Some things are always quite coincidental.
As Shano's figure appeared over Mary Geoise, the last ray of the setting sun just slipped below the horizon.
Night officially descended at that moment.
However.
This was completely different from the ending the World Government expected, where "all rebels would be eradicated after nightfall."
Only Shano returned.
At this moment, everyone on the battlefield below, whether Endgame, Revolutionary Army, Neo Navy allies, or the Five Elders, the remnants of the Navy...
Instantly understood the meaning of this scene.
Imu did not return.
The deity who had ruled the world for eight hundred years had fallen!
Fallen at Shano's hands!
After a brief moment of dead silence.
A tremendous cheer erupted within the city of Mary Geoise!
Endgame, the Revolutionary Army, Neo Navy, and people answering the call from all over the world... all warriors on the same side raised their weapons, tears streaming down their faces.
The tens of thousands of liberated slaves, who by now mostly understood the situation outside, embraced each other, crying even more.
Many figures, covered in wounds, skinny and pale, looked up at that dark figure with eyes full of near-reverent gratitude.
"We won... we really won!"
"Freedom! We're free too!"
"Long live Lord Shano!!!"
"Long live Endgame!"
Endgame cadres, Revolutionary Army soldiers, Neo Navy soldiers, all raised their weapons high, their shouts echoing through the skies.
"You really did it, Senior Shano!"
In the crowd, Bartolomeo trembled with excitement, looking up at that god-like figure in the sky, tears uncontrollably streaming down his face.
Waaaah, I truly didn't put my faith in the wrong person!
The oath shouted amidst the gusts and storms in East Sea Log Town before Roger's execution stand was finally realized!
This is the man I admired, the man I swore to follow to the end!
"That's great."
Not far away, Kuma also gazed upward, his face covered in smoke and blood, yet at this moment, he showed a childlike smile.
Perhaps remembering someone, a look of nostalgia appeared in Kuma's eyes, and he repeated with a smile:
"That's great."
......
"Hee-haw!!!"
Ivankov twisted his body wildly in the crowd, his giant face flushed with excitement, pulling Kerla into an embrace and spinning her above his head.
"Did you see it! Kerla! Did you see it! That super invincible super terrifying Imu was defeated! The World Government has completely perished, hee-haw!!!"
"Senior Ivan! I know, put me down!" Kerla struggled, her face flushed, but tears also glistened in her eyes.
She looked up at the sky, where that figure under the starlight of the night's onset appeared especially tall, resembling another figure from back then...
Fisher Tiger sir!
Someone has achieved as remarkable a feat as you did. If you could see this scene, you would be as moved to tears as I am, wouldn't you?
"Mr. Dragon."
Beside, Sabo chuckled softly, pressing a hand on his hat's brim, and looked at Dragon beside him, "Though we owe it to Lord Shano, we... have finally realized our long-held dream."
"Yes."
Dragon withdrew his gaze from space and turned his head.
Sabo was immediately surprised. It was the first time seeing their usually stoic leader with such an expression.
It was a look of complete relief, as if a thousand-pound burden had been lifted, even... a hint of impatience?
"Finally, I can go back and take a look."
Dragon noticed Sabo's surprise and did not hide it, "I can lay everything down and visit my family, see my son."
"Chief, you have a son?" Sabo was even more astonished.
"Yes, his name is Luffy." Dragon smiled and said softly, "Monkey D. Luffy."
Luffy?
Sabo scratched his head, having no impression at all, guessing that Luffy hadn't made a name for himself at sea and was still just a little kid.
Hehe, in a few years when I have the time, I'll go check him out. I'm really curious about what kind of son such an amazing leader could have!
......
Only a street away.
"That's great... that's great..."
Nojiko knelt by a piece of ruined wall, holding a little girl who had just been rescued.
She listened to the continuous deafening cheers around her, to the repeated mentions of "Lord Shano," and tears flowed uncontrollably, no matter how she tried to wipe them away, they didn't stop.
She couldn't help but think of those impoverished and protected days in Cocoyashi Village, recalling the boy who trained tirelessly in the orange grove, remembering the day Endgame was formally established, and recalling the people seen on this journey, all who suffered hardships...
The long road has finally reached its end, can I see the light at the end?
Honestly, why am I crying at such a happy moment?
Nojiko wiped away her tears, lowered her head, and gently smiled at the girl in her arms: "Don't be afraid, no one will hurt you anymore."
The little girl looked at her in confusion, then looked up at the sky, suddenly pointing at Shano, "Sister, that big brother... can fly, that's amazing."
Nojiko followed the child's gaze and nodded firmly, "Yes, of course, he's the most amazing person in the world."
Also the best, most amazing brother!
......
Meanwhile.
In the New World, the sea more than ten kilometers away from the Red Earth Continent.