Dragon's furious words left Garp speechless. Sengoku frowned deeply. He knew Dragon wasn't wrong. Everything he said was true.
But as a soldier, obeying the orders of the World Government was expected. What else could they do?
"Dragon," Kong finally spoke again. "Have you ever considered what would happen if the World Government ceased to exist? If the Navy disappeared with it? What would become of the seas without order or unity?"
He didn't wait for an answer.
"War," he said. "The entire world would become a battlefield—a global version of the 'Country of Endless War' we already know."
"Chaos. The seas would run wild with pirates, slavers, and marauders, far more than we see now. Every inhabited island would become a target."
"Dragon, why is it that you only see the darkness? Do you not acknowledge the peaceful lives led by people across the nations, made possible by our Navy's efforts?"
Dragon stared back at him without a hint of emotion. "Where there is justice, we must uphold it. But where there is darkness, we cannot turn a blind eye. If things can be made better, why shouldn't we act?"
"Corruption, unjust laws, slavery, the Heavenly Tribute, and the Celestial Dragons themselves—each one must be dealt with, one by one!"
Speaking such open condemnation of the World Government and the Celestial Dragons right in front of a CP0 agent made it clear: Dragon had already resolved to die. There wasn't a shred of fear in him.
"Watch your mouth!"
Sengoku could no longer stay silent. His voice thundered with anger. "Deal with them? And how exactly do you propose we do that?"
"We are the Navy! We have no authority to address these matters! Such issues are for the kings attending the Levely to discuss and resolve!"
"If the military takes it upon itself to meddle in politics, do you think that's righteous?"
"Order. Order! What is order, Dragon? It's rules. It's discipline. If even the Navy stops obeying the rules, chaos will consume everything!"
Dragon opened his mouth but found himself unable to speak.
It was true. If even the Navy began acting recklessly, intervening at will, they would no longer be an organized force—they would become a rebel army. And when that happened, the world would fall into true anarchy, countless innocent lives caught in the crossfire.
Even Dragon had to admit it: the Navy was indeed the last line of defense for world order.
"Are you finished?"
At that moment, the CP0 agent—who had been silently listening—finally spoke. Seeing the four men turn their eyes toward him, he continued: "Then it's my turn. Listen carefully."
As he spoke, he reached into the pocket of his white suit and produced a white envelope, holding it out toward Dragon.
"Read this first. It's a letter from the Five Elders, meant for you. After you're done, I'll relay their message."
Dragon accepted the envelope with a look of deep suspicion. The Five Elders had written to him personally? He was just a lowly rear admiral—even if he was Garp's son, this level of attention seemed excessive.
Five minutes later, Dragon finished reading.
The furious expression on his face had long since disappeared, replaced by utter shock. His eyes were wide, his pupils trembling visibly.
He could hardly believe what he had just read.
"Now, I will deliver the message from the Elders. Listen carefully. I will only say it once."
The CP0 agent spoke coldly, ignoring the intense stares from the three senior Navy officers.
"Dragon, we are aware of the many problems plaguing the World Government today. Therefore, starting with this year's Levely, reforms will begin—gradually addressing and improving these issues."
"During this process, you may choose to observe or to participate. If there's anything you need clarified, you may send a letter via the CP0 agents assigned to you."
"But there is one thing you must understand: the Celestial Dragons are untouchable. That is the inviolable bottom line of the World Government."
"Anyone who lays a hand on them—dies."
"Furthermore, due to your prior misconduct, two CP0 agents will accompany you at all times. If you attempt to flee again, they are authorized to kill you on the spot."
Having delivered the message, the CP0 agent produced a key and removed the Seastone handcuffs from Dragon.
Dragon stared at him in disbelief, frozen in place for a long moment before he finally managed to ask in a low voice, "You're not afraid I'll run?"
"If you do, we will atone with our lives. Feel free to try," the CP0 agent replied lightly.
...
On the side of Mary Geoise, Imu sat solemnly on the Empty Throne, overseeing the entire situation, remotely directing the actions of the Administration Department and CP units across the world.
Even the letter sent to Dragon was dictated by him, written under the guise of the Five Elders' authority.
Monkey D. Dragon—the Revolutionary Army.
With such an important person and matter, how could someone as clever as Imu possibly overlook it?
The day after Roger's public execution, he had ordered the Five Elders to dispatch CP6 to monitor Dragon at G-3 Branch. If any sign of betrayal appeared, CP0 was to be alerted immediately to intercept and capture him.
Not only that, but the order also explicitly stated: if Dragon's resistance was too fierce and capture seemed impossible, authorization was given to kill him on the spot!
Of course, Imu would prefer not to kill if it could be avoided. Beyond concerns regarding Garp, Dragon himself was a valuable asset—a talent worth sparing. It was, in a sense, offering him a sliver of hope.
But if necessary, he would not hesitate to strike with lethal force.
Forget Dragon—even if it were Garp himself, if he could not be used, what harm was there in becoming a masked assassin for once?
However, based on the report CP0 relayed through the Five Elders just now, this Dragon appeared to be quite rational, not blinded by extreme emotions.
Naturally so—without extraordinary qualities, how could one become the world's most dangerous criminal?
Now things were better. Dragon seemed stable, and Imu believed that under his supervision, the World Government would only grow stronger. If so, Dragon would have no reason to form the Revolutionary Army.
A good outcome!
That night, Imu summoned the Five Elders once again to the Empty Hall. By now, the frequent meetings had become routine for them.
The Five Elders, without waiting for Imu's questioning, began reporting the progress of previously assigned tasks one by one.
Warcury was the first to speak.
"Lord Imu, this afternoon we gathered all the merfolk and fishmen within Mary Geoise into one location. We also dispatched doctors and psychologists to provide them with the best possible care. Once their conditions improve, we plan to send them back to Fish-Man Island."
"Well done," Imu said. "For the treatment of their injuries, use the best doctors and medicine. Send for doctors from the Drum Kingdom. Try to have them fully recovered within one month."
At this point, Imu paused, as an idea he had long contemplated surfaced once more.
He had always wanted to establish a medical academy based on the Holy Land's Medical Department: a gathering place for the world's finest doctors, dedicated to collecting, organizing, and researching medical knowledge.
Dr. Kureha was, in his mind, the perfect candidate to serve as the academy's head. In terms of age, qualifications, and medical skill, she was more than sufficient.
"As for the psychological issues, summon Vice Admiral Tsuru from the Navy. Have her use her Wash-Wash Fruit ability to directly cleanse the negative emotions from the merfolk and fishmen, returning to Fish-Man Island a nation of optimistic, pure-hearted citizens!"
As he spoke, Imu's eyes remained utterly unmoved, filled only with cold indifference.
He did not care whether this would cause irreversible effects or side effects on the minds of those merfolk and fishmen. As long as it didn't damage relations with Fish-Man Island, it was acceptable.
Besides, as long as no one spoke of it, who would ever know?
Even if Fish-Man Island were to find out, it could simply be claimed that it was a form of therapy to heal their psychological trauma and help them live better lives.
At least, outwardly, a clean and cheerful personality wasn't a bad thing.
"We shall obey your command," the Five Elders responded in unison.
Then Warcury continued his report.
"My Lord, according to reports from CP agents stationed across the world, so far, all twenty-three kings we've made initial contact with have expressed their support and have signed the scrolls."
Seated on the Empty Throne, Imu nodded, clearly satisfied with the result.
"Good. Continue as before: prioritize kings who are well-reputed among their people and the leaders of poor, small nations. The goal is simple—ensure that the voting process goes smoothly. Once the agenda passes officially, immediately move to implement it with full force!"
"Yes, Lord Imu."