaten to death—that the missing princess was hiding right there with him. He might love reporting the news, but he hadn't completely lost his mind.
"President, which headline should we put on the front page?"
"Good question. There were deaths at this conference, and news related to death always sells like crazy."
"Alright, then we'll use this one as the headline."
"No, wait. Death is great, sure, but the outcome of the conference is just as eye-catching. Design it as two A-sides—use the same structure for both the front and inside pages."
As the News Coo flew out, news about the Levely spread across the entire sea by the next morning.
"Fantastic! The Shichibukai system has finally been abolished!"
Granting pirates legal plundering rights and cooperating with them had never sat well with most civilians to begin with. Seeing the World Government abolish the system filled them not only with joy, but also with relief.
The events of Alabasta and Dressrosa were once again sensationalized by Morgans. People didn't know whether their own country might be the next to be enslaved.
Some worried that the disappearance of one of the three great forces—the Shichibukai—would upset the balance, but that didn't dampen the celebrations across the seas. Even pirates were rejoicing.
"Strongest Swordsman in the World, Pirate Empress—these people were willing to become lapdogs of the World Government. Now look, their masters don't want them anymore."
Beyond that, Cobra's death also captured the world's attention.
Ryokugyu and Fujitora had already left Mariejois to handle other urgent matters.
As for security in Mariejois, it had been taken over by the CP agencies.
After all, in this vicious incident, Charlos had been blasted into pieces by Kuma's attack. The God's Knights had personally stepped in to investigate and had also taken over internal defense.
At Marine Headquarters, Akainu was listening to reports from his subordinates.
"Sakazuki, we can't keep ignoring the Revolutionary Army. This time, they've caused a massive upheaval."
"I know. But our forces are stretched thin right now. The Emperors of the Sea in the New World are moving again, those escapees from Impel Down won't stay quiet, and the range of countries affected this time… is too large."
During the Levely, the Revolutionary Army had planned a large-scale revolution across the world. Twelve countries responded directly after seeing the news. In eight of them, the revolutions succeeded; what came to be known as the Eight-Nation Revolution.
The uprisings in eight countries drew away a huge amount of Marine manpower. Problems in the New World tied down the Marines' top combat power, and news of Cobra's death instead stirred excitement among Revolutionary Army members worldwide.
They didn't truly understand the meaning of revolution. Most believed that as long as the current bad king was driven out and replaced with a good one, life would improve.
In an era where royal authority was deeply entrenched, attempting some kind of era-defying revolution was bound to fail. Neither the entrenched interests nor the common people would accept such an approach.
Forcing that ideology would only turn oneself into a public enemy of the world. Who knew, one might even run into some great archmage who'd drop a Meteor Shower straight on your head.
Put simply: if you take too big a step, you might get yourself in trouble.
Thus, Sabo, who had "killed" Cobra, gained countless followers the very day the news broke out.
"Sabo the Black Plague, quite a fitting name. This Revolutionary Army really is like a crazy epidemic, sweeping across the entire system of monarchy."
"That's not all. The World Government is also urging us to resolve the Shichibukai issue as soon as possible. The remaining Seraphim have all been deployed, but it looks like we'll have to take action ourselves too, Sakazuki."
"I know. Let me finish arranging these matters first. When the time comes, let those old guys handle Marine Headquarters. Kurouma, do you have any other news?"
Akainu's gaze shifted to a Marine sitting on the sofa. Vice Admiral Kurouma, director of the Marine Bureau of Investigation.
"We're still investigating how the events in Mariejois are connected. We've also begun investigating the underground tunnels. The only thing we're certain of right now is that Alabasta is already in chaos. Their ships are still docked at Red Port and haven't returned."
"Has the Saint Charlos incident been closed?"
"Not yet. It's a bit complicated. Saint Mjosgard bears significant responsibility in this matter, but Saint Charlos's death really was caused by Kuma. Honestly speaking, if he hadn't insisted on acting that way, he probably wouldn't have died."
"Kurouma, you need to be careful with how you phrase things."
Hearing Kurouma's complaints, Kizaru offered a timely reminder.
"I know. The God's Knights have taken full control of this case now. I don't know the details anymore, but Saint Roswald has strong complaints regarding Fishman Island."
"Go back to your investigation. I really did become Fleet Admiral in a 'great' era…"
Taking a long drag until the cigar burned down, Akainu pushed open the door and walked out. Given the current situation, even he, the Fleet Admiral, would have to get busy.
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