When Caelan removed the Reality Marble, everyone reappeared on Onigashima.
In just one hour, the island had not changed much from when they first arrived.
However, the Beasts Pirates who once ruled Onigashima had become complete losers.
"The Beasts Pirates have been completely defeated. Now it's time to clean up the battlefield."
Caelan looked at his men and said, "I'll leave it to you. Is that alright?"
"Please rest assured, we will complete the task!"
Momonga was the first to speak.
Having made a mistake earlier, he needed to restore his image in Caelan's eyes as soon as possible.
"Leave it to us, we will take care of Wano Country."
Yamakaji led the officers to make their commitment.
It was only at the end of the battle that they vaguely understood why Caelan had brought them here.
Their commander had clearly arranged for them to handle the clean-up before they set out.
The strongest force, the Beasts Pirates, had been defeated by Caelan alone, and dealing with the remnants would be no problem for them.
"Good."
Caelan nodded slightly, then gave his orders. "The Neo Navy will immediately take over all of Wano Country. If necessary, you may recruit civilians to manage the regions. Those who refuse to obey will be killed. Moria, you will take control of the prisons and mines of Wano Country, and detain the Beasts Pirates' captives so they can be put to use."
"Also, inform Dressrosa of this great victory. Have Morgans report it immediately, and tell Gion to send a thousand Marines to assist with management."
With the Beasts Pirates defeated and Kurozumi Orochi dead, there were no significant threats left in Wano.
Allowing Morgans to spread the news would once again demonstrate the overwhelming strength of the Neo Navy.
"Yes, sir!"
Everyone saluted and immediately set out to carry out their duties.
Soon, Yamakaji and the other officers went to the five regions of Kuri, Udon, Ringo, Kibi, and Hakumai to take over the territories abandoned by the Beasts Pirates.
Gecko Moria brought the Beasts Pirates captives to Udon's quarry, putting them through forced labor.
As for Caelan, he rode atop the Azure Dragon, Kaido himself.
Together with Nojiko, Hina, and Ain, he flew to the heart of Wano Country, the Flower Capital.
For the next two weeks, the Flower Capital would serve as Caelan's palace.
Above the capital, Kaido's dragon form circled ominously.
"The Yonko Kaido has been defeated, and Kurozumi Orochi is dead. From this day forward, Wano Country will be under my rule. Anyone who disobeys will be killed!"
Caelan stood atop Kaido's dragon head and announced to the entire Flower Capital.
His thunderous voice echoed across the city.
Everyone looked up, stunned by both the massive dragon and Caelan's declaration.
"Orochi is dead! Kaido has been defeated too!"
The people cried out in disbelief.
Orochi and Kaido had been like two immovable mountains pressing down on them, figures so immense they could hardly even imagine challenging them.
And now, both had been toppled.
Seeing the blue dragon subdued, and with Orochi nowhere to be seen, the people understood that these heavenly words were true.
"Great, we don't have to live in fear anymore!"
"We can finally prosper without them!"
Cries of joy erupted among the people.
Without Orochi's oppression and Kaido's tyranny, their lives would surely improve.
But then came hesitation.
Was it truly right to let an outsider rule Wano Country?
Though they resented Orochi becoming shogun, at least he had been from Wano. They could accept that much.
But why should an outsider rule their nation?
Even Kaido, a Yonko, had never outright declared Wano his own, ruling only through a false partnership.
Some people grew restless, yet most dared not speak against the figure in the sky.
Finally, one samurai could no longer contain himself and shouted, "Why should you rule Wano Country! You are not qualified!"
Without Kaido and Orochi, the country's future should be decided by Wano's warriors.
If Caelan ruled, wouldn't they simply be outsiders' dogs?
Besides, they had never truly seen this man fight. It was worth testing him.
Once one person raised their voice, others quickly followed.
"Wano belongs to us, not to outsiders!"
"We will never accept your rule!"
Hundreds of people shouted in defiance, their anger rising.
…
Atop the Azure Dragon's head.
"Caelan-sama, it seems they don't welcome us," Ain said worriedly.
It was strange, given that Caelan had just freed them from Orochi and Kaido.
"Remember what I told you?"
Caelan glanced at her.
"Those who refuse to obey will be killed?" Ain answered hesitantly.
"Yes. I have warned them."
Caelan pressed his foot down on Kaido's head.
At once, the dragon released a massive blast of scorching heat aimed directly at the strongest pocket of resistance.
It was a gathering place of samurai, their topknots waving as they shouted with swords drawn.
"Wait, what is that!?"
The warriors looked up in horror at the blazing column of fire descending upon them.
So violent… he meant to kill them outright?
They tried to flee, but the attack's range was too wide, its power too great.
There was nowhere to hide.
Boom!
The fiery blast, strong enough to level half a mountain, struck down, obliterating the warriors and their dojo in one strike.
Flames shot into the sky, staining the Flower Capital red.
In an instant, all dissent and resistance were silenced by fire.
"I won't make life hard for you like Kaido, who basically forced everyone into slavery."
"But if anyone resists again, kill them!"
Caelan stood atop the Azure Dragon, his overwhelming aura exploding outward.
Purple-black lightning filled the sky as his Conqueror's Haki erupted.
The once clear heavens tore apart, resembling the end of the world.
Everyone in the Flower Capital fell to their knees under the crushing pressure, their foreheads pressed to the ground, not daring to look up.
"Hmph."
He withdrew his Haki and rode the dragon straight into Orochi's mansion.
Bringing Nojiko and the others with him, he entered as the maids and servants bowed respectfully, as though he were the rightful master.
The Azure Dragon did not follow inside, but circled protectively over the shogun's residence.
Even after Caelan withdrew his aura, the people did not rise. They remained kneeling.
Having witnessed him obliterate hundreds of samurai in an instant, none dared to resist.
There were no more doubts, no more objections, no more voices of dissent.
The weak admired the strong and despised the powerless.
At first, they thought to resist this outsider.
But now, after witnessing his overwhelming might, they accepted their fate.
From Dressrosa, monsters marched toward Wano.
The man-eating devil landed on Onigashima.
Caelan defeated the Beasts Pirates.
The God Slayer, Neo Navy Supreme Commander Caelan Alaric, patrolled the skies of Wano.
(To be continued.)