The activation of God's Nation's armaments triggered successive explosions in the Dyna Stone deposits deep underground.
The entire Great Kingdom, along with most of the Red Line, shattered into fragments, collapsing completely.
The Great Kingdom sank into the sea, causing sea levels to rise sharply.
The world, once dominated by continents, was transformed almost overnight into the unchallenged domain of the ocean.
The rebel army, having just successfully overthrown the Great Kingdom, was immediately met with catastrophe.
Many Devil Fruit Users were caught off guard, ultimately drowning in the sea.
The civilians suffered even greater calamities.
The order that had just begun to rebuild instantly regressed into chaos and disorder.
The rebellion had succeeded.
The Great Kingdom's revenge had also succeeded.
But in this moment of upheaval, Joy Boy and the Twenty Kings stepped forward.
Swiftly assembling fleets, they set out to conduct rescue and relief efforts across the lands.
Joy Boy, in particular, commanded a massive and indomitable warship that dominated the seas.
The remnants of the Great Kingdom's scattered forces were crushed beneath the hull of this colossal vessel
Moreover, the mermaid princess, who steadfastly followed Joy Boy, along with her subordinates—the fish-men, merfolk, and the Sea Kings—became the absolute main force, significantly reducing the casualties among the rebel army.
Through the concerted efforts of the rebel forces, the impact of the fall of the great kingdom was minimized as much as possible.
However, the change in the world's structure was entirely irreversible.
Furthermore, the massive energy released by the explosion of Dyna Stone seemed to have triggered an unknown reaction with the entire ocean.
Apart from the four seas, which were too remote to be affected, the region where the great kingdom once stood experienced sudden and unpredictable changes in climate and ocean currents.
Gradually, in the oral accounts of the people, it began to be called the "Grand Line."
After mopping up the remnants, Joy Boy and the Twenty Kings gathered at the highest point of the Red Line—present-day Mary Geoise.
Unlike the relief and joy of the common folk who had narrowly escaped death, the expressions of the Twenty Kings and Joy Boy turned grim.
And most importantly...
"Toki... where exactly have Michael and Imu gone!?"
Lily, seated at the center of the Twenty Kings, sternly questioned Toki.
"Lily, I've told you many times... do not address Father by his name."
"Damn it! Is this really the time to fuss over such things?" Lily slammed the table. "At such a critical moment, the Archangel of the End and the brain of the rebel army have gone missing!? Don't tell me they died the day the Red Line collapsed and fell! Everyone else might have died, but Michael could not have!"
"Ahem, Queen Lily, mind your words," Donquixote coughed lightly. "The priority now is their whereabouts... and in that situation, anything could have... happened."
"But the last ones to see Michael and Imu were Toki and that cripple named Rocks!" Lily stood abruptly, glaring at Toki, who sat behind Joy Boy.
"You... must be hiding something from me."
"Is it possible that you're just deceiving yourself? Father and Imu... they simply went where they were meant to go... never to return."
Toki sighed.
To the ears of the Twenty Kings, including Lily, this implied that Michael and Imu had perished the day the great kingdom fell.
But Joy Boy kept looking at Toki with a puzzled expression.
Could what she said... be true?
"Anyway, I've said all I have to say... Rather than obsessing over Father and Imu's whereabouts, you should focus on fulfilling the duties you were meant to."
With that, Toki left the council hall, accompanied by the white-haired Rocks.
Seeing Toki depart, Joy Boy also stood up.
"Leader... where are you going?" Donquixote asked in surprise. "We still need you to take charge of the situation."
"Don't joke around, Donquixote. We both know perfectly well that I'm just a symbolic figure in the rebel forces... Governing a nation? Isn't this asking too much of me, Joy Boy?" Joy Boy waved at the Twenty Kings with a smile.
"From now on, this world will be in your hands... Though I'll be watching you in another way. If you become the next Great Kingdom... I'll come for you the same way... and end you."
With these words, Joy Boy turned and left as well.
Only the Twenty Kings remained—nineteen, to be precise.
Lily, using the identity of "Imu II" that Imu had previously created for her, served as both the King of Alabasta and the King of Nerona.
All eyes turned to Lily.
With Joy Boy, Michael, and Imu gone, this young queen seemed to have become their sole pillar of support.
After a long silence, Lily finally raised her head.
But her gaze... had changed.
Though still profound, the other kings seemed to sense a calm yet...
maddening intensity in her eyes.
"Everyone, I propose that the World Government be officially established from this day forward," Lily said with a faint smile.
"From now on, Mary Geoise shall be the Holy Land, and all Twenty Kings shall reside there, ruling together!"
"But wouldn't this... be too unusual? Over time, future generations might inevitably develop disagreements..."
"Then let us become one and the same race, shall we?" Lily tilted her head slightly and replied.
"From today onward, we shall be... the Celestial Dragons!"
The other kings exchanged glances...
This seemed like a good solution.
Moreover, this way, they wouldn't have to fear conflicts arising from the distribution of benefits...
And most importantly... the remaining army of Devil Fruit Users was also under Lily's control.
"If no one objects, as the new leader of the Celestial Dragons, I shall issue the first decree..."
"From this day forward, for thousands of years to come, as long as the Celestial Dragons and the World Government endure! The Lunarian Race, the Bucaneer Race, and all other races that once held seats in the Divine Council shall be branded as eternal enemies! They shall forever live as slaves under our rule!"
"Agreed!"
"Agreed!"
"Agreed..."
Donquixote glanced around before finally sighing.
"I agree as well... but Lily..."
"Donquixote... from now on, there is no more Lily..." Lily looked down at him imperiously.
"You must remember—Lily died long ago in that prison cart."
"Standing before you now is the ruler of all..."
"Nerona Imu II."
"If you wish... you may address me henceforth as..."
"Lady Imu."
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