The Marine suing a Celestial Dragon—this was undoubtedly the biggest spectacle the world had ever witnessed.
Especially since it was initiated by the fearless Marine Grand Inspector Michael.
And "Big News" Morgans was right there, documenting everything.
Anyone who knew him understood that even if the Celestial Dragons came after him, he wouldn't abandon this story.
He might even risk angering the World Government for it.
While Morgans had never been fully aligned with the World Government, he had given them plenty of leeway in the past.
But there was no helping it...
When it came to breaking sensational news, the World Government simply couldn't compete with Michael.
As Chief Judge Baskerville's gavel fell, declaring the trial open, the Five Elders' expressions remained grim.
They wanted to rage, to halt the proceedings immediately.
But they couldn't.
This time, it had happened in full view of the public, and Figarland Garling had slaughtered elite CP agent, even damaging the World Government's work ships and the Five Elders' flagship...
How could they justify stopping it?
After all, Enies Lobby and the Marine were trying to save face for the Five Elders—even for the Celestial Dragons!
So the Five Elders had no choice but to swallow their anger.
As for what Figarland Garling would do when he woke up... that was beyond their control.
The God's Knights had always had some tension with the Five Elders, especially regarding Figarland Garling himself, whom they never particularly liked.
In his eyes, they could all see the flames of burning ambition..
.That was a look that sought to push them off the decision-making platform of the Five Elders, ultimately aiming to replace them.
This was something the Five Elders could least tolerate.
Thus, under the influence of multiple factors, as Michael continuously presented evidence—both testimonial and material—the Five Elders gradually calmed down.
Upon closer reflection, they realized they hadn't come away entirely empty-handed…
All it had cost was some of Figarland Garling's dignity and a substantial sum of money as compensation.
These things paled in comparison to the punishment the Five Elders, as leaders of the Celestial Dragons, had in store for him…
Stripping Figarland Garling of his position as Supreme Commander of God's Knights, suspending him but retaining his status.
For the next ten years, he would be barred from entering Mary Geoise and instead sent to the New World for "garrison duty."
Though it was called garrison duty, it was effectively exile.
While not entirely satisfied with this outcome, Michael reluctantly accepted it.
He had overestimated the unity among the Celestial Dragons.
Even in such a situation, the Five Elders still found the time to suppress a powerful member of their own kind…
This only proved one thing—those five old bastards were afraid.
They feared that Figarland Garling might one day replace one of them.
All of them relied on Imu's power to achieve immortality, which made them particularly obsessed with authority…
And the temptation of eternal life.
After all, they didn't become the Five Elders because they were immortal—they gained immortality because they were the Five Elders.
Thus, they absolutely could not afford to lose their positions!
So…
After the entire Judgement concluded…
Figarland Garling became infamous.
Though the reputation wasn't exactly flattering…
'The Shame of the Celestial Dragons.'
As for why he was deemed "shameful," no details were given.
Michael only heard that Doflamingo, who lurked in the Pleasure District, wore a bright smile for three straight days after receiving the news.
He… truly enjoyed seeing Celestial Dragons humiliated.
Even if it was one he had never met before.
With the conclusion of the Enies Lobby: Celestial Dragon Massacres CP Agents incident, the Five Elders had no choice but to squeeze onto the work ships and return to Mariejois in frustration.
Figarland Garling, meanwhile, was rushed to the New World overnight—without even receiving proper medical treatment.
The aftereffects of his rage-induced flames seemed severe.
It wasn't until the third day after arriving in the New World that he finally woke up normally.
Upon learning from his subordinates in God's Knights that he had been exiled to the New World…
He nearly broke down.
He was the King of God Valley!
A Celestial Dragon who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Garp!
The Supreme Commander of God's Knights, the one who decided the punishment or execution of other Celestial Dragons!
"Damn it! Five Elders! Michael! And that bastard Morgans!"
"One day… I will make you taste the bitterness of having everything destroyed."
Figarland Garling clenched his sword and muttered under his breath.
.....
As his venomous words echoed over the sea, the Reverie of 1512 officially began.
Over the years, the World Government's Reverie had evolved from a mere formality into the grandest conference, held once every four years.
The kings of all World Government-affiliated nations would ascend to Mariejois via the elevators on the Red Line.
But unlike before, these kings were no longer aligned with the Celestial Dragons.
Because now, especially those from the four seas, they had fully grasped the reality of the situation amidst the revolutionary storm stirred up by the Revolutionary Army.
The blind old nobles and monarchs had long been overthrown.
They were the so-called "kings" elected by the people after the Revolutionary Army liberated their nations.
And they all shared one trait…
They were doers.
After all, they weren't the kind of fools who would mindlessly follow the Celestial Dragons, swallowing everything—good or bad—without question.
"Tch, if this were a decade ago, could you have imagined us coming to Mariejois for the Reverie instead of being dragged here as slaves?"
"Tell me about it. Back then, forget the Celestial Dragons—even our own kings never let us prosper…"
"If you ask me, the Revolutionary Army did a great job!"
At this moment, a full week had passed since the Judgement of Figarland Garling.
The Five Elders had shifted their attention from Figarland Garling to the upcoming World Government Summit.
Today's summit... they were eager to convene it.
Because there were far too many matters to discuss and handle.
Whether internal issues or external threats, they needed to make the member nations of the World Government take them seriously!
Ideally...
They could squeeze a bit more Celestial Tribute out of these ignorant, overconfident member nations!
....
Meanwhile, Michael was seated in a palace tucked away in a corner of Pangaea Castle in Mary Geoise.
Across from him sat a man draped in a flamingo-feathered coat.
"So... how've you been living lately?"
"Doflamingo?"
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