In fact, regarding Judicial Island, Michael had always held to a "don't provoke me, I won't provoke you" attitude.
After all, although Judicial Island held a very prominent voice, its actual share of power was not large.
Neither the Navy nor the World Government actually took Judicial Island all that seriously.
In most cases, whether it was the Navy capturing pirates or the World Government apprehending criminals, they handled things themselves. Only in very few cases—when they absolutely had to go through procedure—would the criminal be sent to Judicial Island for trial.
It's more accurate to say that this "trial" was just for show: to read out the pre-determined charges.
In a certain sense, many of the judges and jurors on Judicial Island had never truly judged a single person.
To the World Government and the Navy, they were tools to showcase political authority!
Once someone set foot on Judicial Island, there was no truth-seeking, no real court process.
Then the person would be sent off to Impel Down to be imprisoned or executed.
Actually, according to the old rules, Gol D. Roger should've been executed in Impel Down.
But the World Government, to amplify the impact of that execution, after many deliberations, chose Loguetown in the East Blue as the place.
Because Roger was from Loguetown—executing him at both the place where he started and where he would end made a stronger impression.
Only…
They miscalculated alongside Roger.
And got "blown away" by an unforeseen wind.
Because of that event, Judicial Island had been simmering with resentment for many years…
Now they probably couldn't suppress it any longer.
As a group of professional judges—even if they did not really long for fair justice…
They didn't want to keep being used as the World Government's puppets!
So when Michael arrived on Judicial Island together with Tom, and raised formal litigation in a purely official manner, demanding a re-trial of Tom…
The judges on Judicial Island immediately set aside the pressure from the Five Elders and the CP (Cipher Pol) organizations, and promised that a formal hearing would be held in three days.
That moment spurred the CP organization members stationed on Judicial Island into agitation.
One officer — who appeared to hold quite a high status — stood up and strode to the presiding judge of the trials on Judicial Island.
"Presiding Judge! I think this matter should be considered more carefully… There are still many unresolved doubts about Tom's past. The CP organization has not fully investigated them. How can you open a trial now?"
The appearance of the presiding judge Baskerville was that of three distinct heads on one body — in truth three people stacked together — apparently symbolizing a concept of "trinity."
Though he looked bizarre, his authority on Judicial Island was irreplaceable.
Baskerville furrowed his brows and looked at the CP officer who was speaking imperiously.
"Who… are you to speak? Even if you are a top leader of the CP organization, you should bow to me when you meet me… Except for the Commanders of CP1 through CP9, no one else is qualified to converse with me! Do you understand? Do you realize how tolerant I have been toward you all?"
The sudden anger of a usually mild-mannered man was fierce and abrupt.
The presiding judge basked in his own defiant authority as the CP officer at a loss for words. Baskerville felt unusually gratified.
The CP's members had never been shy about leaning on the backing of the World Government and the Celestial Dragons to push others around.
"But your words will be considered… Whether it's the World Government or the Navy, their opinions are among Judicial Island's references."
"Now I announce: the plaintiff is the World Government; the defendant, Tom of Water 7!"
"In three days, family members must appear, evidence to be presented, and the trial will begin directly."
…
Once the time for the trial was set, it was as though a meteor had lightning-struck the seemingly calm but secretly turbulent ocean.
The CP organization dinosaurs were close to being grilled alive!
A minor Judicial Island issue had instantly set the entire world in a swirl.
And as the author of the world's top-selling newspaper — World Economic Journal — "Big News" Morgans naturally would not let this slide…
Most importantly, Michael had personally called him via Den Den Mushi, emphasizing that he must come watch the trial and relay every little detail into the report.
To be honest, when Morgans got that call from Michael, the bird nearly cried.
In the past, whenever there was a story big enough to make headlines, it was always the World Government or the Navy who directly warned Morgans to keep his mouth shut.
If not threats, then bribes.
Although Morgans always pretended to comply outwardly, he always held some resentment inside.
Now it was the first time he had encountered…
Someone encouraging him to report fully!
"You just wait, Michael. This old bird— even if I have to risk all my feathers — will make this story the hottest, most sensational event of recent years!"
No sooner had he hung up the Den Den Mushi than a string of other calls lit up.
"Editor! Bad news! It's the World Government! Their call just came through!"
"Look at you, panicking already!" Morgans said firmly. "Reject them. Tell them, this time I, Morgans, will write the most shocking report in history!"
"But…the World Government says it's a Five Elder who wants to speak with you personally!"
"A Five Elder? Even if one of the Five Elders came and stood by my bedside saying, 'If you don't report as we want, we'll take you away,' I wouldn't yield!"
After rejecting their call…
"Damn it! Even that damn news-bird Morgans turned us down!"
Among the Five Elders, Saturn flung the Den Den Mushi aside angrily.
"Saturn, you're being too impulsive— that's not the emotion we need right now…"
"Don't tell me what to do."
…
"Do you know why the Five Elders are so anxious?" Sengoku stood on the bow of the warship, with Kizaru (Borsalino) by his side.
Kuzan and Sakazuki were occupied — one inspecting the warship, the other fishing at the stern…
Both doing so partly to avoid the awkwardness of facing each other.
Only the calm Borsalino stayed beside Sengoku.
"Perhaps… their traditional pillars — the Navy and Judicial Island — have both recently started stirring restlessly?"
"Because the once-every-four-year Reverie… is about to convene."
Sengoku let out a knowing smile.
"Lately, the World Government has grown too decadent, causing many allied nations to waver in their recognition of its identity and authority…"
"They need stability within, and they need a scapegoat outwardly to shift attention."
"And Michael is that target… but what they don't realize is…"
"This target grew wings. It's about to go full throttle into the skies."
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