Time slipped by in a flash. Two full years had passed since the Paramount War ended.
Those two years had completely overturned the balance of power at sea. The World Government huddled on the Red Line, clinging to life, while Marine Headquarters had yet to recover its strength and could only defend the Red Line. The Four Emperors stood alongside one another in the New World: Blackbeard expanded his territory at a frantic pace, Big Mom indulged in sweets, and Red-Haired moved among the various powers to maintain a fragile balance.
Meanwhile, over those two years, the Hua Empire had made a staggering leap from quantitative growth to qualitative transformation.
West Blue, Chang'an City.
The former frontier town had become the most prosperous imperial capital on the seas. Traffic crowded the broad Vermilion Bird Street, with merchants and travelers arriving in an endless stream from the Four Blues, the Grand Line, and even the New World. Shops lined the streets in close rows, and the people wore relaxed, happy smiles. Patrolling imperial soldiers stood tall and maintained strict discipline. Black dragon flags fluttered above every building, proclaiming the formidable majesty of this rising empire.
Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the annual grand court assembly was underway.
Chen Yu sat on the imperial throne in a black Imperial Robe, his expression more composed and imposing than ever. Two years as emperor had made his bearing increasingly unfathomable. Civil and military officials stood in rows on either side below the throne, every face radiant with confidence.
"Your Majesty." Chancellor Liu Bei stepped forward and bowed, his voice gentle yet firm. "Over the past two years, the policy of equal land distribution and tax exemption has been fully implemented across the Empire's fifty-six commanderies in the Four Blues and the first half