"I declare war!"
A chorus of gasps swept through the plaza.
Ye Mu was a pirate who had appeared in the Holy Land Mary Geoise. There was no mistaking who his target was.
In the eight hundred years since the World Government was founded, ambitious people had been no rarity. But Fire Dragon Ye Mu might be the first to challenge it so openly.
Even Rocks, more than twenty years ago, had only sought to rule the Grand Line. He had never dared declare war on the World Government outright.
The disbelief and fury on Sengoku's face said it all.
"Fire Dragon Ye Mu, have you lost your mind? Do you know what you're saying?"
"Of course!"
The calm resolve in Ye Mu's expression made his intentions clear.
Behind Sengoku, fellow Marine Vice Admiral Sakazuki could no longer contain himself. His face darkened as he spoke.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, stop wasting words on this pirate. Let me kill him here!"
"Wait..."
Sengoku raised a hand to stop Sakazuki, who was already preparing to advance. He glanced at the enormous celestial body overhead and roared.
"Is that what you're counting on? Do you think that thing will make us hand the world over to you?"
By then, the royals and nobles from the various nations could no longer contain their fear.
"Wait, Marines! Shouldn't your priority be getting us out of here?"
"Yes! Catching pirates is your job. It's too dangerous here..."
But neither Ye Mu nor Sengoku had any attention to spare for them.
"No..."
Without even looking up, Ye Mu addressed Sengoku calmly.
"I think you've all misunderstood!"
"!!!"
Everyone froze.
Then Ye Mu revealed his true target.
"The ones I'm declaring war on are not the royal families of your kingdoms, nor the Marines. They're the source of