Chapter 405: Sweeping the World – No Enemies Left!

At the Sabaody Archipelago, inside Shakky's Rip-off Bar, Silvers Rayleigh sat with a newspaper in hand, reading the latest headlines from the World Summit. His expression showed clear shock.

Beside him, Shakky was equally stunned.

The news was simply too astonishing, these were real events that had shaken the entire world.

The headline was simple yet overwhelming:

"King of the World."

The front page featured a photograph of Donquixote Claudius, seated firmly upon the Empty Throne.

Below him, a hundred kneeling monarchs of the World Government's affiliated nations bowed in submission.

The newspaper reported extensively on the key events of the World Summit.

The first major story was the complete resignation of the Five Elders, who had long stood as the highest-ranking figures of the Celestial Dragons. They were stripped of their supreme authority, while Saint Claudius was officially crowned the King of the World, securing the allegiance of all nations.

The second major event was the dismissal of the Celestial Dragons.

Eighteen noble families that had ruled from Mariejois for centuries were completely abolished. Even the Five Elders lost their status as the highest-ranking Celestial Dragons.

They were fortunate that Claudius granted them positions as the Five Great Nobles, preventing them from being reduced to commoners.

However, the vast majority of the Celestial Dragons lost all privilege, and many were imprisoned as criminals, set to be paraded through the streets of various nations in the coming year.

From now on, only the Donquixote Family would hold the sole legitimate Celestial Dragon lineage under the World Government's authority.

Moving on, the newspaper detailed another shocking revelation.

The former leader of the Revolutionary Army, Monkey D. Dragon, had apparently been an undercover agent all along?!

The world's most wanted criminal had been completely pardoned, becoming a high-ranking official of the new government—appointed as the Minister of Civil Affairs.

It was almost unbelievable.

Not only was Dragon himself granted amnesty, but the entire Revolutionary Army was absorbed into the government. Over time, its cadres and members would be integrated into the system, becoming part of the administrative machinery of the new World Government.

Then came the financial reforms.

The Heavenly Tribute, once an oppressive burden on nations had been greatly reduced. Each country was now required to pay only 100 million Berries annually, making it a symbolic tribute rather than an economic stranglehold.

This was followed by sweeping tax reforms.

Instead of a flat tax system, taxation would now be class-based and industry-specific.

Wealthy industries would be taxed at higher rates.

Agriculture and low-income sectors would have minimal taxation.

Essential industries would receive tax reductions or even full exemptions to maximize economic growth and improve the lives of citizens.

Furthermore, with the World Economy News Paper now officially under government control, the new World Government would regularly publish and explain its policies—preventing corrupt nobility and officials from blaming tax hikes on Mariejois.

In the past, local rulers could secretly raise taxes and shift the blame onto the World Government.

Now, that was no longer possible.

The new World Government would make its policies transparent through public media campaigns, ensuring that the common people knew where their taxes were actually going.

Of course, nations still retained autonomy, similar to a feudal system.

Claudius, as the King of the World, held dominion over all, while the nobility and rulers of various nations governed their own territories.

As long as they didn't act against the interests of the World Government, they were free to rule as they pleased.

However, if rebellions broke out due to poor governance, the World Government would not intervene unless the situation became severe.

Each ruler was expected to handle their own internal affairs—if they couldn't, they would lose their throne.

The World Government's priority was the stability of nations, not individual rulers.

But if someone attempted a coup, or a rogue faction threatened government stability, the World Government would dispatch forces to suppress them.

This provided some level of protection for the ruling class.

As long as they remained loyal to the World Government, their positions would be secure.

Still, there were many internal policies yet to be finalized, as the new World Government was still in its early stages.

Another critical announcement was the structural overhaul of government agencies.

Within the next one to two years, the outdated, corrupt administrative system would be completely replaced with an efficient new structure.

Claudius also made one thing abundantly clear:

Corruption would no longer be tolerated.

The Cipher Pol agencies were restructured, their primary role shifting from covert operations to anti-corruption enforcement.

All former CP organizations, including Gis and others, had pledged loyalty to the new government.

Previously, Cipher Pol had been nothing more than a violent enforcer for the old Celestial Dragons.

Now, under Claudius' leadership, they had no choice but to adapt or be eliminated.

To further consolidate power, Spandine officially merged CP-X with the existing Cipher Pol structure.

Originally, CP-0 was the highest-ranking agency, but now, all CP divisions (CP-0 through CP-9) were placed under a unified structure.

CP-X was designated as the new highest-ranking division, with Spandine serving as its supreme director, reporting directly to Claudius and overseeing global intelligence operations.

It was akin to a secret police force, much like the Jinyiwei of ancient times.

In the coming weeks, more newspapers would continue reporting on the radical changes taking place under the new government.

But even this first edition alone had already shaken the world to its core.

Rayleigh set the newspaper down, taking a slow sip from his glass before murmuring,

"Claudius… You really are something else. The King of the World… incredible."

Shakky glanced at him, her tone laced with emotion.

"So, it seems like your captain, Roger, failed completely. Does Laugh Tale even matter anymore?"

Rayleigh thought for a moment before replying,

"Not to the world. But to the pirates, it still does."

Roger had once believed that Laugh Tale held the key to changing the world.

But now, there was no need for Laugh Tale.

The secrets of 800 years ago, the truth of the world, it no longer mattered.

Claudius had already changed the world.

Even if a new Pirate King emerged, what could they possibly do against the World Government under Claudius?

Nothing.

Shakky chuckled. "Still, Roger played a role in all this, didn't he?"

Rayleigh sighed. "Yeah… Back when the Great Pirate Era began, I thought the ultimate winner would be someone like Whitebeard or Shiki…

But in the end, the real winner was Claudius.

Roger… He lost."

There was a faint loneliness in his voice.

Back then, they had believed only pirates could change the world.

But in the end, the world never belonged to pirates.

Shakky's gaze sharpened. "What do you think he'll do next?"

Rayleigh didn't hesitate.

"He'll consolidate his rule.

Even though he's already the King of the World, stability isn't guaranteed yet.

Reorganizing the World Government, rooting out corruption, these aren't easy tasks.

But once he finishes…

His eyes will turn to the New World."

Shakky nodded in agreement. "He'll sweep the seas—crushing all opposition."

"Exactly. The Revolutionary Army has already been absorbed into his government.

Next, he'll end the Pirate Era and destroy the great pirate factions once and for all."

Rayleigh smiled wryly.

"Good thing I'm already retired…

Just thinking about fighting Claudius gives me a headache."

(To be continued.)

***

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