Inside the World Conference Hall, crystal chandeliers cast their light over the deep red carpet. Kings from every nation took their seats according to their countries' strength and influence. Reid's seat, however, had been deliberately placed near the front, closest to the Five Elders. It was both a gesture of respect and a silent warning.
Reid: Intimidation? Really???
The Five Elders entered slowly. Saint Peter, Saint Nasujuro, Saint Warcury, and Saint Saturn took their seats one by one. The entire hall fell silent at once.
Attendants immediately distributed thick proposal documents to every king. Reid flipped through his copy absentmindedly. Blood mist coiled around his fingers, lifting the papers into the air as he lounged lazily against the back of his chair, his gaze drifting across the hall.
Only then did he truly appreciate the diversity of species and personalities gathered here.
To his left sat King Cobra of Alabasta, frowning in concentration as he carefully annotated the proposals. To his right was the king of some obscure minor nation, already half asleep, drool nearly soaking into his documents.
Reid wondered what those people would think if they saw their king sleeping through the World Conference.
The organizers had even provided blankets.
That alone made it clear how much the Five Elders appreciated kings like this.
"The conference will now begin," Saint Peter announced, his voice low and authoritative. "Today's agenda concerns revisions to the World Affiliated Nations Charter."
"I propose increasing the Heavenly Tribute to strengthen the navy's armaments!" a rotund king shouted, slamming his palm on the table and casting a reverent glance toward Saint Peter.
"I second that!" another king with gold capped teeth added loudly. "If poor nations cannot afford it, they should lose their membership status!"
Several kings immediately raised objections.
"Our country has suffered poor harvests for three consecutive years! If taxes increase again, our people will starve!" one king stood and protested.
"Hmph. The weak have no right to negotiate," sneered a king from a wealthy nation. "If you cannot even pay the tribute, what right do you have to remain an affiliated state?"
Cobra rose to his feet sharply. "Absurd! The Heavenly Tribute has already displaced countless civilians. Increasing it will only push more nations toward collapse!"
Another well dressed king spoke in a low voice, "The World Government should be reducing the burden on impoverished nations, not increasing it."
Reid thought to himself, Does One Piece even have people like this?
The Five Elders listened impassively. When the debate grew heated, Saint Peter slowly raised his hand.
"This proposal is rejected."
Apparently, even the Five Elders found such an obviously destabilizing suggestion foolish.
Still, Reid was not convinced they had not issued quiet instructions behind the scenes.
He yawned, already considering leaving, when he noticed Cobra nudging Neptune with his elbow.
"Old Neptune, how is your Food Reserve Mutual Aid Plan coming along?"
Neptune jumped slightly and lowered his voice. "It was rejected last time. I was planning to…"
"Bring it up now," Cobra said with a wink.
Neptune took a deep breath, then suddenly slammed his palm on the table and stood. "Gentlemen! Regarding the proposal to abolish the slave trade…"
Saint Nasujuro narrowed his eyes. "King Neptune, do you understand what you are saying?"
Neptune did not retreat. "Slavery violates basic humanity. If the World Government claims to be just, then slavery must be abolished completely!"
"I object!" a broad faced king stood up and slammed the table. "Slaves are private property! Why should…"
Bang!
Cobra seized the moment and stood as well. "The Kingdom of Alabasta proposes a gradual abolition of the slave trade, alongside a compensation mechanism…"
"Nonsense!" a dictator from the North Blue roared in fury. "Do you have any idea how much my mines would lose?"
"Without slaves, who will dig the ore? Are we supposed to let respected kings do manual labor themselves?"
Some kings whispered among themselves. Others watched with open mockery.
A flash of anger crossed the Five Elders' eyes, quickly masked by flawless smiles. Saint Peter was about to speak and reject the motion when a lazy voice cut in.
"I think it sounds pretty good."
Reid spoke without even lifting his head, still half reclined in his chair.
The entire hall fell into stunned silence.
Saint Peter's lips twitched almost imperceptibly. "Reid, this proposal…"
"I do not think so," Saint Nasujuro interrupted coldly.
Reid finally opened his eyes. "Suit yourself."
Dead silence followed.
Cobra and Neptune exchanged a glance. Shock was written clearly in both their eyes. Neither had expected Reid to confront the Five Elders so directly.
The North Blue dictator leapt up eagerly. "Exactly! The slave trade is a tradition. It is a pillar of the world economy. What would a pirate like you know…"
Bang!
The dictator froze mid sentence as a blade of mist pierced straight through his body. Reid had simply put him to sleep.
Reid remained lounging in his chair, a faint pulse of blood mist flickering at his fingertips. "So noisy."
The Five Elders' expressions darkened instantly. Saint Saturn rose slowly. "Lord Reid, please be mindful of the occasion."
"I am being very mindful," Reid said, tilting his head. "Of course, if it is not allowed outside, that is fine too. After all, within my territory, no slave ship is allowed to pass. And I truly dislike countries that grow rich by selling people."
The Five Elders fell into collective silence.
Cobra seized the opening. "I propose a vote!"
"Fish Man Island agrees!" Neptune responded immediately.
Several smaller nations hesitated before finally raising their hands.
Saint Peter watched the opposing votes pile up, then said coldly, "It appears the opposition still holds the majority."
Reid glanced at those who voted against it. "Do you wish for your countries to be destroyed?"
"…We abstain. We abstain."
Reid then looked toward the Five Elders. "Enough. I have had my fun. Do you have anything else to add, or may I leave? I am heading straight to my hundred day banquet. I hope everyone's gifts arrive on time. Even if they do not, that is fine."
Reid's figure vanished beyond the gilded doors of the hall, leaving behind a suffocating silence. The Five Elders' gazes were dark as ink. Several kings who had voted against the proposal were now drenched in sweat, terrified that a mist blade might pierce their throats at any moment.
Saint Peter rose slowly, his staff striking the floor with a heavy thud. "Given the divergence of opinions among the nations," he said through clenched teeth, "the World Government has decided to allow each affiliated nation to choose for itself whether to abolish slavery."
"What?" the gold toothed king sprang up. "That is impossible!"
Saint Nasujuro's gaze swept over him. The king fell silent at once and sat back down, trembling.
"There is one condition," Saint Warcury added, tapping the table with his withered fingers. "No nation may use the abolition of slavery as a pretext to interfere in another nation's internal affairs."
It was nothing more than an attempt to reassert their authority.
Reid did not care.
Even abolition itself was largely symbolic. The World Conference was ultimately about attitude. You say something is forbidden, and that makes it law? Who do you think you are?
Cobra and Neptune exchanged another glance. This clearly left a back door open for the slave trade. Still, for now, it was the greatest victory they could achieve.
"Alabasta accepts," Cobra said quietly.
"Fish Man Island accepts as well," Neptune replied, clenching his fist beneath the table.
The conference came to a hurried end.