155. A Million Berries
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Just as the World Government finalized its decision to expand the Marine forces through global conscription, the aftermath of the New World summit battle erupted like wildfire, spreading across the world at an astonishing and terrifying speed.
In mere days, the echoes of this event reverberated across every corner of the globe.
Newsrooms everywhere were overwhelmed, working tirelessly to meet the demand. Despite the overtime and increased publications, newspapers vanished from shelves the moment they appeared, snapped up by eager readers desperate for details.
The headlines shook the world:
[Two of the Four Emperors defeated, and Alex crowned the victor.]
The longstanding balance of the Four Emperors was shattered. Before anyone could claim the vacant thrones, the New World had already shifted into a two-emperor system.
Totto Land was seized by the "Flying General," Alex. With Wanokuni's rapid ascension and ever-growing strength, it now stood as the most formidable force in the New World—eclipsing even the once-mighty Whitebeard Pirates.
Alex's performance during the summit battle cemented his position as the brightest star of the New World, his dominance unchallenged.
New Bounties Announced
Following these events, Naval Headquarters unveiled a series of updated bounties, finalized after intense internal deliberations.
For years, the region dominated by the Four Emperors rarely saw such high bounties assigned, except for extreme feats or major conflicts. Yet this battle rewrote the narrative, showcasing the sheer power of Alex and his allies. The new bounties reflected this shift, with numbers so staggering they left even seasoned observers speechless.
[Flying General: Alex]
One of the Twin Emperors, Monarch of Wanokuni, and the undeniable pinnacle of New World history. Acknowledged as the World's Strongest Man and the World's Greatest Swordsman. Bounty: 4.851 billion Berries (Dead or Alive).
[Reki Yamato]
Ace of the Royal Court Guards. Bounty: 1.7 billion Berries (Dead or Alive).
[Momousagi (Gion)]
One of the Three Great Swordsmen under Alex's command; a top-tier Royal Court Guard. Bounty: 1.895 billion Berries (Dead or Alive).
[Soul Empress: Boa Hancock]
Ace of the Royal Court. Bounty: 1.7 billion Berries (Dead or Alive).
[Laffitte]
Royal Court Guard; suspected to possess a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit. Bounty: 1.021 billion Berries (Dead or Alive).
[Spider Prostitute: Black Maria]
Royal Court Guard. Bounty: 800 million Berries (Dead or Alive).
[Hawkeye Mihawk]
One of the Three Great Swordsmen under Alex's command. Bounty: 1.6 billion Berries (Dead or Alive).
4.851 billion Berries.
This was the new bounty Naval Headquarters issued for Alex in under a year.
This astronomical figure was nearly unparalleled in the history of the Sea Circle Calendar. Few, if any, had ever received such a bounty. The sheer magnitude of the sum reflected the Marine's grave recognition of Alex's strength and the threat he posed.
The context of the war—where Alex decisively crushed both Big Mom and Kaido—underscored this valuation. The bounty itself spoke volumes about Marine Headquarters' view of Alex, aligning with his newly minted title as the strongest man in the world.
Coincidentally—or perhaps intentionally—Alex's bounty was exactly one million Berries higher than that of Edward Newgate, better known as Whitebeard, the man long regarded as the "World's Strongest Man." This detail sent a powerful message across the seas.
As Alex's influence grew, so too did the value of his subordinates. The cadres of his Royal Court, a force already recognized for their overwhelming strength, saw their own bounties skyrocket. Most key members now held bounties of one billion Berries or more.
Any one of these individuals could stand among the upper echelons of New World pirates, their strength and reputation rivaling even legendary figures. Even alternate combat forces, like Gray, the two sisters of Boa Hancock, and others who had distinguished themselves during the war, now have bounties exceeding 100 million Berries each.
Beyond these prominent figures, there remained a vast pool of combatants whose numbers made individual evaluations impossible for the Marines. As a result, many in Alex's forces had yet to receive their official bounties.
This list didn't even include the pirates from Big Mom's Totto Land or Kaido's Beast Pirates who had been captured or conscripted into Wanokuni's ranks.
Together, these factors painted a picture of Wanokuni's current might—a force so terrifying that it had become the single most formidable power on the seas.
As the world reeled from these developments, Alex returned to his base of operations. He brought with him the spoils of war and was met with thunderous cheers from the millions of citizens under his rule.
The Ten Thousand Islands of Totto Land were temporarily suspended as Flying Sky Islands, positioned alongside the Wanokuni sea area. With thirty-four islands now under his control, Alex began to formulate plans for a grander future: the establishment of a truly great nation.
While Wanokuni itself had expanded significantly in recent years, it remained a large island at its core. With the addition of the Totto Land archipelago, Alex saw an opportunity to elevate his domain, improving its infrastructure and quality of life.
The inland sea, bordered by two mountain ranges, was steadily growing crowded. The new Flying Sky Islands presented a solution to this, offering both space and strategic advantages.
Alex envisioned utilizing advanced technologies—powered by the Float-Float Fruit and More-More Fruit—to overcome the challenges of traveling to and from the Sky Islands. These islands also offered a measure of security, potentially mitigating the devastating island-destroying capabilities of Im.
Moreover, the Sky Islands provided Alex the flexibility to design his kingdom according to his vision, incorporating both defensive measures and unique architectural features.
For now, these were just plans. But with the resources and momentum gained from the recent conflict, Alex had every reason to believe they could soon become a reality.
Though the summit battle was over, Alex had not forgotten about Whitebeard and his crew. The Whitebeard Pirates, now reeling from the war's results and the massive bounties announced, had fallen silent aboard the Moby Dick.