The following day, Morgans made good on his promise. News of the assassination of the Gorosei, the near-extinction of the Celestial Dragons, the Immortal Pirates' occupation of Mariejois, and the retreat of Commander-in-Chief "Steel Bone" Kong was rapidly printed and distributed across the entire world.
The headlines emphasized one staggering detail: the Immortal Pirates had not engaged in a massive fleet battle like the Summit War. Instead, Alucard had gone alone, single-handedly challenging the summit of the world.
The world went mad.
The World Government, a bastion that had stood for eight hundred years, had fallen. When people saw the photographs of Alucard sitting leisurely before the Holy Palace, Law executing high-ranking officials, Bartolomeo handling the Celestial Dragons like common livestock, Fallon looting the treasury of gold and Devil Fruits, and Hancock and Bonney burning the flags of the World Government, they were struck by a wave of disbelief that quickly spiraled into absolute chaos.
"The world is over... the Government has fallen! What will happen to our future?"
Commoners clutched their heads in despair, crying out for help. "The Marines! Where are the Marines?! Someone come and maintain order!"
The Marines themselves were in a state of panic. Although their relationship with the Government had been strained for years, the sudden vacuum left by its collapse left them directionless.
"Hahaha! The shackles are gone! Let's pillage to our hearts' content, boys!"
While the civilians trembled and the Marines hesitated, pirates, bandits, and outlaws grew bold. To them, this was the dawn of a lawless era, the perfect time for plunder.
In a certain town on the Grand Line, pirates were raiding resources and kidnapping women, the air filled with the arrogant shouts of criminals and the agonizing screams of the helpless.
"Hahaha! The Government is finished! Burn it all! Grab everything!"
A pirate captain was mid-boast when a flash of sword light streaked past. His body was perfectly bisected, falling to the ground in two bleeding halves. The young woman he had been clutching collapsed in terror, scrambling backward.
Nearby, Momousagi (Gion) slowly sheathed her blade, her eyes cold. "Just because the Government fell doesn't mean it's your turn to play villain."
BOOM!!
White clouds surged through the town. The red-eyed vampire Alessia, wielding the power of the Cloud-Cloud Fruit, swept a group of pirates into the sky. Her voice was freezing: "Vermin who only know how to loot in the chaos aren't even worth putting on trial!"
She clenched her hand, and with a sickening crack, the clouds were stained a deep, visceral crimson.
"M-Monster! It's a monster!"
Seeing Gion and Alessia, the remaining pirates dropped their loot and turned to flee, only to slam into a massive figure.
"You blind bastard, get out of the—urk!!"
The pirates were about to scream insults, but they choked on their words when they looked up at the towering man blocking their path.
"My apologies. This old man is indeed blind," Fujitora (Issho) said softly. Standing beside him was former Vice Admiral Momonga, along with other former Rear Admirals, Captains, and over a thousand soldiers.
However, they were no longer wearing their Marine uniforms.
"Momonga-san, please go and comfort the frightened citizens. Even though we have lost our status as Marines, this is still our duty," Issho said.
"You are too kind, Issho-san," Momonga replied. He immediately ordered his men to assist the civilians while directing combatants to finish off the remaining pirates.
"With the Government gone, trash like this is popping up all over the world. We won't achieve much by just handling them case-by-case," Alessia remarked, walking to Issho's side.
"Ho? Does Vice Admiral Shirokitsune—ah, excuse me, Alessia-san, have a suggestion?" Issho asked, turning his head slightly.
"You already have a plan in mind, don't you, Issho-san? Why make me say it out loud?"
…
Shortly before this, in front of the palace in Mariejois.
Looking at the mountain of treasure chests piled up outside, many onlookers were practically drooling. More chests were still being carried out of the ruins.
"As expected of the World Government... this amount of treasure... I'm worried the ships won't be able to hold it all."
"We've surpassed the Roger Pirates! Completely surpassed them!"
While the crew cheered in excitement, Robin walked past Hancock and the others to Alucard's side. "Shall we declassify the Government's long history of crimes? There's a strong desire within the crew to build a branch base here."
Though she hadn't struck the final blow, her mother's death and the tragedy of Ohara had been avenged. What Robin wanted now was to expose the truth and clear Ohara's name.
"Tedious," Alucard said, rising. "Destroy this place. Level it all, including the Ryumyaku. Tell Dr. Vegapunk to handle it."
"Then we should make sure to take everything useful first," Robin said with a low chuckle.
Benn Beckman walked up alongside Ivalis to report. "From the items cleared out of the palace so far, the cash alone exceeds 200 billion Berries. We've found over thirty Devil Fruits. They certainly lived up to the name of the 'Government'..."
"Don't bother me with such boring matters."
Alucard turned and walked deeper into the palace. "It's been a few years. I feel like reminiscing."
He had decided to destroy this place to claim the power of the Mantra within the Ryumyaku, or rather, the souls that Alucard had reaped. But that would take time. Until then, he intended to relax.