OPKOTW: Chapter 386/391

Chapter 386: Is the CP Agency Secretly Communicating with the Revolutionary Army? The Operation Begins!

In the massive conference hall of Mariejois, the royal families of the 100 member nations were seated.

Marine generals were also present, with one empty seat left vacant.

Wapol, the unlucky fool who had provoked Ace, had been detained for half a month. Fortunately, he hadn't caused too much trouble. As a king, after Ace had vented his anger, Wapol was handed over to Spandine, who had been given prior notice. As a result, he was eventually released.

After that, Wapol kept a low profile in Mariejois, behaving much more cautiously than before.

Seated next to the Marines were Doflamingo, Crocodile, and Hancock, followed by King Neptune and Otohime of Fish-Man Island.

At this moment, King Neptune was still somewhat puzzled—why hadn't Saint Claudius arrived yet?

As he was lost in thought, footsteps echoed from the conference room's entrance. Moments later, the Five Elders walked in one after another, taking their seats at the highest positions in the room.

After sitting down, they surveyed the hall, their gazes briefly sweeping over the Marine delegation before showing a hint of surprise.

"Where is Claudius?" asked the bearded elder in a soft voice.

"I don't know," Nusjuro, the bald elder, shook his head.

"Strange… is he actually arriving later than us?" The elder with long blond hair frowned slightly.

Neptune was also surprised. The Five Elders were already here, yet Saint Claudius had yet to show up?

"Your Highness Doflamingo…" Neptune whispered.

Doflamingo, seated beside him, looked up and chuckled. "Relax, Great Knight. My cousin will be here soon."

Hearing this, Neptune felt somewhat reassured. It seemed there were no unexpected changes.

Sure enough, after just three to five minutes, more footsteps sounded. Claudius entered the room, followed closely by Lucci, who remained silent, his presence like a shadow.

"Ahahahaha! My apologies! Something unexpected came up on my end, so I kept you all waiting," Claudius said with a broad grin as he stepped inside.

However, most of the gathered kings simply kept their heads down, their expressions neutral as if they hadn't seen him at all.

Nusjuro glanced at Claudius and said with mild displeasure, "Claudius, be more mindful next time."

Claudius nodded. "Next time, next time."

Seeing that the Five Elders weren't particularly bothered by this minor issue, the other kings subtly relaxed. It seemed that Saint Claudius truly held significant influence in Mariejois—otherwise, the Five Elders wouldn't be so tolerant of his transgressions.

As a result, some of the royals who were either already acquainted with Claudius or sought to establish a connection took the opportunity to greet him.

Claudius nodded and responded casually as he made his way to his seat. Removing the cloak from his shoulders, he sat down, while Lucci took the cloak and silently stood behind him.

Sengoku tilted his head slightly, casting a wary glance at Claudius. However, seeing that the prince remained calm and composed, with no intention of speaking, he felt somewhat reassured. It seemed that everything was proceeding as planned.

Once Claudius was seated, the Five Elders wasted no time.

"First of all, welcome to the World Summit," one of them announced.

What followed was a series of formalities, welcoming the gathered royals, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation, and introducing newly ascended kings such as Wapol and Crocodile. They also took time to formally acknowledge Hancock.

Claudius leisurely sipped his tea as he listened.

Meanwhile, the other kings took this opportunity to familiarize themselves with the new rulers.

Sengoku held his own cup of tea, appearing to sip it nonchalantly. However, in reality, he murmured under his breath, "Your Highness, when does it begin?"

"It should already be underway. Don't worry," Claudius replied softly without shifting his gaze.

Soon, the Five Elders concluded the opening formalities, and the World Summit officially commenced.

The first matter on the agenda was the admission of Amazon Lily—ruled by the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock—into the World Government.

Hancock, with her arms crossed over her chest, flaunted her stunning figure. Her chin was raised slightly, her gaze carrying a hint of disdain, exuding an air of arrogance.

Yet, despite this attitude, no one voiced opposition to Amazon Lily's entry into the World Government.

On one hand, Hancock's irresistible charm made it difficult for most to refuse her, especially these flawed, self-indulgent royals.

On the other hand, it was widely known that Hancock, as a Warlord of the Sea, had a close relationship with Saint Claudius. Considering her beauty, it would be stranger if Claudius didn't have any designs on her.

Amazon Lily had remained independent in the Calm Belt for hundreds of years. Why choose to join the World Government now? Anyone with half a brain could see that Saint Claudius was involved.

Given this, who would dare object? Opposing this decision would be equivalent to offending Claudius himself.

As expected, during the voting process, all 100 kings unanimously approved.

Thus, Amazon Lily officially became a member nation of the World Government!

Meanwhile, Outside the World Government Headquarters

As the World Summit continued in Pangaea Castle, a group of Marines and CP-X agents in black suits gathered outside the headquarters of the World Government.

Before long, another group emerged from the headquarters, agents clad in white suits. The leader, wearing a mask and dressed as if attending a funeral, stepped forward, his tone displeased.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Shortly after, Vice Admiral Momonga and Spandine emerged from behind the formation.

Spandine shot a disdainful glance at the CP agent before him and sneered. "Gis, drop the act."

"Spandine," Gis responded coldly.

Once upon a time, Spandine had been under Gis's command in CP9. Later, he was reassigned at Claudius's behest.

Originally, Gis thought that Spandine, having come from the CP agency, would serve as a bridge or a liaison between CP and Saint Claudius.

But that wasn't the case.

After joining Claudius, Spandine changed completely. Not only did he align himself with the Marines, but he also made life difficult for the CP agency. However, Saint Claudius continued to protect him.

Spandine's influence had grown considerably, making Gis increasingly reluctant to confront him directly.

Suddenly—

"I won't waste words."

Spandine's expression turned serious.

"His Highness has issued an order.

Every CP agent in Mariejois must assemble immediately and cooperate with Marine and CP-X in an ongoing investigation. Gis, gather your people—now."

A sharp glint flashed in Gis's eyes as he demanded, "What has our agency done to offend His Highness? What is this investigation about?"

"We suspect that your CP agency has been secretly communicating with the Revolutionary Army. We have obtained evidence to support this claim. Cooperate, or things will get ugly." Spandine's tone carried a subtle warning.

Hearing this, Gis's face darkened beneath his mask. "Nonsense! The CP agency's primary mission is to eradicate the Revolutionary Army. How could we possibly be colluding with them?"

Momonga stepped forward, tossing a folder into Gis's hands.

"This is the evidence we've gathered. Take a look."

Gis hesitated, then flipped open the file.

As he read, his expression grew increasingly grim.

What the hell was this?

If he didn't know for a fact that his agents had no contact with the Revolutionary Army, even he would believe they had switched sides after reading this!

This was absurd!

But of course, this was all orchestrated by Claudius. With Dragon now fully cooperating with him, fabricating "evidence" was the easiest thing in the world.

"Impossible!" Gis snarled.

"Nothing is impossible. You're no longer trusted. Come with us for questioning," Spandine said with a smirk.

Chapter 387: The Surprise of Mariejois!

Gis's eyes flickered with hesitation. If he followed Spandine back, there might not be a problem initially but it would turn into one.

After all, CP-X and the Marines had a close relationship and had long treated the CP agency with indifference. Now, these two forces were working together to target the CP agency—there was no way this wasn't part of some greater scheme.

Still, Gis didn't consider the possibility of outright rebellion. He only saw this as a political power struggle.

"Our CP agency reports directly to the Celestial Dragons. We act under the orders of the Five Elders. Without their command, it would be difficult for us to comply," Gis finally said after a moment of silence.

His plan was simple—stall for time.

Once the Five Elders finished the summit, they would step in to ensure fairness. No matter what Spandine and the others were plotting, they wouldn't be able to act unchecked.

Gis also understood that while the Five Elders clearly favored Saint Claudius, even those in power had to maintain a balance. If a subordinate faction grew too powerful, it would become a problem. Balance and restraint were necessary to keep subordinates obedient.

As long as the CP agency was innocent, there was no reason they could be taken down so easily.

Spandine sneered at his words and said, "His Highness is a Celestial Dragon and has direct authority over the CP agency.

He just rarely concerns himself with you.

That doesn't mean he lacks the power to order you around. Gis, are you defying His Highness's orders? Do you intend to rebel?"

"If His Highness were to give the order himself, I naturally wouldn't object. But how do I know you're not just using his name? This matter can wait until the Five Elders return," Gis replied after a brief pause.

"Ridiculous. The Five Elders are hosting the World Summit, it usually takes seven to eight days to conclude.

And this time, there are a hundred kings in attendance. Who knows? The meeting could last ten, maybe even fifteen days.

You think we'd just sit back and let the evidence be destroyed in the meantime?

What kind of fool do you take me for?" Spandine scoffed.

Gis was about to argue further, but Spandine cut him off, waving his hand.

"This is my final warning, Gis. Call in your CP agency personnel in Mariejois and cooperate with our investigation immediately.

If you refuse… don't blame us for being ruthless."

As soon as Spandine finished speaking, Momonga placed his hand on the hilt of his saber. The surrounding Marines and CP-X agents loaded their rifles, aiming their guns forward.

Seeing this, Gis's aura surged, and the pressure of a top combatant filled the air.

"Spandine, do you realize where we are?" he said in a deep voice.

"Of course I do," Spandine replied coldly. "That's exactly why we can't let suspected traitors remain here. Gis, think carefully."

Gis glared at Spandine, his gaze icy.

After a long silence, he finally said, "I will remember this, Spandine. When my CP agency emerges from this, you'd better be ready to face my wrath!"

In the end, Gis had no choice but to give in.

Spandine had a pile of fabricated evidence, and Saint Claudius was a Celestial Dragon. In terms of hierarchy, he did have the authority to command the CP agency.

If Gis resisted and this escalated into a full-blown conflict, even he wasn't foolish enough to think he could win. He wasn't that ignorant.

At this moment, he still believed this was just a power struggle between the three major organizations. He assumed the CP agency was simply at a disadvantage for now but would have the chance to settle the score once the World Summit concluded.

Meanwhile, Spandine smirked inwardly.

As long as you come with us, whether you leave alive or not… depends entirely on His Highness's mood.

If Claudius was in a good mood, perhaps Gis would walk out unscathed.

But if he even dared to resist, Spandine would personally ensure he never walked out at all.

Outwardly, however, Spandine remained composed. "I'll be waiting," he said calmly.


---

At the Gates of the Celestial Dragon's Residence

At the entrance to the Domain of the Gods, Vice Admirals Onigumo, Doberman, and Hōshōsan led a force of Marines to blockade the residence of the Celestial Dragons.

On the other side of the gate, the Celestial Dragon guards stared in shock, completely baffled.

What were the Marines doing?

Blocking their gate?

Were they insane?

Still, the guards didn't act immediately. Onigumo and the others simply stood their ground, making no direct moves—so as long as no one from inside tried to leave, the situation remained at a standstill.

But soon enough, a Celestial Dragon, seated on the back of a slave, approached with an entourage, preparing to leave for Mariejois.

The moment they reached the blockade, one of his attendants stepped forward and barked,

"What the hell do you lowly scum think you're doing?! Can't you see that this is Saint Rozwald? Get out of the way immediately!"

"Apologies," Onigumo said coldly. "By order of the Fleet Admiral, all exits are to remain sealed. No one is permitted to leave. Saint Rosward, please return and rest."

"You filthy bastard! Do you even understand what you're saying? Even an Admiral is nothing but a slave before the Celestial Dragons—what do you think you are, a mere Vice Admiral?" the attendant sneered.

Before he could finish speaking, a flash of steel streaked through the air.

A second later, blood sprayed across the ground.

The attendant collapsed, lifeless.

Onigumo flicked the blood off his blade and exhaled a puff of smoke.

"Orders are orders. I'm not interested in listening to your nonsense," he said flatly.

"INSOLENCE!!!" Saint Rosward roared, furious.

He had spent years in Mariejois—aside from that damned Claudius, who else would dare treat him this way?

And now these Marines of all people?!

"You filthy Marines! This saint commands you to step aside immediately! Otherwise, I'll have all of you turned into slaves!"

But just as he finished speaking.

Another cold glint of steel.

In the next moment, Saint Rosward felt a sharp pain in his chest as he was thrown off his slave's back.

With a sickening thud, he slammed into the city wall, impaled by a sword.

"AAAHHHHHH!" Rosward howled in agony.

Onigumo turned back in mild surprise, his eyes falling on the one responsible.

Gion.

The swordswoman, dressed in her signature attire, strode forward gracefully, a scabbard hanging from her waist—her blade still embedded in Rosward's chest.

"No need to waste words on trash like this," Gion said coolly, raising her chin slightly. "Anyone who tries to leave, nail them to the wall."

Her words carried an unmistakable authority.

The Celestial Dragon attendants trembled in shock.

The Marines just nearly killed a Celestial Dragon?!

What the hell was happening?!

Onigumo gave a nod. "Understood."

At the same time, he waved his hand. "Kill all of them. Take over the gate. Seal off the Domain of the Gods!"

The Marines moved swiftly, disarming and subduing the Celestial Dragon guards.

Moments later, the gate was completely under Marine control.


---

In the Supreme Commander's Office

Inside his office, Supreme Commander Kong stood before a flustered Mariejois defense officer.

The officer, trembling with rage, bellowed,

"Commander Kong! The Marines have lost their minds! They've blockaded all six ports of Mariejois! The entire world is cut off!

The Grand Line—both the first half and the New World—are completely sealed!

Are you just going to stand by and do nothing?!"

Kong didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he gazed at a framed photo on his desk, a picture of himself alongside Sengoku and the others from their Marine days.

After a long silence, a smile slowly spread across his face.

"...Times have changed," he murmured.

"What? What do you mean—"

BOOM!

Kong suddenly swung a fist.

With a sickening crunch, the officer's skull was crushed like a watermelon, blood and brain matter splattering everywhere.

Kong let out a deep, satisfied laugh.

"I've always hated your pathetic ass," he sneered. "But before, you were clinging to the Celestial Dragons… and I just couldn't be bothered.

But now?

Hah… Now, I can."

Chapter 388: In My Name—Donquixote Claudius!!!

Inside Pangaea Castle, the Five Elders were presiding over the World Summit, completely unaware of what was happening outside.

Claudius, however, had a general understanding, so long as the meeting proceeded without interruption, it meant that Spandine and the others were executing their plans smoothly. Otherwise, someone would have already come to report an issue.

"The downfall of the Whitebeard Pirates marks the beginning of the World Government's cleanup of the New World.

For the past eighteen years, the era of the Great Pirates has wreaked havoc across the world. Countless nations have suffered under its chaos.

But soon, all of this will settle.

The World Government has both the confidence and the determination to win this long battle!"

Nusjuro, the bald-headed elder, declared passionately from his seat.

The room erupted in applause.

However, a king soon spoke up.

"Pirates are nothing more than parasites but what about the Revolutionary Army?

After all these years, rather than being eradicated, they've only grown stronger."

At these words, murmurs spread among the gathered royals. Many nodded in agreement, discussing the topic amongst themselves.

"While we understand that in order to quell the era of pirates and suppress the Revolutionary Army, military forces must be strengthened, the economic burden on our nations is severe.

Could the tribute tax be reduced this year?"

"Can the construction of the Sea Train be expedited? All of us here are member nations—we should receive equal treatment!"

"The nearest Marine base to the Strand Kingdom is a three-day voyage away. Pirates have been exploiting this weakness, causing us great distress. I propose the establishment of a new Marine branch in our kingdom!"

One after another, the royals voiced their concerns, leading to a heated debate.

The Five Elders' expressions grew impatient.

At that moment, someone suddenly brought up the issue of the Heavenly Tribute.

"Based on my records, since the last World Summit four years ago, seven nations have been expelled from the World Government due to their inability to pay the Heavenly Tribute.

Of those seven, four have since been completely destroyed by pirates.

The remaining three barely survive, with some being forced into alliances with pirate factions just to endure.

And in these past four years—today included—only three new nations have joined the World Government.

Originally, there were 177 member nations.

Now, there are only 173.

If this trend continues, won't it affect the World Government's authority and influence in the long run?"

Doflamingo, holding a document in his hand, was the one who had spoken.

The moment his words fell, the once-noisy conference hall fell into silence.

Many looked at him in shock.

The last time someone had dared to raise concerns about the Heavenly Tribute, it was the Kingdom of Alabasta.

And what happened to Alabasta?

The Nefertari royal family was completely wiped out, and Crocodile became its king.

That incident served as a chilling warning yet here Doflamingo was, openly bringing up the topic again?

The bearded elder's expression darkened as he asked, "Doflamingo, what exactly are you trying to say?"

Doflamingo placed the document on the table, a wicked smile playing at his lips.

"Fufufufufu… Nothing much. As the king of Dressrosa and a loyal member of the World Government, I'm simply looking out for the greater good.

My kingdom is thriving, but not all nations are as fortunate.

Some may not be able to afford the tribute in the coming years… and when we gather here for the next summit, I fear a few familiar faces may be missing."

As he spoke, his gaze swept over the other royals in the room.

Several of them paled.

They knew all too well—if they couldn't find a way to ease their economic burdens, they could be among those unable to pay the tribute in the near future.

And if that happened… their nations could be destroyed.

"Mind your own kingdom," the bearded elder responded coldly.

"The Heavenly Tribute represents the legal and moral foundation of the World Government.

Eight hundred years ago, twenty kings relinquished their claim to the world and established the World Government.

Their descendants, the Celestial Dragons are the gods of this world, and as such, they are entitled to the tribute.

It is the duty of all member nations to provide it!"

"In other words," Doflamingo smirked, "any proposal to reduce the Heavenly Tribute would be considered a challenge to the World Government's laws? Meaning… such a proposal will never pass?"

The bearded elder cast a glance at Claudius, who had remained silent thus far, but quickly refocused and firmly declared,

"Correct. This system has stood for eight centuries without change.

It will not change now.

It will not change in the future!"

"But, my lord…" Doflamingo grinned. "Times have changed."

The bearded elder's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean by that?"

"If reducing the Heavenly Tribute is out of the question because it's a fundamental principle, then…

Why not approach the problem from another angle?"

Doflamingo's expression turned ice-cold.

"The tribute is meant for the Celestial Dragons, correct?

If the tribute cannot be lowered…

Then why not reduce the number of Celestial Dragons?

Fewer Celestial Dragons means less tribute is needed.

Wouldn't that ease the burden on our nations?

After all… useless parasites serve no purpose.

So why keep them around?"

The entire room fell into stunned silence.

"IMPUDENT!!!" Nusjuro slammed the table, glaring at Doflamingo.

"Doflamingo, do you have any idea what you're saying?! The Celestial Dragons are not for you to question!"

"Fufufufu… But is there really no precedent for this?" Doflamingo sneered.

"Look at me.

I left Mariejois years ago, yet here I am, alive and well.

As a former Celestial Dragon, as a senior who has walked away from that life,

I'm simply showing these 'younger generations' another possible path.

What's wrong with that?"

A murmur spread across the room.

"What?"

"Doflamingo is a Celestial Dragon?"

"No wonder his surname is Donquixote, just like that Highness… Is he from the same family?"

"I thought Donquixote was a title given to Saint Claudius… but it's his real surname?"

"A Celestial Dragon who fell from grace? How have I never heard of this before?"

"Nonsense! Who would openly discuss something like this?"

At that moment, two distinct taps echoed as Claudius knocked on the table.

The room fell silent.

"Doflamingo, watch your words," Claudius said calmly.

Doflamingo turned to him, feigning innocence. "My apologies, cousin. I spoke too freely."

The Five Elders, now visibly displeased, turned to Claudius.

"Claudius, control your subordinates. Otherwise, you will bear the consequences as well!"

Claudius's lips curled into a faint smirk.

He nodded. "Understood, my lords."

The Five Elders were just about to move on when.

Claudius suddenly continued.

"However… I must say, Dover's words are quite interesting, wouldn't you agree?"

Nusjuro frowned slightly, confused.

Claudius, a Celestial Dragon himself, shouldn't be opposing them on this matter.

But before he could even process it, Claudius spoke decisively:

"The World Government governs all nations.

While it enjoys the power granted by its member states, it also bears the responsibility to protect them.

But in reality, the Heavenly Tribute has become a system of exploitation and oppression.

Therefore—I, Donquixote Claudius, as a High Celestial Dragon, formally propose the complete abolition of the Heavenly Tribute at this World Summit!"

His voice was firm, echoing through the hall.

Unlike Doflamingo, his words carried true weight.

The moment he finished speaking, the hundred kings collectively gasped.

The world was about to change.

Chapter 389: Claudius—Now That I’ve Spoken, Who Dares to Object!?

At that moment, the Five Elders were utterly stunned.

What the hell was Claudius doing?

Was he out of his mind?!

As a High Celestial Dragon, how dare he utter such blasphemous words?!

Despite their shock, those who had been prepared in advance wasted no time.

As soon as Claudius finished speaking, Doflamingo immediately stood up.

"In the name of the King of Dressrosa, I second this proposal!"

"In the name of Amazon Lily, a newly joined nation, agrees to Saint Claudius's proposal!" Boa Hancock raised her chin, her voice haughty as always.

"The King of the Desert, Crocodile—in the name of the King of Alabasta, I second this proposal!" Crocodile added with a sneer.

The room fell silent for a brief moment before all eyes turned toward King Neptune.

Neptune took a deep breath, then raised his hand.

"I, the Great Knight of the Sea, Neptune—in the name of Fish-Man Island and as the ruler of Ryugu Kingdom, I second Saint Claudius's proposal!"

With these four powerful figures speaking in support, the room descended into stunned silence.

But soon, a few bold royals followed suit.

"I, Vinsmoke Judge, in the name of the King of Germa Kingdom, second this proposal!" Judge suddenly declared.

Among the many rulers present, Judge was an exceptionally ambitious one.

Originally, he had only attended this summit to make an appearance.

After all, Germa Kingdom, though under the banner of the World Government, had always been treated with indifference, neither fully accepted nor truly valued.

So Judge had never held a favorable opinion of the World Government.

And now? He had stumbled upon a golden opportunity.

A faction within the World Government, led by none other than Donquixote Claudius, was shaking the very foundations of the system.

How could he not take advantage of this?

His Germa Kingdom had no real loyalty to the World Government. For the past few years, Judge had grown increasingly disappointed in them. His ambition to restore Germa's former glory had only intensified.

And if the World Government was in turmoil…

Then what did he have to fear?

So, without hesitation, Judge decided to stir the waters even further.

Claudius looked at Judge curiously upon hearing his words.

Judge responded with a slight nod, his expression calm.

"The Kingdom of Rommel, seconds the proposal!" At that moment, an elderly king suddenly spoke up.

This was none other than Cavendish's father, the ruler of Rommel Kingdom.

For reasons unknown, he had chosen to support this radical proposal.

"The Sorbet Kingdom, seconds the proposal!" another king declared.

The Sorbet Kingdom had once been ruled by Bartholomew Kuma, who later left to become a pirate.

Ever since, the kingdom had held deep-seated resentment toward the World Government.

And now that a powerful figure was openly challenging the system, they had no reason to hold back.

"The Kingdom of Prodence, seconds the proposal!"

King Elizabello II finally spoke up after a moment of contemplation.

He was the man who wielded the legendary King Punch—rumored to have the strength to take down a Yonko in a single blow.

Of course, that was just a legend.

The reality was that, despite its formidable power, even Bartolomeo had survived its impact. The idea of it taking down a Yonko was pure nonsense.

At this point, Nusjuro, the bald-headed elder, looked visibly furious.

His gaze darkened as he glared at Claudius.

He didn't care about the kings who had seconded the proposal.

To him, they were insignificant.

What truly infuriated him was Claudius himself.

In a deep, ominous voice, Nusjuro demanded,

"Claudius, what do you think you're doing?!

This is not a matter to joke about!"

Claudius calmly took a sip of his tea.

Then, with a smile, he replied,

"My lord, please rest assured."

Nusjuro narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

But before he could respond.

Claudius set down his teacup and spoke again.

"This time, I am dead serious.

And I mean every single word I just said."

BANG!

Nusjuro slammed his hand against the table.

"CLAUDIUS, DON'T GO TOO FAR!" he roared.

But Claudius ignored him.

Instead, he turned to face the gathered rulers, his lips curling into a faint smirk.

"What's wrong?

Does this proposal not align with your interests?

Or is it that you're too afraid to speak up?"

As his gaze swept across the room, some of the struggling nations, the ones teetering on the brink of financial ruin, unable to pay the Heavenly Tribute—gritted their teeth.

Then, one by one, they stepped forward and raised their hands.

They seconded the proposal.

Soon, the number of supporting nations rose to twenty-six.

Most of the remaining kings remained silent.

They did not approve the proposal, but they also did not oppose it.

Instead, they simply observed the situation.

After all…

The World Government had held absolute power for 800 years.

Even though Saint Claudius was a powerful figure, this sudden upheaval was too shocking.

Moreover, no one could tell whether this was all just a political ploy.

What if Claudius and the Five Elders were actually working together?

What if this was a trap to flush out those who secretly opposed the Heavenly Tribute?

If that were the case…

Then anyone who spoke up now would be eliminated later.

The Five Elders still didn't fully understand Claudius's motives.

But when they saw that the situation had somewhat stabilized

And that only twenty-six nations had seconded the proposal.

They felt slightly relieved.

At least it hadn't spiraled completely out of control.

"Claudius," Nusjuro said coldly.

"Whatever you're plotting, it ends here.

Your proposal has not been accepted."

But Claudius simply laughed.

"No, my lord.

I believe this proposal has been accepted."

"Hmph! Stop twisting the truth!

Out of the hundred kings present, only twenty-six nations voted in favor.

That means the proposal is rejected!" the bearded elder scoffed.

Claudius, still smiling confidently, replied,

"No, my lord…

The votes at this summit are not counted that way."

Then, turning his attention back to the gathered rulers, he spoke in a cold, commanding tone.

"The kings who supported the proposal just now have seconded it.

But now that I've finished speaking…

Who dares to object?!"

A heavy silence filled the hall.

None of the remaining rulers spoke.

They did not dare to approve it outright…

But they also did not dare to oppose Claudius.

Because at this moment, no one knew for sure.

Would Claudius emerge victorious?

Or would the Five Elders crush him?

It was too soon to tell.

So why take unnecessary risks?

After all, even if they didn't openly support the proposal.

If it passed, wouldn't they still benefit?

And so, in the face of Claudius's unwavering authority,

Not a single king dared to object.

The Five Elders' faces darkened.

They finally realized.

Claudius had planned this from the very beginning.

And now, grinning at the Five Elders, Claudius declared.

"See, my lords?

That's the result.

Now, shall we move on to discussing the details?"

The Five Elders sat in furious silence, their eyes burning with rage.

They had underestimated him.

Badly.

Chapter 390: Saint Claudius Has Gone Mad!!!

The Five Elders let out cold snorts, shifting their gazes away from Claudius and turning them toward the gathered royalty.

Under the immense pressure, none of the kings dared to speak or even look in Claudius's direction.

Claudius, however, acted as if he noticed nothing at all. He smirked and casually said,

"The Heavenly Tribute, as a representation of the World Government's legal authority, naturally cannot be completely abolished, otherwise, our prestige would be lost.

No matter how you look at it, I am still a Celestial Dragon. I can't be the one to set that precedent..."

Hearing him say this, the Five Elders were furious.

So you do remember that you're a Celestial Dragon?!

"But in the end," Claudius continued, "the Heavenly Tribute is just a symbol of Celestial Dragon dignity.

It was never meant to be an economic burden on the world.

Over the past 800 years, however, it has evolved into a heavy financial strain on every nation.

So, I propose that we restore the original system from 800 years ago.

The Heavenly Tribute should be purely symbolic—a representation of honor, not a tool for oppression.

Every year, the 173 member nations will contribute a symbolic 100 million Berries to the World Government and Celestial Dragons.

This way, Celestial Dragon dignity is maintained, while we also demonstrate the generosity and magnanimity of both the World Government and the Celestial Dragons.

What do you all think?"

Claudius grinned as he spoke, his tone playful yet unwavering.

100 million Berries per year was still a significant sum, but compared to the astronomical tribute currently demanded, it was an insignificant fraction.

For most nations, 100 million Berries was easily manageable.

Right now, the World Government demanded 10 billion Berries in tribute per nation, per year.

That meant a total of 1.73 trillion Berries annually.

Even in times of peace, this was an unbearable burden.

And in an era as chaotic as this one?

It was bleeding nations dry.

For the past eighteen years, the Great Pirate Era had put immense strain on economies worldwide.

Even the strongest nations were starting to crumble.

Yet, the World Government still demanded the same staggering amount, year after year.

Even worse, not all of it even went to the Celestial Dragons.

Where was all that money going?

Taking Claudius as an example.

As an Upper Celestial Dragon, he received 10 billion Berries per year.

A Median Celestial Dragon received 2 billion Berries per year.

A Lower Celestial Dragon received 500 million Berries per year.

Currently, Mariejois housed three Upper Celestial Dragons.

Even if you accounted for every Median and Lower Celestial Dragon, their total share was less than a third of the entire Heavenly Tribute.

The rest of the money?

It never reached the Celestial Dragons at all.

Instead, the World Government took the lion's share, using it to fund its own expenses and deficits.

Claudius wasn't blind to this fact.

But unlike the current World Government, Claudius didn't need to rely on the Heavenly Tribute for funding.

He had other means of balancing the economy—ways that would not crush the member nations.

Besides, he knew that a government budget wasn't supposed to be in permanent surplus.

Fluctuations were normal. A government should spend money, not hoard it.

Simply put—

Claudius wasn't desperate for the Heavenly Tribute.

So he could afford to make bold moves.

While most of the kings remained silent, Doflamingo and the others did not.

They openly discussed and refined the proposal, acting as if the Five Elders did not exist.

The Five Elders' faces twitched in rage.

Before long, Claudius spoke again.

"Then, as agreed in this World Summit.

The final ruling reduces the Heavenly Tribute to a purely symbolic amount, maintaining Celestial Dragon dignity while removing its burden on the member nations."

BANG!

Nusjuro slammed his fist onto the table.

"Absurd!" he roared.

"Claudius, you are far too reckless!

Do you realize how much Celestial Dragons spend each year?!

Do you know how much of the tribute goes to you alone?!"

Claudius chuckled.

"Ah, of course I know.

I alone receive 10 billion Berries per year.

My Donquixote family consists of two Median Celestial Dragons and six Lower Celestial Dragons.

A relatively small family, wouldn't you say?

Even so, we receive 17 billion Berries annually."

He was clearly unfazed by Nusjuro's anger.

The Five Elders knew this wasn't the full truth.

Claudius wasn't just realizing this now—he had planned this all along.

And sure enough, he shifted gears immediately.

"Ah, but I seem to have overlooked something.

The Five Elders have reminded me, there are 18 other Celestial Dragon families, each with significantly more members than my own."

Nusjuro's expression darkened.

He hesitated before speaking, choosing his words carefully.

"You yourself admit that your Donquixote family requires 17 billion Berries per year…

Do you realize how much is needed for the rest?"

Of course Claudius knew.

But he played along, feigning sudden realization.

"Ah… You're right! 17 billion would barely be enough for my family alone."

At this, the Five Elders' faces fell.

They weren't fooled.

Claudius was leading the conversation.

And then—

Claudius delivered the final blow.

"But the thing is…

This proposal has already passed.

According to the World Summit's laws, once a proposal is approved, it holds the highest legal authority.

If anyone wants to change it, they'll have to wait…

Four years.

What happens now, my lords?"

Silence.

Then—

Crocodile chuckled darkly.

"In that case, we need a compromise," he said.

"Doflamingo suggested reducing the number of Celestial Dragons earlier.

If there are fewer Celestial Dragons, then won't the tribute be enough?"

Doflamingo let out his signature laugh.

"Fufufufu… Claudius is right.

If the Donquixote family was the only Celestial Dragon clan left… wouldn't that solve the problem?"

Claudius grinned.

"But we'd still be 300 million Berries short…" he mused.

"Fufufu, cousin," Doflamingo smirked,

"I'm a generous man.

Why don't we reinstate my Celestial Dragon status?

I can pay 200 million Berries annually.

That leaves just 100 million—easy, right?"

Claudius laughed heartily.

"That actually makes perfect sense!"

BANG!

Nusjuro slammed the table again, his voice shaking with fury.

"Claudius—WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT?!"

Claudius's smile vanished.

His voice turned cold and sharp.

"What do I want?

Heh…

As Donquixote Claudius, a High Celestial Dragon…

I propose the abolition of the Celestial Dragons!"

As soon as his words fell—

Boa Hancock smiled.

"In the name of Amazon Lily, this Empress agrees!"

"OUTRAGEOUS!!!" Nusjuro bellowed.

"MARINES—ARREST CLAUDIUS AT ONCE!!!"

But—

Sengoku simply took another sip of tea.

"The weather's nice today, don't you think, Garp?"

Garp, munching on senbei, grinned.

"Ahahahaha! Indeed!"


T/N: Some chunks of the latter part of this chapter were missing, and I couldn't find them; however, here is basically what happened, pieced together from the missing parts.

["Obviously, this is the tea just now.

And the reason why Mihawk complains to Claudius is because he originally said that he would give him the swordsman in Five Elders, but you secretly poisoned them? How can this be played?." ]

So from this basically Claudius poisoned them or something.

Chapter 391: The Marines Suppress Mariejois!

Seeing the Five Elders in their deteriorated state, Garp chuckled and said, "Ahahahaha! Claudius, you're really something, huh?"

Claudius also smiled slightly and replied, "Everything follows the plan and serves a purpose. I'm someone who gets things done by any means necessary."

Joking aside, Claudius didn't come here to have a casual chat with the Five Elders. His primary objective today was to seize absolute authority, abolish the power of the World Government, and establish a new regime.

If circumstances were different, Claudius wouldn't mind sitting down with the Five Elders, but if there's a more efficient and secure way to accomplish his goal, of course, he'd choose that option.

The poison was prepared specifically for the Five Elders. Mihawk and the others were a contingency plan, if the poison wasn't effective, they would use force to subdue them.

After all, the Five Elders have ruled the World Government for countless years. Who knows if they possess any hidden strength?

But now, it seemed they couldn't withstand it. In a way, that made things easier for Claudius.

Nusjuro, the bald elder, felt the effects taking hold. A flicker of hesitation crossed his eyes before he subtly pressed a button on his cuff.

This was the Five Elders' emergency directive. However, with the Marines already siding with Claudius and CP-0 rendered useless, their only hope lay with the CP organizations scattered across Mariejois.

Mariejois had a considerable number of guards—technically, they could be called an "army," but they lacked formal organization and functioned more as a security force.

If the CP agencies could mobilize effectively, they might have a chance to rescue the Five Elders and rally with the guards to turn the tide.

However, the moment Nusjuro pressed the button, alarms blared at CP headquarters within Mariejois. This was the highest-level alert—upon receiving it, all CP units were to rush to the Five Elders' location and carry out emergency rescue and security operations.

But this time, there was no response from CP headquarters.

Spandine leaned against the wall with a smirk, listening to the blaring alarm. Then, he reached out and flipped a hidden switch on the wall, silencing it.

"What a shame… no one is coming to save you," Spandine chuckled.

At the same time, Gis, who was gripping a seastone-forged nightstick, was dumbfounded.

Hearing Spandine's words and recalling his own experiences, Gis quickly pieced things together. If he still didn't understand what was happening, he'd be a fool.

"Spandine! You betrayed the World Government! You turned your back on the Five Elders! Have you also betrayed His Highness?!" Gis demanded, struggling to make sense of the situation.

In his mind, Claudius was still a Celestial Dragon. He initially thought Spandine and the Marines were up to something sinister.

But instead of answering, Spandine suddenly swung his hand, landing a vicious slap across Gis's face. The force shattered his mask, revealing his pale, shocked expression.

"Gis, you can say I betrayed the World Government, and you can say I turned my back on the Five Elders, but one thing you must never say don't ever claim I betrayed His Highness! My loyalty to His Highness… is something you could never comprehend!" Spandine said coldly.

Hearing this, Gis was stunned. He had to consider the worst possibility, could it be that Saint Claudius himself was the mastermind behind this entire operation?

And was Spandine so devoted to him that he dared to follow Claudius in such an audacious coup?

Ignoring Gis, Spandine turned to his subordinates and commanded, "The alarm has been triggered. That means His Highness has begun. Start the operation occupy and suppress Mariejois!"

The Five Elders never expected that their emergency signal would not only fail to activate the CP agencies but would instead serve as Spandine's cue to launch the takeover.

Standing behind Spandine, Momonga nodded and said, "Per Fleet Admiral Sengoku's orders, the Marine Headquarters will fully cooperate with CP-X for this operation. Spandine, you are the commander this time."

"Much appreciated," Spandine replied with a smile.

Deep down, he was grateful. His Highness Claudius had entrusted this critical mission to him—a man with no combat prowess. That level of trust was beyond words.

Taking out a Den Den Mushi, Spandine spoke calmly into it:

"All units, follow orders. Proceed with the plan—take full control of Mariejois! Suppress all resistance. If any obstacles arise, ignore casualties—eliminate them without hesitation!"

The moment Spandine's command was issued, hidden forces across Mariejois sprang into action.

In the Marine base within Mariejois, Dragon held a Den Den Mushi, listening to Spandine's voice on the other end.

In terms of strategic planning, Dragon was not inferior to Spandine, the master tactician. However, when it came to familiarity with Mariejois, Spandine had the upper hand. That's why Dragon followed his lead for this operation.

Stowing away the Den Den Mushi, Dragon smiled and said, "Alright, it seems His Highness has started. As planned, the Revolutionary Army's target is—"

"The World Government headquarters building," Sabo interjected.

"Correct. Then let's move, secure everyone inside. No one is allowed to escape!" Dragon declared.

Meanwhile, at the port, Marine officers who had been negotiating with the guards received their orders. Without further delay, the warships opened fire, bombarding the port.

Marine Vice Admirals quickly led squads to seize control of the six main ports that connected Mariejois to the rest of the world, completely sealing off all routes of entry and exit.

At the entrance of the Holy Land's residential district, Gion finished her call and pulled out a slim lady's cigarette. She placed it between her lips, lit it, and slowly exhaled a puff of smoke.

Onigumo glanced at her but didn't comment on the sight of a beautiful woman smoking. Instead, he asked, "Vice Admiral Gion, shouldn't we act now?"

Their mission was to secure the Celestial Dragons' residential area. Initially, they only needed to guard the entrance. But with the operation fully underway, they now had to eliminate all resistance and subdue the Celestial Dragons themselves.

Gion exhaled another puff of smoke before replying, "No rush. The port should already be under our control. Our Marine reinforcements will arrive soon."

The Celestial Dragons' estate was heavily guarded, with many powerful fighters among them. Rushing in prematurely would be reckless. They needed to wait for their forces to consolidate before making a move.

Onigumo nodded. Since Gion was the Admiral candidate here, she had the final say.

Sure enough, before long, reinforcements arrived. A Marine Vice Admiral led a large contingent of soldiers toward them.

The man in charge wore black sunglasses and had a shaved head, exuding an imposing presence. However, there were still some food crumbs at the corner of his mouth, leftovers from his last meal, which seemed to have been hot pot or oden.

Beside him was a Marine Rear Admiral with three cigars in his mouth and sunglasses of his own. His demeanor was sharp and aggressive.

"Vice Admiral Vergo, Rear Admiral Smoker," Gion greeted them with a nod.

Vergo, fully aware of the hierarchy, gave a humble nod in return. Gion wasn't just another Vice Admiral; she was an Admiral candidate and, more importantly, Claudius's woman. She was his superior in every sense.

Having a good relationship with Gion, Vergo then asked, "Reinforcements are here. Vice Admiral Gion, please give the order."

A cold gleam flashed in Gion's eyes as she declared,

"All Marine officers, listen up! Commence suppression of the Holy Land—now!"