Inside the World Conference hall, the light from the crystal chandeliers fell on the crimson carpet. The kings of various nations were seated according to their country's national power. Rhett's seat was deliberately placed in the front row, closest to the Five Elders. It was both a sign of respect and an invisible deterrent.
Rhett: You call that a deterrent???
The Five Elders walked in slowly. Peter Saint, Nasujuro Saint, V. Nusjuro, Saturn Saint, and the others took their seats in order. The entire venue fell silent.
Servants immediately distributed thick proposals to each king. Rhett flipped through them casually. The blood mist swirled around his fingertips, holding the documents in the air. He leaned back lazily in his chair, his gaze sweeping across the venue.
He saw the diversity of species. To his left was King Cobra of Alabasta, frowning as he took notes on the proposal. To his right was the king of some unknown small country, already dozing off. Drool was almost dripping onto the documents.
What must the subjects of these dozing kings think, seeing their king sleeping at the World Conference?
The parliamentary servants even brought the man a blanket. Clearly, the Five Elders also liked these kinds of kings.
"The meeting begins." Peter Saint's voice was low and authoritative. "Today's agenda: the revision of the World Member Nation regulations."
"I propose increasing the Heavenly Tribute quota to strengthen the Navy's armaments!" A fat, gluttonous king slammed the table and shouted. He also gave Peter Saint a respectful look.
"Seconded! Poor countries that can't pay should have their membership revoked!" Another king with gold teeth agreed.
A few kings immediately raised their hands in opposition.
"My country has had poor harvests for three years in a row! Raising taxes again will starve our people!" A king stood up excitedly.
"Hmph. The weak have no right to negotiate." Another king from a wealthy country sneered. "If you can't even pay the Heavenly Tribute, what kind of member nation are you?"
Cobra stood up sharply. "Nonsense! The Heavenly Tribute has already displaced countless ordinary people. Increasing it will only cause more countries to collapse!"
A king dressed appropriately also spoke in a deep voice. "The World Government should consider easing the burden on poor countries, not making things worse!"
Rhett looked at them. There were people with these kinds of thoughts in One Piece?
The Five Elders listened expressionlessly. When the argument grew increasingly fierce, Peter Saint slowly raised his hand. "This proposal is rejected."
Obviously, even the Five Elders thought this kind of proposal was stupid. It would only intensify the conflict.
But whether it had been suggested on their orders, Rhett didn't know.
Rhett yawned. He was about to leave when he saw Cobra poke Neptune's back. "Hey, old Neptune, what about that 'Food Reserve Mutual Aid Plan' of yours?"
Neptune was startled. He turned and lowered his voice. "It was rejected last time... I was planning to..."
"Bring it up now." Cobra winked.
Neptune took a deep breath. He suddenly slammed the table. "Everyone! The proposal to abolish the slave trade—"
Nasujuro Saint narrowed his eyes. "King Neptune, do you know what you're saying?"
Neptune didn't back down. "Slavery violates human rights. If the World Government claims to uphold justice, it should abolish it completely!"
"I oppose!" A brutish king immediately slammed the table. "Slaves are private property! Who are you to—"
"BAM!"
Cobra took the opportunity to stand up. "Alabasta proposes the gradual abolition of the slave trade, along with the establishment of a compensation mechanism—"
"Ridiculous!" The North Sea dictator jumped up in rage. "Do you know how much my mines would lose—"
"Without slaves, who would do the mining? Would the honored kings have to do the labor themselves?"
Some kings began whispering. A few had mocking expressions.
A flicker of anger crossed the Five Elders' eyes. But it was quickly covered by a perfect diplomatic smile. Peter Saint was about to refuse when—
"I think it's a good idea."
Rhett's lazy voice suddenly rang out. He was still half-lying in his chair. He didn't even lift his eyelids.
The entire venue fell silent.
The corner of Peter Saint's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. "Rhett, this proposal..."
"I don't think it's good." Nasujuro Saint cut him off directly. His voice was cold.
Rhett finally lifted his eyelids. "I don't care what you think."
The venue was dead silent.
Cobra and Neptune looked at each other. They both saw the shock in each other's eyes. They hadn't expected Rhett to directly confront the Five Elders like this.
The North Sea dictator took the opportunity to jump up. "Exactly! Slavery is tradition! It's the pillar of the world economy! What does a pirate like you know—"
"BAM!"
The North Sea dictator suddenly froze in place. A mist sword had pierced his body. Rhett had put him to sleep.
Rhett was still lounging lazily in his chair. A wisp of blood mist danced on his fingertips. "So noisy."
The Five Elders' expressions completely darkened. Saturn Saint slowly stood up. "Your Majesty Rhett, please mind your surroundings."
"I am being careful~" Rhett tilted his head. "Of course, it doesn't matter whether it's abolished or not. There will be no slave ships passing through my territory. And I very much dislike countries that get rich from the slave trade."
The Five Elders were collectively silent.
Cobra took the opportunity to stand up. "I propose a vote!"
Neptune immediately responded. "Fish-Man Island votes in favor!"
A few small country kings hesitantly raised their hands.
Peter Saint watched as more and more votes came in against. Finally, he said coldly, "It seems the opposition is still in the majority."
Rhett glanced at those who had voted against. "Do you want your countries destroyed?"
"We abstain. We abstain."
Rhett looked at the Five Elders. "That's enough. We were just playing around. Is there anything else? No? I'm leaving. I have a hundred-day celebration to prepare. I hope everyone will send gifts even if you can't come."
Rhett's figure disappeared beyond the hall's gold-plated doors. But the venue was still dead silent. The Five Elders' gazes were dark. The kings who had voted against were now drenched in cold sweat. They were afraid that in the next second, a mist sword would pierce their throats.
Peter Saint slowly stood up. He slammed his scepter on the ground. "Given the disagreement among nations..." His voice sounded forced. "The World Government decides to allow member nations to choose for themselves whether to abolish the slave system."
"What?!" The gold-toothed king shot to his feet. "Th-That won't do—"
Nasujuro Saint shot him a look. The gold-toothed king immediately fell silent and sat back down, trembling.
"But there is one condition." V. Nusjuro added, tapping his thin fingers on the table. "No nation may use the abolition of slavery as a pretext to interfere in the internal affairs of other nations."
This was merely about re-establishing their own authority. Rhett wouldn't listen. Even the abolition of slavery was just a superficial gesture. The World Conference was mainly about attitude. You say abolish, I'll abolish it? Who do you think you are?
Cobra and Neptune looked at each other. This clearly left a loophole for the slave trade. But this was already the maximum victory they could achieve.
"Alabasta accepts." Cobra said in a deep voice.
"Fish-Man Island accepts as well." Neptune's fists were clenched under the table.
The meeting ended hastily.