Sengoku Steps Down

Not long after.

The World Government kept trying to suppress the news, but it could not keep it buried forever.

Perhaps other forces were fanning the flames behind the scenes, or perhaps word had simply spread from person to person.

Whatever the cause.

The clash between the Whitebeard Pirates and Marine Headquarters had ended with only Fire Fist Ace's "death." The real shock was the attack on the Holy Land.

The member nations were stunned when they heard the Holy Land had been attacked. The number of Celestial Dragons killed alone was enough to set the seas in an uproar.

"How is that possible? Could the Celestial Dragons have made this up to test our reaction?" King Riku sat on his throne, surrounded only by those who had been present during the coup Swain had orchestrated.

Shock filled Violet's eyes. "No, they wouldn't! Those people care too much about their reputation. Even to test us, they wouldn't tell such a crude lie."

She continued, "Besides... if it was Swain, I believe he's capable of doing something that insane."

"Lord Swain..." Rebecca said worriedly.

"Don't worry. He's one of the Four Emperors!" Rebecca's father reassured her.

"He's the strongest warrior I've ever seen." Conviction shone in his eyes.

"Then what do we do about this year's Heavenly Tribute?" King Riku asked, helplessly waving the letter in his hand.

It was a bill the World Government had sent to its member nations, listing the "protection money" they owed.

King Riku gripped the paper as though he wanted to tear it apart. "They're collecting it twice in one year! Where are the people supposed to find that much money? They don't care whether we live or die!"

Because of the damage Swain had caused, the Celestial Dragon families in the Holy Land had