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

The target audience is 'all nations that have decided to align with the Navy,' without explicitly excluding 'former member states of the World Government.'

In theory, we should also be among those invited and qualified to participate in this grand event.

He enunciated the words "qualified" slowly and heavily, as if hammering nails into the air.

The subtext couldn't be clearer: if the Navy were to attack them or refuse them entry simply because they are pirates...

Then, the fairness and credibility of this world conference of the Navy, which aims to demonstrate "fairness, inclusion, and a new order", will instantly crumble!

Those forces that already harbored doubts about the Navy, or were secretly influenced by the World Government

This immediately provided a pretext for attacking the navy.

The platform that Guern meticulously built may have been shrouded in the shadow of "selective enforcement" and "exclusion of dissidents" from the very beginning.

This move was ruthless and struck directly at the Achilles' heel of the Guern Plan!

All around the port, countless eyes were focused on this place, holding their breath and waiting for the reaction of the supreme commander of the navy.

Gern took a deep look at the provocative Blackbeard below, then glanced at the polite but cold-eyed Lafayette.

His face showed no rage or loss of composure, and his eyes remained calm.

He didn't speak.

There was no reprimand, no order, and not even another glance from Blackbeard.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone (including Blackbeard), some tense, some expectant, and some gloating.

Gern slowly turned around, took a step, and headed straight for the magnificent building behind the port, which had been prepared as the venue for the meeting.

Walk towards the New Marine Fendo Council Hall.

Sengoku paused for a moment, gritted his teeth, glared fiercely at Blackbeard, and then turned to follow Gern.

Blackbeard's smile widened, a hint of smugness flashing in his eyes.

He knew that in this situation, Guern would not dare to make a move that would ruin the situation he had painstakingly created!

"Captain, the navy has compromised," Lafayette said with a smile, putting his hat back on.

"Hahaha! In this situation, does he dare not compromise?"

Just when Blackbeard thought that Gern had chosen to hold back for the time being, and that he had successfully outmaneuvered him, he prepared to take Laffitte and follow the crowd to the venue.

hum... hum...

Two completely different, yet equally powerful and terrifyingly domineering auras erupted simultaneously from his left and right sides without warning!

On his left, a violent, domineering, and destructive force locked onto him!

On the right, a sense of aloofness, coldness, and sharpness locked onto him!

In an instant, Blackbeard's smile froze on his face, and his expression suddenly turned dark!

He then abruptly turned his head, his gaze sweeping in the direction from which the domineering aura emanated.

Not far to the left, atop the shadow of a warehouse, stood a massive figure, as imposing as a steel behemoth, arms crossed, coldly looking down at him.

It was the newly appointed Admiral – “The Devil” Douglas Barrett!

On the right, at the edge of the observation deck of the harbor lighthouse, a lone figure stood with a sword in his hand, the sea breeze blowing the hem of his black trench coat and the short hair on his forehead.

It is none other than "the world's greatest swordsman" and a special force of the Navy—"Hawkeye" Dracule Mihawk!

The two men stood to the left and right, neither moving nor speaking, yet their undisguised hostility and locked gaze were palpable.

The subtle encirclement formed by their positions is highly significant!

Guern's "compromise"?

Do not!

This is the most blatant warning!

You can come in, but you'd better behave yourself.

Any unusual movement that disrupts the meeting...

There's no need to think about leaving then.

Blackbeard's facial muscles twitched, and the smugness in his eyes was replaced by gloom and fear.

Especially after glancing at Mihawk's black blade, which seemed capable of cutting through anything.

Finally, my gaze fell on Gern's departing figure.

With a cold snort, suppressing his anger, Samuel Kronos gave Lafayette a meaningful look.

The two suppressed their earlier arrogance, their faces grim as they faced countless complex gazes.

I walked toward the council hall.

This time, however, their steps were noticeably heavier and more cautious.

Chapter 635 The entire 'World Conference' was for my benefit

Inside the council chamber, the dome is high and wide, and light shines through the stained glass windows, illuminating the diverse faces from all over the world.

The air was solemn, except for the clear echoes of Gern, carried by the unique propagation properties of the Sky-Shatter Fruit, reverberating in every corner.

"From this day forward, wherever naval order extends, no one of any race or origin shall be bought or sold into slavery!"

The slave market, this breeding ground for evil that tramples on life and dignity, must be completely abolished and uprooted!

Gern stood on the high platform, his posture as upright as a pine tree, his marshal's cloak cascading down his back.

His gaze swept over the kings and nobles of the former World Government member states, who were dressed in rich clothes and had different expressions, in the front row below the stage.

These people, besides their fear and worship of the Celestial Dragons...

They themselves were often the main buyers of slaves, using them to display luxury, serve as labor, or satisfy their own desires.

"The Navy is officially issuing this notification to you all." Gern's tone left no room for argument, carrying the authority of the Supreme Commander.

"The abolition of the slave trade and the system of slavery was one of the cornerstones of the new naval order."

We urge everyone to comply and clean up immediately.

If there is any disobedience…

He didn't finish speaking, but that cold pause and sharp gaze sent chills down the spines of many noble representatives, causing them to break out in a cold sweat.

They realized that the Navy was serious this time, not just making empty threats.

Then, Gern's gaze shifted to the back of the hall, where there were even more numerous and clearly more agitated representatives of the non-human races.

Fish-men, Mermaids, Mink Tribe, Long-armed Tribe, Long-legged Tribe, Dwarf Tribe...

"At the same time, in the name of the Fleet Admiral, I solemnly assure all races that have been oppressed and threatened with trafficking..."

Gern's voice rose

"Anyone who discovers that any fellow citizens of their race have been illegally trafficked, imprisoned, or enslaved should immediately notify the nearest naval base or branch!"

The navy will be dispatched immediately to rescue them and severely punish all those involved in the trafficking!

No matter who the other party is or what their background is!

These words instantly ignited the long-suppressed emotions of those racial representatives!

Representatives from all ethnic groups were moved to tears, clapping enthusiastically and even cheering!

This is the first time in a century that they have heard such a clear and powerful commitment to protection from "above"!

Gern pressed his hands down, waiting for the commotion to subside slightly, before unveiling an even more impactful policy.

"In order to fundamentally safeguard the security and long-term interests of all ethnic groups, the Navy hereby formally decides..."

Recruiting is open to all races! Whether you are a merman, mermaid, mink, or any other race...

Anyone who agrees with the justice upheld by the Navy and is willing to fight to protect their compatriots and maintain order can apply to join the Navy!

Enjoy the same treatment, training, promotion opportunities, and honors as human navies!

"The doors of the Navy are open to all lives that yearn for justice and dignity!"

The entire hall, except for the nobles in the front row who looked grim and had their own thoughts, was almost entirely enveloped in an atmosphere of excitement, exhilaration, and hope.

Every announcement by Gern was like a hammer blow striking the cracks in the old order, while simultaneously laying a solid foundation for the Navy's new order.

...........

Meanwhile, amidst the frenzied atmosphere, one corner stood out as out of place.

In the last row of the hall, on a solitary little stool, sat Marshall D. Teach, one of the Four Emperors, Blackbeard.

Unlike other kings or representatives, he did not have a comfortable chair, but only this small stool, which was clearly added temporarily and showed deliberate neglect.

Blackbeard looked at the stool that barely filled his seat, his face filled with undisguised displeasure.

He then turned his head and asked in a low voice to Lafayette, who was standing respectfully half a step behind him.

"Hey, Lafayette. That guy, Gern, making such a big fuss, abolishing slavery and incorporating other races..."

What exactly is he trying to do? Is he really just trying to be a 'savior'?

Lafayette bowed slightly, the brim of his top hat casting a shadow that obscured most of his face.

"Captain, this 'World Conference' is ostensibly a show where the Admiral is raising the banner of justice, abolishing slavery, protecting the interests of all races, and winning over the hearts and minds of the people..."

He paused, his voice lower, yet even more incisive:

"But in reality, it was a multi-pronged, interconnected strategy that killed multiple birds with one stone."

Blackbeard raised an eyebrow, signaling him to continue.

“First, there is the shift and differentiation of contradictions,” Lafayette analyzed. “The Celestial Dragons are undoubtedly the biggest source and symbol of slavery, and are the main contradiction.”

But now, Gern is taking the lead in publicly targeting the 'representative nobles' group of slave buyers, a secondary group.

This is tantamount to turning the public pressure and the battleground for 'abolishing slavery' into a focal point.

These specific acts of evil reveal the true nature of the former nobles of the constituent republics that the public could encounter on a daily basis.

It was cleverly transferred to the Celestial Dragons, who lived far away on the Red Line.

The subtext is: Look, it's all because of the Celestial Dragons' privilege of arbitrarily enslaving others that the entire slave market was created.

We (the Navy) will help you deal with these accomplices (nobles) first, but the root cause is still the Celestial Dragons.

"This is tantamount to giving a sweet treat to those former republics that might have otherwise lost out due to the abolition of slavery."

Instead of directly punishing them for their past crimes, the Navy 'helped' them get rid of the 'stain' of (at least nominally) the purchase of slaves.

They will feel grateful to the navy (at least outwardly), and at least won't immediately launch a fierce counterattack.

"After feeding the 'big' ones (not directly targeting the purge of nobles), now we'll start feeding the 'small' ones (granting them racial protection and the right to serve in the military)."

At that moment, Samuel Kronos took over and continued, "Of all the steps, the most brilliant was the 'naval assimilation of various races'."

“In the past, non-human races were easy targets for slave-catching teams because they were not protected by the World Government.”

Now, if they become members of the Navy, they will have legitimate armed status and organizational protection.

Attacking a naval soldier is vastly different from attacking an unprotected civilian of another race.

If the slave-catching team wanted to take action against them again, the risk would be extremely high, almost tantamount to directly provoking the navy.

This fundamentally and significantly reduced the source of slaves.

"At the same time," a glint of light flashed in Samuel Kronos's eyes, "the Navy can take this opportunity to absorb a large number of races with powerful innate combat abilities."

These newly recruited racial soldiers will develop an extremely high level of loyalty and a sense of belonging to the marshal and naval system that gives them dignity, status, and protection.

This is equivalent to Gern systematically cultivating a new generation of naval core forces that are loyal to his personal ideals, diverse, and powerful.

After all, Captain, you've already experienced the power of Sulong with Law.

"Hmph!!" Blackbeard snorted coldly, remembering Law who had escaped.

“Furthermore,” Samuel Kronos continued, unconcerned, “through this series of operations, the image of the Navy has undergone a fundamental transformation.”

It is no longer just a protector of humanity, but a protector and representative of the entire race.

This greatly enhanced the Navy's moral legitimacy.