Kaido had been defeated by Alucard, and of the Lead Performers, only Queen had survived. Following the battle, Queen joined the Immortal Pirates, providing them with yet another formidable powerhouse.
Without a doubt, there was no longer any force left in the world capable of halting the march of the Immortal.
Even so, the final verdict had not yet been rendered. The true, definitive event that cemented the Immortal Pirates' absolute supremacy over the globe occurred one month later.
After Alucard dealt with Kaido, a rival relationship that had spanned over twenty years, the Big Mom Pirates were also practically wiped out. Though Charlotte Linlin's individual strength was more than enough to deal with rookie pirates, Dr. Vegapunk had intervened by bringing Edward Weevil into the fray. Although Vegapunk's gambit ultimately failed, it left Charlotte Linlin severely wounded.
Following that, the Supernova alliance led by Luffy and Capone Bege waged a massive war against the Big Mom Pirates. In the end, the Big Mom Pirates barely scraped by with a pyrrhic victory, forcing Luffy and his allies to make a tactical retreat.
Unbeknownst to them, the Navy, led by Kuzan and Fujitora, had been lying in wait. They ambushed the spent, dying embers of the Big Mom Pirates and utterly crushed them in one fell swoop.
As for the defeated Straw Hat Pirates, Kid Pirates, and Fire Tank Pirates, who could have easily been apprehended at that moment, Kuzan gave a strict order to let them go.
Their sole priority this time was Big Mom. If they didn't act immediately, she might find an opportunity to slip away.
Thanks to Kuzan's decision, Luffy and the others successfully escaped. Meanwhile, thousands of Marines swarmed into Totto Land. Following a day and night of fierce fighting, Charlotte Linlin was arrested by Kuzan, who neatly claimed the ultimate prize.
Ultimately, Kuzan returned to the Marines as the primary hero responsible for capturing the Yonko Big Mom. One month later, Sengoku stepped down, and Kuzan officially ascended to the position of Fleet Admiral.
Today was the live broadcast of the new Fleet Admiral's inauguration ceremony.
Facing this new Fleet Admiral who was technically still a pirate with an active bounty, some citizens felt deep anxiety over the future of the Marines, some wanted to pelt him with rotten eggs, while others harbored great expectations.
"Arara… I'm not really used to giving these kinds of speeches, but since I've taken on the mantle of Fleet Admiral, I suppose I have to say a few words."
Under the watchful eyes of the entire world, Kuzan placed his hands on either side of the podium. The tattoo of the Immortal Pirates emblazoned on the back of his hand was exceptionally prominent.
Casting aside his usual laziness, Kuzan spoke with a solemn expression, "From this moment on, a new era begins. We, the Marines, are no longer the lapdogs of anyone. We will dedicate ourselves entirely to creating a better world."
"Now, please bear witness to the resolve of our Marines."
The moment Kuzan's words fell, the global broadcast cut away to a completely different scene, the Red Line.
As the camera zoomed in, the world witnessed the shattered, ruined peak of the Holy Land.
To everyone's utter shock, Alucard stood deep within the core Ryumyaku of the Red Line, surrounded by the glowing blue national treasure activators, the Shinmyaku.
The Shinmyaku in the other twenty royal domains had already been completely destroyed, leaving Mary Geoise as the final master switch.
"Haaah..."
As if savory a magnificent feast, Alucard raised both hands high. The countless souls bound within the Shinmyaku began to flood into his River of Death.
With Mary Geoise's foundational roots absorbed by Alucard, the Holy Land began to fracture and collapse before the eyes of the world, plunging into the deep sea to exist no more.
Yet, none of the common folk knew that Alucard was the one behind it.
At that moment, the broadcast flashed back to Kuzan's face. "The dark government is no more. We, the Marines, will fully commit ourselves to serving the world."
In the Sabaody Archipelago, where the people had historically suffered the worst under the tyranny of the Celestial Dragons, the citizens were the first to erupt into ecstatic cheers upon seeing this broadcast.
"I support you, Marines!!"
"Create a brand new world!"
"The reign of the Celestial Dragons and the World Government is over!"
Setting aside just how much public support Kuzan could garner despite his status as a member of the Immortal Pirates, there still remained fractions of factions bold enough to resist Alucard and his crew.
These included the Supernovas who refused to bow their heads to anyone, the pirates who remained utterly obsessed with finding the One Piece, and a small remnant of the Revolutionary Army.
In the New World, on the island of Zou, the Straw Hat Pirates, the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates, and the Revolutionary Army had gathered. The leaders of the three factions, the three brothers, Luffy, Ace, and Sabo, were assembled in a single room.
"The new Marine Fleet Admiral, Kuzan, is merely a subordinate of Alucard. This world has practically fallen entirely into that man's hands."
Inside the room provided by the Mink Tribe, Sabo spoke with a voice heavy with anxiety. "What is going to become of this world?"
Finishing his thought, Sabo glanced over at Ace and Luffy. "Ace, Luffy, what do you two think?"
Ace pressed down on his hat, pondering for a moment before saying, "I... will continue my voyage. I want to protect the pirate crew Pops left behind, and I will find the One Piece."
If there was anyone among the three brothers who didn't harbor a deep personal vendetta against Alucard, it was Ace.
Although Whitebeard had technically died as a result of Alucard's actions in some respects, the primary culprit had been Marshall D. Teach. Now that Teach was dead, from both a personal and factional standpoint, Ace had very little reason to actively oppose Alucard.
Luffy, however, slammed his fist into his palm without a shred of hesitation. "I am going to defeat that man! And then, I am going to find the One Piece!"
"Calm down, Luffy," Zoro said, leaning against the window sill. "Do you have any idea just how much power the man you're talking about currently wields?"
Sabo nodded grimly. "Zoro-san is absolutely right. The current Immortal Pirates are vastly more terrifying than the World Government ever was."
"Leaving aside the fact that their combat strength far eclipses any Yonko crew, even the Marine Fleet Admiral is one of his men. Of the original 170 allied nations of the government, over a hundred have already raised the flag of the Immortal Pirates. And that's not even factoring in Alucard's personal strength."
As Sabo spoke, an expression of profound dread washed over his face.
They were too strong, strong enough to drive anyone to absolute despair. This was a suffocating pressure that even the World Government could never have replicated.
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