Navy Headquarters, Fleet Admiral's Office.
"Engaging in war with Big Mom and sinking Cake Island, I never thought... Nicholas' retaliation would be so fierce. But that guy went too far. We can't even get any news from Cake Island now."
The elderly Fleet admiral Sengoku sat alone on the sofa, holding the latest intelligence reports delivered by the Navy Intelligence Department.
On the other side of the coffee table, Navy Staff Officer Tsuru calmly sipped her hot tea, her gaze steady on the latest intelligence in Sengoku's hands.
As for Vice Admiral Garp, he sat quietly on the side, enjoying some Navy-provided snacks.
"Nicholas has done some outrageous things before. After all, it's been a long time since those arrogant Celestial Dragons quieted down after that incident in Mary Geoise," Tsuru, sipping her tea, commented with a hint of amusement.
Clearly, there was hardly anyone among the Navy's higher-ups who had any fondness for the Celestial Dragons.
"Tsuru, it's better to speak less about certain things. Although you don't have to worry too much given your position, it's better to avoid dealing with the CP folks if possible. After all, they're the attack dogs raised by the Celestial Dragons since childhood. Being targeted by them is no small matter," Sengoku advised, aware of the incident Tsuru referred to, where Nicholas had assaulted Mary Geoise.
"I understand. They're just our own people," Tsuru replied, lifting her tea cup in acknowledgment.
Albert Nicholas...
This name had now become a focal point of attention in both the Navy Headquarters and Mary Geoise.
"What a headache this guy is," Sengoku muttered with annoyance.
Tsuru, leaning back on the sofa, raised an eyebrow, looking at Sengoku's agitation. She calmly remarked, "Fleet admiral Sengoku, the person who should be most concerned right now is the Five Elders."
"True," Sengoku, momentarily surprised, quickly grasped the implication. His face, which had been somewhat irritated, softened into a smile. He then picked up his tea cup and took a sip.
Dong dong.
At that moment, a knocking sound came from the door.
"Come in," Sengoku called out, gesturing towards the office door.
Creak.
The office door swung open.
A Navy officer with a green wave cap and sunglasses hurriedly entered the room, carrying several documents.
"Fleet admiral Sengoku, Staff officer Tsuru, and Vice Admiral Garp!"
The Navy officer stood at attention and saluted Sengoku, Tsuru, and Garp.
"What's the matter?" Sengoku frowned, looking at the Navy officer with the documents. Normally, unless it was something of significant importance, such documents wouldn't make it to his desk; lower-ranking officers could handle them.
The Navy officer, holding the documents tightly, looked grave as he spoke, "Fleet admiral Sengoku, Fish-Man Island has declared its independence from the World Government!"
"What!?" Both Tsuru and Sengoku exclaimed in surprise, while Garp, who had been about to eat a snack, froze with his hand in mid-air.
Fish-Man Island, as one of the gateways to the New World, was undeniably significant. Moreover, given its unique geographical location and historical factors, Fish-Man Island's public announcement of independence from the World Government was undoubtedly enough to shake the entire world.
Two hundred years ago, Fish-Man Island had paid a considerable price to join the World Government. Now, they were declaring independence?
The World Government wasn't a charitable organization. It couldn't be taken lightly; Fish-Man Island's actions were, to put it bluntly, akin to openly breaking ties with the World Government.
"What's going on!?" Sengoku immediately demanded answers.
"According to our latest information, it seems that Fish-Man Island's current king, Neptune of Ryugu Kingdom, requested the World Government to release all slaves and enact laws to protect the legal rights of Fish-Men on the sea and on land. When the request was denied, he directly announced Fish-Man Island's withdrawal from the World Government alliance and declared that they would no longer pay the Heavenly Tribute!"
The Navy officer, sweating profusely, reported the news.
"It seems that Fish-Man Island has gained some confidence. We've always said not to oppress those races too harshly. It looks like the World Government and those Celestial Dragons never listened," Tsuru cursed before lifting her tea to drink.
The mess those guys made could wait; tea first.
...
The major event that occurred on Cake Island had yet to spread, but the reports of the incident in the Sabaody Archipelago had spread throughout the world within half a day.
After all, as one of the most vibrant hubs in the Grand Line, where various major powers intersected, such significant events were easily spread.
"Roger..."
In a bar in a pirate town on an island in the New World, a drunken pirate stared wide-eyed at the newly posted notice on the bulletin board by the bar owner. He ignored the grease stains on his hands and rubbed his eyes vigorously, fearing he might be seeing things.
"Black Jack, your eyeballs are about to pop out. Is there a pornographic picture on the notice board?"
"Do you want me to find a whore in the brothel to act as your mother and take care of you, Little Jack?"
"Hahaha~"
Laughter suddenly erupted from a nearby table.
Several rough-looking men were laughing and joking, clearly amused by Black Jack's dazed expression, making him the entertainment of the moment at the bar.
Ignoring the laughter from the neighbouring table, Black Jack pushed aside the notice board and threw it onto the table where the men were sitting.
"Black Jack, are you asking for trouble!?"
The sudden disturbance startled the men at the table, who were now annoyed by Black Jack's unexpected action.
"First, let's see what the notice says," Black Jack said calmly.
One of the men at the table instinctively lowered his head and looked at the notice board thrown by Black Jack.
"Huh?"
After a moment, the man's eyes widened in shock, his face filled with disbelief.
"Hey... what's with your reaction?" The other men at the table, unable to see the content of the notice due to the angle, looked at each other in confusion.