One Piece: The user of the Nen-Nen Fruit, who overturned the sea.

Seeing the fleeting glint of malice in Roy's eyes, Karl's heart tightened.

"Then...the World Government..."

Roy inserted the book into the bookshelf.

"Tch~"

"Even if the World Government has doubts, it won't go to great lengths for a small country—they're busy hunting down the Roger Pirates right now."

Karl pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded:

"Okay, I agree."

But I have one request—do not kill innocent people indiscriminately.

Although my father was incompetent, his crimes did not warrant death.

There are a few enlightened people among those nobles; please spare them.

"Can."

Roy readily agreed.

"We only purge those who are heinous and incorrigible."

Now, take us to see your father.

Carl stood up and took a deep breath:

"He should be in the council chamber right now, discussing with his ministers how to collect this year's additional taxes..."

His tone was sarcastic.

The three followed Karl out of the library and headed towards the main hall of the palace.

The guards along the way saw Prince Karl with strangers and wanted to stop him.

But under the imposing presence of Barrett and Hawkeye, they all backed down.

Inside the council chamber, the king was raging.

"Fifty billion! The World Government is going to increase the Heavenly Gold again!"

These Celestial Dragons are utterly insatiable!

The obese king sat on his throne, his face flushed with anger.

"Ministers, tell me, where did this money come from?"

The ministers below exchanged bewildered glances, and an older minister cautiously spoke:

"Your Majesty, the only option is... to raise taxes again."

"Raise taxes? Ordinary people are already so poor they can't even afford to eat, what kind of taxes can you raise?"

Another minister proposed:

"Then levy a commercial tax, raise tariffs, or... cut military and royal spending..."

"No!"

The king immediately vetoed it.

"The army cannot be reduced, nor can the royal palace expenses be cut!"

"I am the king, am I to live a life of hardship like those commoners?"

The ministers fell silent.

This is the current state of the Kingdom of Sorbe—the king and nobles are unwilling to give up their luxurious lifestyles, so they can only continue to exploit the common people.

Just then, the doors to the council chamber were pushed open.

Carl led Roy and the other two in.

"Karl? What brings you here?"

The king frowned.

"And who are these people? Guards! Guards!"

However, no guards came in.

Barrett had already cleared away all the guards outside before even entering the council chamber.

"Father, I've come to persuade you to abdicate."

Carl said calmly.

The entire council chamber erupted in uproar.

"What did you say?!"

The king suddenly stood up, trembling with rage.

"You unfilial son! How dare you utter such rebellious words!"

The ministers also criticized:

"Prince Karl, have you gone mad?!"

"Quickly apologize to His Majesty!"

Carl ignored them and looked at Roy instead:

"Captain Roy, please."

Roy nodded and stepped forward.

An invisible surge of Conqueror's Haki erupted like a tide, instantly enveloping the entire council hall.

Except for Karl, everyone felt a terrifying sense of oppression, as if an invisible hand was choking them, making it difficult to even breathe.

Some of the weaker ministers fainted on the spot, and the king slumped on his throne, his face pale.

"Now, we can have a proper talk."

Roy's voice was calm, but it sounded like thunder to everyone.

He walked up to the king and looked down at the obese ruler:

"King Sorbe, we are all aware of what you have done over the years."

They levied exorbitant taxes, oppressed the common people, lived extravagantly, and turned a blind eye to the suffering of the poor.

Now, I'll give you two choices—

Roy held up two fingers:

"First, he voluntarily abdicated and passed the throne to Prince Karl."

You can retain your noble status and some of your property, and spend your later years in the palace.

Second, refuse to abdicate, and then... disappear.

The king trembled under the oppressive aura of Conqueror's Haki, but still gritted his teeth and said:

"You...you pirates...the World Government will not let you get away with this..."

"World Government?"

Roy smiled.

"Do you think the World Government will arrive faster, or your life will end faster?"

Roy extended his finger, and a ball of silver light condensed at the tip:

"I can directly control your consciousness and turn you into a puppet."

But Prince Karl pleaded for you, so I'm giving you a choice.

Now, tell me your answer.

The king looked at the strange light, then at the expressionless Karl, and finally at the ministers who had fainted or were trembling.

He knew he had no other choice.

"...I abdicate."

The king uttered these words in a dejected manner, as if he had aged ten years in an instant.

Roy nodded in satisfaction and withdrew his Conqueror's Haki.

The oppressive atmosphere dissipated, and the ministers gasped for breath, their eyes filled with fear as they looked at Roy.

"very good."

Roy turned to face the ministers.

"Now, it's your turn."

Those who support Prince Karl's reforms, stand on the left.

Those who disagree, stand on the right.

Remember, this is your only chance.

The ministers looked at each other, and in the end, most of them stood on the left.

Only three of the most stubborn nobles stood on the right.

They glared at Karl, and one of them sneered:

"Karl, do you think you can secure the throne by relying on pirates to rise to power?"

The world government will not recognize you!

The other nobles won't submit to you either!

Karl looked at them calmly:

"Uncle, and two earls, I know you have always opposed the reforms."

But look at the common people outside the walls. They are also citizens of the Kingdom of Sorbe, yet they live lives worse than pigs and dogs.

Is such a country really worth protecting?

"Commoners? What are those lowly people!"

Another nobleman said disdainfully,

"They were born to serve us!"

Paying taxes and providing labor—that is their fate!

Roy shook his head:

"It seems there's nothing more to discuss."

Barrett.

"clear."

Barrett grinned and walked toward the three nobles.

"What...what do you want to do?!"

"I'm warning you, I am..."

Before he could finish speaking, Barrett had already made his move.

Three karate chops, precisely striking the back of the neck.

The three nobles collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

"Lock them up and put them on trial after the new king ascends the throne."

Roy said to Carl,

"As for the other ministers... they will be spared for now. If they cooperate with the reforms, their past actions will be forgiven."

If you don't cooperate...

He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.

The ministers nodded repeatedly, indicating their willingness to cooperate.

The rest is simple.

The king signed the abdication edict, announcing that due to his "advanced age and poor health," he would pass the throne to his third son, Karl.

As regent in his capacity as crown prince, Karl immediately issued a series of new decrees:

First, abolish all additional taxes levied on the poor.

Second, demolish the high walls separating the slums.

Third, part of the royal palace and nobles' property was used to improve people's livelihoods, such as building hospitals, schools, and water purification systems.

Fourth, reorganize the government and promote capable civilian officials.

These decrees caused an uproar throughout the entire Kingdom of Sorbe.

The poor people outside the wall watched in disbelief as the high wall was torn down.

Watching the officials arrive in the slums with supplies and doctors.

Some enlightened nobles within the walls also expressed their support.

They have long been dissatisfied with the status quo, but lack the courage to change it.

Of course, there were also dissenting voices.

But with the secret "assistance" of the Roy Pirates, these voices quickly disappeared.