"Of course," Ron looked at Saint Mars, "This is just a short-term solution. In the long run, you need a complete 'Divine Authority Image Management Strategy'—I suggest establishing a dedicated Propaganda Department, with my team providing technical support."
He paused, his smile terrifyingly sincere:
"After all, the essence of rule is not possessing power, but making everyone believe you possess power. In this regard, I am a professional match."
Silence.
This time, even Shanks felt a chill.
It wasn't fear of power, but fear of 'logic'. This man was deconstructing, analyzing, and reconstructing the very concept of 'Divine Authority' in the most rational way, as if rule was just a large-scale public relations event, and Gods were merely 'brand images' that needed packaging.
Kaido let out a low dragon's roar, whether in mockery or admiration, it was unclear.
Beneath Aokiji's ice, the seawater surged silently.
Saint Mars stared at the flickering data curves, silent for a long time.
The sunset completely faded, and night fell. The flames on the battlefield became the only light source, stretching everyone's shadows long and distorted.
Finally, Saint Mars slowly nodded.
"Agreed."
Two words, heavy as a thousand pounds.
He turned, looked at the floating Satan Saint, then at Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji in the distance, and finally swept his gaze over Shanks and Kaido:
"Today's events end here."
"All Marines, withdraw from the Elegia sea area. Upon return, Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan, report immediately to Mary Geoise."
"Red Hair Pirates and the remaining Beasts Pirates, you have 24 hours to leave this island."
"As for you, Ron—"
Saint Mars's gaze returned to the figure on the sea:
"Within three months, Mary Geoise. Bring your'System' and your... professional advice."
He didn't say "otherwise."
But everyone understood.
Ron smiled and bowed slightly: "The honor is mine."
Saint Mars said no more. He raised his hand, and a dark spatial rift opened behind him. The other three Gorosei silently walked in, and Satan Saint's body was also dragged into the darkness. Finally, Saint Mars gave Ron a deep look, turned, and stepped into the rift.
The rift closed.
The divine pressure, belonging to 'Gods', receded like a tide.
On the battlefield, only burning ruins, the smell of blood, and... a strange sense of emptiness remained.
It's over?
Just like that... it's over?
Yamato held Uta, staring blankly at the sea. Uta trembled slightly in her arms, whether from cold or the daze of surviving a catastrophe, it was unclear.
Shanks slowly sheathed his sword. Satan Saint's black blood still stained the blade of gryphon. He looked at Ron, his eyes complex.
Kaido dispelled his dragon form with a "boom", landing heavily on the ground and kicking up a cloud of dust. He knelt on one knee, gasping for breath, his chest and arm wounds gruesome.
Aokiji walked to Akainu's side and whispered something. Akainu remained silent, his magma fists slowly extinguished, turning into charred arms. He glanced at Ron, then at Shanks in the distance, and finally said nothing, turning to walk towards the remaining Marine fleet.
Kizaru transformed into golden light, landing beside Zephyr, and pushed up his glasses: "Oh my... what an incredible negotiation, Teacher Zephyr. Should we retreat too?"
Zephyr snorted coldly, but a deep meaning flashed in his eyes. He looked at Ron, nodded slightly, and then waved his hand, signaling the New Navy fleet to begin assembling.
And Ron—
He patted the Hippopotamus Sea King's head, and the giant beast let out a satisfied low growl, slowly turning to swim towards the shore of Elegia.
The sea breeze blew, Ron stood on the giant beast's head, his clothes fluttering. He looked at the Pirate Streamers on the shore, still holding their phones and looking bewildered, and smiled:
"The Live Broadcast is over, everyone. But the footage is still here—want to buy the exclusive edited version of 'God-Slaying War'? Fair price, installment payments supported."
He then looked at Yamato and Uta:
"Ladies, need a ride? My mount is a bit slow, but it's stable and offers drinks."
Finally, his gaze swept over the ruins, towards Kaido who was struggling to get up in the distance, and Shanks who was gathering his crew:
"Mr. Kaido, need a first aid kit? System-produced, guaranteed effectiveness."
"Captain Shanks, regarding the subsequent effects of 'Rule Trauma', I have some information that might be useful to you—of course, it requires payment."
His voice drifted in the night wind, as relaxed as if he had just finished an outing, rather than completing a world-altering negotiation with Gods.
On the sea, the long cry of the Hippopotamus Sea King sounded again.
The Moonlight finally broke through the clouds, scattering over the charred battlefield, the burning ruins, and the smiling man standing on the giant beast's head... on Elegia's scorched earth.
The Hippopotamus Sea King slowly approached the shore, its massive body pressing against the shattered dock, the wood groaning under the strain.
Ron lightly leaped from the giant beast's head, landing on the still-intact pier.
He turned and patted the Hippopotamus Sea King's snout. The giant beast let out a soft, almost coquettish whine, then slowly sank into the sea, leaving only its back exposed above the water, like a suddenly appearing island.
"Mr. Ron!" Yamato ran over quickly, holding Uta, her club swaying on her shoulder. Her face was a mix of excitement, confusion, and a hint of dazed relief, "Just now... you really... with the Gorosei...?"
"Made a deal," Ron finished for her, pulling out a palm-sized silver box from his embrace. "Here, a first aid kit. Inside are Hemostatic Spray, Painkillers, Energy Supplements, and..."
He paused, looking at Uta in Yamato's arms: "Sedative Incense specifically for Mental Trauma. Miss Uta should need it."
Uta looked up, her red and white hair fluttering in the night wind. Her eyes were still a bit unfocused, but she had regained some spirit. She looked at Ron, her lips moved, and she finally only said two words: "Thank you."
"Don't thank me," Ron smiled, "If you're going to thank someone, thank Yamato—she risked her life to protect you."
Yamato's face flushed slightly, and she awkwardly scratched the back of her head: "I... I didn't do much..."
"No." Uta said softly, reaching out to hold Yamato's hand, "Thank you, Yamato."
The two looked at each other. In the Moonlight, one's eyes were as clear as ice, the other's as gentle as water.
Ron smiled and turned to walk deeper into the ruins.
Kaido knelt on one knee in the center of the scorched earth, his massive body covered in wounds. The deepest was still on his chest—the wound pierced by Satan Saint's spider leg, its edges covered with a strange black energy that prevented the dragon's self-healing ability.
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