Dawn had not yet broken.
The first News Coos had already flown out of the World Economy News Paper's offices.
At the same time,
the World Economy News Paper's branch offices, the Adventurers' Association's public lines, and Visual Den Den Mushi everywhere began relaying the same footage.
The footage showed Lulusia's seemingly bottomless crater, rows of stretchers covered in white sheets, and a gag order stamped with the Holy Land's red seal.
Then Rock's voice came through.
"All they did was suspend the Heavenly Tribute for one year."
"And this was what happened."
The image changed.
"I didn't start this war."
"You did."
Only one statement remained.
"The target."
"Mary Geoise."
East Blue.
An ordinary port.
Dawn was just breaking, but people had already packed the docks.
No one spoke.
Every eye was fixed on the enormous crater shown by the Visual Den Den Mushi.
The footage ended.
An old man with graying hair could not help asking,
"Just because they missed one year's payment?"
No one beside him answered.
A fishmonger opened his mouth, then lowered his head.
There was nothing to explain.
The Grand Line.
The palace of a member nation.
The conscription order just delivered from the Holy Land still lay on the table.
A minister held the day's newspaper and read it through twice.
"Your Majesty."
"Are we... still sending troops?"
"No."
The king pushed the conscription order to the corner of the table without looking at it again.
"Reply to the Holy Land."
"Our soldiers will not shield the people who wiped out a nation from the Marines."
The minister's expression changed.
"But if the Holy Land holds us accountable..."
The king looked up.
"Then let them. We need to get through the next few days first."
"We'll deal with the rest when