Pangaea Castle, Social Plaza.
After Sengoku went alone to the Chamber of Power to seek a solution, Tsuru and the three future Admirals were left behind to watch Yemu's every move.
Among the three, Borsalino and Kuzan could be considered Yemu's acquaintances. As for Vice Admiral Tsuru and Sakazuki, this was their first time meeting him.
Seeing Yemu sitting there so leisurely, as if he had come here on vacation, Sakazuki's hatred of evil clearly made it difficult for him to hold back. Fortunately, Sengoku had left Tsuru here precisely to prevent a conflict from breaking out.
"You don't look nervous at all."
Tsuru's words broke the silence in the square and drew everyone's attention.
"Are you really not worried about being trapped here? Don't forget, this is the Holy Land of Mary Geoise. Garp and Zephyr are on their way as well... Once they arrive, you won't have any chance of winning."
Yemu naturally showed a measure of respect toward Vice Admiral Tsuru, a remarkably capable female Staff Officer on the Marines' side in the One Piece world.
"That's because I have enough leverage. Just as you said, Vice Admiral Tsuru, this is the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, and there are so many royals and nobles here with me."
Vice Admiral Tsuru was left momentarily speechless.
At that point, Yemu glanced at the Marine officers, then at the royal families of the fifty nations, and asked with curiosity,
"Actually, there's a question I've always wanted answered. I wonder if Vice Admiral Tsuru could clear it up for me?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru knew full well that nothing useful to them would come out of Yemu's mouth, but she clearly had no way to stop him. Sure enough, Yemu continued,
"I imagine everyone in the Marines has had complaints about the Celestial Dragons for a long time, haven't you? Otherwise, Vice Admiral Garp, the Marine Hero, wouldn't have refused to become an Admiral. Admiral Zephyr wouldn't have fallen out with Fleet Admiral Sengoku. Fleet Admiral Sengoku's justice wouldn't be the justice of military orders ruling the world. And while I don't know Vice Admiral Sakazuki very well, I can tell that Borsalino and Kuzan are both confused about the Marines' justice too."
Tsuru immediately made her position clear and said coldly,
"Fire Dragon Yemu, those tricks to sow discord won't work on the Marines."
"Is that so?"
Yemu did not mind. He turned instead to the royals and nobles of the fifty nations around them.
"Then I'd like to ask the royal families of the fifty nations participating in the Reverie. What about you? Are you truly so willing to accept the existence of the Celestial Dragons? Paying such a huge amount of Heavenly Tribute every year must be difficult, no? I've heard that many countries, just to gather enough Heavenly Tribute, have driven their people into misery, to the point where even getting enough to eat has become a problem. Even if none of you care whether commoners live or die, wouldn't it still be better to keep that money in your own hands...?"
The moment he said this, the expressions of the royal families at the banquet changed.
Although most of the royals present did not dare say much under the tyranny of the World Government and the Celestial Dragons, their faces could not hide what they truly felt. This was especially true of some royal relatives, whose greed was written plainly across their faces.
After all, a single country's Heavenly Tribute started at hundreds of millions of Belly.
Seeing this, Yemu seized the chance to add more fuel to the fire.
"I know you all pay Heavenly Tribute to receive protection from the World Government and the Marines, but has that money really spared you from pirate attacks?"
This time, many of the royals fell into thought.
Tsuru clearly sensed that things were getting worse, but it was already too late to stop him.
"In that case, why don't you bypass the World Government and the Celestial Dragons and work directly with the Marines? That way, you wouldn't have to pay so much Heavenly Tribute, and you could still receive Marine protection. As for the Marines, you wouldn't have to..."
Before Yemu could finish, Tsuru angrily cut him off.
"That's enough, Fire Dragon Yemu. Don't try to explain how this world's order works with your simplistic ideas."
"Really? I don't think it's that complicated."
Tsuru was clearly becoming anxious now. Yemu, however, did not continue provoking her. After all, pushing too far would only backfire. Instead, he looked at the royal families of the fifty nations present.
"In that case, please allow me to make a small advertisement. I'm sure you all heard earlier that aside from being a pirate, I now have another identity: President of the Rainbow Nation. In the future, if any of you become dissatisfied with the World Government, or if you need mercenaries to protect your countries from pirates, then our Rainbow Nation can provide security services for your nations. The price will be far more generous than you can imagine."
At that moment, while many of the royals present were shocked, a clear trace of interest appeared on quite a few faces. But that was all. After all...
"A nation founded by pirates? What terrifying ambition. But say that again after you survive the Marines and the World Government's encirclement."
Vice Admiral Tsuru spoke coldly.
Yemu was unconcerned.
"Exactly. So please look forward to it, everyone."
Just then, a hearty laugh rang out from the sky, accompanied by bursts of air being torn apart.
"What a confident brat!"
"A mere pirate actually wants to found a nation!"
As the voices fell, two burly figures descended from the sky. The Marine Hero Garp and Admiral Zephyr made their impressive entrance!
Seeing this, all the royal families of the fifty nations let out a sigh of relief.
"The Marine Hero Garp..."
"Admiral Zephyr!"
"We're saved! Hurry, Garp, get us out of here!"
Hearing his name, Garp picked his nose and glanced at the person calling him.
"Who are you?"
"Eh?!"
Outlook II stepped forward excitedly and said in a rush,
"I am the king of the Goa Kingdom. As a citizen of the Goa Kingdom, you are my subject. I now order you to protect me and take me away from here!"
Garp ignored him completely and walked over to Tsuru and the others together with Zephyr.
Zephyr got straight to the point.
"What's the situation?"
Tsuru briefly explained everything that had just happened. Only after she finished did Zephyr and Garp turn around. Looking at the Power Rocks glowing with purple light, they slowly walked over together.
Their towering frames stood before Yemu.
At that moment, even Yemu felt tremendous pressure.
"How terrifying."
These two were undoubtedly among the strongest at the very top of the pirate world. Garp in particular was the pinnacle among pinnacles, and he was still in his prime.
As the highest-ranking Marine present, Zephyr looked coldly at Yemu.
This was not the first time the two had met. Strictly speaking, it was the third.
In the previous two encounters, whether at the Sabaody Archipelago or at the G1 branch, Zephyr had suffered clear defeats in their confrontations. But this time...
"Fire Dragon Yemu, surrender quietly. In front of me and Garp, your Power Rocks can't threaten us."
"Ah, of course I know that. But Admiral Zephyr, after all the times we've crossed paths, you don't really think these are my only backup plans, do you?"
As soon as he finished speaking, a violent roar came from the sky. Only this time, it was no longer the Marines.
In a world lit by crimson flames, a massive pirate ship, sky-blue like the sea and bearing the Sun Emblem, tore through the sea of clouds and appeared before everyone's eyes...