Chapter 436: It's Over...

"Warriors of Totto Land—"

"The rule of the Celestial Dragons has been utterly overthrown, and the World Government shall cease to exist!"

"Rejoice, exult, for this glory is destined to go down in history… Victory belongs to all the fearless warriors who fought to the bitter end against the evil World Government! It belongs to all people throughout the world who were oppressed by the World Government!"

At the summit of the Red Line.

Amid the smoke-filled ruins…

The towering figure of El raised a blood-soaked King's Sword high.

His sharp gaze swept over everyone present. There, with a resolute and powerful voice, he announced:

"From this day forth, the era of our Totto Land Empire has officially begun!"

"This glory—I, Kukulkan El, will not enjoy alone!!!"

"Totto Land's honor is shared with all of you!!!"

"Roar—Roar—"

"Long live El-sama!!!"

"Long live the great Totto Land Empire!!!"

"From this moment on, the world belongs to our Totto Land Empire!!!"

Looking up at that tall and imposing figure—one that stirred awe and made people want to prostrate themselves…

Thunder Calamity Oka, Fire Calamity Afar, the other officers of the Fallen Angels Pirates, as well as the scientists and generals aboard the Pluton warship, all had flushed faces and burning, excited eyes.

One by one, they brandished their weapons, shouting in a frenzy.

Their excitement peaked.

Most importantly—

This newly declared promise from their lord assured them that this glory would bring prosperity for their descendants; their families would inherit it for generations, secure and abundant.

They would share in the Empire's enduring splendor.

In truth, they would rise and fall alongside the nation itself!

In other words, as long as they themselves—or their descendants—did not court death by foolishly plotting rebellion…

Even if one day some unworthy descendant committed an unforgivable crime in Totto Land Empire's domain and deserved execution, that sin would be borne by the individual alone, having nothing to do with the rest of the family.

All other family members would continue to enjoy that glory.

"Amazing—"

"Long live El-sama!!!"

"Long live the Totto Land Empire!!!"

"Long live the great King of the World!!!"

"Finally, that damned World Government has been toppled!!!"

Meanwhile—

That stirring scene was broadcast worldwide via a den-den mushi that had been prepared in advance.

It was projected across every base controlled by the "Hell Trading Company" under the Totto Land Kingdom, and among the NEO Navy and other units.

Countless people were exhilarated—thrilled and overjoyed.

They cheered and leapt in excitement.

The World Government had fallen.

The Fleet Admiral of the Navy, Kong, was dead…

The Holy Knights had been annihilated alongside those Celestial Dragons.

The Celestial Dragons' King, Imu, as well as the Five Elders—who wielded the world's highest authority in public—had all been beheaded.

Now, who across these seas could stand in the way of Totto Land Empire's unification of the world?

Thunder Calamity Oka and Fire Calamity Afar were no exceptions; they were just as excited.

They had the privilege of personally witnessing the birth of a new King of the World!

How glorious was that?

"For El-sama, we pledge our hearts—!"

In the end, no one knew who started shouting it first.

Whether on-site or off-site, every Totto Land officer and soldier dropped to one knee in unison, pressing a right fist to their heart.

With fervor and reverence, gazing upon the towering figure before them—or the image projected on their screens—they shouted in near-perfect harmony:

"For El-sama, we pledge our hearts! For El-sama, we pledge our hearts…!!"

Thunderous cries echoed ceaselessly.

A grand momentum like a tidal wave rose and lingered, striking awe into all who heard it.

"Ma-ma-ma-ma—so it's finally here?"

Linlin narrowed her crescent-moon eyes in delight.

Though she had prepared herself mentally, the moment itself still stirred her beautiful features with undisguised excitement.

From now on, El-Oniichan would be the undisputed King of the World.

And starting today, she would be the "Empress" beside the King of the World.

Power, wealth, fame… all of it was now in her hands.

Second only to him, and above billions of others.

"Heehee, Linlin, are you excited?"

Gerd spoke with a grin.

By relying on the "Life Return" technique (a bug-like ability), she had shrunk her thousand-meter-tall giant form after the battle, becoming about the same height as Linlin—eight or nine meters tall.

"Ma-ma-ma-ma, of course…"

Linlin hugged her, narrowing her eyes in a broad smile, saying:

"Gerd, we're best friends. If I'm the 'main wife,' then you're my partner!"

"No one else gets my recognition!"

In Linlin's eyes—

They had been best friends since childhood, forming a life-and-death bond with no secrets between them. Over the years, they had grown very close: their children even called one another "Mama Linlin" and "Mama Gerd."

Moreover, in El-oniichan's heart, Gerd held a place no one else could match.

As for Tsuru, Sally, Lillian, and others, at best, they could only be lesser consorts. They could not surpass her.

Furthermore, they had already gained access to the eternal life conferred by pure gold, and in the future they might actually achieve true immortality.

Hence, the notion of "heirs to the throne" had ceased to matter. There was no competition.

After all, if someone in this entire ocean could actually kill El—the world's strongest creature—Totto Land Kingdom (or rather, the future Totto Land Empire) would be destined to vanish too.

Relying on Ares or any of the Kukulkan family's children would hardly be enough to hold the kingdom together.

Power, position—everything would dissolve like a bubble.

"Heehee, all those years of looking after you paid off!"

Gerd beamed, hugging her dear friend.

"But Thor and Dal's side should be about finished, right?"

"Linlin, you and Gerd each take some men and go over there…" El approached.

With the same familiar fondness as always, he patted Linlin and Gerd on the head, smiling:

"Make sure you wipe out the pirates and any naval 'rebels' once and for all!"

Linlin was self-evidently strong—after his training, she had long since become a different person. Her potential had been fully converted into power.

In this world, not even Roger or Garp could defeat her in a one-on-one fight.

Gerd, although she did not possess Conqueror's Haki, was no less formidable than Linlin.

As a giant, she had refined "Life Return" to its pinnacle, even mastering El's special methods, stockpiling massive amounts of Haki in her body over many years.

If she unleashed it all at once, the result would be unimaginable.

"Ma-ma-ma-ma, understood!"

Linlin's crescent eyes shone.

Gerd nodded with a smile.

"Kaido!"

"Ho-lo-lo-lo! I'm here, El-sama!"

Kaido, who had been lucky enough to join the fight and witness the birth of this glory, came running with exhilaration written all over his face.

"Use your power and send them where they need to go!"

"Yes, sir—!"

…

Far away in the first half of the Grand Line, on Celix Island:

That battle, too, was nearing its conclusion.

Receiving El's orders, Dal and the others stopped playing around; they went all out.

In particular, Dal—third son of the Kukulkan family—unleashed formidable strength.

Relying on a "bug-like" Devil Fruit power combined with swordsmanship honed to perfection, he took out the likes of Byrnndi World (and other Shichibukai) in the blink of an eye.

Had World's ability not been so unusual, Dal would have slain him outright.

"Tch—"

A terrifying silhouette flashed past like a ghost.

Having just clashed head-on with Nine—Hyde—transformed into Yamata no Orochi, the CP0 Shield had no time to react and was left gravely injured.

The CP0 agents under him were cut down on the spot before they could even scream.

Dal flicked the blood from his ghostly blade, gazing at the blood-soaked CP0 Shield—who had narrowly escaped beheading from behind:

"You're next!"

"Heh-heh, Dal-bro, that guy's my prey!" The colossal eight-headed snake—the transformed Nine Hyde—hissed discontentedly, its scales gleaming and massive coils twisting.

"Nothing I can do, Hyde,"

Dal smiled, "We've dragged this out too long. Father's probably already begun his move."

"Really?" Nine Hyde and Ten Athena both showed surprise.

The CP0 Shield's face went pale.

A bad feeling welled up in his heart.

"Boom—Boom—"

A gigantic palm of Buddha radiated a powerful shockwave.

It forced back Eight Ares, who was swinging a blade at him.

Sengoku, his expression grim, seemed surprised. "Dammit, where's our reinforcements? Did something go wrong?"

"Bzzz… Bzzz…"

Suddenly—

Athena's wristwatch rang.

Both sides—Sengoku, Zephyr, and the others—instinctively halted.

"I'm Athena. How are things going?" Remaining cautious of Sengoku and the others, Athena took the call without hesitation.

"This is Apollo… Athena-sis, the plan has gone smoothly. The Red Line has been completely conquered!"

Over the den-den mushi, Apollo's voice continued:

"All Celestial Dragons, along with the Holy Knights and a large number of CP0 agents, have been blasted away by a single shot from Pluton… Just ten minutes ago, Lord Father beheaded the Celestial Dragons' King, Imu. And the Five Elders, who had stayed alive by relying on Imu's power, all died when that power failed!"

"In addition, the entire Navy—by direct command of Garp, the Iron Fist—has unconditionally surrendered to the Totto Land Kingdom at Marine Headquarters, pending takeover by our NEO Navy!"

"What!?"