At first, the spared lives of Kaido of the Beasts and Big Mom brought a flicker of relief to many. Even stripped of their territories and treasures, survival alone was something.
But after witnessing Shiryu of the Rain's fate, relief gave way to utter terror.
One by one, the Marines and commanders began questioning their past decisions, wondering if a single misstep could now cost them their lives.
Kong, Sengoku, the Admirals, Garp, Vice Admiral Tsuru, and others approached Ashveil with cautious steps, hearts pounding with fear.
Even Vice Admiral Gion, experiencing such a cataclysmic display for the first time, found her knees trembling beneath her.
Ashveil smiled faintly as he surveyed them.
"Don't worry, I am not a cold-blooded demon," he said lightly, a faint grin on his face. "The only reason Shiryu met his end was to fulfill a promise."
They nodded awkwardly, yet deep down, everyone understood the chilling truth: Ashveil was still, in every sense, a force of sheer devastation.
As expected, he continued.
"If you wish to leave here alive, each of you will pay fifty billion Berries," Ashveil said smoothly, his gaze unyielding.
A stunned silence fell. The sum was astronomical. While fifty billion Berries might not terrify a pirate, for disciplined Marines unable to plunder freely, it was almost inconceivable.
Sengoku bowed his head, visibly restrained. He never imagined that he, a dignified Fleet Admiral, would fail twice against the same opponent. Humiliation, territorial cessions, and reparations now awaited him.
"Um… Ashveil, we truly cannot produce such an amount. May I contact World Headquarters to request compensation?" Sengoku asked, voice tight with caution.
Ashveil considered this briefly.
"Hmm… that can be arranged," he said with a shrug, "but one hundred million Berries per minute for the call."
The shock was immediate. One hundred million Berries per minute for a phone call? It was audacious, absurd—but no one dared show anything but a forced composure. Any slip could spell instant death.
Sengoku's clenched jaw betrayed his frustration, but he forced a smile.
"Very well, Ashveil. One hundred million Berries per minute. Please connect me to Headquarters," he said cautiously.
On the other end, a Rear Admiral answered, unaware that the entire World Allied Forces had just been routed.
"Such a vast sum… I have no authority to approve it," the Rear Admiral said, brows knitting. "According to protocol, a transfer of this scale would require Commander Kong's approval."
Just then, Kong's voice came through, calm yet strained.
"This is Kong. I was also detained in this battle," he admitted, his aged face flushing. "I officially approve transferring the funds to Ashveil."
The Rear Admiral blinked. Kong-sama, Fleet Admiral and commander of the three forces, had been captured by Ashveil? Even now, he lacked the authority to authorize such transfers.
"I… I am sorry, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Commander Kong," the Rear Admiral stammered. "Since you have all been detained, I cannot authorize this transfer alone. I must forward the matter to the Gorosei. They will handle it."
Most of World Headquarters' combat forces had been deployed to fight Ashveil, leaving only Rear Admirals at the helm.
An aged, commanding voice interrupted.
"This is Mars," the voice said, deep and authoritative. "All of us, the Gorosei, except me, are dead. As the highest authority of the World Government, I permit you to compensate Ashveil."
The Rear Admiral's hands shook. Only one Gorosei remained alive, and even he had been captured? The World Government was an empty shell.
"Are you still standing there?" Saint Mars demanded. "Hurry and hand over the Berries! My life depends on it."
"Yes, Gorosei-sama!" the Rear Admiral cried, fear and urgency evident. "I'll notify the finance department immediately."
Saint Mars exhaled slowly, a hint of relief passing over him. At least some order remained at World Headquarters, otherwise even reparations could not be executed.
Just then, the sound of distant roars echoed from the battlefield. The Rear Admiral, glancing at the monitors, gasped.
"Reporting, Gorosei-sama, a situation has arisen. The Revolutionary Army—they have attacked, and World Headquarters is already half-occupied!"
The Elder paused, stunned. Even after the devastating defeat, more chaos continued to unfold.
_______
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