Chapter 414: World Government in a brink of Collapse...

"What?"

"NEO Navy?"

"Those guys from the Fallen Angel Pirates…

"Isn't this the biggest irony? They're trying to 'whitewash' themselves?"

"What do you mean 'whitewash'? Isn't it only right? Have you ever heard of pirates who don't plunder, burn, and kill?"

"Exactly. The Hell Trading Company is known for fair business dealings. Their reputation is well-deserved."

"Think about it carefully: aside from killing the Navy that acts as the World Government's lapdogs, or opposing the World Government, have they ever taken the initiative to attack civilians? Have they ever invaded or destroyed any kingdom or town?"

"Not only did they never harm innocent civilians, they even rescued countless slaves, providing shelter to slaves oppressed by the World Government…"

"And they flatly rejected those violent pirate crews that came seeking to join them!"

"All these years, Totto Land Kingdom's Hell Trading Company has sold grain at low prices, and even donated it free of charge to some impoverished nations and islands, feeding so many people."

"Compare that to the World Government and their puppet Navy who treat humans like animals—aren't the Fallen Angel Pirates practically saviors?"

…

With the Fallen Angel Pirates declaring their reform into the NEO Navy—the Totto Land Kingdom's formal naval force—plus founding a NEO Army and a NEO Air Force, news spread rapidly, setting off quite the stir across the seas. People everywhere gossiped, some mocking, some sneering, but plenty were approving.

However, after so many years of concerted publicity efforts by Totto Land Kingdom, a large portion of nations and islands no longer viewed the Fallen Angel Pirates with fear or hostility. They knew that although they still called themselves "pirates," the Fallen Angel crew were unlike regular pirates at all:

They wouldn't pillage or raze cities.

They always paid for supplies and purchases, never withholding payment, never exploiting labor.

Their Hell Trading Company strictly observed local customs and rules.

Who'd ever call such folk "pirates"?

In particular, the newly released recordings of the God Valley massacre by the Totto Land side had thoroughly unmasked the Government's and Navy's brutal, hypocritical side. People's hearts had a set of scales—comparing the World Government's atrocities and the Navy's hypocrisy with Totto Land's stance, more and more angered, anxious folks sided with Totto Land Kingdom.

After all, many dreaded that one day they could fail to pay the Heavenly Tribute, and then the Navy might break down their door, making them slaves; or perhaps their entire kingdom would be chosen by those so-called "descendants of the Creator"—the inhumane Celestial Dragons—as sacrificial victims for their sadistic hunts.

Countless people in non-Government nations having strong ties with the Hell Trading Company felt even more panic, deeply hating the World Government. They yearned for Totto Land to overthrow the vile regime.

…

"Indeed, that's the truth…"

"Compared to the Fallen Angel Pirates, the real pirates were scoundrels like the Rocks Pirates!"

"I heard the Fallen Angel Pirates initially formed around Kukulkan El, a survivor of the Lunarian tribe persecuted by the World Government…"

"Later, El established Totto Land Kingdom in the New World to enable all races to set aside prejudice, living in harmony—"

"For years they've sheltered those who were victims of World Government tyranny, those forced into slavery or hunted with nowhere else to go!"

"And I heard Totto Land's own citizens don't have to pay the 'Heavenly Tribute'; children get free schooling, and the elderly enjoy free healthcare…"

"Free schooling?"

"And free medical care? Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. Totto Land's media department picks a different island under its rule to broadcast each day, showing their kingdom's daily life."

"You see skyscrapers, busy streets, the best hospitals, the most beautiful schools, even a fairy-tale-like amusement park…"

"Right, and in those broadcasts, everyone looks so happy—it can't be fake!"

"Compared to anywhere else, that's literally paradise!"

"I sure hope they can overthrow the corrupt Government soon!"

"Yes, damn that Government, and damn the Celestial Dragons who're evil from birth—hope they're toppled tomorrow!"

"Long live Totto Land Kingdom! Long live the NEO Navy!!!

"Long live His Majesty Kukulkan El!!!"

…

As chatter rose throughout the world, large and small nations alike reacted with unrest. Plenty of the outraged populace raised El's portrait, chanting his name. Some monarchs allied to the World Government, alarmed by rebellious sentiments, dispatched forces to suppress demonstrations, creating bloodshed. Elsewhere, opportunistic revolutionaries exploited the chaos, toppling entire royals.

…

"Seriously…NEO Navy?

On the Grand Line's first half—Marineford, the Navy HQ:

Steel Bone Kong scowled at the day's Totto Land newspaper:

"Those bastards from Fallen Angel Pirates proclaim themselves the 'new' Navy—so what does that make us, the 'old' Navy?"

After all that's happened at God Valley—the Navy's heavy casualties, the outcry over the massacre—Kong was already swamped, trying to console countless grieving families. But then Totto Land exposed the entire slaughter, obliterating the Navy's 'justice' reputation and plunging their standing into ruin.

Next came the abrupt resignation of Admiral "Black Arm" Zephyr and others with strong moral convictions. Many more threatened to leave, outraged or disillusioned after God Valley's revelations.

So Kong was fuming with rage.

"Unacceptable…this is beyond shameless!"

He stared at the newspaper, eyelid twitching.

What really frightened Kong was that the newly minted "NEO Navy" openly declared their stance: they called the existing Navy a bunch of marionettes working for "evil Government," and they coaxed any Marines feeling disillusioned to quit and enlist with the NEO Navy—helping fight against Government tyranny. They even extended a personal invitation to Zephyr, telling him, "Join the NEO Navy, defend real justice."

—A direct challenge to the Government's authority.

"They're just rotten pirates."

"It's only been what, a couple decades since they formed, and now they dare directly confront the Government?"

"They've got the nerve to snatch the banner of 'justice' from us, labeling the Government as 'evil' and the Celestial Dragons as 'inherently vile'…

"They're the real vile ones!"

Kong raged, gripping the Totto Land newspaper so hard the pages tore.

Deep down, though, he recognized that with God Valley's fiasco, the Government's ultimate trump card destroyed, their image shattered, and the public seeing El and Totto Land as saviors, the old world order was genuinely on the brink of collapse.