“Boss?”

Yasopp and the others looked toward Red-Haired Shanks.

Could everything Sengoku said be true?

But the Kuke they had known was nothing like the picture Sengoku painted.

He didn’t seem the type to be ungrateful.

“Mixing nine lies with one truth… Sengoku’s clever,” Ben Beckman remarked confidently. “With Kuke dead, the victors write the history. If one day the Navy crushes us, they’d say the same, though we probably aren’t high enough on the scale for the Fleet Admiral to personally involve himself.”

A chorus of sighs followed.

“Good or bad, I couldn’t care less—he’s dead already,” scoffed Kaido, his gaze indifferent as he watched the scene.

Big Mom felt the same.

“History is written by the victors, and justice will prevail—it’s just as expected,” Doflamingo smirked, watching Sengoku’s grand performance, entirely unsurprised.

Bartholomew Kuma narrowed his eyes slightly.

Looking at Kuke’s grave under Sengoku’s foot, he turned away, forced to act as if he hadn’t seen anything—there was no other choice.

“Even if Gion came forward to speak on Kuke’s behalf, it wouldn’t matter. Kuke is dead, with no one left to testify.” Kuma understood that nothing could be done.

No wonder Dragon had warned him before they left: “Whatever you see, act like you haven’t seen it.”

Dragon had been right—Kuke’s death made everything irreparable.

Sengoku sighed as if reluctant to speak further on the matter.

“Kuke is gone, and all that he once represented has blown away with the wind. I’ve already forgiven him,” Sengoku declared, adopting the magnanimity of a victor before his tone shifted: “However, the remnants of the Sun and Moon Pirates, misled by Kuke, have suffered greatly at his hands. Many of them were innocent, deceived by Kuke’s lies, which is why they felt nothing even after his death—they saw through him long ago.”

Sengoku feigned concern for the remnants of the Sun and Moon Pirates.

But in reality, he was providing the most “believable evidence.”

“That’s true; even if pirates are despicable, they have a strong sense of loyalty. They’d never abandon their captain, even in defeat.”

“A captain who’s been abandoned must not have earned the loyalty of his crew.”

“In the Battle of Sabaody Archipelago, only Kuke died among the Sun and Moon Pirates. Even his most important companion, Gion, ran off—looks like it’s all true.”

“So, Kuke had no charisma. Not even his crew was willing to die for him.”

The public opinion swayed completely.

Only a few still defended Kuke, saying, “Maybe Kuke didn’t want his crew to get hurt. Perhaps he chose to face death alone?”

Whitebeard found himself contemplating this as well.

He knew that if the Whitebeard Pirates faced certain death, he’d choose to hold off all enemies alone, allowing his sons a chance to escape.

“Dad, even if it came to that, we wouldn’t leave; we’d fight and die by your side.”

“Right, no matter how powerful the enemy, we wouldn’t abandon you.”

“Death isn’t frightening—if you’re not leaving, we’re not either.”

Whitebeard looked at his sons, touched.

His sons would go that far.

But the Sun and Moon Pirates couldn’t? Did Kuke truly not inspire that kind of loyalty, or were they just afraid of death?

Even Whitebeard began to doubt.

And for the less worldly commoners, doubt was all but inevitable.

…

Sengoku let out a satisfied breath.

Admiring his performance, he felt it had gone perfectly.

Once more, Sengoku stepped on Kuke’s grave with an air of disregard and strode toward the conference room, sitting in the main seat across from the Seven Warlords.

Today’s second matter.

Spectators around the world immediately shifted their focus from Kuke to the scene before them.

“There’s no need for me to introduce the Seven Warlords of the Sea,” Sengoku said, facing the Visual Den Den Mushi and addressing everyone watching worldwide.

Attention quickly turned to the Seven Warlords, sparking lively discussion.

Opinions on the creation of the Seven Warlords varied widely—some were outraged, others apprehensive, and some even hopeful. Within the Navy, opposition was fierce, with many unwilling to see the Seven Warlords established.

After all, collaborating with pirates would only tarnish the Navy’s honor.

Even among vice admirals and admirals, there was dissent, but it was the will of the World Government, and the Navy couldn’t oppose it.

For Sengoku, who unfailingly obeyed the orders of the Five Elders, personal thoughts aside, the World Government’s agenda left him only one option: to make it happen with perfection.

“Everyone worries that the special privileges granted to the Seven Warlords will turn them into unchecked pirates, but let me assure you: this will never happen! If they’re caught committing crimes, their Warlord status will be revoked, and the Navy will hunt them down. No pirate can act without consequence.”

Sengoku’s resolute announcement was met with cheers and admiration from many.

With the Navy’s Fleet Admiral backing it, doubts dissipated.

“What? We can still be arrested? When I joined, didn’t you promise—” Edward Weevil, whose lack of intelligence was apparent, instantly grew furious.

That wasn’t what he had agreed to.

Sengoku’s face darkened in an instant.

Are you an idiot?

Did you really think private agreements could be spoken aloud?

Doflamingo cast a weary glance at Edward Weevil—this was too foolish.

Some things are best left unsaid.

“Quiet,” Bakkin snapped, reprimanding her son impatiently.

Sengoku exhaled a sigh of relief.

That was close.

Feigning ignorance, Sengoku faced the Visual Den Den Mushi again. “I’m sure many of you are questioning Doflamingo’s ascension as the King of Dressrosa.”

A prominent pirate.

Becoming the king of a notable kingdom had drawn attention even before Doflamingo joined the Seven Warlords.

Especially among allied nation kings.

They feared that other Warlords might come to their countries and seize their thrones.

“We’ve investigated this matter, and here are the results,” Sengoku declared, presenting the evidence.

What followed was footage of a World Government reporter interviewing Dressrosa’s citizens, detailing the tyranny of King Riku’s reign.

How he had plundered national wealth and, in a sudden bout of madness, slaughtered civilians. Doflamingo had acted as a savior, rescuing Dressrosa, and, at the citizens’ request, he had become king for the people’s benefit.

Doflamingo, once seen as a usurper,

had transformed into the hero who risked his life to save Dressrosa, even if it meant defying the Navy.

Numerous interviews with Dressrosa’s common folk showed genuine smiles on their faces as they looked into the camera.

“We only recognize Lord Doflamingo as our king. We willingly pledged our loyalty to him.”

Every single one of them.

At this moment, the spotlight shone on Doflamingo, his moment of glory.

Doflamingo stood up, spreading his arms as if a crown of light adorned his head.

“Is it true?”

“I visited Dressrosa a month ago, and the people there do genuinely love Doflamingo.”

“It looks like we were mistaken. Who says pirates can’t bring happiness to a nation?”

“The citizens are so genuinely happy; even if one person were acting, it wouldn’t be this many. Plus, those smiles are genuine.”

“King Riku was so terrible. I’d prefer Doflamingo as king, too, over someone like that.”

Doflamingo became the model of a “good pirate” and a shining example among the Seven Warlords.

The evidence was undeniable.

“A clown as a hero and a good king? Ridiculous,” Kaido laughed, but even he couldn’t find fault with the citizens’ genuine smiles.

Could this really be Doflamingo’s true nature?

“The Navy wanted to remove Doflamingo from the throne for Dressrosa’s sake, as his rule lacked legitimacy, but with unanimous citizen support, we agreed,” Sengoku presented it as a retreat for Dressrosa’s sake.

It wasn’t because Doflamingo was a Warlord, of course.

The announcement prompted another round of cheers.

“The Seven Warlords can only benefit the seas. If any Warlord becomes a threat, I’ll be the first to act,” Sengoku’s resolute words reassured the masses.

Apart from pirates, people now openly welcomed the formation of the Seven Warlords.

…

Meanwhile.

In the Kingdom of Dressrosa, unbeknownst to the outside world, a change was already underway.

“We’re ready to proceed.”

Robin and Lily exchanged a glance at the recently located King Riku.

King Riku clenched his fist as he watched the screen, where Sengoku spoke so grandly.

“Alright. Even if the Navy hunts me down and refuses to acknowledge me, I’ll help you.” King Riku was resolute, determined to step forward as the former king of Dressrosa.

He would tear down the false peace of Dressrosa and expose the darkness hidden in the toys to the world.

“Prepare the Visual Den Den Mushi; I’m going to address the people.”

King Riku led his loyal followers out.

“Next, it’s time to knock her out.” Robin glanced at the captive Sugar.

If Sugar fell unconscious…

All the citizens transformed into toys would revert to their human forms, their memories lost to the world returning, shattering everything Doflamingo had built.

“Violet, has Captain Kuke arrived? I can’t stand looking at Sengoku’s smug, hypocritical face any longer.”

Violet.

Using her powers, she had been tracking Kuke from miles away.

After watching for a few moments, she finally announced with excitement, “He’s here!”

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P/S: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 144+ at patreon.com/Emik01.

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep