The tremors gradually subsided. The titan, formed from eight hundred years of accumulated soul-power, slowly dissipated into nothingness.
Staring down into the massive, unfathomable abyss, the blond Gorosei with the buzz cut frowned. "Is he truly dead this time?"
"Even if he isn't, the water pressure tens of thousands of meters deep will render him immobile forever. He will be eternally trapped at the bottom of the sea," the robed Gorosei snorted.
"Let's go. After taking a hit like Mantra, the entire island has been pierced through. It's about to sink."
At the suggestion of the Celestial Dragon Nedseo, the three quickly departed the city.
As they emerged from the city gates, the Anti-Government forces, the Pro-Government forces, and the neutrals all looked at the trio in utter shock.
The blond Gorosei, the handlebar-mustached Gorosei, and Oseinofica exchanged looks and nodded.
The handlebar-mustached Gorosei curled his lip beneath his facial hair and shouted at the top of his lungs: "Alucard is dead!"
The announcement sent a shockwave through the crowd.
Had the man known as the most evil criminal since the Government's founding truly died?
"How is that possible?" Alessia said, unable to believe it.
"That man actually..." Mihawk shared the sentiment, but recalling the power of that last attack, a seed of doubt sprouted in his heart. Could it be true?
"The island is sinking. We shall settle the rest of this war later," the robed Gorosei said, his eyes scanning Fujitora, Alessia, Momousagi, and the others. "You rebels should take this opportunity to cherish the final moments of your lives."
With Alucard "dead" and the island sinking due to the destruction of the core of the Shinmyaku (Divine Vein/Ley Lines), the Gorosei were forced to stay their hand and allow them to flee.
"Let's go!"
Fujitora turned to leave, followed closely by Alessia and Momousagi. They moved with maximum speed to seize a Marine warship, leading a portion of the Anti-Government faction away.
Doflamingo stood with one hand in his pocket, the other hand's fingers twitching. His brow furrowed beneath his sunglasses. "Well, well... what the hell is this? There's no way he really died like that, right?"
"Donquixote Doflamingo, Dracule Mihawk, Mad Treasure..."
The handlebar-mustached Gorosei looked coldly into the air, then scanned Treasure and Mihawk. "Though your actions during the battle bordered on rebellion, your titles as Warlords of the Sea will be maintained, provided you continue to cooperate with the Government and participate in the hunt for the rebels."
"Fuffuffufu... do I look like a child you can trick?"
Doflamingo found it hilarious. He knew the Government was only refraining from pursuing him because they feared he would defect to the Anti-Government faction or the Immortal Pirates, or perhaps reveal the secrets of the National Treasure.
Furthermore, even without Alucard, the Immortal Pirates still boasted a roster of troublesome figures: "Pirate Empress" Boa Hancock, "Sea Queen" Shirahoshi, the golden-haired Ivalis, the mastermind Benn Beckman, the most brilliant scientist Dr. Vegapunk, and the Female Dragon Knight Aranea Highwind.
Having lost two Admirals in Kuzan and Fujitora, and with Momousagi and Shirokitsune defecting, the Government's strength was severely diminished. They didn't want to provoke any more enemies.
"But... is that man really dead?"
Doflamingo mused. No matter what the Gorosei claimed, he didn't believe for a second that Alucard was truly gone.
However, Doflamingo's skepticism couldn't stop the spread of the rumor. Under the Government's deliberate propaganda, the news that "Alucard has fallen in battle" quickly reached every corner of the world.
When Hancock heard the news, she crushed a priceless diamond into dust. Her face was dark with fury. "Don't be ridiculous! How could my Master ever lose?"
"B-but Spring Queen Island has sunk, making a search impossible. And we can't reach Alucard-sama via Den Den Mushi," Koala said, her face tight with worry. She had tried every method available, but there was no response.
Hancock bit her thumb anxiously. After a few seconds, she commanded: "Shirahoshi. Tell Shirahoshi to use the Sea Kings to search. Turn the ocean upside down if you have to, but find Master!"
…
Skypiea, Island of God – Immortal Pirates Research Lab.
Aranea and PX-0 stood at the lab entrance. Ivalis watched the silhouette of a busy Dr. Vegapunk.
"Do you have any thoughts on the Captain's situation, Vegapunk?"
Dr. Vegapunk paused mid-experiment. After a long silence, he replied, "What answer are you looking for, Ivalis?"
"Is the news true or false?" Ivalis asked, his brow furrowed behind his shades, arms crossed over his chest. "Having spent so much time in the World Government, you should be able to judge things we don't know."
"I don't know. If it's false, it's false; if it's true, it's true."
Vegapunk remained eccentric, continuing his work. "We only need to wait quietly. By the way, as a mainstay of the Immortal Pirates, are you going to continue wasting time here on Skypiea?"
As a primary combatant, Ivalis knew he couldn't stay on Skypiea any longer. Whether the Captain was dead or missing, his old enemies and waves of opportunistic pirates would undoubtedly come looking for trouble. He had to head out to deal with them.
Ivalis walked out of the lab. Benn Beckman, Cavendish, and the others were already waiting outside.
"Cooped up on Skypiea for six months... I can see you're all itching for a fight."
Ivalis walked to the front of the group. "Let's go. It's time to show those foolish pirates and Government lackeys what we're made of!"
…
Big Mom Pirates Headquarters – Whole Cake Island.
"The Immortal is dead?"
Charlotte Linlin fell silent upon reading the news. She knew Alucard's power all too well. Even if the Government revealed a hidden trump card, she wouldn't easily believe the man called "Immortal" could die.
"Mama, this is a great chance to avenge Smoothie!"
Standing before Big Mom was Cracker, one of the Sweet Commanders. "Why don't we take this chance to..."
"Don't be hasty, Cracker!"
Linlin tossed the newspaper aside. After a moment of thought, she said, "Expand our forces first. By the way, didn't Judge mention a political marriage last time? Tell him to come and talk to me."
...
Author's Note:
Next up is the final volume of the One Piece world. The true final arc. It won't be very long.
As for whether it's the final arc of this entire book, I can't say for sure yet. Two factors will decide if I write a next world: first, if the book's performance remains decent; and second, if I can write a good story.
So, I'm going to prepare an outline and try to craft a great story. If it turns out well, I'll keep writing for everyone.
After all this time, the One Piece world is finally ending. In my three-plus years as an author, this is the book I'm most satisfied with, though it certainly has its flaws.
The next world, based on the votes, is tentatively set to be Fate/Zero, Fairy Tail, or Strike the Blood. I don't guarantee it will be the highest-voted one; after I finish the outlines, I'll decide which one feels the most exciting. I beg for your support.
Also, I've only watched the anime for these. Please don't flame me over settings from the games or light novels, especially Type-Moon, which I'm not that familiar with. Please bear with me!
...
Translator's Note:
It's Naruto. This whole Alucard fanfic is already completed long ago, so expect the next world after this volume as Naruto. Next would be Fate/Zero, Fairy Tail, Strike the Blood, and High School DxD.