Grand Line.
The eighth country, a World Government member state.
Bang!
A formal announcement that had just arrived from the royal palace was slammed onto the desk.
The World Government official responsible for overseeing the local royal family turned livid, his chest heaving violently.
"Rebellion!"
"This is open rebellion!"
"Send the Marines to suppress them immediately!"
Across the desk, the local Marine Branch commander frowned.
He had already read the latest intelligence.
A huge crowd had indeed gathered in the royal capital, and the World Government flag had been taken down.
But from beginning to end, there had been no pirate attack and no large-scale armed conflict.
The royal palace had merely announced publicly—they would stop paying the Heavenly Tribute and withdraw from the World Government's membership system.
The Marine Branch commander looked up.
"There has been no armed conflict in the royal capital."
"So what?!"
The World Government official slammed the desk.
"They're withdrawing from the World Government!"
"This is a betrayal of the Holy Land!"
"What are you Marines waiting for?"
He pointed sharply toward the harbor outside the window.
"Send the warships into the royal capital!"
"Seal every city gate!"
"Whoever dares raise the flag of rebellion, bombard them!"
The room fell silent the moment his words landed.
Several Marine officers exchanged looks, but none moved.
After several seconds of silence, the Branch commander merely reached for the Den Den Mushi beside the desk.
"I need to request instructions from Headquarters."
The official's expression immediately darkened.
"This still requires instructions?"
"Isn't the World Government's order clear enough?!"
The Branch commander acted as though he had not heard him.
"Connect me to Marine Headquarters."
The call went through quickly, and the local situation was reported in full.
Marine Headquarters did not make them wait long either.
Just a