Several days later, at New Marineford.
The grand naval harbor was filled with ships from around the world, each with its own distinctive style.
They ranged from lavish, exquisitely crafted royal vessels to simple, practical island sailboats.
There were even distinctive craft belonging to peoples from Fish-Man Island, Sky Island, and other unusual lands.
The docks teemed with voices and fluttering banners. Kings and representatives of every skin color, style of dress, and race followed the Navy Protocol Officers' guidance.
They stepped in orderly fashion onto this land that symbolized the Navy's new order.
An enormous banner and Navy flags hung at the harbor's highest point. Below them were the Navy's registration desks and security checkpoints.
Amplifying Den Den Mushi repeatedly broadcast words of welcome and instructions for the conference, their voices loud and clear:
"Welcome to the Navy's Reverie!
During the conference, New Marineford and its surrounding waters will be an absolute zone of peace. All armed conflict, acts of war, and provocations are forbidden...
We ask all kings and representatives to uphold this peace together..."
The Invitation to this "Reverie," personally signed by Fleet Admiral Gern Reginald Sigma and issued under the Navy's highest authority,
with its unprecedented inclusiveness-open to all nations and regions willing to recognize the Navy's order-
and its implicit threat-"Those who fail to attend should consider the consequences"-
was like a boulder hurled into the sea, sending enormous waves sweeping across the world.
Whether large or small, strong or weak, whether they longed to escape the World Government's exploitation,
wanted to seize an early advantage in the new order, or were simply motivated by fear or curiosity...
Almost every power that had received an invitation or heard the news sent representatives.
The conference had yet to begin, but this spectacular turnout alone had already