Declaration of War
Ryōsuke smiled and said, "Right now, Straw Hat Luffy definitely can't take a single strike from your club, but he will evolve. If his Devil Fruit awakens, Kaido, you might not necessarily be his match. There is a certain probability that you could suffer an upset."
In the original storyline, the Luffy that fought wasn't facing Kaido at his absolute peak. Before fighting Luffy, Kaido had already battled Kozuki Oden's former retainers and his unfilial daughter, Yamato. He had expended a significant amount of stamina, all while supporting Onigashima Castle in the sky to fly toward the Flower Capital of Wano Country.
Such a technique was incredibly draining.
Therefore, it wasn't Kaido in his perfect form.
Hearing the Emperor say this, Kaido could only drop the matter.
Since this lord said so, it was very likely true.
He hadn't expected the kid's potential to be so immense, which was quite interesting.
He looked at the Emperor and asked, "Lord, if he really is that capable, should we just kill him directly? Since he won't submit anyway?"
"There's no need," Ryōsuke refused.
Right at that moment, three masked CP0 members wearing white cloaks arrived.
The three of them were absolutely shocked to see Kaido and the members of the Big Mom Pirates.
There was always competition among the Four Emperors; even if they gathered, it wouldn't be this harmonious.
*'Could it be that even Big Mom is cooperating with this lord, or has perhaps even submitted to him?'* they wondered.
But that seemed impossible. Big Mom was incredibly arrogant and proud.
However, this lord was unfathomably deep. Perhaps it really was possible. If he had subjugated two of the Four Emperors, it would be enough to shock the entire world.
"Lord, may we ask why Big Mom, one of the Four Emperors, is here?"
Ryōsuke smiled and said, "She just became my subordinate. You arrived at the perfect time; I have a message I want you to pass on to the Five Elders."
Hearing Ryōsuke's words, the expressions beneath the masks of the three CP0 members froze in shock, their bodies stiffening.
He had actually taken the terrifying Big Mom as a subordinate, which undoubtedly meant he had subjugated the entire Big Mom Pirates as well.
The combined forces of two veteran Emperor crews, plus this unfathomable Emperor himself, made them the most terrifying power on the seas.
It was even enough to threaten the standing of the World Government. Such a behemoth would definitely plunge the stable world order into chaos.
But that was a headache for the Five Elders; they had no room to interfere.
The leading CP0 member calmed himself down.
"Lord, what message do you need us to relay to the Five Elders?"
He now had a strong premonition that whatever was about to be relayed wouldn't be anything good.
Ryōsuke smiled and said, "From now on, the Alabasta Kingdom, the Dressrosa Kingdom, and Fish-Man Island will no longer pay the Heavenly Tribute to the World Government."
"Because they are now my territory. Understood?"
The masked CP0 leader was stunned.
"Understood, I will relay this matter."
"However, I must point out that refusing to pay the Heavenly Tribute means they are withdrawing from the World Government and will lose the protection of both the Government and the Marines."
"Can you truly take responsibility for them, Lord?"
This matter wasn't actually too critical. After all, the World Government had so many affiliated nations; losing a few was inconsequential.
Ryōsuke smiled and said, "Of course I can take responsibility."
"Even without the Marines' protection, I still have ways to ensure their safety. My Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets will establish its own legions to protect its territories."
The former Beast Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates were brimming with talent. Such combat power was practically invincible in the first half of the Grand Line.
Even in the second half of the Grand Line, they would have few rivals.
These people were more than enough to hold the fort. Of course, protection fees still had to be collected; maintaining such a force required money.
Even if the fees were halved, it would still be a massive sum, more than enough to feed these people.
The expressions behind the CP0 masks completely froze.
This meant he was extending his reach into the first half of the Grand Line. Without a doubt, this legion would impact the World Government's standing.
"Understood, I will relay this to the Five Elders."
"Of course, the trade for weapons and Seastone will continue as agreed."
He already knew that the Five Elders had agreed to this man's demands and had sent Stussy and Kalifa over.
"Naturally," Ryōsuke said, looking at the CP0 agents before adding, "Additionally, I expect the World Government to stop persecuting the Merfolk, and the Celestial Dragons must release all their Merfolk slaves."
"If this demand is not met, then tell the Five Elders to prepare for war."
Big Mom and Kaido were stunned. Declare war on the World Government?
What a massive undertaking! Immediately after, wild joy appeared on their faces.
This kind of thing made their blood boil. Ever since Captain Rocks passed away, the wars on the sea had been nothing but minor skirmishes.
Including Whitebeard's previous clash against Marine Headquarters.
After all, that was an elderly Whitebeard.
He couldn't even be considered truly strong anymore.
A true war should be aimed directly at the World Government.
And this time, they wouldn't lose.
This lord was far stronger and more terrifying than Captain Rocks.
The energy erupting from his body was dozens of times greater than Kaido's.
He also possessed a mysterious power far more formidable than Captain Rocks' Dark-Dark Fruit, capable of suppressing absolutely everything.
Even if the World Government had hidden masters.
Under the effect of his time-stopping power, they would only be able to stand there and be beaten to death.
The two of them could already foresee that the world was about to be turned upside down.
The three CP0 agents turned pale with shock.
"Emperor of the Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets, this is not something you can casually joke about."
In his eyes, these three, along with the original crews of two Emperor-level pirate groups, were indeed incredibly strong.
But the World Government hadn't ruled the world for eight hundred years on an empty reputation.
Even if it meant paying a heavy price, they could still annihilate the newly risen Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets.
Ryōsuke laughed heartily.
"Who's joking with you? What I said is absolutely true. I will personally take a trip to Mary Geoise, and that will be the moment the so-called Celestial Dragons and the World Government are annihilated."
Kaido and Big Mom were thrilled.
The World Government and the Celestial Dragons were finished.
Then the next supreme ruler of the world would undoubtedly be the Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets.
Kaido rejoiced inwardly.
This lord was truly acting just as he had anticipated, actually going to war with the Celestial Dragons and the World Government.
The hatred from when he was treated as a slave could finally be avenged.
A smile also crept onto Big Mom's lips.
She hoped the World Government would show some backbone this time, remaining just as domineering as they usually were.
That way, a war between the World Government and the Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets would be inevitable.
And she would be standing on the side of the victors.