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Facing the Five Elders, Arthur stayed calm.
Sitting on the sofa, he glanced at the five figures before him. To Arthur, they didn't seem particularly powerful, but he sensed something deeper in their strength. Still, he believed they were only at the Admiral level.
"King Arthur…" The Five Elders, who looked like Europeans and Americans, regarded him with serious expressions.
"Last time, CP0 reported that you attacked three Celestial Dragons, but the investigation was dropped due to Kaido and other issues. Now, at the World Summit, you seem to have similar intentions again."
"A franchise country means recognizing the status of the Celestial Dragons, but your actions violate the basic conditions for being a franchise country!" interrupted one of the Five Elders, a man with a black turban and white curly hair.
Arthur sneered, "What if I want to hit them? They're idiots…"
"Enough! This is Mary Geoise! This is the World Government! As the king of a franchise country, you're not in a position to speak so disrespectfully," reprimanded another Elder, holding a long knife by his side.
"Huh…" Arthur leaned back in his chair, a cold snort escaping his lips. "The World Government exists because of us, the franchise countries. Without us, who are you? We acknowledge the Celestial Dragons, but we can also deny them. What are they without our recognition?"
"This is the third time! You treat my country like your personal playground and try to degrade me to a slave. During the World Summit, you openly captured my woman to make her a slave. Is this not an insult to all the kings of the franchise countries?"
"Do you treat all franchise countries like dogs, taking whatever you want and playing with them at will!?"
Arthur's voice echoed through the empty hall as he released a hint of Conqueror's Haki.
The Five Elders looked grim. They had their own frustrations with the Celestial Dragons, but as their representatives, they had to maintain their image.
Arthur continued, "No one can sit on the Empty Throne. I don't even believe it's legitimate."
The Five Elders' expressions changed drastically as they stared at him. Those who wielded the long knives clenched their grips tightly, and Arthur sensed a sudden danger. Yet, he managed to keep his expression calm and serious.
"No one can sit on that throne. All rights are shared equally among the five of us, representing the equal status of all participating countries. The twenty founders of the World Government swore to protect this oath with the swords they stuck around the throne."
"Yet, time and again, the Celestial Dragons have trampled my dignity. Isn't that like sitting on the throne? So, I want to know—does becoming a franchise country mean being a slave to the Celestial Dragons and their world nobility?"
Arthur narrowed his eyes, his displeasure evident.
The Five Elders were momentarily taken aback by Arthur's words. They hesitated to respond, knowing that the oath had become a hollow promise over the years, even if it wasn't openly acknowledged.
"No one can be above that throne, not even the Celestial Dragons! This is the pledge made by all franchise countries and the Celestial Dragons. You need not worry! There were indeed mistakes made this time, but equality among all countries remains unquestionable!" said one of the Five Elders, who had a shaved head.
"Really? It seems to me that the nobility in this world sits one level higher than the royal families of other countries. Seeing how they have trampled the royal families repeatedly, I think it resembles a master-slave relationship," Arthur retorted aggressively.
The Five Elders grew even more solemn at his response. No one had ever dared to speak to them in such a manner, especially not a king of a franchise country.
"What do you intend to do? Are you unhappy with the Celestial Dragons?" one of the Elders asked.
"Of course not! If they're stopped, then there's nothing more to discuss. But I hope this is the last time!" Arthur's gaze was intense.
"I joined a franchise country not out of admiration for the World Government or its protection but because it was the best choice against pirates, revolutionaries, and non-participating countries. If you think I have no choice but to join for protection or recognition, then you're mistaken! I acknowledge their noble status, but I will not accept being treated as their servant. If this happens again, prepare for the consequences!"
"Enough!"
"Shut up! How dare you speak to us like that, King Arthur! Do you think you can confront the World Government?"
Arthur merely leaned back, indifferent to their anger.
"Just as you're furious now, I felt the same way during both of these incidents!"
"If you make such remarks again, we will label the Angel Empire an incapable nation and remove it from the World Government!" the blonde-haired Elder finally declared.
"Really?" Arthur replied, surprised by the threat.
He remained defiant. "If you say that again, I will withdraw from the franchise! And I assure you, the Angel Empire will not regret it!"
Silence fell in the hall.
The guards at the entrance were too afraid to breathe, their hearts racing.
They had never seen anyone talk back to the Five Elders like this before. Arthur's boldness had shattered all their preconceptions.
This country was too strong! The existence of its top ten legions was among the best of the over 170 participating nations. This was only the visible power; there might be even more legions and strong individuals hidden away.
In this nation, there was still room for growth. If it was just a person with a Lion Fruit, the World Government wouldn't care at all!
The Golden Lion was powerful, yet the World Government had always ignored him. They only took him seriously because he belonged to a country.
This nation was powerful, boasting a king with top-tier combat abilities. Most importantly, they had several quasi-Admirals, individuals who might take a long time to reach Admiral-level strength.
So, even with the World Government's might, they had to be cautious around the Angel Empire.
Arthur's unwillingness, even his coercive attitude, annoyed the Five Elders but left them helpless.
They wanted to capture the troublesome man before them, but as a user of the Thunder Fruit, it would be nearly impossible to do so without revealing their hidden cards. Those cards were meant for the enemies of God and only for the D family.
"It seems the five of you don't want the Angels to withdraw from the World Franchise," Arthur said. "You value inter-racial reconciliation, right? But look at what happened at this World Summit—Celestial Dragons openly captured the royal family of the Angel race and the Merman race."
"Isn't that going too far?"
Seeing that the Five Elders couldn't counter his statement, Arthur smiled inwardly. His plan was closely tied to the World Government.
Even with their confrontation, he wasn't acting without purpose.
"For this matter, we will negotiate with the Celestial Dragons," the Five Elders said, pulling back their expressions.
"That's good. Mermen and Angels can significantly benefit the World Government. Therefore, I have another request, which is not a demand." Arthur thought of Jinbe.
If they don't withdraw from the World Government, then Jinbe's purpose for the Fish-Man Island would be irrelevant. Thus, it wouldn't make sense for him to continue as a warlord.
The Five Elders tensed at the possibility of Arthur asking for too much.
"Through the World Government's intelligence network, you already know that the Angels and Mermen are joining, right?" Arthur looked at the Elders knowingly.
They nodded, aware of the situation long before this meeting.
"So, as the more important ally, I can be considered the elder brother. The royal family of Fish-Man Island hopes to move to the surface from the sea."
"I'll arrange for them to be near Angel Island. This is to protect them from being targeted by traffickers. My request is that Jinbe can withdraw from being a warlord."
"He will be the commander of the guard and army of Fish-Man Island, so his status as a warlord is no longer necessary. He is no longer a pirate."
"Is this a request?" The Five Elders felt relieved. Just canceling Jinbe's title as warlord didn't present a problem for them.
As long as Jinbe's withdrawal from warlord didn't hinder inter-racial reconciliation, they wouldn't oppose it.
To be honest, the Five Elders were quite angry about the conflicts involving the Angel Race lately. They still valued the joining and reconciliation of different races.
"If that's what you want, then it can be done!"
"Additionally…" Arthur had another idea in mind.
"Huh?" The Five Elders braced themselves.
"I hate pirates.
They have brought too much instability to the sea.
However, it's often too difficult for ordinary people to deal with them.
So, I hope my legion can join the Marines.
We can also have Merman soldiers join as well."
Arthur said this openly, believing it would be better to be straightforward rather than raise suspicions later.
"After all, both in the sky and the sea, Angels and Mermen must be stronger together."
The Five Elders considered his words. They were curious if Arthur had ulterior motives regarding the Marines. But what he said made sense.
"However, they must be under the command of the Marine Marshal!" The Five Elders nodded in agreement.
"Of course!" Arthur smiled. "Joining the Marines means listening to their commands. As long as they aren't asked to die fighting pirates, I won