Chapter 20 King Bartholomew Kuma's Kingdom!
Inside the incomparably luxurious Dragon Palace City.
Colson and the two CP7 members had already left.
However, King Neptune and a group of Fish-Man Island executives still remained in the Banquet Hall, not dispersing.
The shock from everything that had just happened still hadn't subsided in their hearts.
"Unbelievable, truly unbelievable, is that really the World Government? *That* World Government?"
King Neptune sat on the large throne, looking towards the main entrance at the other end of the Great Hall, repeatedly marveling.
He would occasionally lower his head to glance at the two Golden Silk Scrolls in his hand.
"It's like a dream..."
Queen Otohime stood on the platform, the tear stains on her face still wet.
The exhaustion from childbirth had completely vanished at this moment.
"In this way, our Fish-Man Island's centuries-old wish is about to be fulfilled. Our Mermaid Tribe and Fish-man Tribe can finally freely enjoy the Sunlight, forests, and Earth on the Land, and be able to openly associate with Humans, and even other Races!"
In her opinion, this Fish-Man Island, ten thousand meters beneath the Seabed, was good, and safe enough.
But wasn't it also a rather large Prison?
"For this speech at the World Conference, I must prepare well, I must convey the feeling of our Fish-Man Island wanting to integrate into the big Family of the World to all the kings!"
Queen Otohime clenched her fist, cheering herself on, feeling a fire burning in her heart.
"Cough cough."
But at this moment, the Right Minister standing below the platform deliberately coughed twice, attracting the attention of the other three, and then softly said, "Your Majesty, Queen, may I say a few words of my thoughts?"
"Of course!"
King Neptune agreed without hesitation.
He was not the kind of person who wouldn't listen to his ministers' advice.
"Regarding this matter, on the surface, the World Government has indeed undergone tremendous changes, and their sincerity towards our Fish-Man Island is more than sufficient."
The Right Minister, as a civil official, was more meticulous and complex in his thoughts, slowly narrating his views.
"But I feel that it is still better not to have too high expectations now, otherwise, if the development of things does not match what we hope, then the disappointment will be too cruel, after all, that is the World Government..."
His words immediately calmed everyone's mood.
Queen Otohime also listened in silence for a while, slowly returning to her seat.
The Right Minister continued to speak.
"Moreover, although it takes effect from the signing of the Communiqué, I feel that the content above still needs to wait until after the World Conference to have concrete actions."
"Of course, the premise is that this Agenda must be successfully passed, and be able to be strongly promoted, otherwise, even if the World Government allows us to go ashore, we would not dare to let our Citizens go!"
King Neptune nodded in agreement.
"Indeed, we still need to see the specific actions of the World Government afterwards, as for the issue of the Agenda being passed."
"I think since they greeted us in advance, they should also be contacting other kings, but I don't know which kings, and whether their influence is large enough, and whether the number is large enough."
This made Queen Otohime's eyes dim slightly, and unease and worry began to rise in her heart.
"In addition to this, there is another very important matter!" The Right Minister said with distress.
"Even if everything goes smoothly, and the World Government is serious, and we can really safely leave Fish-Man Island and then live on the Sea Area under the Sunlight, it will be very difficult for us to migrate our Citizens up there."
"Although all of our Fish-man Tribe can breathe and travel at high speed in the Sea, there is no place to put those Shell Utensils, Furniture, and Household Items, we can't ask our Citizens to give up their Family Property, can we?"
Queen Otohime looked at him in confusion.
"Why can't we let a small portion of Citizens live in Sabaody Archipelago first? Then, after we find a suitable Island to be the new Fish-Man Island, we can migrate there little by little."
"Moreover, we don't need to abandon this place either, after all, some people like living in the Seabed."
The Right Minister was stunned, thinking to himself: Indeed, no one said that all Citizens must be migrated at once, unless in the future we encounter a situation where we must abandon Fish-Man Island.
Indeed.
If no one destroys the Holy Land Mary Geoise above, then this Fish-Man Island below really won't have any problems...
At the same time.
Just like King Neptune speculated.
At this moment, the Senior Councilors of the Administrative Department were either on their way to their target Kingdoms, or were already in the Royal Palace, conveying the Agenda and the Five Elders' Attitude to the kings in advance.
Of course, not all kings, only those kings who the Administrative Department had researched and investigated and deemed likely to support this Agenda.
Simply put, it was to find some kings who had a good Attitude towards their Citizens and were relatively kind-hearted.
Because only they would sincerely support the passage of the Agenda!
For example, the desert Kingdom Alabasta.
It's just that a major event recently happened in that country.
Young Prince Cobra became king last year.
Therefore, this World Conference in 1498 is the first time this twenty-six-year-old king is participating in the World Conference, which is considered to be of some significance.
South Sea, Sorbet Kingdom.
"Could you say that again?"
A small giant nearly seven meters tall suddenly stood up from the simple throne.
Looking at the black-clothed man below the platform in disbelief, still clutching a Golden Silk Scroll in his hand.
"Of course, no problem, Your Majesty King Bartholomew Kuma."
The Senior Councilor from the World Government Administrative Department was not impatient at all, his Attitude was very respectful and polite.
Although he didn't know what the reason was for the Minister to specifically instruct him to treat this insignificant poor Kingdom kindly.
But the experience and wisdom of being a senior government official for more than ten years made him not dare to be negligent or ignore it in the slightest.
"As long as you support the passage of this Agenda at this year's World Conference, then the Celestial Tribute for the Sorbet Kingdom can be reduced by fifty percent of the amount every year until the next World Conference."
Bartholomew Kuma, who had always been gentle and introverted in Personality, was perhaps dumbfounded for the first time since birth.
When he first heard it, he suspected that his Ear was playing tricks on him.
But after hearing it a second time, he felt it was even more magical.
The World Government actually took the initiative to reduce the amount of Celestial Tribute?
It seemed that this had never happened in hundreds of years!
This Sorbet Kingdom he managed was already a famous poor country in the South Sea, or rather, it was actually living quite well decades ago.
But since joining the World Government, the high Celestial Tribute every year had drained the Blood of the country.
It was estimated that in another year or two, they would completely fail to pay.
At that time, they would be captured by the Army Troops sent by the World Government.
And taken to Bridge Nation Tequila Wolf in the East Blue to build a bridge for the rest of their lives.
It was at such a desperate moment that he stood up!
Relying on his strong physique Talent and the Ability of the Paw-Paw Fruit.
He successfully robbed seven Pirate ships at Sea, and snatched enough Treasure to pay that year's Celestial Tribute.
Since then, he was directly pushed by the national Citizens to the position of this king.
In the following years, he did the same every year, while leading the Citizens to plant and fish, he went out to Sea alone to scavenge Treasure.
Except for the Navy, World Government, and ships of other Kingdoms, whether they were Pirate ships, Slave Trader ships, or ships of any Dark Forces, he robbed them all.
Finally, he temporarily stabilized the situation of the Kingdom.
It's just that as his reputation spread, it has become difficult to find ships to rob in the nearby Sea Area.
This Celestial Tribute is like a knife still hanging over the heads of all Citizens.
But if it is only half of the Celestial Tribute to be paid, then the situation will be very different.
"So, Your Majesty the King, what is your answer?"
"Of course, even without what you said, I would strongly support such a good Agenda!"
Vote please!
(End of this chapter)