Chapter 404: Doflamingo – Take These Celestial Dragons on Parade!

After several days, the World Summit finally concluded. The kings of the 100 participating nations left Mariejois under the escort of the Marines, returning to their respective countries.

Many topics were discussed during the summit—taxes, policies, and various governance matters.

But none of that was the real headline.

The most significant news was that Donquixote Claudius had officially become the undisputed ruler of the world.

On the final day of the summit, he shattered an 800-year-old tradition of the World Government by allowing the assembled royalty to enter the chamber of the Empty Throne, where they personally witnessed him sitting upon it in all his majesty.

These monarchs, unaware of Imu's existence, had always believed that the Empty Throne had remained unoccupied for over eight centuries, symbolizing equality and justice.

But now, Saint Claudius sat upon it, making it clear—there was no need for hollow symbols of "equality." He was the King of the World, and all others would stand beneath his throne, awaiting his orders.

This raw display of power left the royal families of the world with complicated emotions, but none dared to challenge him.

After all, the World Government remained as powerful as ever, perhaps even more so, now that Claudius had taken control.

With the Marines firmly under his command on one side and the Revolutionary Army fully integrated into the new government on the other, Claudius' authority was absolute.

Many royals had never expected to see the Revolutionary Army, their longtime enemy, standing within the halls of Mariejois—not as invaders, but as allies of the new regime.

Dragon, once the world's most wanted criminal, had been reformed, taking on the role of the new government's Minister of Civil Affairs.

The Marines on one side, the Revolutionary Army on the other, and CP-0 along with the vast intelligence network of the Cipher Pol agencies all serving under him.

And as if that weren't enough, Claudius also controlled the financial backbone of the world. The infamous Golden Emperor, Gild Tesoro, had been appointed Minister of Finance, overseeing the new government's economy.

The monarchs of the world understood this much—Claudius held both military and economic supremacy in his hands.

Even the World Economy News Paper had fallen under his influence.

Big News Morgans, once a private media mogul and underground broker, had been transformed overnight—from a kingpin of the underworld into a high-ranking government official.

Now, he was the Minister of Propaganda.

With every pillar of power—military, intelligence, economy, and media—firmly under Claudius' control, who could possibly oppose him?

He had ascended to the throne of the world, and no one had the strength to stop him.

Even the Five Elders had been rendered powerless against him. Who else could possibly stand against him?

But despite this overwhelming dominance, there was one undeniable truth—the new ruler was fair.

Claudius had reduced the Heavenly Tribute, the oppressive tax that nations paid to Mariejois.

Beginning next year, countries would only be required to pay 100 million Berries annually as a symbolic gesture toward the Celestial Dragons, who, under the new government, were no longer an elite ruling class.

For the first time in centuries, the financial burden on nations had been eased significantly.

And that was just the beginning.

Claudius' most decisive action was his purge of the Celestial Dragons.

Under a World Summit decree, 18 Celestial Dragon families in Mariejois were officially stripped of their status, leaving only the Donquixote Family as the last true noble house of the Celestial Dragons.

All others were cast down from their privileged status, losing the rights and protections they had enjoyed for centuries.

At first, the world assumed that this was where it would end.

But Claudius was merciless.

Aside from a select few who were granted pardons, hundreds of former Celestial Dragons were sentenced for heinous crimes.

That alone was a shocking act of justice.

But what followed next was even more ruthless, Claudius ordered a public parade of the fallen Celestial Dragons.

Currently, the World Government consists of 173 nations. The World Summit discussions projected an expansion to 200 member nations within five years.

And every single one of these existing nations would be assigned at least two former Celestial Dragons—to be taken through the streets in public humiliation.

The assembled royalty were stunned.

This action had two clear purposes.

First, to ensure that the fallen Celestial Dragons never regain their power.

By sending them to different nations and parading them through the streets, these disgraced nobles were guaranteed to make lifelong enemies wherever they went.

With the entire world witnessing their downfall, no one would dare attempt to restore them.

Second, Claudius was turning them into a symbol, a sacrifice to gain public favor.

By showcasing these once-untouchable aristocrats being publicly humiliated, Claudius was making a statement, his government belonged to the people, not the privileged few.

And who was put in charge of this task?

None other than Donquixote Doflamingo, the man who hated the Celestial Dragons more than anyone.

As for Claudius himself?

He had naturally become the supreme ruler of the Celestial Dragons—the last, and only, High Noble of Mariejois.

Doflamingo's hatred for the Celestial Dragons had long since become something pathological.

In truth, the other Celestial Dragons had never directly harmed Doflamingo's family.

It was his father who had chosen to abandon their status and live among commoners, only to realize too late that there was no way back.

The Celestial Dragons had refused to let them return because if every noble could simply leave and rejoin at will, what meaning did their status even hold?

But to Doflamingo, none of that mattered. His hatred ran deep.

Perhaps the seeds of his vengeance had been planted when he was still a child.

Claudius didn't care.

Doflamingo was his cousin. His ally, his supporter, and his closest confidant over the years.

Their bond was forged not just through blood, but through mutual trust.

So, if Doflamingo wanted to vent his hatred by personally overseeing the humiliation of the fallen Celestial Dragons?

Claudius had no reason to stop him.

This marked the final resolution of the Celestial Dragons issue.

With that done, Claudius moved forward with his next set of reforms, including further tax reductions for nations and the military expansion of the Marines.

For the first time, Marine recruitment would no longer be restricted or hindered by political limitations.

Under the support of the new World Government, the Marines could expand openly and aggressively.

Of course, Claudius also reclaimed full control over Calm Belt development—placing it under the direct authority of the Donquixote Family.

Sengoku had no objections.

This had been discussed long before the power struggle even began.

He understood that this was a strategic move to balance Marine power, and he accepted that it was a necessary measure.

After all, no government in history had ever granted the military complete autonomy. That would be insanity.

Unlike the old World Government, however, Claudius actively supported the Marines' growth.

And soon, Sengoku would be promoted to Commander-in-Chief, placing him at the top of the military structure.

At that point, he would have direct influence over Marine affairs, ensuring their continued development.

As for the Calm Belt development rights, they had not been returned to the World Government but instead handed to the Donquixote Family.

Sengoku didn't interfere.

Self-interest was a natural part of politics.

It was understandable.

And even if he had an opinion on the matter, there was nothing he could do to change it.

Furthermore, as someone close to Claudius, Sengoku knew the truth.

Claudius had restricted the extravagant privileges of the Celestial Dragons on the surface…

But in reality, he had merely shifted their power from the public eye into the shadows.

And that was fine.

Sengoku had no intention of meddling in matters that weren't his concern.

(To be continued.)

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