"Teacher, are we really training like this?"
Kuina imitated Saint Roselith Seraphina and sat upright atop the roof of a palace building.
She carefully unfastened the sword at her waist and laid it horizontally across her crossed legs.
Then she slowly closed her eyes and tried to listen to the movement of the wind around her.
"Of course."
"Today, I'm going to teach you how to begin training your Observation Haki."
"First, close your eyes just like I am."
"Then use your hearing to carefully perceive the movement of the people below."
"When you can clearly distinguish their individual movements, presences, and emotional fluctuations…"
"…that means you are not far from awakening Kenbunshoku Haki."
Seraphina spoke in a calm and measured tone.
On the surface, she looked like a seasoned master guiding a disciple through a profound martial principle.
But inwardly, she was not entirely confident.
After all…
How exactly was one supposed to teach Observation Haki in a formal, systematic way?
Her own Kenbunshoku Haki had developed at an abnormal speed due to her monstrous natural perception, years of sensory training from blindness, and the assistance of the mysterious system.
Strictly speaking, she had never awakened it through conventional methods like ordinary people.
Still, as Kuina's teacher, she could not exactly admit she was improvising.
So before today, Seraphina had quietly questioned Bruce in detail about all the standard methods used by government agents and elite operatives to cultivate Kenbunshoku Haki.
Bruce had been confused by the question.
After all, Lady Seraphina was already proficient in Observation Haki.
But he did not dare ask too much.
He simply explained everything he knew, from the basics of sensory sharpening to the advanced stages of reading intent, emotional disturbances, and hostile movement.
Seraphina then combined Bruce's explanation with her own experience and personal understanding.
And thus…
The Saint Roselith Seraphina Style Observation Haki Training Method was born.
"Oh…"
Although Kuina did not fully understand the principle behind it, she still nodded very obediently.
She trusted her teacher completely.
And besides…
Everything Seraphina said sounded extremely reasonable.
It even sounded profound.
"Kuina."
"Tell me."
"What can you feel right now?"
Seraphina asked while keeping her eyes shut.
Kuina frowned slightly and focused harder.
"…There are a lot of people."
"So many people…"
Seraphina shook her head.
"No."
"That's too vague."
"I want a more detailed answer."
Kuina bit her lip lightly.
Then she calmed her breathing and focused harder.
This time, she really tried to sort through the countless noises and disturbances below.
After a while, she slowly spoke.
"…I can hear a little girl."
"She seems to be talking to her father."
"…They're discussing what they should eat later."
"And…"
Kuina hesitated.
"And what?"
Seraphina asked.
"…There's also a man arguing with a woman over the price of jewelry."
"Very good."
Seraphina nodded in satisfaction.
"Continue following that line of thought."
"Separate one sound from another."
"Separate one presence from the next."
"Do not try to hear everything at once."
"If you try to grasp all of it at the same time, your mind will become chaotic."
"Observation Haki is not about hearing more."
"It is about understanding more clearly."
Kuina's expression became serious.
She quietly absorbed every word.
Although she had yet to awaken Haki, her talent was unquestionable.
As expected of the girl who, in the original future, would have been Zoro's eternal rival and greatest regret.
Her talent for swordsmanship was real.
And if guided properly…
She could go even farther than before.
Of course, Seraphina did not mention that "listening in" on random people's conversations was not exactly a noble habit.
But then again…
This was training.
And those people were just shopping, chatting, and wandering through Mary Geoise.
So… it probably did not count as anything too immoral.
Probably.
Time passed quickly during training.
The morning wind drifted across the roof.
Far below, the streets of Mary Geoise gradually became more crowded.
The number of delegates, attendants, soldiers, nobles, and government personnel moving through the Holy Land continued to increase.
The World Conference was almost ready to officially begin.
By this point, nearly every kingdom scheduled to attend had already arrived in Mary Geoise.
As for the few who had failed to arrive before the deadline…
The World Government had absolutely no intention of waiting for them.
The machine of power did not pause for the weak.
"Lady Seraphina."
A respectful voice sounded from behind.
"Conference Chairman Moso requests your presence at the World Conference."
A World Government official had arrived outside the rooftop access corridor and bowed respectfully the moment he saw her.
He did not dare speak too loudly.
Even his posture was careful.
After all, the one before him was not merely a Marine Rear Admiral.
She was also a direct descendant of the World Nobles.
Saint Roselith Seraphina.
A daughter of the Roselith Family.
And one of the most dangerous young figures currently residing in Mary Geoise.
"I understand."
Seraphina did not show much surprise.
She had already expected something like this.
Normally speaking, only Marines at the rank of Admiral or above were qualified to formally attend the World Conference in any official capacity.
Anything lower would usually remain outside as security personnel.
But this time…
The situation was clearly "special."
Whether because of her Marine status, her bloodline, or her father's influence…
Someone had arranged for her to sit in.
And Seraphina had no intention of refusing.
She was not especially interested in the endless political nonsense of the World Government.
But she was interested in one thing.
Why had the Reverie been pushed forward this time?
Something about it felt unusual.
And whenever the World Government moved strangely…
It usually meant there was something hidden beneath the surface.
The Next Day.Pangaea Castle — Conference Hall.The grand conference chamber was solemn and magnificent.
A long rectangular table stretched through the center of the hall like a symbol of authority itself.
Fifty seats had been arranged around it.
Each seat represented one of the fifty member nations officially attending this session of the World Conference.
Kings.
Queens.
Princes.
High ministers.
National representatives.
Every one of them carried the fate of a nation on their shoulders.
And every one of them had come here to bargain for their own interests.
At the very front of the hall stood a middle-aged government official in elaborate formal attire.
He cleared his throat and looked around the room.
"Ahem."
"Your Majesties, distinguished delegates, honored guests…"
"Thank you all for coming."
"The World Conference…"
"…shall now officially begin."
His voice echoed through the chamber.
"My name is Moso."
"I will serve as the Chairman for this session of the Reverie."
Moso adjusted the stack of documents in his hands.
Then, with a smooth and practiced motion, he began the meeting.
"The first matter on today's agenda concerns the collection status of last year's Heavenly Tribute."
As soon as he said those words, the atmosphere in the room subtly changed.
Some kings frowned immediately.
Others lowered their heads.
A few exchanged silent looks.
Moso continued coldly.
"The list of member nations with delayed or incomplete tribute payments has already been compiled."
"Countries whose names appear on this list are expected to remain vigilant."
"And I hope you will fulfill your obligations to the World Government on time."
"Failure to do so will severely disrupt the proper operation of world governance."
As soon as he finished speaking, one of the kings sitting midway down the table stood up.
"Chairman Moso!"
"Our country truly cannot afford to pay the Heavenly Tribute this year!"
"The burden is too heavy!"
"Our citizens can barely survive as it is!"
"Can the World Government not grant us even a short extension?"
His voice carried both frustration and desperation.
He was not the only one.
Several other rulers with similarly impoverished nations wore equally bitter expressions.
Their lands were barren.
Their trade routes were unstable.
Their populations were shrinking.
And every year, the Heavenly Tribute demanded by the World Government became a blade hanging over their necks.
Moso did not soften in the slightest.
"That is your country's internal problem."
"Without the Heavenly Tribute, the World Government cannot maintain normal operations."
"If every member nation behaved as you do…"
"…then what exactly do you expect the government to survive on?"
He raised his voice slightly.
"How are we to maintain the Marines?"
"How are we to fund military operations?"
"How are we to preserve peace, order, and stability across the seas?"
"There will be no extension."
"Do not bring up this matter again."
"I expect your country to complete payment on time."
His words were firm and final.
The king who had spoken clenched his jaw in humiliation and slowly sat back down.
Another ruler immediately sneered from across the table.
"If you can't even afford to pay tribute, then perhaps your country doesn't deserve to sit at this table."
"Why are all these weak little nations allowed to call themselves member states?"
"How can you say that?!"
The first king shot back angrily.
"Our nation has been part of the World Government for generations!"
"Enough!"
Moso's expression darkened.
"Silence."
He had no intention of letting this devolve into a useless shouting match.
Because in the end…
No matter how loudly they protested, the answer would not change.
The World Government would never loosen its grip over money.
Not when money was power.
And not when power flowed upward toward Mary Geoise.
"Proceeding to the second agenda item."
Moso flipped to the next page in his documents.
"The disaster relief budget and financial subsidy disbursement for member nations affected by major natural disasters last year have already been approved and allocated."
"I ask that the kings of the affected countries verify receipt."
"In addition…"
"The World Government will continue to provide humanitarian support to disaster-stricken nations in the form of emergency manpower, supplies, and financial assistance."
"This is one of the benefits granted to nations under the protection of the World Government."
"And it is also one of the official uses of the Heavenly Tribute you all provide."
"The Celestial Dragons and the administrative branches of the government will ensure these funds are put to proper use."
The moment he said that, many of the rulers present could not help but reveal bitter expressions.
Some looked away.
Some scoffed silently.
Some clenched their hands beneath the table.
Everyone here knew how that so-called "benefit" actually worked.
On this sea, natural disasters were not rare events.
They were routine.
Tsunamis.
Earthquakes.
Cyclones.
Volcanic eruptions.
Crop blight.
Coastal collapse.
Entire nations could be crippled within weeks.
And yes…
The World Government did technically provide relief.
But only after a mountain of bureaucracy.
First, officials had to be dispatched.
Then damage had to be assessed.
Then evidence had to be gathered.
Then reports had to be verified.
Then those reports had to be approved.
Then more officials had to review the approval.
And only after that long process…
Would aid maybe begin to move.
By that point, many nations had already buried their dead, rebuilt what they could, and exhausted themselves surviving alone.
What arrived in the end was often not salvation.
It was delayed decoration.
Worse still…
Not every World Government official was honest.
Many of them were parasites in polished shoes.
If a kingdom did not offer "gifts" to the inspectors sent by the government…
Then those same officials could easily "lose" paperwork, "delay" verification, or "discover inconsistencies" that froze the entire relief process.
And there was no clean way to fight back.
Because on paper…
Everything looked proper.
Everything looked legal.
Everything looked justified.
The system protected itself beautifully.
It was true that such strict verification procedures theoretically prevented fraudulent claims.
But in practice?
Who in their right mind would dare try to scam the World Government in the first place?
That so-called "benefit" was, more often than not, a decorative promise rather than real help.
Still…
No one at the table openly challenged Moso.
Because everyone here understood the same thing.
This was not a place for justice.
This was a place for power.
And power did not need to explain itself.
Moso scanned the room.
When he saw that no one intended to openly object, he immediately prepared to move on.
As far as he was concerned, the fewer questions asked, the better.
If these rulers stayed quiet, then today's session would end faster.
And if it ended faster…
He would have fewer headaches.
"If there are no further objections…"
"We shall now proceed to the third agenda item."
The room grew quieter.
A subtle tension settled over the conference chamber.
Even Seraphina, who had remained mostly silent until now, opened her eyes slightly and leaned back in her chair.
Her expression did not change.
But inwardly…
Her attention sharpened.
Because whatever came next…
Might finally be the real reason this Reverie had been convened so early.
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