Marineford.
Just when they were still at a standstill, ships were continuously streaming through the Gate of Justice, each filled with ninjas, samurai, and pirates.
"That's… the Hundred Beast Pirates and BIG MOM Pirates!"
A group of Revolutionary Army soldiers responsible for outer perimeter vigilance looked on in horror at the scene before them; the densely packed warships completely surrounding Marineford.
The allied forces had finally arrived at Marineford.
This force, exceeding one hundred thousand, became a crushing power.
Whether it was the Whitebeard Pirates intending to retreat, the Revolutionary Army, or remnants of the Red Hair Pirates, all were thoroughly surrounded and captured by this allied force.
This allied force also intimidated the Navy.
This was to prevent any loyalists to Sengoku and Garp within the Navy from causing any disturbances in Marineford.
With the arrival of this allied force, everyone knew in their hearts that they had already lost this war, perhaps from the moment Uehara Naraku displayed his invincible power…
But the arrival of the allied forces became the final straw that broke them.
This also implied that Akatsuki was not just about having strong individuals; they possessed a vast and well-prepared army.
"Forget it, let's end it here…"
Gol D. Roger, the just-resurrected Pirate King, had his hearty smile return to his face: "The stories of pirates… will eventually come to an end!"
Ten days later.
The war that shook the world had long ended.
During this period, news reports around the world were sold out, because everything from that war was enough to hit the headlines and shock everyone globally.
Among them, the two most shocking events…
Firstly, the World Government was destroyed by Akatsuki, marking the beginning of Akatsuki's era for this world; secondly, Pirate King Gol D. Roger was resurrected by Akatsuki's leader.
This means that no one could seize the Grand Treasure before the Pirate King.
As Akatsuki announced, the Great Pirate Era initiated by Gol D. Roger had now come to an end, and this world no longer needed pirates.
But in exchange…
Akatsuki established a new model.
Any pirate gang that has not caused significant direct or indirect damage worldwide could go to Marineford to petition for bounty cancellation and register as a nautical team.
Every adventure team even had a rigorous grading.
Every year, Akatsuki would conduct an assessment, where elite members of each nautical team undergo a rigorous evaluation and would be accepted as formal members of Akatsuki.
Each official member of Akatsuki has voting rights at the world conference.
This naturally faced opposition from many World Government member nations, claiming that only the strong get a voice, so what about the kings of these nations?
Many countries at sea did not recognize Akatsuki's rule inherited from the World Government, and even some small countries wanted to mimic the Twenty Kings who formed the World Government back then…
These nations were simply a joke…
Because the original Four Emperors' pirate gangs had all registered to become S-Class Navigation Teams under this policy, with Marco and Portgas D. Ace replacing Whitebeard.
Whitebeard Edward Newgate was missing.
No one knew his whereabouts, with some speculating he was imprisoned by Akatsuki in Impel Down, and others guessing he may have already passed away.
There were also those guessing he perhaps wanted to maintain his last dignity as a pirate…
After all, as a remnant of the old era…
Getting rid of the pirate identity he had used all his life was indeed hard to accept no matter how one looked at it.
Regardless…
They were all past.
No matter how many people viewed Akatsuki's rule favorably or unfavorably, they all have to face Akatsuki's rule, which had subdued two of the Four Emperors and absorbed all military forces left by the World Government!
Marineford.
Akatsuki convened a full meeting.
A group of Akatsuki members was present, this meeting encompassing all power holders in this world, many of whom were their adversaries just ten days ago.
Yet Akatsuki did not mind any of this…
Akatsuki members also did not care about these former enemies because they all knew clearly who the victor was and who was the conquered.
As Navy Admiral and Navy Hero, Sengoku the Buddha and Garp also had their positions, casually draping a Cloud Black Robe over their shoulders.
Actually, for the Navy…
Their loyalty did not matter much.
What's more, Akatsuki did not seem so evil, as reportedly, their policies and systems in Wano Country were far more advanced than other countries…
And truly speaking…
The organization of the World Government established by the Heavenly Celestial Dragons had long rotted from the core, so how bad could Akatsuki be even at its worst?
Not to mention, it seems Akatsuki is doing quite well...
If Sengoku the Buddha had known about the strength and intentions of Akatsuki, perhaps he wouldn't mind serving this organization...
This proves they do not want to turn this world into a Pirates' paradise, but rather govern it properly.
That's more like it...
Victors don't necessarily wish for their world to descend into chaos.
The only troublesome thing is that no one knows the temperament of Akatsuki's leader, Uehara Naraku, because he seems to be the type who does whatever he pleases...
Moreover, he seems to be quite petty...
Just as Sengoku was lost in thought, Kaido plopped down beside him, with the Three Calamities and a few of his subordinates sitting behind him.
Kaido watched the podium in the conference room and nonchalantly said, "Marshal Sengoku, consider joining us in an alliance... We have a proposal, Linlin has already agreed, and at least we have ten votes in this meeting..."
"..."
Sitting nearby, Garp couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Hahaha... What's this alliance situation... Feels like something's off somewhere!"
It's truly bizarre...
A former Great Pirate suddenly seeking an alliance with a Navy Marshal and a Navy Hero is absolutely mind-boggling!
"..."
Sengoku adjusted his glasses, glanced at Yakushi Kabuto and Aokiji not far from them, and whispered, "Kaido, we only have two votes, it seems to be of no particular use in such a crowd..."
"Hmph, looks like you still don't understand Akatsuki's situation, what a waste..."
Kaido stood up slowly and left, leading his subordinates to change seats and return to BIG·MOM's side.
Soon...
As Akatsuki's meeting commenced, Sengoku finally understood how crucial his and Garp's two votes were, even a single vote could make a difference...
"The first agenda item, views on handling the East Sea, as no member state has yet expressed submission to Akatsuki... We should completely destroy this weakest sea to warn other seas... It has no value, and the likelihood of producing strong individuals is very low..."
"We believe we can directly trigger a thousand-meter tsunami, sweeping across the entire East Sea, this is the quickest method..."
"..."
Garp was practically going mad from listening.
What kind of devilish meeting is this!
Why is the first thing to discuss the destruction of his hometown, even describing it in such detail, a thousand-meter tsunami sounds absurd...
But...
It doesn't seem that complicated.
Just BIG·MOM alone could accomplish it!
Sengoku and Garp watched as a group of individuals in cloud black robes either cast their votes in favor or abstained nonchalantly, with a few guys wearing hats emblazoned with "Earth" and "Thunder" urging others to vote in favor...
It's truly enough to drive people crazy...
Fortunately, there were more abstentions within Akatsuki, coupled with Yakushi Kabuto's assistance, so the proposal was defeated by a single vote...
At such meetings...
Every vote is essential, not to mention Sengoku and Garp still have two votes!
"Don't come unprepared to attend Akatsuki's meetings."
After a lengthy meeting, Yakushi Kabuto gazed at Sengoku the Buddha and softly said, "These meetings can determine the fate of the entire world at any time. If you're not careful, catastrophic disasters can occur, so Marshal and Garp, just follow us from now on..."
"..."
Sengoku's expression was somewhat grim.
Before Akatsuki ruled the world, he was already Yakushi Kabuto's puppet; after they rule, he's still Kabuto's puppet...
What the hell...
Didn't he join Akatsuki for nothing?
Just as Sengoku wanted to say something to Yakushi Kabuto, the sky suddenly darkened, although it was daytime moments ago, it instantly turned to night...
"It's starting."
Yakushi Kabuto slowly closed his eyes and murmured, "From this moment on, two worlds will converge; from this moment on, Lord Naraku will become the omniscient god!"
"..."
Sengoku's expression was peculiar.
Thankfully, the night didn't last long, and within minutes, sunlight returned to the ocean.
The world panicked briefly before it was all over.
No one knew what exactly happened.
Only Enel, still on the original universe's moon, stared at the empty surroundings beside the moon, scratching his head in confusion, wondering where his homeland went?