As the massive Totto Land archipelago—so vast it blotted out the sky—slowly lifted into the air and completely departed from the waters of Totto Land, this peak battle that had shaken the entire New World finally came to a stunning conclusion.
Through Morgans' cameras, this awe-inspiring scene was broadcast to every corner of the globe.
At this moment, the four words "Skyborne General" truly ascended to the altar of legend—known to all, unknown to none.
The scene shifted to the Sabaody Archipelago.
The enormous live broadcast screens had already gone dark, yet the crowds gathered there showed no sign of dispersing.
The entire lawless zone was like a powder keg that had just been ignited—completely exploding into chaos.
Area 13, Shakky's Rip-Off BAR.
The bar, usually quiet and sparsely populated, was so packed today that not even a fly could squeeze in.
The air was thick with the stench of cheap tobacco mixed with alcohol. Pirates were red-faced and shouting at the top of their lungs, spittle flying everywhere.
"Holy shit! Did you guys see that just now? That was fucking terrifying!"
"What kind of stupid question is that?! Everyone in Sabaody nearly popped their eyeballs out—how could anyone miss it?!"
"I still can't believe it. BIG MOM, that so-called 'born destroyer,' actually died… and by Tenma's hands!"
"What's one Yonko's death? The scariest part is that even Kaido the Beast teaming up with her still couldn't chew through Wano!"
"Exactly! What the hell is Wano anyway? It feels even crazier than Elbaf, the so-called strongest nation in the world!"
"I don't even think Tenma went all out. Doesn't that monster control islands? Just smash a few down—who could withstand that?"
"Zehahahaha! This is the king of the new era! Looks like Whitebeard won't be able to hold onto that 'World's Strongest Man' title anymore!"
"Don't talk so big. Whitebeard is a living legend—old, sure, but definitely not someone to mess with."
The pirates at the counter grew more and more excited, as if they were the ones who had personally taken down the Yonko.
But in the inner room behind the bar, the atmosphere was completely different.
Several coating craftsmen who had just finished work sat quietly, drinking in silence, as though the noise outside belonged to a different world altogether.
"Damn, it's so loud out there my head's splitting."
The proprietress, Shakky, pushed the door open and walked in, a slender cigarette between her fingers.
She glanced at Rayleigh, sitting silently in the corner, and exhaled a smoke ring.
"What's with that look? Feeling down?"
"Not really," Rayleigh said, tilting his head back and taking a big gulp of strong liquor before exhaling a breath of alcohol. "It's just… hard to believe."
"Because the era is about to change?" Shakky hit the nail on the head.
Everyone outside was praising Tenma's achievements, but only veterans like them understood the deeper implications.
The long-maintained balance of the Four Emperors had been violently shattered. What followed would be an unprecedented storm across the seas.
The ambitious schemers lurking in the shadows were surely already drooling over the spoils left behind. With a throne vacant in the New World, who wouldn't covet it?
"Isn't that a good thing?" Rayleigh set down his glass and smiled. "Only when the waters get muddy do more interesting people flood into the New World. If Roger were still alive, he'd probably be thrilled."
Rayleigh nodded. "I never said it was bad. I just didn't expect the Skyborne General's rise to be this fast. It's… frightening."
Shakky fell silent for a moment, her gaze growing deep.
"…Do you think he's the kind of man Roger was waiting for?"
"Hard to say without meeting him," Rayleigh replied, stroking his beard, his tone turning serious. "But purely by instinct—Tenma doesn't feel like Roger to me."
"He feels more like… Rocks."
Shakky's fingers trembled slightly as she held her cigarette.
Rocks.
A nightmare from the previous era. The true tyrant of the seas.
As the former captain of the Kuja Pirates, Shakky knew all too well what that name represented.
Comparing Rayleigh's words with the current situation in the New World, the similarities were unsettling.
He had crushed two Yonko head-on, and the power under his command was monstrously strong—a gathering of freaks.
The room grew heavy with tension.
Rayleigh suddenly chuckled, breaking the silence. "Of course, that's just my wild guess. Maybe it won't turn out that bad."
"Either way," he continued, "with the world in this kind of chaos, it's a perfect opportunity for that red-haired brat to make his move into the New World."
Shakky smiled again. "Red-Hair isn't bad at all these days—he's a top-tier monster himself. Still, compared to Tenma… there's a gap."
"Haha, that gap is what gives motivation!" Rayleigh laughed heartily, anticipation flashing in his eyes. "Only those who crawl out of adversity become true men."
"That little brat finally grew up. I can't wait to see what kind of new era he's betting on."
"You're just afraid you'll be so old you won't be able to walk by then," Shakky rolled her eyes. "Enough with the life reflections. If you can still move, get out there and help! I've kept you company long enough—business is booming out front!"
Rayleigh's smile instantly froze. Before he could protest, Shakky shoved him out to work as cheap labor.
At this moment, the entire world was discussing the war.
This wasn't just Tenma's personal victory—it was Wano's declaration of strength to the entire world.
Some rejoiced. Others worried.
Many civilians feared that with a new overlord even more domineering than Whitebeard rising in the New World, whether the Marines could still hold things down.
After all, the Skyborne General was absurdly young, with limitless potential ahead of him.
Others—ambitious opportunists—were celebrating wildly. In times of chaos, heroes emerge. When the board is overturned, that's when they have a chance to rise.
The most excited of all were the factions that had long since latched onto Wano's coattails.
The Donquixote Family, under Doflamingo, was practically celebrating a festival.
Before the war began, the family members had been on edge, terrified that if Wano lost, the business empire they had painstakingly built would collapse overnight.
Who could have expected that Tenma wouldn't just win—but win this spectacularly?
This thigh was now so thick it could crush someone to death.
Though Kaido's downfall gave Doflamingo a twinge of regret—after all, they'd once been partners—it also served as a perfect cautionary tale, reminding him how crucial it was to choose the right master.
Inside the family dining hall, a long table was laden with fine wine and delicacies.
Everyone clinked glasses in celebration, the tension from earlier completely forgotten.
The newly joined sisters Monet and Sugar held fruit juice with sparkling eyes, filled with admiration for the Tenma they had never even met.
"Behhehehe! Doffy!" Trebol sniffed loudly, rubbing his hands greedily. "Since Boss Tenma won, and so much territory's opened up in the New World, can't we ride his name and go snatch ourselves a country?"
He'd long been envious of kings with independent territories.
"Fufufufu~ Some things you're afraid you can take—but not live to enjoy," Doflamingo said, slicing into a bloody steak, his eyes gleaming behind his sunglasses.
"But relax. I've already planned out what territory belongs to us."
"And I've got a major Marine trump card in my hands—a scandal big enough to shake the heavens. Before long, we'll wash ourselves clean and step onto the stage as kings admired by all!"
He raised his wine glass, gazing outside through the crimson liquid.
"All we need to do now is sit back and watch the tigers fight—and enjoy this new era that's about to go berserk."
"Fufufufu~ I really want to see when this tidal wave finally drags those high-and-mighty 'gods' down from the clouds and smashes them to pieces!"
The first night after the decisive battle.
Bathed in the nourishment of soul-energy like blood-red dandelions, Wano's warriors found their wounds mostly healed and their exhaustion swept away.
The entire country was immersed in victorious celebration—bonfires and singing everywhere.
The elite of the Oniwabanshu were naturally at the center, especially Yamato, who laughed the loudest in the crowd, dancing and drinking with wild abandon, showing not the slightest hint that she'd just beaten her own father into submission.
Such carefree joy left onlookers sweating in disbelief.
In stark contrast stood the special prison island used to hold captives.
Here, deathly silence reigned, as though even the air had frozen.
On the faces of the defeated, one could read the true meaning of despair.
Confusion, fear, anxiety—dark clouds of emotion hung over everyone.
Though their lives were spared for now, no one knew whether the guillotine awaited them tomorrow.
The Charlotte Family suffered the most.
From exalted ministers to shackled prisoners in an instant—the psychological gap alone was enough to break a person.
Worse still, the family had suffered catastrophic losses.
Not only was their spiritual pillar, "Mama," gone, but nearly a third of their siblings had perished.
In theory, they should have been seething with hatred and thirsting for revenge—but the moment Tenma's world-destroying power came to mind, every spark of anger was doused by icy fear.
What remained was terror carved deep into the bones.
An absolute suppression of power that didn't even allow the thought of resistance.
Even so, their gazes instinctively turned toward the family's last remaining pillar.
"Brother Katakuri… Brother Perospero… what should we do?"
"Waaah… I don't want to die, Sister Smoothie…"
Crying and pleading echoed through the cells.
Perospero instinctively tried to lick the candy cane staff in his hand—only to grasp empty air.
Only then did he remember he was now useless, his Devil Fruit power sealed.
The sly grin that usually adorned his face was replaced by bitterness and desolation.
He turned to look at the brother beside him who hadn't spoken a word.
"Katakuri. Say something."
In this cruel world where strength reigned supreme, only this strongest man could decide the Charlotte Family's fate.
Leaning against the cold wall, Katakuri kept his eyes closed in silence for a long time.
When the crying gradually subsided, he suddenly opened his eyes, resolve flashing in his pupils.
"To survive on this sea… we can't rely on ourselves alone anymore."
"If we don't carry the name of Wano, we won't be able to take a single step."
The moment he said this, everyone fell silent.
As a Yonko crew, they'd made countless enemies by riding on BIG MOM's prestige.
Once that protection vanished, old grudges would swarm them like sharks smelling blood.
"The Skyborne General lifted all of Totto Land and brought it here. That means he doesn't intend to destroy it—he wants it as Wano's outer defensive line."
Katakuri's voice was low and calm as he analyzed the situation.
"Totto Land is vast, but Wano lacks manpower."
"If we bow our heads and submit, we may be able to return home and continue guarding the legacy Mama left behind."
At that point, his meaning was clear.
Many siblings who had already been thinking of surrender felt as if they'd grasped a lifeline.
"Big Brother's right! We'll listen to you!"
"For survival! For our home!"
In the face of the family's survival, pride was worthless.
And in many hearts, Brother Katakuri was far more trustworthy than that volatile "Mama."
So when Tenma's figure appeared at the prison gates—
"We are willing to submit!"
Dragging his heavy seastone shackles, Katakuri stepped forward and dropped to one knee with a thunderous thud.
It was the first time in his life he had knelt to an outsider—and he did so without hesitation.
"As long as my brothers and sisters are spared, I, Katakuri, will be Wano's blade from this day forth!"
Seeing the strongest brother kneel, Perospero, Smoothie, and the others followed suit, kneeling in waves.
The scene was both magnificent and tinged with tragedy.
In truth, during the return journey, over ninety percent of the Beast Pirates' officers and BIG MOM's children had already prepared themselves mentally to surrender.
Standing on high ground, Tenma looked down coldly at these former great pirates.
Within his perception, whether they were sincere or merely playing along was completely transparent.
There was resentment—but far more fear of power.
That was enough.
For creatures like pirates, fear was often far more effective than mercy.
"Since you're so perceptive, I'll be clear."
Tenma's gaze fell on Katakuri, his tone calm yet oppressive.
"Totto Land will become Wano's new defensive zone. It needs people to manage it."
"You can go back and continue as ministers—responsible for security and governance."
At those words, the kneeling captives snapped their heads up, joy bursting from their eyes.
Tenma's tone abruptly sharpened, his gaze like a blade.
"But whether you live comfortably depends on how much value you can create for me."
With that, he crooked a finger.
The Float-Float Fruit activated, and two petite figures were forcibly lifted from the crowd.
"Pudding!"
"Sister!"
Cries rang out.
The two girls pulled forward were Pudding, the Memo-Memo Fruit user, trembling violently—
And Ulti, formerly one of the Flying Six of the Beast Pirates.
What was interesting was that this violent girl—who should've had the Pachycephalosaurus Fruit—had somehow eaten the Mythical Zoan: Okuchi no Makami, which had originally been meant for Yamato.
She'd probably risked everything and stolen it just to survive in the Beast Pirates' brutal environment.
Regardless, Ulti, with her Mythical Zoan potential, was indeed a promising seed worth cultivating.
"Stop shaking. I'm not interested in your lives."
Tenma looked at the two trembling girls, a playful curve at the corner of his mouth.
"I'm interested in your abilities."
"Instead of rotting in a prison, follow me to Wano's royal palace."
"Of course… if you try anything funny—"
He leaned closer, lowering his voice so only they could hear.
"You should know—Devil Fruits can be reclaimed even if the host is killed."
Holy Land, Mariejois.
In the Five Elders' exclusive office—the center of world power.
Sunlight streamed in through massive floor-to-ceiling windows, yet it failed to illuminate the gloom permeating the room.
At the heart of this oppressive atmosphere sat a Den Den Mushi on the desk, mimicking Tenma's expression.
"I'm telling you old men, stop feeding me that useless crap."
Tenma's lazy voice came through the Den Den Mushi, dripping with undisguised mockery.
"This war was a guaranteed win for me. I only contacted you to save some effort."
"And what happened? I finished the fight—where was your so-called allied force? I didn't even see a shadow!"
"And now you still have the nerve to ask me to honor our agreement?"
"What, you think I run a charity? Or that I'm stupid?"
A deathly silence fell over the chamber.
His words were like resounding slaps across the Five Elders' faces—burning hot.
After a long moment, the bald Elder holding the Shodai Kitetsu finally spoke grimly.
"Tenma, don't get too arrogant."
"You've swallowed the entire Totto Land region in one gulp. That's a piece of fat meat—many eyes are on it."
"Even if you're a Sea Emperor, the New World still has Whitebeard—and countless pirates who don't fear death."
Another bearded Elder followed up, playing the good cop.
"The previous failure was the Marines' fault. This time won't be. We'll send CP0 to fully assist in defense—"
The blond Elder in charge of diplomacy dropped a bombshell.
"There's another option."
"Given Wano's current scale, we can make an exception and invite you to become a member state of the World Government."
"And you'll receive 'special privileges'—complete exemption from the Heavenly Tribute."
The other four Elders were visibly shocked.
A member nation that didn't pay the Heavenly Tribute?
In eight hundred years of World Government history, this was unprecedented!
On the other end, Tenma was clearly stunned for a moment.
Then he burst into wildly arrogant laughter.
"Hahahahaha! If you were trying to tell a joke to amuse me—congratulations, you succeeded!"
The blond Elder's face darkened instantly. "What are you laughing at? Do you even understand what this means?"
"With member status, you'll gain Marine protection and worldwide trade access! Not only can you keep your spoils, but Wano can develop faster!"
"We could even give you a voice at the Reverie—"
"Enough!"
Tenma cut him off sharply, his tone dripping with disdain.
"Fairness? Protection? That kind of bedtime story—you actually believe it yourselves?"
"I know who sits on that throne. Don't try to box me in with your hypocritical rules."
"There has never been a unique god in this world. That so-called Empty Throne is a cosmic joke!"
The Five Elders' pupils contracted violently, waves of shock crashing through their hearts.
This man… does he know about Im?!
"Listen carefully. I have zero interest in your bullshit membership."
"Right now, I'm not the one begging you—get that straight."
Tenma's voice turned chillingly cold, echoing through the room.
"I won this war alone. The spoils are mine."
"If anyone's jealous—Whitebeard or the World Government—feel free to come take them."
"I'll be waiting in Wano."
—Click.
The Den Den Mushi was brutally cut off, letting out a crisp sound before retreating into its shell and falling asleep.
The office was terrifyingly silent.
The Five Elders' faces were ashen, yet none of them erupted in anger.
At their level, rage was the most useless emotion of all.
"It seems killing two Yonko has inflated his confidence to the extreme."
"He's not only absorbed the Beast Pirates and Totto Land's forces, but also gained artificial Devil Fruit technology, energy weapons… and that terrifying battle suit corps…"
The blond Elder rubbed his temples, his voice heavy.
"This is… a monster undergoing mad evolution."
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