Truth be told, the Reverie had become melodramatic and explosive from the very start.
Most of the royalty from the member nations were watching with a "spectator" mindset. After the initial shock came a wave of secret delight. For years, Mariejois had sat upon their heads, acting with overbearing tyranny; every nation had harbored resentment, yet none dared to speak out.
Why? Was it truly because they cared about the Celestial Dragons' bloodline? Or because they respected the descendants of the Twenty Kings?
Don't make me laugh. Could those titles alone secure such massive interests? Impossible.
What the kings truly feared about the World Government was the overwhelming power wielded by Mariejois. First and foremost was Marine Headquarters. With Marine bases scattered across the globe, nations relied on Marine protection against the rampant pirate threat, or they would suffer devastating losses.
The Navy possessed the world's most formidable military force. With a single order from Fleet Admiral Sengoku, they could mobilize millions, even tens of millions, of troops. Yet, the ultimate control of this power rested with Mariejois because they held the Navy's high command, controlled their budget, and maintained various restrictive levers.
If you dared to rebel against Mariejois, even if you managed to handle the pirates, Mariejois could use any number of means to have the Navy crush you. Beyond the Navy, the CP agencies were another pillar of Mariejois's power, forces not meant for the open battlefield, but for shadows and subversion. Overthrowing regimes, assassinating royalty, and various "dirty work"—the CP agencies were masters of it all.
Look at the mighty Alabasta, one of humanity's oldest nations, boasting the bloodline of the Twenty Kings and a million-strong army. It was a top-tier world power. And yet? Because they had consistently opposed Mariejois over the years, hadn't they been brought to the brink by conspiracy? Alabasta was now in total chaos, overrun by millions of rebels, while the Nefertari family and their loyalist clans were on the verge of collapse.
That was the power of deterrence! Anyone who refused to submit to Mariejois or follow the orders of the Gorosei would eventually meet such an end. From Alabasta in the present to the Sorbet Kingdom in the past, even the former Warlord, "Tyrant" Bartholomew Kuma, was no exception. The Navy and CP agencies had worked together to drag him from his throne.
And the mastermind behind it all? Mariejois.
Therefore, the world did not fear the Celestial Dragons' bloodline or their "legal legitimacy." As Doflamingo once said: "Power is truth, and only the winners are justice!" Mariejois held power and victory, so they were the truth and the justice.
But now, the seemingly invincible Mariejois appeared to be facing a massive crisis. The Marine Headquarters, entrusted for centuries to overawe the world, was apparently turning against them.
This was good news! Once Mariejois lost the strategic deterrence of the Navy, their authority and rule would inevitably plummet to a terrifying low. When that happened, whether everyone would still have to tighten their belts to pay the "Heavenly Tribute" to Mariejois... well, that would be up for debate.
In fact, based on what? Right, based on what Admiral Diarmuid just said about the "Universal Treaty of Sea Calendar 703"—the World Government was actually supposed to be a proxy group representing the hundred and seventy-plus member nations!
The authority you use is granted by us, the member nations. Without sufficient military force to oppress us, we can take that authority back at any time!
As Diarmuid blatantly declared his intent to "set things right," the Gorosei trembled with rage. The bearded Gorosei slammed his hand on the table. "Diarmuid! Do you have any idea what you are saying? The global situation is finally about to stabilize. You in the Navy should know the will of the upper echelons of Mariejois. We all want to make this world better, don't we? And now you betray us? Betray centuries of trust? Betray the World Government? Can you still call yourselves the 'Navy of Justice'? The tide of the Great Pirate Era is ending, does the Navy intend to stir up new wars and calamities?!"
"The global situation is about to stabilize? Justice?" Diarmuid didn't speak; instead, it was Fleet Admiral Sengoku who spoke up.
He was the true leader of the Navy, and his words carried even more weight. "Pirates are but a surface irritation. For centuries, no pirate has ever truly shaken the rule of Mariejois, and you know that better than anyone!" Sengoku stood up from his seat, shouting at the Gorosei without a shred of politeness.
"You... you..." The bearded Gorosei glared at Sengoku, so angry he was momentarily speechless. You couldn't blame them for the ugly reaction; everything had happened too fast. They thought the world was returning to stability, that Mariejois had weathered the Great Pirate Era. How could their "lapdogs" suddenly turn around and bite?
"The world will never be subverted by pirates, nor will it become a paradise just because pirates are wiped out. The one truly harming the entire world is the Mariejois whose power knows no bounds! It is exactly you people! Every year, Mariejois receives heavy taxes from nations around the world, which are enough to keep Mariejois running smoothly. Yet, on top of those taxes, nations must strain themselves to pay the 'Heavenly Tribute', an amount that far exceeds the taxes themselves!
"If that money were used for the benefit of the member nations, to build a better life for the people, or to develop the world, it would at least have some use. But instead, this vast sum is used to support those damn parasites on Mariejois who have no reason to exist—you, the Celestial Dragons! To buy a single slave, you can spend tens of thousands, even hundreds of millions of Berries. This decadent lifestyle is the root of the world's greatest pain. Do you know what several hundred million Berries represents? It represents at least two Marine warships! Two warships at sea are enough to combat a thousand ordinary pirates, yet you choose to spend it on slaves?!" Sengoku roared.
Sengoku's words were masterfully crafted. While somewhat idealistic, they struck a chord deep in the hearts of every member nation. Yes, the Heavenly Tribute! Paying taxes wasn't enough; we have to pay a fortune to the so-called 'Descendants of Gods.' Just thinking about it is suffocating!
A few kings who cared for their people felt the pain of the impoverished masses. The majority, however, felt that as actual kings of nations, they didn't even enjoy such luxury, yet they had to pay tribute to the Celestial Dragons. It was absurd!
Whether for selfish reasons or out of true benevolence, every member nation loathed the Heavenly Tribute system. No one could guarantee their kingdom would always be able to pay. How many countries had been abandoned and destroyed by Mariejois simply because they couldn't afford the tribute? To them, the Heavenly Tribute was a curse!
"This is a blatant trampling of justice and the law!" Akainu suddenly barked. His short fuse had long since been lit by Mariejois. Akainu truly believed that if Mariejois hadn't been holding the Navy back, there would be no Great Pirate Era—he would have wiped out the pirates long ago!
"Four hundred and seventy-two years ago, the Reverie passed an act to abolish slavery, declaring all slave-catching, trading, and use of slaves illegal—a serious crime. Over two hundred years ago, Fish-Man Island joined the World Government, and acts concerning their rights were passed. Yet to this day, those 'high and mighty' Celestial Dragons on Mariejois still use slaves without restraint. This is a mockery of law and justice! Having done such things, how do you have the face to represent justice and order?!" Akainu cursed.
"The Celestial Dragons are descendants of gods, the bloodline of the Twenty Kings, the legitimate representatives who founded the World Government! Mere slaves..." The bald Gorosei was so enraged he began to speak without thinking.
But this slip of the tongue exposed their true thoughts. Ultimately, they were of the Celestial Dragon class. Even if they looked down on the idle fools of their kind, when it came down to it, they would protect their interests. Because they were Celestial Dragons!
But before he could finish, the already incensed Commander-in-Chief Kong had had enough. He slammed the table and pointed a finger at the Gorosei. "Silence! You hoary-headed old fool! You gray-bearded scoundrel!"
"I thought that as the highest authority of Mariejois, you would have some profound insight to offer before the kings of this world. I never expected you to utter such crude and ignorant words!!!" Kong bellowed.
"I... you!" The bald Gorosei felt a tightness in his chest, his words failing him.
"I have a word for everyone to hear!" After rebuking the Gorosei, Kong turned to the kings. The Navy's momentum was now overwhelming, and the kings didn't dare pick a side yet. If the Commander-in-Chief wanted to speak, they would listen.
After a brief pause, Kong continued: "In recent decades, the decadence and corruption of Mariejois have only intensified! The member nations suffer unspeakably. Rebel armies have risen everywhere, including but not limited to the Revolutionary Army... leading to constant war. In the early year of Sea Calendar 1500, over twenty member nations were destroyed in a single year. Why? Was it because of the Great Pirate Era? You tell me, was it?!"
The room was silent. No one spoke.
Kong didn't wait for an answer. "It was not. Today, the Great Pirate Era is about to be suppressed and ended. So, ask yourselves: have your lives improved? No! Why is that?! Hmm? Why?!"
At that moment, Diarmuid took over.
"Why? Because in these high halls, rotten wood stands as officials; between the palace steps, beasts hold office! Men with the hearts of wolves and the conduct of dogs dominate the court, while those with the faces of slaves and the knees of servants manage the government! As a result, the state has become a ruin, and the common people suffer the agonies of charcoal and fire! The source of it all lies with you bastards!" Diarmuid pointed his finger directly at the Gorosei, showing no mercy.
"Presumptuous!!!" the blonde Gorosei roared. "Are you revolting? We are the highest authority of the World Government! Does the Navy intend to rebel? To betray us?!" The bearded elder also cursed, his beard trembling with rage.
"Rebel? Betray? No, it is you bastards who betrayed us first! Come, explain this. In front of these hundred kings, explain… what is this?"
"Who is this 'Imu'? Why does someone sit upon that throne which symbolizes supreme equality? And why do you, who act with such servility, bow your heads and kneel before her?! Since when did Mariejois and this union of nations become the personal domain of one individual?!"
Diarmuid spat the words out as he slammed several photographs onto the Gorosei's faces. The sound of the paper hitting skin was like a series of sharp slaps.
At the same time, Sengoku and Borsalino began passing the other photos they held to the surrounding kings.