Chapter 519: The Battle of Public Opinion
Messages spreading from the various kings instantly began diffusing outward through their subordinate citizens.
Slightly later, that same afternoon, Brett's speech on Fish-Man Island also deeply shocked the humans staying on Fish-Man Island at the time.
Through word of mouth, two different viewpoints—but one identical major event—had now begun spreading among a minority of humanity.
Then on this day, almost every newspaper in the world used News Coos to deliver their papers to every corner of the world they could reach at the first opportunity.
Two completely different viewpoints again, yet conveying the same message.
"What? Brett and Fish-Man Island threaten world peace, collected three ancient weapons, and want to destroy the world!"
"What? NEO Navy and the Revolutionary Army are all their partners? Damn, what a terrifying force that must be! Even the World Government would have trouble handling it!!"
"What? Even Navy high command betrayed the World Government, seduced by Zephyr and now joining their faction?"
"What? The Government already declared war on the enemy at yesterday's World Conference? A terrible war sweeping the entire world is about to arrive?!"
These were the thoughts of people who'd read the news from Government-affiliated newspapers.
Shock, terror, disbelief.
But even more shocking, even more terrifying, even more unbelievable news came from the other side—newspapers under the World Economic News!
Because today's World Economic News front page headline was—
"SHOCKING! The Blank 100 Years of History Revealed!"
This title alone was enough to attract attention.
But even more shocking was its content. Just when everyone thought the headline was mere clickbait, they read through the content below. Then came uncontrollable terror.
The text below began with a great ship breaking through the clouds, descending to the Blue Sea.
Then it introduced this great ship's origins.
Then it began introducing Birka and that long period of history afterward.
Finally ending with the World Government's establishment.
Oh, and there was additional content noting the intelligence was provided by Deep Sea Emperor Brett, who'd successfully reached the final island.
The entire world was shocked.
"This—could this really be the history from the blank hundred years erased by the Government?"
"Who knows, but it doesn't seem baseless, does it?"
"So the World Government was actually established under such circumstances? Betraying that great nation, then betraying their own allies—"
"And there's even an immortal monster controlling the World Government!"
"Monster or not doesn't matter. I only care about one thing—where's the technology from back then? The world was clearly already advanced, so why has it regressed like this now?"
"The Government probably erased the technology along with the history, right?"
"Meaning if not for the World Government, this world should have become much better?"
"Then the Celestial Dragons aren't great at all! Having betrayed continuously, why should they become this world's gods? Why should they stand above everyone? Why should they rule this world?!"
People across the world discussed amongst themselves.
The World Government's sanctity and legitimacy shattered thunderously at this moment.
It was merely a dictatorship established by traitors! Neither sacred, nor free, nor equal!
If the World Government could make this world better, that would be one thing.
But the problem was that during these eight hundred years of World Government rule, people in this world lived worse than people eight hundred years ago.
The world eight hundred years ago was chaotic, but at least people then could enjoy many technological conveniences!
But now people faced nothing beyond the annual Heavenly Tribute, plus pirates as numerous as cow hair across the sea, while those advanced technologies had vanished!
In that case, why should they obey the World Government?
They clearly had time, but they didn't make this world better, did they?
The World Economic News wasn't finished. After telling the history, it was time to discuss the present.
The newspaper emphasized the Celestial Dragons' corruption and cruelty—a point that gave people worldwide strong resonance, since Celestial Dragons didn't just stay in Mariejois but often sailed to the Four Blues on tours.
Not to mention the Heavenly Tribute itself. How many people had been ruined, their nations and families destroyed because of it?
The World Economic News pointed out that people paid enormous prices solely to obtain Government protection, but the actual situation was that pirates still ravaged this world and citizens' lives and property remained difficult to safeguard.
After discussing the World Government's evil and hatred, it was time to discuss the rebels' righteousness.
Fish-Man Island's tragic situation during two hundred years under Government membership served as the opening—countless Merfolk and Fish-Men reduced to World Nobles' slaves, countless Fish-Man Island citizens suffering persecution, thereby exposing Fish-Man Island's legitimacy in resisting the World Government.
Then came NEO Navy. Zephyr's story could arouse people's indignation even more—his students slaughtered in large numbers by pirates, yet that pirate was recruited as a Warlord.
The Revolutionary Army after that needed no explanation. They'd fought for the world's oppressed people from the beginning.
The real centerpiece was the Navy.
Zephyr's affair was already a major scandal, but yesterday's Navy incident was even uglier.
Here the World Economic News attached a letter personally written by Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral and Chief Staff Officer Tsuru.
It detailed the Navy incident's complete story.
From the Fish-Man transformation experiments led by Vegapunk, to Caesar's deranged human experiments, then Gion being framed after discovering the truth, the entire Navy being deceived.
Finally, Gion was able to expose everything at the World Conference with Brett's help.
The Navy had been fooled by the World Government from start to finish.
Imu, who appeared after the truth was revealed, said the World Government no longer needed the Navy, so they simply completely destroyed Marine Headquarters.
Tens of thousands of Navy soldiers plus Fleet Admiral Sengoku all died in battle.
In this letter, Vice Admiral Tsuru called on all remaining Navy worldwide not to listen to the World Government's lies. If willing to continue fighting, they should gather under their commanding officers and oppose the allied nations' assembled Government forces locally.
If unwilling to continue fighting, then simply go home.
This Government ugliness was displayed before people's eyes with unprecedented completeness.
Thus, the entire world instantly became lively.
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