At that moment, as Doflamingo watched Figarland Garling's back—his confident stride, his barely concealed ambition ready to burst forth—he nearly laughed out loud.
If this newly crowned Commander… if even the Gorosei… knew that the man they were about to declare war on had already slipped into Mary Geoise unnoticed, he wondered, how would their expressions look?
His heart thumped faster. A faint sheen of sweat formed on his palms.
This feeling…
Was it excitement?
He paused, then grinned wider.
No—this was joy. A pure, intoxicating thrill he hadn't felt in years.
So this is it, Godfather.
This is the real exhilaration.
Standing in perfect neutrality, detached from the tides of the world, simply watching.
The prestige of Vice Commander of the Knights of God seemed meaningless next to this rush.
This is going to be magnificent.
"Distinguished representatives of the Member States, and all who are watching through Visual Den Den Mushi, greetings."
As Doflamingo's thoughts churned, Figarland Garling Saint began his address under the full scrutiny of the world.
Sunlight glimmered along his crimson crescent-shaped hairstyle, but even that brilliance dimmed before the confidence radiating from his smile.
"I am Figarland Garling Saint of the Figarland Family of the Holy Land Mary Geoise. I extend my deepest gratitude to the Gorosei for entrusting me with the honor of serving as Commander of the Knights of God."
"As you all know, the past six months have witnessed events of immense significance—events that have shaken the world, reshaped destinies, and altered the very flow of history."
"A violent rebellion even plunged our radiant Holy Land into catastrophe."
"And in the North Blue, waters long under the Government's jurisdiction declared secession from the Alliance of Member States."
"All of this has struck the Government with devastating force."
Garling's gentle, springlike smile never faltered, yet each word chilled the assembled guests—representatives, nobles, tycoons, journalists alike.
Every Celestial Dragon was known for their arrogance, for their inability to admit failure. And while the World Economic News Paper reported the Government's setbacks with reckless abandon, no other newspaper, nation, or leader dared breathe a word about them. Fear of retaliation gagged the world.
That Figarland Garling acknowledged such failures openly could only mean one thing: disaster loomed.
"This is the destruction of world order," he declared, voice turning icy. "The collapse of the foundation of peace."
"Since its founding eight hundred years ago, the World Government has tirelessly upheld global peace."
"Through treaties between the Member States, peoples of all nations, cultures, and races have been able to live freely, equally, harmoniously, and peacefully."
"This was the will that guided the twenty ancient Kings who founded the World Government—peace!"
"And indeed, the twenty great Kings succeeded!"
"For eight centuries, every nation that joined the Alliance enjoyed the protection of the Government's mighty forces. Protected sovereignty. Peace. Safety. Freedom from the horrors of war."
"But those who refused this alliance… descended into poverty, disaster, and unending conflict."
"The sacred, righteous Government offered salvation. But they did not cherish it."
"But now!"
Garling swung his gloved hand outward, the force cracking through the plaza like thunder, causing shivers to race down spines.
"Our hard-won peace has been utterly destroyed by one man's ambition!"
"He embezzled taxes meant to sustain the world's peace, diverting them to his own ambitions. He formed a terrifying, bloody, violent army!"
"Through lies and coercion, he forced the North Blue to withdraw from the Alliance of Member States!"
"He murdered noble Celestial Dragons—heroes who built this world order with their own hands!"
"He even launched a fleet to rain slaughter and bombardment upon Mary Geoise—the Holy Land, the paradise revered by countless people!"
Garling's voice sharpened until it cut like ice, radiating killing intent that froze the assembly in place.
Viewers around the world stared in horror.
So the rumors…
They were real.
Every word in the newspapers had been true.
"Our peace has been shattered!"
"Countless brave warriors have died!"
"The entire world trembles under the shadow of the North Blue Fleet!"
"That man stole our peace, crippled our economy, shattered our stability, and destroyed the security that took eight hundred years to build!"
"And now… all of this must end."
Garling's voice rose, thunder and fire wrapped in flawless poise.
"I, Figarland Garling Saint, assuming supreme command of the Knights of God…"
He gripped his rapier hilt, drawing the blade slowly.
"…have an announcement—a message that must reach every nation, every island, every living soul in this world."
He lifted the rapier skyward, his aura blazing.
"From this day forward, we shall govern this world under new principles."
"From this day forward, we shall use every means necessary to safeguard world peace."
"From this day forward, we shall fortify the Alliance, forge new pacts, and unite all strength against the North Blue Fleet's terror. We shall eradicate it completely."
"As Commander of the Knights of God, I hereby declare that from this day forward, we dedicate ourselves without reservation!"
He inhaled deeply, then shouted:
"Let us make the World Government great again! Let us make the Celestial Dragons great again!"
His aura towered over the crowd as he slashed the air with his sword.
"From this moment onward, the World Government officially declares war on the North Blue Fleet!"
"The Knights of God officially declare war on Rogers Darren!"
"To the death!"
The world fell silent—as if struck by a nuclear blast.
Time froze.
And then, before the world could react, a voice drifted in from afar:
"Is that so?"
Cobra froze.
King Riku froze.
Representatives froze.
The Gorosei froze.
Figarland Garling froze.
The entire world…
stopped.
A heartbeat later, the familiar voice echoed again—light, amused, unhurried:
"Then have it your way."
To be continued...