Rain poured down in torrents over Marineford, washing the blood and shattered flesh across the plaza into dark red streams that eventually flowed into the sea.
Silence dominated as countless Navy soldiers quietly cleaned the battlefield, carrying the bodies of comrades and foes alike.
The air reeked of smoke, blood, and rain a pungent, oppressive mix, heavy with solemnity.
Soon, the battlefield was cleared.
One hundred thousand elite Marines regrouped at the center of the plaza.
Their uniforms were soaked through with rain and blood. Their faces were etched with exhaustion, yet in their eyes burned a fervor unlike anything seen before.
Sengoku stepped onto the raised platform, moving with calm, deliberate authority.
Behind him stood three figures.
Admiral Akainu, exuding a molten, volcanic aura that caused raindrops to sizzle and evaporate around him.
Admiral Aokiji, radiating a cold chill that crystallized falling raindrops mid-air.
And the commander of the war, the Blood Hawk Renn Hawk.
The four of them stood side by side, facing the assembled one hundred thousand Marines and the Den Den Mushi still broadcasting live to the world.
"People of the world, I am Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Sengoku the Buddha," he declared. His deep, commanding voice carried across Marineford, reaching every corner of the globe.
"Just moments ago, the Emperor of the Sea, Edward Newgate, known as Whitebeard, along with his entire pirate crew in the New World, has been completely annihilated by the Navy!"
"Another Emperor of the Sea, Shanks the Red-Haired, attempted to interfere with the Navy's execution of justice. His pirate crew has also been eradicated here!"
"I understand that some of you may feel fear at the bloodshed of this war…"
Sengoku's voice rang out again, heavy with unquestionable authority.
"Let me assure you!"
"The Navy's iron fist strikes only at evil!"
"The Navy's fleet will forever be a bastion for the people!"
"From today, the chaotic era of great pirates ends!"
"A new era, led by the Navy, truly belonging to justice and peace the 'Great Navy Era' has officially begun!"
Sengoku paused, his gaze sharpening, as if piercing through the screen to see every scheming heart across the world.
"I advise those still clinging to fantasies of One Piece to open your eyes and see clearly!"
"The two Emperors who once ruled the seas that is the fate awaiting those who sail recklessly!"
"The Navy's resolve to crush evil is unshakable!"
His voice rose, booming like thunder.
"Finally, I hereby announce that I will soon step down as Fleet Admiral!"
The world erupted in shock.
Sengoku is resigning?!
"The next Fleet Admiral will be chosen through internal discussion within the Navy."
"Rest assured, no matter who takes the position, the Navy's justice will be carried out to the end!"
He took a deep breath, saluted solemnly to the camera, to the world.
Behind him, Akainu, Aokiji, and Hawk raised their arms in perfect unison.
On the plaza, the one hundred thousand Marines straightened their chests and lifted their right arms in salute.
The combined salute of one hundred thousand formed a surge of iron will, tearing a gash through the leaden sky above.
The broadcast froze on that moment, then ended entirely.
The war was over.
West Blue, a small town tavern.
Silence hung like a grave.
A group of young men dressed as rough street thugs huddled around a Den Den Mushi, their faces drained of color.
At the center sat a man who claimed he would be the next Pirate King. He swallowed hard.
The cup in his hand slipped, crashing to the floor and shattering into pieces.
"B-boss…"
A trembling underling asked, "Do we… still sail as pirates?"
The man shuddered violently and smacked the underling on the back of the head.
"Sail my ass!"
"If anyone dares to say the word 'pirate' again, I'll kill them!"
Alabasta, the royal palace.
Brrr-brrr~
Brrr-brrr~
King Cobra's desk was besieged by ringing Den Den Mushis.
He rubbed his temples, a mix of exasperation and helpless amusement on his face.
Once, he had sent letters to relatively wise kings, inviting them to join the Navy as allied nations.
Most were ignored, some replied politely.
But once the war broadcast ended, the calls came one after another, each more urgent than the last.
Cobra could imagine the panic on the other side of the line.
"Sigh…"
He exhaled deeply. "What do we do now?"
"The first batch of recommended Navy positions only has five slots!"
"This is going to be a free-for-all!"
Sabaody Archipelago.
A massive crowd gathered before a giant screen.
The screen was black, but the final frozen image remained vivid in everyone's memory.
The Marines in perfect formation, the blood-red sky, and the figures standing on the high platform, looking down at the world.
"…"
Trafalgar Law gently placed his nodachi, Kikoku, on the table.
He rose and scanned the room. "Does anyone still have doubts about the alliance?"
No one spoke.
What doubt could there be?
Two Emperors of the Sea, crushed by the Navy under the eyes of the world.
The so-called "Worst Generation" were like dust before this unstoppable tide.
Without unity, their only fate was death.
Kid spat out two words through gritted teeth, his voice hoarse.
The others shook their heads in agreement, wearing the same solemn expressions.
"Then, the Supernova Alliance is officially formed."
"Who will be the leader?"
Law nodded. He didn't care who led; his goal was revenge.
Kid slammed his fist on the table, his crimson eyes sweeping over everyone. "Any objections?!"
No one spoke.
Kid nodded in satisfaction, turning his gaze back to the darkened screen.
"Blood Hawk Renn Hawk!"
He murmured under his breath, "Pirates afraid of the Navy…"
"Those are low-class pirates!!!"