151. The War Ends

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"Is this what they call truly capturing the soul?"

Alex couldn't help but chuckle inwardly as he watched the scene unfold.

In reality, Hancock's mastery of her Soul-Soul Fruit had progressed exactly as Alex anticipated. Charlotte Linlin, renowned for her Conqueror's Haki-infused intimidation, could directly extract the soul and lifespan of those who feared her. Hancock, possessing her own Conqueror's Haki, could naturally adapt and apply the same method.

However, Hancock's beauty gave her an additional edge—a weapon uniquely hers. She had developed a a move similar to her Love-Love Fruit.

By captivating targets with her beauty and stirring desires in their hearts, she could then forcibly extract their souls. While it wasn't as straightforward as Linlin's method, Hancock's inherent charm and skill opened up new possibilities and widened the scope of her abilities.

Under Hancock's control, the stolen life energy condensed into vibrant, crimson energy resembling a field of floating blood-red dandelions. These ethereal orbs drifted toward Wanokuni's forces.

The soul energy brought more than just rapid recovery for the soldiers who had already consumed "Fairy Beans." Even the damaged ships from the boarding battles seemed to regain life. Under Hancock's will, the ships began to heal—splintered decks reformed, broken masts grew anew, and battered hulls became whole again.

King, whose defiant cry of an unyielding soul once echoed across the battlefield, had fallen. With his death, the morale of the enemy forces shattered. Those who hadn't already succumbed to their stolen lifespans were either unconscious or rendered powerless. Among the remnants of the Big Mom Pirates and the Beasts Pirates, no one dared raise their voice in resistance.

And with that, the war reached its conclusion.

Cheers erupted from the victorious forces. Their overwhelming strength had crushed the alliance of the two Emperors, leaving no doubt of their dominance. Their victory sent a powerful message across the seas, marking a new era of power.

Amid the celebrations, Alex remained silent, observing as the battlefield calmed. The defeated had no choice but to surrender, seeking survival in the shadow of their conquerors.

It was over.

Perospero, the eldest son of Totto Land, understood the gravity of the situation better than anyone. With Big Mom's death and her fruit now in Hancock's hands, their defeat extended far beyond the battlefield. It reached the thousands of kilometers separating them from Totto Land.

The entire domain of Totto Land had effectively fallen under the Flying General's control. Without the might of Four Emperors-level power to defend them, survival in the cutthroat New World would be a nearly impossible challenge.

"It's over, isn't it…"

Katakuri, his teeth clenched as he fought off Gion's relentless pressure, cast one last glance toward the distant Alex and then to his brother, Perospero, whose face was filled with despair.

With a brief, gloomy expression, Katakuri closed his eyes, his exhaustion overwhelming.

The next moment, his battered body, riddled with wounds and soaked in blood, collapsed backward. He lay sprawled on the ground in a defeated posture, his trident, Mogura, slipping weakly from his grasp and clattering to the earth a few meters away.

Even with the secret alliance between Kaido and Big Mom, they had underestimated Alex's overwhelming power. They hadn't anticipated this outcome—a crushing defeat that shattered their ambitions.

The truth was undeniable: they had misjudged him. The world was vast, and it seemed impossible that someone of Alex's caliber could exist—a man who had risen from obscurity to become a Yonko in such a short time. Within less than a decade, Alex had built an empire strong enough to utterly annihilate the combined forces of two Emperors. (T/N: Wait till they hear about Luffy)

As Katakuri's back met the ground, the fight drained from him. For the first time, instead of fearing what lay ahead, he felt a strange sense of relief. 

At that moment, a radiant light source descended onto Katakuri's battered form. The energy enveloped him, and as it made contact with his skin, it dissipated in a warm, healing wave.

To his surprise, Katakuri felt his strength returning, his wounds knitting themselves together. His pain began to fade. Startled by the unexpected recovery, he opened his eyes and looked at Gion, who stood before him.

"Don't be so surprised," Gion said calmly. "Even if Alex wasn't involved, I would have made this choice. Your value is still significant."

Her tone remained measured as she continued, "Since you've chosen to surrender, those with potential—prisoners or not—will be given the treatment they deserve."

Gion's acknowledgment carried weight. Though the war had been one-sided, she couldn't deny Katakuri's prowess. His mastery of Conqueror's Haki, his ability to foresee the future, and his awakened Devil Fruit powers were formidable. Without her Swish-Swish Fruit, the outcome of their duel might have been uncertain.

In her current state, Gion's strength had surpassed even the level of an Admiral Candidate, making her one of the strongest forces under Alex's banner. Her newfound power granted her the ability to match, and perhaps even surpass, the Admirals in certain situations.

"Actually, you should consider yourself fortunate," Gion continued, her gaze sharp but calm. "Now that Totto Land has been annexed as part of Wanokuni's territory, you and your family have the chance to survive. Experiencing this battle firsthand should make it clear to you—under that man's leadership, the difference is immeasurable."

Her eyes flicked toward Alex, a faint smile on her lips. Over the years, Gion had changed. His charisma, intelligence, and unmatched strategic acumen had slowly influenced her, molding her in ways she hadn't anticipated.

Katakuri lowered his gaze in silence, his thoughts churning. After a long pause, he finally asked, "What will happen to my family?"

Gion's expression softened slightly. "That depends on you—and the choices you're willing to make. Since you've shown potential, I'll tell you this much: there's a system in place for prisoners. Some arrangements even allow for redemption through effort and merit."

Katakuri said nothing further. The weight of his defeat, combined with the uncertain future of his family, was a heavy burden to bear. Resigned, he allowed himself to be restrained with seastone chains alongside the rest of his family. They were led aboard one of Wanokuni's ships, prisoners of the new order.

With the entire territory of Totto Land annexed, its islands now floating under the control of Wanokuni's forces, the climactic battle of the New World came to an end. 

Under the watchful eyes of the world, with Morgans broadcasting every moment, the title of Flying General soared to unprecedented heights.