Mary Geoise — the Reverie had officially begun.

Inside a spacious conference hall, more than forty kings invited by the World Government had gathered and were now speaking freely.

They were seated around a wide, circular table, passionately voicing their opinions, debating fiercely, even breaking out into arguments.

The Reverie usually lasted several days. After all, there were far too many matters for the kings to discuss.

They had to summarize the events of the past four years and look ahead to the direction of the next four.

There were also various agendas proposed by the government, as well as topics brought up by the kings themselves.

All of these needed to be thoroughly discussed.

King Neptune, sitting in a specially prepared chair to accommodate his size, couldn't help but find the whole scene amusing.

Every person here bore the heavy responsibility of ruling a nation, yet they were now bickering like market women arguing over vegetables.

Currently, the topic of discussion was the Revolutionary Army.

Officials of the World Government had informed the kings about the Revolutionary Army's recent assault on Mary Geoise — though, of course, the story had been... slightly revised.

According to the World Government's version, the Revolutionary Army sought to overthrow all allied nations and rule the world alone.

And so, the call was made for all member nations to stand together and fight back against the Revolutionary Army.

Those with manpower would offer troops; those with money would offer funds.

Even countries with neither were expected to contribute through public opinion and propaganda.

On the surface, the proposal sounded righteous and noble — but in truth, few of the allied nations were buying into it.

After all, although all member nations of the World Government have their own armies, they have basically outsourced national defense to the Navy.

No matter how great the threat of the Revolutionary Army is, it is the Navy's—and thus the World Government's—responsibility to suppress them, so member nations shouldn't have to bear extra costs.

The yearly financial pressure of Heavenly Tribute is already enormous.

However, the World Government is no pushover.

Many kings stood up to say that the situation is difficult; the pirates in the New World are unprecedentedly strong, and member nations must think more about the World Government's position.

Such remarks immediately enraged the other kings.

The two sides argued fiercely, to no end.

Neptune was watching with some amusement.

But he hadn't forgotten the matter at hand.

He was sure not all member nation kings blindly obeyed the World Government.

Or rather, it was quite the opposite: the vast majority of kings resented the government's interference.

Among these kings, many had little loyalty to the government; they were kings of member nations only because the World Government was the only force protecting them in this chaotic world.

There were definitely those who hated the World Government.

His plan had a real chance of success.

In the end, the discussion about the Revolutionary Army was passed.

During a break, several kings present, along with many others participating remotely, suddenly switched sides and pushed the proposal through.

What happened during the break was obvious to anyone except a fool—but no one dared to speak about it.

After the proposal passed, it was time for open proposals, where kings could freely present their suggestions, which could be executed once approved after discussion.

Neptune had nothing to propose; what he wanted to do was absolutely not something to be openly discussed.

At this moment, a man stood up.

It was Elizabello II, the King of Prodence. He slammed his hand on the table and declared, "I demand the World Government give me an explanation!"

Riku, sitting beside him, sighed helplessly.

"Oh? King Elizabello II, may I ask what matter has made you demand such an explanation from the government?" the government official presiding over the meeting said with keen interest.

"The World Government sent people to forcibly take from me the secret method to train the family heirloom technique—the 'King Punch'!"

Elizabello was visibly furious the moment he mentioned it. "What they did is no different from pirates!"

Damn that bastard Ian for stealing it, but now even the World Government wants to snatch it? Where's my dignity!

At the time, faced with the World Government's threat, he was utterly powerless. Only now did he come to the World Summit seeking justice!

After hearing his words, the faces of many kings present subtly changed.

The World Government had a strict rule since its founding—not to interfere in the internal affairs of member nations.

This rule was made to prevent the World Government from turning all member countries into puppets.

But this—this was not interference. This was outright theft.

Yet, the government official calmly responded, "King Elizabello, you should understand the power of your family technique. One of the Four Emperors, Ian, defeated Ochoku directly using this very technique he learned from you and took control of Hive Island. Even Marine Vice Admiral Sakazuki and Chief Instructor Admiral Zephyr suffered defeats under this move."

"We have been very lenient by not accusing you of aiding pirates. The seizure of this technique was solely to counter Ian."

Elizabello retorted angrily, "I was forced by Ian! Do you really expect me to defeat him? But I never imagined the World Government's actions would be no different from pirates!"

The kings fell silent.

The government official spoke plainly, "If that's the case, then let the kings vote. If the majority agree with His Majesty Elizabello's proposal, then we will accept it. How does that sound?"

Elizabello clenched his teeth slightly. Damn it, how could I possibly stand a chance in this vote?

But before he could say anything, the kings had already begun voting.

The final result was obvious.

The government official smiled at Elizabello II, "What a pity, Your Majesty Elizabello. It seems the majority of the kings find your proposal insignificant. Let's move on to the next proposal."

Elizabello sat down, filled with resentment.

But there was nothing he could do.

He couldn't exactly gather all his strength and throw a King Punch of a million powers at Pangaea Castle, could he?

The meeting ended.

Elizabello II and King Riku exited together.

"I told you," The older King Riku said earnestly, "The World Government has always been tyrannical. How could they ever yield to us?"

For eight hundred years, hasn't it always been you have to pay the heavenly tribute, you have to pay it, and when they raise the taxes, you have to pay more?

"Damn it!!"

Elizabello ground his teeth in anger.

The World Government, which was supposed to be based on its member nations, had instead become a tyrant riding on the heads of all its members!

But such thoughts dared only remain in the heart—no one would dare say them out loud.

"Elizabello-sama! King Riku-sama!"

At that moment, a voice suddenly came from behind them.

The two turned around simultaneously and saw Neptune and his wife approaching together.

King Riku and Elizabello instinctively smiled warmly. Elizabello even seemed to have forgotten his earlier irritation and teased, "King Neptune, Queen Otohime, you two are truly inseparable. Just after the meeting, you're already clinging to each other again."

"Hahaha!"

Neptune scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Sorry to make you laugh."

Then, his smile faded slightly as he looked down at the two kings.

Both men were introduced by Cobra.

Both were just and kind rulers, like Cobra.

They held no discrimination against fishmen or merfolk and were very friendly toward Neptune and his wife.

**********

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