Deafening cheers echoed throughout Wano Country, filling the air with an electric energy that vibrated through the ground. The shouts from the massive crowds were so incredibly loud that they felt as if they could pierce the very sky above the chaotic island.
Charlotte Linlin had just experienced a bitter and humbling defeat. She stood there quietly, feeling the heavy weight of the roaring crowd surrounding them, and looked directly at Kaido. He was once her former subordinate, but now she gazed at him with an incredibly incredulous expression.
For a brief, quiet moment, time itself seemed to stand perfectly still around the two Yonko. Her memories drifted back to the very first time they had met. Kaido had been just a young, ambitious man back then.
"You really did it, Kaido," she said quietly.
This time, she did not call him a 'stinky brat'. Instead, she solemnly called out his real name, showing a new level of respect for her fellow pirate.
Her recent, shocking defeat against Straw Hat had been a harsh wake-up call to reality. It made her clearly realize that her own grand era was completely over and done with. The grand sea now belonged to only two powerful people. Those two people were Kaido and Straw Hat.
Understanding this harsh reality, Big Mom did not refuse Kaido's ambitious proposal to conquer the world. Because of this mutual understanding, their pirate alliance completely transformed into a single, unified entity.
"Worororo... Linlin, shouldn't this be obvious? I've said it before, I never believe in fate or saviors. If this world must be changed by someone, it can only be me. And if it's not me, I'd rather destroy this entire world."
Kaido stretched out his massive hand and pressed it lightly downward in a calming motion. Instantly, the entire Flower Capital fell completely silent.
Four adorable young girls gently flew out from the side of the grand stage. They quickly and carefully took out the specially prepared Den Den Mushi for the worldwide broadcast.
Through the transmission, Kaido's imposing figure appeared on glowing screens in every corner of the world. At the exact same time, his booming voice rang loud and clear in the ears of countless people.
"Worororo! I know many people are watching me right now, waiting for me to decide your fate. I am talking to the former affiliated countries of the World Government, and the non-affiliated countries who are unwilling to pay the Celestial Tribute. I am also talking to the pirates, the dark forces of the underworld, the Revolutionary Army, and the various scattered villages, organizations, and islands across this sea."
He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in before continuing his global broadcast.
"Well, I have good news for all of you. I have absolutely no interest in becoming a Celestial Dragon, so you don't need to worry about what I will do to you. You also do not need to pay me any Celestial Tribute. I have only one simple requirement for you: follow the rules I set."
"Next, I will establish a new World Government based entirely on the Beasts Pirates. It will be named the Dragon Empire, and it will strictly rule this sea. As for the specific rules, listen carefully right now."
As his deep voice faded, Kaido stopped speaking entirely.
A slender figure slowly flew up from below the elevated platform, appearing clearly before everyone watching the glowing screens. It was Pudding, who was remarkably known as one of the elite Tobi Roppo in this particular crew.
Her beautiful, delicate face appeared in everyone's direct sight. The visual broadcast clearly showed her unique third eye resting right on her forehead.
"Hello everyone, my name is Charlotte Pudding. As the future spokesperson for the Dragon Empire, I will now announce the official decisions of Lord Kaido and the Dragon Empire. Namely, from today, Marine Calendar 1522, Dragon Calendar 01, the Dragon Empire is formally established."
Pudding looked directly into the Den Den Mushi, her voice steady and clear as she read the new world order.
"Lord Kaido will serve as the President of the Army, Navy, and Air Force of the Dragon Empire. He will also be the Governor-General, overseeing all affairs of the Dragon Empire. Lord Charlotte Linlin will serve as the Deputy Governor-General, overseeing all administrative affairs of the Empire."
"Lord King will serve as the Deputy Commander of the Dragon Empire, commanding the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The Governor-General's Office will be officially located on the Red Line, at the Holy Land Mary Geoise. Lord Queen will serve as the Commander of Technology."
"Lord Vinsmoke Judge and Lord Caesar will serve as the Deputy Commanders of Technology, responsible for all technological departments. Lord Jack will serve as the Fleet Admiral of the Dragon Empire's Marine, commanding our naval forces and maintaining order at sea. Lord Eneru will serve as the Fleet Admiral of the Air Force, commanding the skies and maintaining order in the air."
"Lord Katakuri will serve as the Fleet Admiral of the Army, commanding the troops and maintaining order on land and islands. Lord Perospero will serve as the Fleet Admiral of the Logistics Department, commanding all logistics troops. Lord Doflamingo will serve as the Fleet Admiral of the Commerce Department, commanding all business dealings."
"Lord Who's Who will serve as the Fleet Admiral of the Administration Department. He will command the administrative management and maintain the internal and external stability of the Dragon Empire. Effective immediately, the laws of the former World Government affiliated and non-affiliated countries are completely abolished."
"All countries across the entire sea will absolutely accept the command of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. These active branches will be strictly responsible for maintaining global order. The above finally concludes our military matters."
Pudding took a small breath before moving on to the regional assignments.
"Next, we will cover the administrative matters. Effective immediately, Lord Sasaki is officially appointed as the Governor of the East Blue, responsible for all administrative affairs there. Lord Ulti is appointed as the Governor of the West Blue, handling all administration in that ocean. Lord Page One is appointed as the Governor of the South Blue."
"Lord Reiju is appointed as the Governor of the North Blue, responsible for all administrative affairs of the North Blue. I, Pudding, am appointed as the Deputy Governor of the Four Blues. I will be completely responsible for administrative communication and maintenance between the Four Blues and the Grand Line."
"The following are the new appointments of our active generals, provisionally using the old Marine internal ranks. Lord Hawkins, Captain of the First Division of the Oni Squad, is the Deputy Fleet Admiral of the Marine. Lord Babanuki of the Seventh Division, Lord Holdem of the Tenth Division, and Lord Scotch of the Eighth Division are now Admirals of the Marine."
"Lord Urouge of the God's Guard is the Deputy Fleet Admiral of the Air Force. Lord Silla of the Eleventh Division, Lord Hoko of the Sixth Division, and Lord Solitaire of the Twelfth Division are Admirals of the Air Force. Lord Apoo, Captain of the Second Division, is the Deputy Fleet Admiral of the Army."
"Lord Dopon of the Ninth Division, Lord Blue Gilly of the Thirteenth Division, and Lord Wind Blade of the Fifth Division are all Admirals of the Army. In addition to these main branches, a separate Intelligence Department will be established. Lord Blueno, Captain of the Second Division, is the Fleet Admiral of the Intelligence Department."
"Lord Kalifa is his appointed Deputy Fleet Admiral of the Intelligence Department. They will operate directly under Lord Kaido's strict jurisdiction. As for the setting of lower military ranks, the aforementioned Governors, Deputy Governors, Fleet Admirals, and Deputy Fleet Admirals can determine them individually and report them to Lord Kaido."
Pudding finished her long, world-changing broadcast with one final, firm statement.
"All of the above shall be implemented immediately!"
As Pudding finished speaking, the massive crowd of pirates below stood in a brief state of utter, paralyzed shock. After a few agonizing seconds of pure silence, they erupted into wild, joyful cheers.
It could easily be said that for these rough, violent men, besides enormous wealth and Berries, only high status could excite them so much. Compared to being mere pirates drifting aimlessly on the unpredictable and dangerous sea, becoming government officials with real, tangible power in an instant was clearly far more thrilling for them at this exact moment.
More importantly, according to what Lord Kaido had just officially described, even the lowly Gifters could become a Rear Admiral according to the current internal ranks of the old Marine system.
That was a Rear Admiral!
On this vast, dangerous sea, they would finally be fully qualified to officially manage a large Marine base. Even for the most ordinary, low-ranking pirates in the massive crew, becoming a Commodore or a lower rank like Captain below a Rear Admiral would be entirely life-changing.
It would be more than enough to leap over the proverbial dragon gate and completely turn their miserable lives around in the Four Blues.
As soon as they thought about being able to safely return to their home islands in absolute, undeniable glory in the future, these pirates felt incredibly validated. They genuinely felt that everything they were doing right now was completely worth the extreme effort and bloodshed.
Therefore, at this exact moment, their roaring cheers were even more fervent, passionate, and heartfelt than ever before.
Kaido was also very visibly satisfied with this massive, positive reaction from his loyal crew. Seeing the broadcast camera return to focus entirely on him, he prepared to give his final, inspiring words.
He spoke loudly into the Den Den Mushi, his voice booming with undeniable authority.
"Originally, I wouldn't have announced these major decisions so early. This is simply because we haven't completely taken control of this sea just yet. We still have a massive, major war to fight ahead of us."
"We must defeat the Red Hair Pirates, the mighty Giants, the stubborn Revolutionaries, the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates, and various other forces that want to resist our new rule. And of course, we still have to crush that Straw Hat. But I still made this decision today because I deeply want to fulfill my promise to you all."
"I said I would never monopolize the glorious fruits of our victory. This great glory of opening an entirely new era belongs to each and every one of you! Next, what we need to do is prepare for the final, bloody decisive battle. After this decisive battle is won, that is exactly when we will truly enjoy the sweet fruits of this victory."
"For the Dragon Empire, and for our unique future, fight!"
"Fight!"
"Long live Lord Kaido!"
"Long live the Dragon Empire!"