Small Matters, Big Meetings; Major Matters, Small Meetings!

Today is August 5th, 1500 in the Marine Calendar.

In other words, this "First Myriad Worlds Battle Power Tournament" has been going on for 36 days since July 1st. There are still two matches left before the scores of all the contestants can be tallied and ranked.

This timeframe was actually much shorter than the estimate made by the Otherworld Strategy Committee.

As mentioned before.

The Otherworld Strategy Committee gave each match a three-day time limit, so if all matches are played for the full time, it will take one hundred and twenty days, or about three months.

But who would have thought that these brutes in the Sea Star World didn't know any tricks up their sleeves, and even if they did, they couldn't come up with anything fancy, resulting in each match lasting less than a day on average.

Most squads would go in and fight, and then either quickly defeat the opponent or be quickly defeated themselves.

The fastest match was decided in less than half an hour.

Therefore, when the Otherworld Strategy Committee considers the next term, it should shorten the time limit to two days or even one day.

However, even after these last two matches, it doesn't mean the 'resumption of play' is over.

Because among the remaining two hundred players, there will inevitably be many players with the same score.

First.

If multiple players have the same score as the 100th ranked player, they will first need to compete in a one-on-one elimination tournament, which is extremely brutal, and all the efforts of those who lose will be in vain.

Certainly.

Just when everyone was looking forward to the list of players who would soon enter the 'Top 100 Ranking Tournament', something astonishing happened in the last two matches.

Perhaps influenced by the tense atmosphere nearing the end of the competition, all four teams found themselves fighting amongst themselves.

According to the competition rules.

Each player receives ten points for winning the match, plus additional personal points based on the number of opposing players they defeat. The losing team doesn't receive ten points, but if any player defeats a member of the winning team, they also receive points based on the number of players defeated.

In other words, even among members of the same winning team, some may get fifteen points, while others may only get ten.

The key point is that the rules only recognize the score from the player who delivers the decisive final blow.

This creates ample room for intrigue and backstabbing.

Actually, this kind of situation didn't happen before in the group stage, but it wasn't as blatant as in these last two matches, since they were played under the watchful eyes of countless spectators.

Now, they clearly don't care about saving face anymore; all they're thinking about is getting more points than their teammates, while still securing victory.

So what if you're looked down upon for a while, as long as you make it into the top 100?

Final.

At 5 PM on August 8th, all the semi-final matches were finally concluded. However, when the leaderboard was displayed to all the contestants and spectators, it was discovered that there were far too many people with the same score.

Among the two hundred winning team members, the highest score was 11 points, followed by 10 points, but no one scored 15 points, which is clearly a very difficult achievement to reach.

However, at the very top of the leaderboard, there is a player who has scored 14 points, and is the only one to achieve this.

Squad 5, Yasopp!

This is a somewhat surprising, yet upon closer examination, quite reasonable conclusion.

With Benn Beckman protecting him throughout the match, he had no worries as he used his wide-range Observation Haki and unparalleled sniping skills to shoot through the joints of four members of Squad 6.

The remaining one, while trying to approach, was knocked unconscious by Benn Beckman using the butt of his rifle.

However, this also resulted in Benn Beckman only scoring 11 points, while Horobi, Krieg, and Arlong all scored 10 points.

Therefore, all those who scored 10 points will now go through a series of elimination rounds to determine the final 'top 100'.

Then, the final one-on-one ranking matches will be held.

For the audience, being able to watch another month or so of matches would certainly be a welcome opportunity.

As for the World Government, it should just do what it's supposed to do.

They just need to wait for the result of the match.

In comparison, the top military and political leaders are more concerned with the current discussions taking place in the State Council's meeting room.

Because this is a major event that will affect the entire world.

Now.

The only notable absence was from the Director of the Propaganda and Political Affairs Court, Josh Lunde, was not involved in the topic.

The Chief Executive of the State Council is Clifford Clay, and the Chief Justice of the Judiciary Smedley.

Gareth Marick, Commander of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces.

The president of Cipher Pol General Headquarters, Bertes, was present.

Besides.

Chief of the High Command Staff, General Staff Military Affairs Department and Air Force Marshal, Zephyr; Army Fleet Admiral Raymond; and Navy Fleet Admiral Sengoku were seated on either side of the conference table.

Although there were only nine people present, as the saying goes, small matters should be discussed in large meetings, and big matters in small meetings.

It is generally said that the higher the level of the matter, the fewer people are involved in the discussion.

Just as above these people are the Five Elders, and above the Five Elders is only Imu.

"Regarding the matter of making the Breathing Technique public and promoting its widespread adoption, I believe everyone has already expressed their opinions. Now, let's vote by raising our hands."

Clifford Clay, the host, surveyed the crowd and said calmly, "Now, those who agree to its public release and wider dissemination, please raise your hands."

The words had barely left his mouth.

Gareth, the Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces, Marick, the Chief of the High Command Cipher Pol General Headquarters, Bertes, Field Fleet Admiral Raymond, and Army Navy Fleet Admiral Sengoku raised their hands.

The results are in.

Four people, including Clifford Clay himself, opposed the public dissemination and popularization of Breathing Technique, while five people agreed, causing a brief silence in the room.

"Eh----"

Zephyr sighed.

"I still believe that doing so would significantly increase the frequency and intensity of external conflicts, which would definitely cause turmoil throughout the world!"

In his view, the popularization of 'Breathing Technique' and their accompanying Swordsmanship is far more serious than 'freedom to bear arms'.

"Indeed, I've read about the Demon Slayer Corps. Even fifteen or sixteen-year-olds in their world can master Breathing Technique and fight those Man-Eating Demon head-on. In our world..."

Minister He's beautiful face, with only a few wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, showed a worried expression.

"I imagine that in just a few years, we'll see a group of children around ten years old wielding swords and performing various sword techniques with wind, fire, thunder, and water effects."

"Even though the attack range isn't very large, it still seems too outrageous, doesn't it?"

"Moreover, this is far too dangerous for children. Many adults don't even realize the seriousness of the situation, so serious accidents are bound to happen among these children."

After listening to her long speech, Gareth Marick, the commander of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces, spoke coldly:

"That's a matter for the Judiciary; the courts and the Ministry of Police will handle it."

"Everyone here should understand how rare it is to enhance the war potential of our entire civilization in this era of 'conquering countless worlds'."

"Other worlds don't even have this kind of opportunity!"

The crane stopped speaking, but frowned to express its continued opposition.

However, she was also aware that the matter had already been decided.

Therefore, all we can do is lament in our hearts the tragedies that are about to unfold around the world.

At this moment, Sengoku had previously raised his hand in support, made a suggestion.

"Could we legislate to ban children under the age of fifteen from practicing Breathing Technique and using real knives?"