Bartholomew Kuma's Kingdom!

Within the incomparably luxurious Ryugu Palace.

By now, Coulson and the two CP7 members had long since departed.

Yet King Neptune and the other Fish-Man Island officials still remained in the banquet hall, showing no sign of leaving.

What had just happened had shaken them too deeply for their hearts to settle.

"Unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable. Is this really the World Government? That World Government?"

King Neptune sat on his broad throne, staring in astonishment at the doors on the far side of the hall.

From time to time, he lowered his head to look at the two gold-threaded scrolls in his hands.

"It feels like a dream."

Queen Otohime stood on the platform, the tear tracks on her face not yet dry.

The exhaustion brought on by childbirth had been completely swept away.

"With this, Fish-Man Island's long-cherished wish of centuries will soon be fulfilled. Our Merfolk and Fish-Man Race will finally be free to enjoy the sunlight, forests, and land above. We'll be able to openly interact with humans, and even other races!"

In her eyes, Fish-Man Island, ten thousand meters beneath the sea, was wonderful and safe enough.

But wasn't it also a rather large cage?

"For my speech at the Reverie, I must prepare thoroughly. I must convey Fish-Man Island's desire to join the great family of the world to all the kings!"

Queen Otohime clenched her fists to encourage herself, feeling a fire burning in her heart.

"Cough, cough."

Just then, the Minister of the Right, standing below the platform, deliberately coughed twice to draw the other three's attention before saying softly, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, may this servant share a few thoughts?"

"Of course!"

King Neptune agreed without hesitation.

He was not the sort of person who refused to heed his ministers' advice.

"Regarding this matter, on the surface, the World Government has indeed undergone a tremendous change, and it has shown great sincerity toward Fish-Man Island."

As a civil official, the Minister of the Right was more meticulous and thoughtful. He slowly laid out his views.

"However, this servant believes it would be best not to hold expectations that are too high just yet. Otherwise, if events fail to unfold as we hope, the disappointment will be too cruel. After all, this is the World Government."

His words immediately cooled everyone's excitement.

Queen Otohime fell silent as well and slowly returned to her seat.

The Minister of the Right continued.

"Moreover, although the agreement takes effect from the moment the communiqué is signed, this servant believes that the provisions written on it will only see concrete action after the Reverie concludes."

"Of course, that is only if this proposal passes smoothly and is pushed forward with sufficient force. Otherwise, even if the World Government permits us to go ashore, we would not dare send our people there!"

King Neptune nodded in agreement.

"Indeed. We must see what concrete actions the World Government takes afterward. As for whether the proposal will pass..."

"Since they informed us in advance, I imagine they will also contact other kings. The question is which kings, whether their influence is great enough, and whether there are enough of them."

Queen Otohime's eyes dimmed slightly, unease and worry beginning to rise in her heart.

"Besides that, there is another very important issue!" the Minister of the Right said with a troubled expression.

"Even if everything goes smoothly, even if the World Government truly means it, and we can safely leave Fish-Man Island to live on the sunlit sea above, it will still be difficult to relocate our people."

"Though every member of the Fish-Man Race can breathe underwater and swim at high speed, what about all the shellware, furniture, pots, and jars? There is nowhere to put them. We cannot ask our people to abandon their belongings, can we?"

Queen Otohime looked at him in confusion.

"Why not let a small portion of our people live on the Sabaody Archipelago first? Once we find a suitable island to become the new Fish-Man Island, we can move there little by little."

"Besides, there is no need to abandon this place. Surely some people prefer living beneath the sea."

The Minister of the Right froze. That's true. No one said we had to relocate all our people at once, unless a day came when we had no choice but to abandon Fish-Man Island.

Indeed.

As long as no one destroyed the Holy Land of Mary Geoise above, Fish-Man Island below would not truly be in danger.

At the same time.

Just as King Neptune had guessed.

At this moment, the Senior Directors of the Administrative Department were either traveling to their target kingdoms or already within royal palaces, informing the kings in advance about the proposal and the Five Elders' stance.

Naturally, they were not approaching every king, only those whom the Administrative Department had determined through research and investigation might support the proposal.

Simply put, they sought kings who treated their people well and were relatively kind-hearted.

Only such kings would sincerely support the proposal's passage!

For example, the desert kingdom of Alabasta.

However, something significant had happened there recently.

The young Prince Cobra had become king last year.

Thus, the Reverie of 1498 was this twenty-six-year-old king's first time attending the Reverie. It carried a certain significance, neither great nor small.

South Blue, Sorbet Kingdom.

"Could you repeat what you just said?"

A little giant nearly seven meters tall abruptly rose from his crude throne.

He stared incredulously at the Black-Clad Man below the platform, still clutching a gold-threaded scroll in his hand.

"Of course, Your Majesty Bartholomew Kuma."

The Senior Director from the World Government's Administrative Department showed no impatience. His attitude was highly respectful and polite.

Though he did not know why the Minister had specifically instructed him to treat this insignificant, impoverished kingdom well.

His decades of experience and wisdom as a senior government official kept him from showing even the slightest neglect or disrespect.

"As long as you support the passage of this proposal at this year's Reverie, Sorbet Kingdom's annual Heavenly Tribute will be reduced by fifty percent until the next Reverie."

Perhaps it was the first time in his life that the usually gentle and reserved Bartholomew Kuma had been so dumbfounded.

When he first heard it, he suspected his ears had deceived him.

Yet after hearing it a second time, it still felt surreal.

The World Government was actually willing to lower the Heavenly Tribute of its own accord?

Nothing like this seemed to have happened in centuries!

The Sorbet Kingdom he governed had always been known as one of South Blue's poorest nations. Or rather, its people had actually lived fairly well several decades ago.

But ever since joining the World Government, the exorbitant annual Heavenly Tribute had drained the kingdom dry.

In another year or two, they likely would not be able to pay it at all.

Then they would be captured by Army troops sent by the World Government.

They would be taken to Tequila Wolf, the bridge nation in East Blue, where they would spend the rest of their lives building bridges.

It was in that moment of Despair that he stepped forward!

Relying on his powerful physical gifts and the abilities of the Paw-Paw Fruit.

He successfully robbed seven pirate crews at sea, seizing enough treasure to pay that year's Heavenly Tribute.

From then on, the people across the kingdom directly pushed him onto the throne.

Over the following years, he continued doing the same every year. While leading his people to farm and fish, he also went to sea alone to gather treasure.

Aside from ships belonging to the Marines, the World Government, and other kingdoms, he robbed everything—pirates, slave traders, and vessels belonging to all manner of dark forces.

He had finally managed to stabilize the kingdom's situation for the time being.

However, as his reputation spread, it became increasingly difficult to find ships worth robbing in the surrounding waters.

The Heavenly Tribute still hung above every citizen's head like a blade.

But if they only had to pay half the Heavenly Tribute, everything would be different.

"So, Your Majesty, what is your answer?"

"Of course I agree. Even without what you offered, I would strongly support such an excellent proposal!"