"You… want to join the World Government?!" Sengoku's expression was grave as he spoke.
He understood all too well what this man was thinking. Everything Qin Yi's faction had been doing ran completely counter to the World Government's policies; more than that, they openly opposed them. Yet here he was, proposing this condition.
"Marshal Sengoku, you seem to misunderstand." Qin Yi's voice was calm, almost indifferent. "What I seek is merely a legitimate title, the official recognition of a sovereign nation."
He leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp.
"And that title… must come from the World Government itself."
"In other words," he continued, "we will not submit to the Marines, nor follow any order from the World Government. The only purpose of this arrangement is to ensure that the friction between us does not escalate further…"
His voice dipped, heavy with meaning.
"Or spark an all-out war."
Sengoku's pupils contracted as Qin Yi's intent became crystal clear.
So this so-called "joining" was nothing more than a diplomatic excuse, a thin veil to ease tensions. And yet, it made perfect sense. Both sides would happily crush the other if they could, but reality bound them; circumstances made war impossible, at least in the short term.
"For the Marines and the World Government, this would bring nothing but benefit… wouldn't you agree?"
A faint smile curved Qin Yi's lips, his eyes glinting with unspoken depth.
Sengoku's gaze hardened, his mind racing before he finally asked, voice low and solemn:
"Ying Zheng… what exactly is it you seek?"
"I already told you, Marshal." Qin Yi rose to his feet, his presence filling the cabin like a rising storm.
"To unify this world… and reshape it into the image I hold in my heart!"
His words reverberated like a declaration of destiny.
The next moment, Qin Yi stepped forward and vanished from the Marine warship entirely. True to his word, the forces of Qin's Nation withdrew with swift precision, and within mere minutes, only Sengoku's lone vessel remained adrift upon the waves.
"…What is that man really after?"
Garp muttered, scratching his head, confusion plain on his face. Despite sitting through the entire discussion, the straightforward Marine hero still couldn't fully grasp Qin Yi's intentions.
Sengoku inhaled deeply, wariness clouding his eyes.
"He intends… to have Qin's Nation formally join the World Government."
Garp blinked, but before he could respond, Akainu strode over, his expression as dark and fierce as his nickname suggested.
"That man is buying himself time. He wants to strengthen his nation. But with the reputation of a usurper hanging over him, he'll never truly rally the world to his cause. So he plans to shed that stigma, climb aboard the World Government's ship under a legitimate banner, and then move freely toward his ambitions."
Sengoku's tone grew even more severe. "Compared to the Revolutionary Army, this man is far more calculating. And behind him… there must be an entire network of terrifying strategists pulling strings."
Akainu's voice was sharp as steel. "Using the World Government's name to raise himself higher… he's playing a dangerous but brilliant game. Sengoku, a man this meticulous, this shrewd, we cannot afford to let him grow unchecked!"
"He must be stopped."
Vice-Admiral Tsuru's voice was low but carried the weight of absolute conviction.
Everyone nodded grimly in agreement.
Qin Yi's proposal and conditions were as transparent as day; anyone with a shred of insight could see his motives. He simply wanted to adorn himself with a more respectable crown, polish his reputation, and solidify his power base. But his ambitions wouldn't pause for even a moment, in fact, Sengoku suspected his actions would only become more brazen and aggressive.
"We must prepare for total war," Sengoku declared. "Alert every branch, every nation. The world needs to be ready."
At that moment, every Marine officer aboard the ship truly understood the threat Qin Yi posed.
Compared to the Four Emperors of the New World… even more than the Revolutionary Army…
This man was far, far more dangerous.
"Time… is running out."
Sengoku's voice was low, his sharp eyes fixed on the horizon.
The clock was ticking. Every extra day they allowed Qin Yi's nation to grow only magnified the threat Marine Headquarters and the World Government would face in the future. Sengoku longed to end it swiftly, to crush this rising empire before it became unstoppable.
But war wasn't so simple. The Navy had to consider its readiness, the safety of civilians, the reaction of the Celestial Dragons, and the rippling consequences across every kingdom and sea.
That was the difference between Marine Headquarters and Qin Yi's Qin Nation.
Qin Yi only had to decide where to strike, and whether he could win.
The Marines, on the other hand, had to weigh the entire world.
If war broke out, Sengoku's duty would be to minimize the devastation.
Three days passed. On this day, a shocking announcement rocked the seas:
"From this day forward, the Qin Nation is officially recognized as a member state of the World Government, with full rights to participate in the Reverie!"
The world reeled in disbelief.
Everyone had seen Qin Nation's actions across the Grand Line, its conquests, its military dominance, its defiance. Tensions had been on a razor's edge, the scent of gunpowder thick in the air. And yet… there had been no war?
Not only no war… but diplomatic recognition? Peace talks?
It was laughable. Outrageous. The world's biggest joke.
Yet, the more perceptive observers recognized this for what it was: The eerie calm before a world-shaking storm.
"When it hits… it will engulf everything," one whispered.
"Qin Yi's strategies are terrifying. He's seized every strategic point along the Grand Line, leaving the Marines boxed in, forced to negotiate. Now he's cloaked himself in legitimacy with the World Government's approval. His maneuvering is… admirable."
"And mark my words, he won't stop here. At this rate, half the Grand Line will soon fly Qin Nation's banner."
"His armies are relentless. They've claimed even uninhabited islands, leaving nothing untouched. Not a single scrap of land escapes their grasp."
Across the world, chatter and speculation grew louder.
Seven days later.
The Qin Nation's expansion showed no signs of slowing.
Their army moved like an unstoppable machine, a tide of iron and fire. Island after island fell, nations surrendered, and with only brief stops to secure each conquest, their forces pushed ever forward. Qin Nation's territory spread like ink across the map.
Within the royal palace of Qin Nation, Qin Yi sat upon his throne, his expression calm but his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"It's close… very close now."
"My King's Strength keeps growing. I can feel it, the next King's Skill is about to awaken."
"The Realm Gate's projection… will soon be complete."
"When that moment comes, conquering this entire world… will merely be a matter of time."
Qin Yi understood perfectly the purpose of his descent into the All-Heavens and Myriad Realms. First: to gather capable allies and loyal ministers. Second: to expand his nation's territory, advance its civilization, and forge a kingdom of unparalleled might.
And through his growing bond with this world's mysterious laws, Qin Yi could now sense a profound truth, the connection between his nation and this world's very fabric was becoming clearer. Soon, he would bridge the gap between worlds entirely.
If he so desired, he could even achieve the King's Way in one decisive step.
"Compared to my progress here, Hashirama's pace is… truly frustrating."
Qin Yi chuckled bitterly, shaking his head.
That man was the complete opposite of Madara, hesitant and cautious, even while knowing the prosperity Qin Nation offered. Hashirama lingered on the sidelines, interfering only through minor skirmishes, refusing to take decisive action.
"When the Pirate World is fully connected, I'll have to give him a nudge…" Qin Yi mused. "If that doesn't work, I'll simply bring him here and put him in charge of the pirates myself."
After a brief moment of thought, Qin Yi closed his eyes.
The conquest of territory no longer required his direct involvement. With the Three Generals and the Parliamentary Council handling matters with precision, he had no need to micromanage.
His task now was to master the growing power within him, to become even stronger.
(End of Chapter)
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