The next day, the World Government issued a statement regarding the battle of the Land of the Gods in East Blue, an event that had shocked the world:
[The vile Sea Restaurant crew led by Zyhark attempted to overthrow the righteous Marines and disrupt the peace and stability that the world had fought so hard to establish. Their crimes are on par with those of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger.]
[Through the joint efforts of the World Government and the Marines, the core members of this group were subjected to justice and were buried along with the rebellious Land of the Gods in the deep sea!]
Hmm, typical despicable tactics.
However, compared to Roger's public execution, this time the World Government faced even greater public scrutiny.
This was because the World Economic News Agency secretly released details of the battle, including illustrations of Celestial Dragons shooting innocent civilians!
As the supreme governing body that had ruled the world for centuries, the World Government could not tolerate this kind of behavior, which threatened their core power. They deployed a large number of Cipher Pol agents and Marines to launch a relentless crackdown on the news agency.
In truth, if not for Morgans, who would rather die than miss a big scoop, the World Government would never have publicly acknowledged the battle at all.
They would have erased all traces of it, just like the incident at God Valley!
With the vast resources of the Navy at its disposal, the World Government soon shattered the news agency, destroying its ability to distribute newspapers worldwide.
Morgans went into complete hiding, disappearing from the seas altogether.
Despite all this, the widespread news still triggered considerable unrest and revolts across various parts of the world.
Yet, how could the nobles of the kingdoms tolerate such events, especially without the support of the Revolutionary Army in the form of supplies and equipment?
The voices of rebellion were quickly suppressed by power, and in just a few days, the world returned to that dark and oppressive state.
Just as the feats of Gol D. Roger, the King of the Pirates, and even the far-off Liberation Warrior Joy Boy had become legends, so too did the deeds of the Sea Restaurant.
However, although the World Government barely managed to stabilize its rule, the price they paid in this battle reached a level of severe harm.
The Five Elder Saturn was killed, while Topman Vochuli and Izambaron V. Nasujurō were seriously injured.
The three admiral candidates, who were to replace Sengoku and Zephyr, had lost their ability to act and were unable to carry out their duties in the short term.
Moreover, numerous vice admirals were either gravely injured or killed in action, dealing a near-devastating blow to the Navy's core forces.
The prosperous and holy Mariejois was mostly destroyed, and the newly formed Holy Knights had to be rebuilt and reorganized from scratch.
In short, the heavy blow inflicted on the World Government by Zyhark and his crew was something they wouldn't recover from for several years!
Additionally, with pirates coveting treasures and preparing for action, they had to maintain a heightened level of vigilance to guard against the Yonko who could strike at any moment!
With such internal and external threats, the World Government had no extra resources to deal with the likes of Rayleigh, Shakky, Hancock, Moria, and others who had escaped the battlefield.
In reality, without the Sea Restaurant, the remaining few posed no threat to their rule whatsoever!
It's worth noting that, considering the shortage of available talent and his achievements in capturing several New World pirates, Smoker's rank was exceptionally promoted to Vice Admiral, with the new codename—White Snake.
During the period when Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru were unable to act, he shared the responsibility of maintaining order in the New World alongside fellow Vice Admirals Momousagi Gion and Chaton.
...
East Blue, Goa Kingdom, Mount Colubo.
"I never thought even that old geezer Saturn would be taken out. That's really something," Garp quietly sat under a tree, his sharp eyes glimmering as he recalled what he had heard from Sengoku.
From his previous interactions, Garp's instincts told him that Zyhark and his crew wouldn't just vanish like that. They would return one day in the future.
When that day comes, the entire world may indeed be turned upside down, and no one—including himself—would be able to stay out of it!
Putting aside his thoughts, Garp looked up at Luffy and Ace, who were fighting fiercely not far away, and sighed heavily.
Too young, Luffy…
At the same time, far away in Shimotsuki Village, Zoro and Kuina, as well as in Cocoyasi Village, Nami, and in the Drum Kingdom, Chopper—all of them learned about the battle of the Land of the Gods.
Although they could not obtain as much inside information as Garp, they all firmly believed that Zyhark, Aqua, and the others were still alive in this world!
With dreams of their own and the bonds they had made, they pushed themselves even harder in their training.
With the thought that one day they would catch up to Zyhark's footsteps and see the truth of the sea with their own eyes!
...
Grand Line, Alabasta, Royal Palace.
"I want to go to East Blue! Zyhark and Aqua are definitely still alive. I'm going to find them!!"
Princess Vivi cried out in tears, struggling to break free from Igaram's embrace.
Kohza, though more composed, clenched his fists tightly enough to draw blood.
The Sea Restaurant was the hero that had saved all of Alabasta, bringing them miraculous water. They had also made a promise with Zyhark that once they grew up, they would set sail together.
The news they received was simply too hard to accept.
King Cobra sat on his throne, supporting his face with one hand, his brows furrowed in deep concern.
Recently, it seemed that the World Government, whether intentionally or not, was targeting Alabasta. If not for Alabasta's status as an allied nation and its connection to the original Celestial Dragons…
Even the fact that a large portion of their population worshipped Aqua was enough to bring disaster upon them!
The World Government could not tolerate such a large number of Axis Cult followers. The current situation was already dangerous enough, and who knew how bad it could get in the future!
To falsely accuse the Sea Restaurant and tarnish its name was something Cobra could never do, nor would he ever consider doing.
However, he knew he had to do something preemptively.
At the very least, he had to protect Vivi!
Yet compared to a behemoth like the World Government, how insignificant their power seemed!
As he struggled with this dilemma, the sound of a cane tapping on the ground suddenly echoed from outside the hall.
A tall, muscular blind man entered as if the guards were nonexistent, approaching Cobra and the others without anyone noticing.
"Forgive me for intruding uninvited."
"Kind and benevolent king, if I may, allow me to take these two children out to sea."
...
Unknown Waters, Revolutionary Army's Hidden Base.
Wrapped in bandages, Dragon was in deep discussion with Ivankov and several army commanders about the possibility of amassing enough strength to overthrow the World Government.
Among them was a new face—a Mink Tribe genius inventor named Lindbergh.
Not far away, Kuma, who had successfully withdrawn from the Land of the Gods battlefield, was teaching Sabo how to train in physical Haki.
After learning about Zyhark's actions from Kuma, Sabo's initial hatred and hostility transformed into admiration and respect.
To fight the strong with the weak and to engage in a decisive battle with the World Government for the sake of his own country—if Goa Kingdom had a hero like that, would he, Luffy, and Ace ever have yearned for the life of free pirates?
Don't worry, you debt-ridden jerk, I'll reclaim what you owe me from the World Government!
A firm belief sprouted in Sabo's heart, making him train even harder.
...
Under Zyhark's influence, a new era was quietly growing.
(End of Chapter)
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