Chapter 237 Opening and Wapol
This Reverie would last a full week.
Having finally gathered kings from member nations worldwide, it was impossible to end the conference in just a day or two and send everyone home.
The Reverie was only held once every four years and held a lofty position within the World Government. Theoretically, this was the World Government's true highest authority.
As long as the member nations' kings voted to pass something, it became the World Government's supreme resolution.
Well, at least theoretically.
For the member nations' kings, the Reverie's significance lay in their ability to propose their positions during the conference, then have other member nation kings vote on them.
Whether requesting support for certain reasons, mediating regional conflicts, or arbitrating wars with other nations—as long as they gained other member nation kings' support, it could all be realized.
So being invited to Mariejois every four years to attend such a Reverie was something all member nation kings took pride in.
After all, not all member nation kings possessed this right.
The reason this conference lasted a week was also due to this—almost every king had their requests. Having them speak one by one, then voting one by one, all required tremendous time.
Moreover, the World Government itself would propose topics for the kings to decide on. For instance, the proposal to establish the Warlords organization had only been implemented after the kings voted to pass it.
And this day was when this week-long Reverie began.
Brett and Neptune rose early. After eating a hearty breakfast, they were led by government officials to an extremely spacious conference hall.
Many kings had already gathered here, sitting in their designated seats with the guards they'd brought behind them.
Brett had indeed come to Mariejois to protect Neptune and prevent any problems.
But clearly, even the World Government couldn't treat him as an ordinary guard.
Right beside Neptune's seat, Brett also had a separate seat.
Not everyone had arrived yet. The kings chatted in small groups. Neptune also conversed casually with old and new friends.
He was also quite an outgoing and amiable man. Combined with Fish-Man Island's strength, he'd made quite a few new friends in just this one day.
However, most of these friends were just people he could chat with now.
If one day Fish-Man Island had conflicts with the World Government and officially broke relations, their change of face would be faster than anything.
The chaotic situation didn't last long. The conference room's side door opened. Under escort by a group of white-clothed CP0, the Five Elders officially appeared.
"Those are the Five Elders?" Neptune's eyes widened as he carefully examined these five men who possessed the world's highest power.
This was his first time seeing these guys.
They don't look so impressive.
Neptune thought to himself.
"The quadrennial Reverie officially begins today," Saint Mars, apparently their spokesman, naturally spoke up. "Welcome to all the kings for taking time to come."
"Then as usual, in the time ahead, kings may successively present their requests, then have other kings vote. If votes exceed half, then the request will be implemented as a government resolution."
Before he finished speaking, Brett already noticed many kings showing excited smiles.
Honestly, this should really test one's connections.
If you had many friends among the numerous kings, then probably whatever wishes you proposed had a high chance of passing.
But conversely, if your reputation among the king group was at a level everyone hated, then the chances of your requests passing could be ignored.
After all, you couldn't expect everyone to be completely selfless, right?
The Five Elders' speech procedures were quite short. After a few sentences, they hastily left, only leaving a government high official to host the conference.
Then immediately a king began taking the stage to passionately deliver his speech.
"How about it? Have any requests you want to present?" Brett tilted his head toward Neptune.
"Having come all this way, we can't just return without saying anything, right? Let's try to get a bit more resource and policy support," Neptune said with a low laugh. "I've already talked with several kings about mutually supporting each other's requests."
"I see." Brett chuckled softly.
See? That's how it was.
Serious clique formation existed among kings. Conflicts between them were also obvious. The conference was as lively as a marketplace.
Kings frequently argued endlessly over certain issues.
Like right now—the round-bodied man wearing white fur like a hippopotamus had his proposal strongly opposed by Alabasta's King Cobra.
The hippopotamus-like Wapol proposed a request.
Because domestic citizens always fiercely opposed his rule, he hoped the government would send troops to help suppress those rioters.
Cobra refuted that it was all because his rule was brutal.
Cobra held considerable prestige among kings. After all, Alabasta was probably the world's oldest nation.
So ultimately, Wapol could only leave the stage with a resentful expression.
The lively conference continued for about an hour. Break time arrived.
Many kings seized this opportunity to quickly connect with other kings, hoping their later proposals would gain support.
Neptune also went.
Brett, bored, prepared to step outside the conference room for some air.
Then—
"Wah! My foot slipped!" The man named Wapol had a smug smile on his face. His body tilted as he fell forward.
But simultaneously, his right hand was already poised to strike. Taking advantage of his body's fall, he mercilessly slapped forward.
Standing before him was a bewildered little girl.
A blue-haired little girl.
Wapol's eyes were full of satisfaction.
Who told your bastard father to dare refute my proposal just now!
But the slap didn't land.
"Eh?" Wapol found himself flying in mid-air.
Someone had grabbed his collar and lifted him up.
"Mr. Brett!" The little princess looked delightedly at Brett, who'd grabbed Wapol's back and lifted him.
Brett nodded slightly at the little princess, then casually threw the man in his hand.
"Wah!" Accompanied by a scream, Wapol crashed heavily to the ground. His obese body even bounced elastically on the ground twice.
"Which basta—" He turned back.
But didn't fully turn back.
Invisible presence instantly penetrated his body. He only managed half his harsh words before his eyes rolled back white and he collapsed.
The surrounding kings maintained silence, saying nothing, but inwardly already mocking Wapol's stupidity.
Hadn't he noticed earlier that this Fish-Man Island monster had a good relationship with Alabasta's little princess?
"Be more careful from now on," Brett told the little princess.
"Yes!" The little princess's eyes sparkled.
So amazing, Mr. Brett!
The tiny princess was very excited inside.
If only I could be as amazing as him!
Brett glanced at the already unconscious Wapol.
Better not let this scum continue being king.
With his abilities, he should shine in more important positions.
At the same time, at Fish-Man Island—
"Pirates are invading?" Jinbei, who was eating, received a sudden piece of news.
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