"..."
Zephyr and Aokiji stood there, staring blankly in the direction where Akainu dissipated, unable to return to their senses for a long time.
They couldn't feel Akainu's presence at all.
Just like that... is it over?
Although Ryokugyu had already been kicked to death before, however...
That guy, after all, is Sakazuki.
His reputation and power were above Ryokugyu, not to mention he had made that demon contract, possessing even greater power and an immortal body.
Yet it made no difference; like an ant, he was crushed with a single finger.
"Truly frightening, Captain."
Aokiji scratched his head and said with a bitter smile: "This is not the same level as before your retreat; is this what you call a little harvest?"
Before the retreat, he had sparred with Shano several times.
Although if the opponent went all out, he was definitely doomed to fail, he could manage to hold out for quite a while.
But now...
Zephyr suppressed the shock in his heart, stepped forward, and couldn't help but ask:
"Lord Shano, please tell this old man, do you now have enough confidence to defeat that supreme god behind the World Government?"
"A god?"
Shano turned back, smiled, and answered simply:
"It won't be harder than killing Akainu."
The words were understated, yet made Zephyr and Aokiji simultaneously draw a cold breath.
Especially Aokiji, who had dealt with Shano for so long, knew that this man before him was arrogant in character yet always able to fulfill his promises, never boasting.
Since he dared to say such words, it meant—
"Ah, finally, it's time for this moment, isn't it?"
Aokiji looked toward the direction of the Red Earth Continent and took a deep breath.
"Is the era really about to completely change..."
After mumbling, Zephyr couldn't help but burst into laughter:
"Hey! Include me, include the Neo Navy, Lord Shano! If this final battle, I can't participate, this lifetime... no, even if I died and was in hell, recalling it would be regrettable to death!"
Why bother blowing up Marinfanto?
The Explosive Rock has been recovered, the "Return to Marinfanto" plan can continue.
But after all, that plan is just an act of desperation, a reckless gamble against the colossal entity of the World Government.
And now.
Since Lord Shano is here, the Endgame is here, to kill our way into the Holy Land with strength and righteousness, to personally strike at those bloated pigs, to overthrow the World Government...
Who would choose the former!
"Of course you can."
Shano smiled and glanced around, Mansherry had already led Aine, Binzi, and others, treating most of the injured Neo Navy.
With a few more days to adjust, the Neo Navy can recover their combat power.
Then, just in time...
"Kuzan."
Shano raised his eyes to the distant horizon and spoke solemnly.
"Captain is here!" Aokiji realized the change in atmosphere and stood at attention solemnly.
"Transmit my orders."
Shano, hands behind his back, spoke solemnly in the sea breeze:
"Gather all the officers, within two days, assemble at Dawn Island, Endgame Headquarters, and the Four Major Armies, all enter maximum combat preparedness, ready for a full-scale assault!"
"Yes!"
Aokiji's body trembled, responding with a loud shout!
At this moment, he felt the kind of passion he hadn't felt for decades burn again, making him feel hot inside and out!
"Also, notify Morgans to meet me at Dawn Island."
Shano paused, looked at the endless sea in the distance, and said calmly:
"It's almost time to let the world know that the final war is about to begin."
...
In the following days.
The World Economic News Agency continuously rushed out supplementary prints, one big news after another sweeping the world like a hurricane, causing the entire ocean to tremble!
First to spread was the news that the Navy Headquarters had suffered defeat once more, Akainu, Ryokugyu, and several veteran Vice Admirals all killed.
Two Grand Admirals dead in one swoop?
If this news had come at any other time, it would be shocking enough.
It could even leave the streets and alleys of various islands filled with discussions of this event for the next ten days or so.
However.
This level of news, compared to the headline of the paper released shortly thereafter, was nothing.
The reason is simple.
Because the World Economic News Agency, on the second day, formally publicly released a document personally signed by the Master of the Endgame, undoubtedly the strongest of this era, Shano—
"Declaration to the World"!!!
...
"To all those in this ocean who yearn for freedom and justice, for eight hundred years since the World Government's establishment, the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, who self-proclaim as descendants of gods, have committed innumerable crimes..."
At Marinfanto, Navy Headquarters, Steel Bone Kong's face was gloomy, listening to the sweating and terrified adjutant reciting in front of him.
...
"Slaughter, enslavement, oppression... their atrocities are unspeakable by word!"
"The dungeons of Mary Geoise are piled high with countless bones, beneath the soil of the Red Earth Continent, soaked in blood... La, la la, la~~~~ Cough, cough, sorry, Your Majesty, Princess, I was too excited, couldn't help but want to sing aloud."
In Alabasta, Igaram blushed and bowed apologetically then unfolded the newspaper again.
Vivi sat beside Cobra uprightly, listening solemnly with utmost seriousness.
...
"And today, this eight-hundred-year tyranny must end!"
"The Endgame will, on behalf of all oppressed nations and peoples worldwide, challenge this unjust order in the final showdown!"