World Economic Journal.
[Breaking News · Special Edition!]
[The Ultimate Taboo Broken! World Nobles' Blood Stains the South Blue!]
The entire front page was dominated by bold, eye-catching text.
The gruesome image of a Celestial Dragon's severed head was brazenly displayed for all to see!
The newspaper detailed the incident's cause, process, and outcome.
Saint Luo, who had descended to pursue escaped slaves, was assassinated in the non-magnetic waters of the South Blue by a man named Kari.
No one present survived, including Saint Luo.
The assassin calmly waited until Navy Headquarters Admiral Borsalino arrived, then departed after declaring, "Revenge has only just begun."
This report sent shockwaves through the member nations that had been under Celestial Dragon rule for eight hundred years.
...
...
Mary Geoise, Chamber of Authority.
This was the office of the Five Elders, the highest authority of the World Government.
Thud—
One of the Five Elders slammed his cane against the floor, roaring in fury.
"A worldwide broadcast is one thing, but how could such a report be published! What are the CP departments doing! What is the Navy doing!"
...
"The undercover agent embedded near Morgans has lost contact. He himself has gone to the New World."
The vast ocean known as the "New World"—the latter half of the Grand Line—was beyond the World Government's sphere of control.
In the New World, Sea Emperors like Whitebeard were the dominant rulers, with the Navy only maintaining a presence in a few member nations.
"According to our investigation, Morgans managed to break through our blockade and publish this report with the involvement of other forces. The Revolutionary Army has been confirmed among them."
"Revolutionary Army..." One of the Five Elders chewed over the term before snorting coldly. "A bunch of fools trying to become a beacon. Their actions are utterly futile!"
...
"The situation is largely clear." The Five Elder with a thick mustache spoke up. "That man was secretly trained by the Revolutionary Army to oppose us."
"The Lunarian Tribe... To think there are still remnants left."
"Are we certain it's the Lunarian Tribe? Could it not be some form of artificial human technology?"
"Impossible." Saint Saturn, the Science Warrior of the Five Elders, stated with certainty. "Even we haven't perfected such technology. How could the Revolutionary Army achieve it?"
"His flames, his ability to remain unaffected by seawater, and his claim of trading his wings for immortality—all confirm he is of the Lunarian Tribe."
...
...
"There's too much information." Another Five Elder frowned. "His actions were too deliberate, as if he wanted to force-feed us these details."
"Someone capable of tracking Luo's movements and executing the assassination before we could react—would such a person inexplicably reveal so much intelligence?"
...
"What if... his true goal wasn't to inform us?"
"As I recall, Saint Saturn's laboratory lost a Lunarian remnant many years ago."
"By so blatantly publicizing his identity, it seems less like a declaration of war against us and more like an attempt to find his scattered kin."
...
"That is a possibility."
"Then should we wait until he gathers all the remnants of the Lunarian Tribe before making our move?"
...
"No need to play games of pursuit with this fellow. Hunting Celestial Dragons... Hmph, how arrogant!"
"The next time his location is discovered, directly dispatch the God's Knights to execute him!"
"Then it's settled..."
"A mere reckless fool who doesn't know his place isn't worth wasting time on. Let's return to our previous topic."
"The issue with the Navy..."
After a brief silence in the conference room, one of the Five Elders spoke.
"Sengoku's promotion to Fleet Admiral, Sakazuki and Borsalino becoming Admirals... It's predictable that Kuzan will likely be the third Admiral."
"The Navy still has Garp and Zephyr, and many powerful newcomers have emerged among the younger generation..."
"The Navy is becoming too strong, disrupting the balance of the seas!"
"The strength of the Seven Warlords of the Sea is insufficient to counterbalance them!"
...
First, one needs to understand something.
The World Government's existence was never meant to bring peace and tranquility to the masses of the seas. Perhaps that was the original intention, but not anymore.
Everything they do is to maintain their own ruling position and uphold the supremacy of the Celestial Dragons.
If the Navy becomes too strong... there's a risk of the guest supplanting the host.
Compared to the death of one or two Celestial Dragons, this is what truly threatens to shake their rule.
Even the Five Elder who shares the same heritage as Luo doesn't seem particularly concerned.
...
Before Roger ushered in the Great Pirate Era, pirates were far fewer than they are now. Back then, only those with considerable strength were called pirates, while weaker bandits were simply called mountain thieves.
Driven by the temptation of the One Piece, the number of pirates has been swelling daily, forcing the World Government to expand the Navy to protect its member nations.
As thieves multiplied, so did soldiers.
Thus, the Seven Warlords system came into being.
The official reason was to utilize powerful pirates for the World Government, alleviating the pressure on the Navy's insufficient combat strength and stirring up internal conflict among pirates.
What a joke... as if pirate conflicts need to be stirred up?
What ambitious pirate wouldn't fight tooth and nail for that sole throne?
...
Simply put, the Seven Warlords are a force constructed by the World Government to counterbalance the Navy.
Does the World Government not know that granting powerful pirates the right to plunder legally would harm the interests of the people?
Of course they know, but they don't care.
Those in power don't consider right or wrong; they want those beneath them to harbor mutual hatred and opposition, reducing the number of eyes and thoughts looking upward.
...
"Recently, Knight of the Sea Jinbe agreed to join the Seven Warlords, adding some combat strength... but it's not enough. We need even more powerful pirates."
...
"I've recently found a promising individual. I heard he's a great pirate who once rivaled Kaido of the Beasts. He's currently in the West Blue and commands a formidable Zombie Crew."
"His name is... Moria, I believe."
"Yes, I've heard of him too. We can send someone to approach him and invite him to join the Seven Warlords."
"Recently, the CP departments are short-handed. Let's have Sengoku handle this matter."
"Agreed. Regardless of the Navy's situation, Sengoku is indeed a suitable candidate for Fleet Admiral. He carries out all our orders."
...
"Hmm... Next, we need to address the issue of the Revolutionary Army."
"They've already overthrown the rule of kings in fourteen member nations. They can't be treated as an ordinary resistance organization..."
"I propose designating the Revolutionary Army leader, Monkey D. Dragon, as the World Government's top criminal! Issue the highest-level execution order!"
...
"That Garp fellow really failed at raising his son," Saint Saturn snorted coldly, thumping his cane. "Seconded."
"Agreed."
"Approved."
"By the way... shall we have Morgans publish this again?"
The Chamber of Authority fell into brief silence.
"Contact him... we must establish our own propaganda system. Kill him at the first opportunity and take over the World Economic Journal."
"How did such an important mouthpiece end up in Morgans' hands in the first place!"
...
What could be done? The ability to tame News Coos belonged to Morgans alone.
——
——
Meanwhile, at a Revolutionary Army base.
Dragon received the newspaper delivered by a News Coo, a slow smile spreading across his face.
"The winds of change are beginning to blow across the world."