Fleet Admiral Kuzan's decision would, at most, make ordinary people gasp in surprise.
However, for the Celestial Dragons living in Mary Geoise, it was an entirely different matter.
Normally, the Celestial Dragons paid little attention to how the world changed. Yet throughout Mary Geoise, countless video Den Den Mushi screens had been set up in streets and public squares.
Ever since the Ion Pirates appeared, the Celestial Dragons had rarely been allowed to descend from the Red Line. As a result, a live broadcast of an unprecedented war had become a form of entertainment for them.
But after hearing Kuzan's declaration, the Celestial Dragons of Mary Geoise realized the situation was far more serious than they had imagined.
At that moment, the Holy Land of Mary Geoise was in an uproar.
Many Celestial Dragons were furious.
One particularly stout Celestial Dragon continuously lashed the slave beneath him.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
As he whipped his mount, he shouted angrily,
"Marine! Marine! How dare you do this? We are your masters!"
Although the slave burned with rage, he silently endured.
At the same time, he secretly cheered for the Peach Garden.
He did not know what kind of organization Peach Garden truly was, nor whether it would be any better than the World Government.
But he knew one thing.
If the World Government fell, he might finally be free.
All he had to do was endure until that day arrived.
Elsewhere in the square, groups of Celestial Dragons discussed the shocking development.
"What is this Peach Garden? How dare an organization exist alongside us in the same world? Order the Cipher Pol agents to wipe them out immediately. We haven't gone down to the lower world in ages, and there aren't enough women at home anymore."
An elderly Celestial Dragon with a sinister expression spoke first.
A middle-aged, ugly-looking man nodded enthusiastically.
"Exactly! I'm tired of ordinary human women. I heard the old fool next door owns a mermaid. He spends all day playing with her and enjoying himself. Aside from his health getting worse, he's living quite comfortably."
The moment those words were spoken, several Celestial Dragons began drooling.
"A mermaid? Isn't her lower body a fish?"
"What do you know? They still need to eat, don't they?"
"Really? Then that's... hehehe..."
A middle-aged Celestial Dragon with two fleshy growths hanging beneath his chin stared at the battlefield broadcast and cursed bitterly.
"Damn it! It's all because of Rolan! Even our loyal dog, the Marines, have joined them. If we lose this war..."
His voice trailed off.
He did not dare imagine what would happen next.
After all, Rolan had already killed multiple Celestial Dragons.
"What are you afraid of? We are World Nobles!"
"Everyone in the world must kneel before us!"
"We are the descendants of the creators of this world. Without us, the world wouldn't even exist!"
"That's right! Even Rolan should technically be our servant if you think about it!"
The Celestial Dragon with the growths listened to their discussion and merely shook his head.
Unlike the others, he understood that the world was far more complicated than they believed.
Most Celestial Dragons had spent their entire lives inside the paradise created for them by the World Government.
"World Government will win!"
"Of course! The World Government can never lose!"
Nearby, a young pig-faced Celestial Dragon stared at the women fighting on the battlefield screen.
"They're all incredibly beautiful."
His eyes filled with lust.
He then ordered a Cipher Pol agent standing beside him.
"Pass down my orders. Make sure those women are captured alive. I haven't had fresh entertainment in a long time."
As he spoke, he lashed his slave viciously.
"Move! We're going home. I need somewhere to vent my frustration!"
On another side of the square, an elderly Celestial Dragon riding a one-eyed pirate slave watched the young man's departing figure and sighed.
"Being young is wonderful. These days, all I can do is play mahjong."
Someone nearby looked confused.
"What does that mean?"
The old man grinned.
"It means I can touch more tiles, draw more tiles, but rarely complete a winning hand."
While many Celestial Dragons remained ignorant, others had already begun noticing the changing tide.
"What should we do? The Marines have defected to Peach Garden. Are we really going to lose?"
"Damn Kuzan! How dare he betray us!"
"Sengoku was much better. He always listened to our orders."
Some of the more perceptive Celestial Dragons had already realized this war was unlike anything before.
Even within Mary Geoise itself, stories of the World Government's crimes were spreading.
If such rumors could circulate here, then the situation across the seas would undoubtedly be even worse.
They were not foolish enough to believe the World Government could silence every opposing voice this time.
Without the Heavenly Tribute flowing in from nations around the world, even maintaining their extravagant lifestyles would become impossible.
For the first time in a long while, worry appeared on many of their faces.
"I hope we win."
"If we lose, everything is finished."
...
The Kingdom of Borsia was one of the World Government's affiliated nations.
It was also the most powerful kingdom in the surrounding seas.
On the surface, it appeared prosperous and glorious.
In reality, social divisions within the kingdom were severe.
Every year, in order to pay the Heavenly Tribute demanded by the World Government, the royal family squeezed more and more wealth from its citizens.
As the Ion Pirates rose to power, many nations that had once relied on the World Government's protection stopped paying the Heavenly Tribute altogether.
As a result, the burden on the remaining affiliated nations increased dramatically.
The solution adopted by their rulers was simple.
Exploit the people even harder.
At that moment, inside the royal palace of Borsia Kingdom,
Crash! Bang!
The sound of shattered objects echoed through the hall.
A middle-aged king wearing a golden crown sat upon his throne.
Rows of ministers knelt below him, trembling.
"Damn it! Damn Peach Garden! Damn Rolan!"
After smashing everything on the table before him, he glared at the soldier kneeling below.
"Did the Marine Lieutenant Commander stationed here really say that?"
The armored soldier slowly raised his head.
"Yes, Your Majesty. They have already begun preparations to withdraw all troops."
Bang!
The king slammed his hand onto the table.
The loud impact caused every official present to flinch.
"Useless! They're all useless!"
"What does Peach Garden think it is? They will fail eventually!"
"When that day comes, I will plant Borsia's flag across every corner of their territory!"
"And I will take every woman in their nation!"
The ever-increasing Heavenly Tribute had long since driven him to madness.
Now, the Marines' defection had become the final blow.
He had grown accustomed to using Marines to suppress dissent.
Accustomed to exploiting the weak.
Accustomed to taking beautiful women into his palace whenever he pleased.
Accustomed to wielding absolute authority.
Everything he possessed stemmed from Borsia's status as a World Government-affiliated nation.
Now, however, the Marines were abandoning the World Government.
Naturally, the Marine forces stationed throughout affiliated nations were withdrawing as well.
That was not the worst part.
The citizens who had once obeyed the crown without question were becoming increasingly rebellious.
Rumors of resistance movements had already begun spreading.
At this point, the king could only pray for the World Government's victory.
Only then could he continue sitting upon Borsia's throne and oppressing his people without restraint.
Similar scenes were unfolding throughout countless affiliated nations.
Kuzan's declaration had transformed the already chaotic world into an even more turbulent sea.
People could no longer watch this war as mere spectators.
The Marines existed throughout the entire world.
Their actions affected global stability and the fate of countless nations.
...
Holy Land Mary Geoise, Flower Room.
A pair of mesmerizing eyes slowly opened.
A clear and elegant voice echoed through the chamber.
"It's time."
...