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The battle at Marineford had finally concluded. A full day had passed since the earth-shattering clash during the public execution.
This time, however, something extraordinary occurred.
Unlike previous events, the World Government did not attempt to bribe the World Economy Newspaper to manipulate the narrative or obscure key details about the Summit War.
After all, Alex's all-encompassing live broadcast, with its near-perfect coverage, had been witnessed by the entire world.
Even those who didn't usually pay attention to global events couldn't avoid the impact. Countless reporters had already processed the live images into sensational headlines, spreading them through newspapers across every corner of the sea:
[Marine wins confrontation with Whitebeard Pirates! Under the influence of Four Emperors Kaido and the Flying Admiral, the legendary pirate Edward "Whitebeard" Newgate falls!]
[A stunning declaration! Before his death, Whitebeard proclaims: Roger's great treasure truly exists!]
[One Emperor falls, three others converge! The Red-Haired Pirates arrive on the battlefield to reclaim the remains of Fire Fist Ace and Whitebeard's favorite weapon!]
[Who truly won the Summit War? Not Marine! Not the Whitebeard Pirates! The victor is the king of the new era: the Flying Admiral!]
[Sky Kingdom's technology surpasses even the World Government?!]
[BIG MOM reemerges! Inheriting the fearsome legacy of the Four Emperors! Steel balloons and natural destruction overwhelm Marine's Pacifistas!]
[Float-Float Fruit and Quake-Quake Fruit united! The Flying Admiral wields two world-ending powers! The strongest monster alive!]
[Multiple abilities an illusion? The truth lies in the Flying Admiral's two swords, which store devastating powers!]
[Two ultimate weapons! Darkness that steals Devil Fruits and vibrations that can shatter the world!]
In less than a day, news of the Summit War had spread like wildfire across the seas.
While the Marine and Whitebeard Pirates were the primary participants, it was Alex, who had entered the battle midway, who became the true focus of the world's attention.
Unlike his earlier clash with Big Mom, this war had been broadcast live on an unprecedented scale. Nearly every corner of the world bore witness to Alex's overwhelming power, leaving audiences in awe and terror.
At the same time, the weapons he carried—the sources of his unimaginable strength—captured the greed of countless eyes.
For many, the allure of these weapons transcended their fear of Alex himself. Even those who weren't swordsmen were captivated by the concept of tools with unparalleled destructive potential and the ability to steal Devil Fruits. These weapons were regarded as treasures of the sea, more coveted than even the Supreme Grade swords.
The temptation was irresistible.
The weapon infused with the Quake-Quake Fruit could create another "Whitebeard."
And the mysterious dark blade, capable of seizing Devil Fruits, held the promise of limitless power.
Among those tempted was none other than Blackbeard, Marshall D. Teach.
Holding a freshly printed newspaper in his hand, Teach traveled alongside Edward Weevil, the self-proclaimed son of Whitebeard, under the guise of a "cooperative" arrangement.
Miss Buckin, leaning toward Teach to glimpse the paper, smirked and asked, "Well? Do you want to go after those weapons too?"
Teach let out his signature laugh.
"Zehahaha! Of course! Who wouldn't want such terrifying weapons?"
His words seemed casual, but they concealed deeper ambitions lurking in his heart.
Especially since the powers of both Devil Fruits are tied to weapons, Blackbeard believed there was still a chance to claim them for himself.
As long as he persevered, there was always hope.
"Indeed," Miss Buckin said, nodding thoughtfully. She then patted the hulking Weevil beside her and added, "That weapon has inherited Newgate's ability. My dear son, you must obtain it! It's your rightful inheritance as Whitebeard's child—it should belong to you!"
"Yes, Mom! I understand!" Weevil replied, his voice booming with determination.
Blackbeard watched the odd mother-and-son duo with a cryptic smile.
In just one day, he had come to realize that Miss Buckin was the perfect tool to control Weevil. If he played his cards right, he could manipulate her influence to ensure Weevil became a loyal and powerful subordinate.
Meanwhile, as the world reeled from the shocking revelations of the Summit War, Alex had returned to his flying kingdom.
"Lord Alex, I missed you so much!"
Boa Hancock, her figure as striking as ever, threw herself into Alex's arms with a coquettish smile, clinging to him as if they had been apart for years.
"It's only been two days since he left, you know," Perona remarked dryly, floating nearby in mid-air. She crossed her arms and bared her teeth in annoyance.
Alex gently held Hancock's face, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "You've been waiting so patiently. Come see me tonight, Hancock."
Hancock's face flushed, and she clasped her hands together, murmuring to herself, "A romantic night for two… just Alex and me… I'm so thrilled, I can hardly contain myself!"
"Absolutely not!"
The interruption came from Yamato, whose white-haired figure suddenly latched onto Alex's other arm, pulling him into a warm embrace.
"I've been waiting for Alex too," she declared confidently. "It's been tough for me as well—I deserve a reward!"
Though Yamato's words carried a certain girlish charm, her assertiveness had grown stronger after stepping into her role as a capable woman.
This immediately riled Hancock, who pointed an accusing finger at Yamato. "You've spent the past two days eating, drinking, and playing around!" she snapped, her tone full of irritation.
Yamato blinked, clearly guilty but unwilling to back down. "That's not true!" she retorted quickly. "And there's no way I'm letting you hog Alex all night. Don't think I don't know exactly what you're planning!"
The two women glared at each other, their rivalry flaring up once again.
Alex, however, was unfazed. He had grown used to their constant bickering and often found it amusing—sometimes even endearing.
After handing his outer coat to Baby 5, who quickly whisked it away, Alex allowed himself a moment of reflection. Returning to the heart of his operations, his mind wandered toward the future.
The time for change was finally upon them.
And in two years, the world would be filled with new and fascinating events.