"Of course…"
The deliberate pause that followed instantly dampened the reporters' excitement.
"I won't answer that question yet. You will know soon enough."
A collective sigh of disappointment swept through the arena.
"Captain Kaito, you are now the Emperor of the New World. How do you plan to govern your territory?"
"This question, like the previous one, will be announced later."
"Captain Kaito, since the battle at Berenhalt Island, your force is widely regarded as the strongest in the sea. Do you intend to absorb the Marines?"
Kaito shook his head lightly.
"It seems all of you have been closely watching the relationship between my forces, the World Government, and the Marines. That's fine. I will now clearly state our rules, structure, and future direction."
Ignoring the stunned expressions around him, Kaito picked up the prepared document and began speaking.
"From today onward, our forces will officially be known as the New Government."
The arena exploded.
"That's right. The New Government."
"The military structure will follow the Marine ranking system."
"I will serve as Marshal of the New Government."
The uproar intensified.
"Under the Marshal will be four Deputy Marshals."
Kaito's voice remained calm.
"Redfield."
"Edward Newgate."
"Kaido of the Beasts."
"And Revolutionary Army Leader, Dragon."
The silence that followed was suffocating.
"What?"
"That's impossible."
"Redfield, Whitebeard, Kaido, and Dragon?"
"When did Dragon become part of this?"
The name alone shook the world, but the lineup shattered common sense.
Not just the reporters, but civilians across the New World watching the broadcast were frozen in shock.
One Marshal.
Four Deputy Marshals.
Each possessed power rivaling the Emperors of the sea.
And Dragon's inclusion made the New Government's strength exponentially more terrifying.
The meaning behind the name was now unmistakable.
This announcement alone answered the earlier question about Kaito's ambitions.
Without pausing, Kaito raised his hand.
"The Deputy Marshals will step forward."
Led by Whitebeard, the four figures walked onto the platform one by one.
Cameras flashed nonstop as reporters desperately captured every angle, engraving their faces into history.
After a brief moment, Kaito gestured again, and the four exited.
"The New Government will have six Generals, or you could call them, Admirals."
The crowd barely had time to breathe.
"Issho."
"Douglas Bullet."
"Kuzan."
"Marco the Phoenix."
"Charlotte Katakuri."
"King."
Each name struck like thunder.
Every one of them possessed Admiral level strength or the ability to fight evenly against one.
This lineup alone was enough to overwhelm the existing Marine structure.
Kaito's intention was clear.
War with the World Government was no longer hypothetical.
The Vice Admirals would be composed of elite officers from various forces, including commanders from the Big Mom Pirates, the Whitebeard Pirates, and the Beasts Pirates.
There were too many to list individually.
They still had tasks to fulfill today.
Rear Admirals followed next.
Once the structure was finalized, Kaito moved on to the New Government's regulations.
"No indiscriminate plundering."
"People first."
"Fixed salaries."
A structured system, adapted to fit this world, was laid out clearly.
Not everything was implemented at once.
Kaito intended gradual reform.
Each declaration sent shockwaves across the island and throughout the New World.
When he finished, the reporters were completely stunned.
"Marshal Kaito, is everything you said true?" one reporter finally asked.
"Of course," Kaito replied calmly. "I keep my word."
"The New World will become better."
"I will turn it into a peaceful homeland, free from endless war."
"Marshal Kaito, what do you mean by salaries? Is it like civilian wages?"
"Yes."
"The chaos of this era began with Roger's final words."
"But many became pirates simply to survive."
"The same applies to Marines."
"Others were crushed under noble exploitation."
"If people can live without fear, eat daily, raise families, and live with dignity, why would they become pirates?"
"Pirates live on the edge of death."
"If you have food, shelter, a spouse, and children, only a fool would choose that life."
"There are exceptions, those who crave freedom above all else, but they are rare."
"That is why my subordinates receive salaries."
"One reason is to support their families."
"The other is to give them a future worth fighting for."
The arena fell silent.
Even the reporters had forgotten to take pictures.
"Long live Marshal Kaito!"
A single shout erupted from the distant crowd.
It spread instantly.
The chant thundered across Totto Land, shaking the sky.
"What terrifying cohesion," Kuzan muttered quietly. "I never saw this during my years in the Marines."
"It's natural," Garrett replied softly. "The captain is extraordinary. I believe he truly can overturn the World Government."
Dragon exhaled slowly.
"Following him was the right decision."
"It's not too late to say that now," Sabo said with a grin.
"You wouldn't understand," Dragon replied, his gaze heavy with thought.
Mariejois.
The Five Elders stared at the screen in silence.
"This man cannot be allowed to exist," Saint Nusjuro said coldly.
"He must be eliminated," Saint Saturn added grimly.
"Eliminated?" Saint Peter frowned. "With what force? The current Marines? An assassination?"
"You've all seen his strength. None of us could defeat him alone."
Saint Mars sneered.
"The name alone reveals his ambition. The New Government."
"Will you seek Lord Imu's involvement?" Saint Peter asked darkly.
"Even if we mobilize, Marine high level combat power is dangerously thin," Saint Saturn said slowly. "His forces could crush the Marines outright."
"Then what do you propose?" Saint Peter asked.
Saint Saturn's eyes narrowed.
"Hold a world level competition."
"Recruit warriors."
"The top two become Marine Admirals."
"Ranks three through twenty become Vice Admirals."
Silence fell again.
"Will that even work?" Saint Peter asked quietly.