The natural system started off strong, but the navy finally reached its peak!

The various families continued to pressure the Five Elders, demanding that they "severely punish the traitors" and "restore order."

Lord Im's silence only amplified the pressure.

Therefore, Topman Volchuli's purpose in descending to the mortal realm was to achieve this without resorting to force.

To do everything possible to "negotiate" and buy the World Government and the Celestial Dragons a chance to breathe, salvage some of their interests, and test Gorn's bottom line and true intentions.

Thinking of this, when Topman Vochuli came to his senses...

We have arrived at the floor where the conference room is located.

But at the end of the corridor, in front of that heavy double door, stood an unexpected figure.

Borsalino.

Kizaru was still wearing his yellow and white striped suit, and a brand-new admiral's coat embroidered with the word "Justice".

Wearing sunglasses askew, he leaned against the door frame, looking bored, and leisurely used a nail file to trim his nails.

Hearing footsteps, Kizaru slightly raised his head, glanced through the top of his sunglasses, and a familiar, slightly amused smile appeared on his lips.

"Ouch~" he drawled, his strange tone echoing in the empty corridor.

"Isn't this Saint Topman Vochuli?"

What a rare guest! It's the first time I've seen you like this... Hmm, you're so proactive in 'descending' to the mortal realm to find someone!

There was little respect in his words; instead, there was a mocking tone that suggested he was enjoying the spectacle.

Topman Vochuli paused slightly, looking calmly at Kizaru with sharp eyes: "Borusalino."

"I feel very sorry to see that you still choose to stand here."

You, and many naval officers, made the wrong choice.

The Navy shouldn't follow Gern Reginald's nonsense.

Separating from the World Government will only drag the Navy into an abyss of no return.

"Is that so?" Kizaru's smile remained unchanged, even becoming a few shades brighter.

He put down his nail file, put his hands in his pockets, and shrugged slightly.

"As for the answer to that question... you've probably asked the wrong person."

He turned slightly to the side and casually pointed with his thumb toward the conference room door behind him.

"The source of the 'nonsense' you're looking for is waiting for you inside."

Marshal Gern and Inspector Sengoku are both here!

"As for me~" he drawled again, straightened his body, and straightened his general's overcoat.

"I still have 'work' to do~"

Sigh, being a wage earner is tough. Just one word from the boss and you have to run your legs off!

As he spoke, he took slow, leisurely steps that quickly disappeared into the distance.

They brushed past Topman Vochuli and his group as if they were just passing by.

However, as he passed Lucci, Kizaru seemed to pause slightly.

The gaze behind the sunglasses seemed to glance at Lucci's unhealed wounds, a slight smile playing on his lips as he spoke softly.

“Rob Lucci, you should be glad that only Tesoro was there and I wasn’t, otherwise you would be dead.”

Lu Qi's pupils dilated, but he did not refute.

Topman Vochuli stood there, looking in the direction Kizaru had left, then at the closed conference room door in front of him, his expression uncertain.

Kizaru's attitude, seemingly casual and perfunctory, is actually meticulous and watertight.

He clearly drew a line ("You've got the wrong person"), pointing out that Gern was the decision-maker.

He then used that cynical tone to shut down any attempt to find a way in his direction.

This was undoubtedly a silent demonstration, and also the tone set by the new naval leadership for this "negotiation."

Be neither humble nor arrogant; the home field is ours.

Lucci stepped forward and whispered, "Saint Vocuri?"

Topman Vochuli Saint withdrew his gaze, straightened his collar, and his eyes regained the depth and majesty befitting one of the Five Elders.

"Go in," he commanded curtly.

Lu Qi stepped forward and pushed open the heavy double doors of the conference room.

Inside, the light was bright.

One end of the long conference table

Wearing a marshal's uniform, Gern sat upright in the main seat, his hands crossed on the table, his gaze calmly fixed on the doorway.

Beside him, Zhan Guo sat upright, his expression solemn.

Chapter 593 Negotiation? Absolutely impossible!

Topman Vocuri stood in the doorway, in front of him, at the end of the long table.

Gern remained seated, not getting up, only raising his eyelids.

The Sengoku clan member standing next to him, as the Grand Inspector, merely nodded slightly and even picked up his teacup, slowly blowing on the steam.

Topman Vochuli took a deep breath and walked to the seat across the long table, which was clearly reserved for him.

He sat down in an ordinary guest seat, instead of the "honored seat" that was always placed at the head of the table in the past.

Straighten your back and place your hands on the table.

“Gern, Sengoku,” Saint Vochuri began, his voice deliberately slow, attempting to create an atmosphere of “forgiveness and magnanimity.”

"Regarding some previous CP0 activities at G-10 and the Knights of God..."

The extreme actions were actually a misunderstanding, a tragedy caused by poor communication.

The World Government, upholding the supreme principle of maintaining stability and peace in the oceans.

We are willing to accept the Navy back into the proper order with the utmost tolerance.

"As long as the Navy resumes its escort duties for the 'Celestial Gold' and guarantees the Celestial Dragons' basic personal safety and due dignity in the mortal realm..."

The Five Elders, representing the World Government, can forgive and not pursue any past unpleasantness.

He paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over the two people opposite him.

"In short, the Navy and the World Government can still work together to maintain this stable order that has lasted for eight hundred years."

"how?"

After he finished speaking, the conference room fell silent.

Sengoku remained expressionless, simply picking up his teacup and gently blowing on the surface of the water.

And Gern... laughed.

"Heh, we're not going to pursue this?"

Gern raised his hand and patted Sengoku on the shoulder, giving him a Donnie Yen-esque pointing emoji.jpg

"My former marshal of the Warring States period, didn't you explain it clearly to them? Or are they just old and have bad memories?"

Gern tilted his head slightly, looking at Saint Vocuri, an old relic immersed in his own world, unwilling to wake up.

"The situation shouldn't be like this now..."

"It is the Navy that is holding the World Government accountable for its 'governance failures, exploitation of the people, and cover-up of crimes'."

"Do you understand, Saint Wochuli? We are the ones who are pursuing you."

"As for the Heavenly Gold?" Gern clicked his tongue, revealing a disdainful expression. "Tsk, that thing has a new name now."

It's called the 'Naval Area Special Security and Development Tax'.

The tax rate is half of the "heavenly gold" you used to collect under various pretexts.

Its purpose is to fund local infrastructure construction, improve people's livelihoods, and cover naval garrison expenses.

Clearly and transparently, it is taken from the people and used for the people.

“Of course!” Gern held up one finger. “I use a little myself, after all, I am a marshal!”

"However, as for you... still want money?"

Gern leaned forward slightly, a smile playing on his lips.

"Sure. We'll charge per person."

"The Celestial Dragon family, young and old, all came down from Mary Geoise and diligently registered in our Navy."

If you accomplish this, I will approve a quarter's worth of 'Holy Land Basic Living Allowance' for your Celestial Dragon family.

"Listen carefully! Each family will rotate every quarter!"

And it's not 'offering money,' nor is it 'heavenly gold,' it's 'guarantee money,' you know?"

"After all, you Celestial Dragons are quite useful. Just drag one of them over and chop off his head; that's more effective than giving a speech."

"Gern!!!"

Topman Vochuli Saint finally couldn't hold back any longer. He slammed his hand on the table, stood up abruptly, veins bulging on his forehead, and his mustache trembling slightly.

"Arrogant! Even if the Navy declares independence, the Celestial Dragons, as 'descendants of the Creator,' cannot have their sacred status trampled upon in the slightest!"

This is the cornerstone of eight hundred years of world peace and order! It is an absolute red line!

You must guarantee that, at any time, in any sea area, and under any circumstances, the personal safety and freedom of movement of the Celestial Dragons will not be violated!

This is the bottom line!

"Wow, that's amazing! 'Foundation'? 'Red line'? 'Bottom line'?"

The mockery on Gern's face intensified, and he even exaggeratedly picked at his ear.

Then, he casually picked up an internal direct-access Den Den Mushi from the table, dialed a number without even looking at it, and pressed speakerphone.

"Beep—click."

The Den Den Mushi was answered, and a voice came through: "This is the Navy's headquarters on Enies Lobby."

"I am Admiral Gern Reginald Sigmar."

"Now, with the authority of a marshal, I hereby issue this announcement, effective immediately."

His words were instantly transmitted to Enies Lobby via Den Den Mushi, and through the pre-established...

The new naval independent communications network is spreading to all naval-controlled islands and ships.

"Announcement as follows: Effective immediately, the Celestial Dragons Special Immunity Act promulgated by the former World Government is hereby officially abolished, along with all its derivative privileges, practices and unspoken rules."

"Formerly a Celestial Dragon, a 'World Noble,' within the Navy's jurisdiction..."

Regardless of whether it involves sea areas, islands, or bases, all such claims are considered invalid and do not possess any special legal status.

"From the time this decree is promulgated, all crimes committed by any individual World Noble who previously relied on their so-called 'Celestial Dragon' status shall be prosecuted."

This includes, but is not limited to, murder, assault, plunder, enslavement, and violations of public order and morals, all of which are automatically subject to naval judicial review and prosecution procedures.

"Announcement complete."

"Click." The Den Den Mushi was hung up cleanly and decisively.

The meeting room was deathly silent.

Gern leaned back in his chair with a leisurely air, crossed his arms, looked at the Saint of Vochuli opposite him, and softly uttered four words.

"The foundation? That's it?"

“You…you…” Sacred Vochuli pointed at Gern, his fingers and voice trembling violently, barely able to utter a complete sentence.

I can say so many nice things, but I can't tell myself anything.

[It means the Celestial Dragons kill every single one they see descend, understand? And every single one of them is absolutely deserved.]

“Gern Reginald Sigma!!!” Sacred Worch finally roared, his voice shrill, “Are you declaring a full-scale war against the World Government?!”