Chapter 808 - 807: The Final War

"Germa 66 has been completely eradicated. Only Reiju remains. Word has it that she separated from Germa 66 back on Whole Cake Island and has now joined the Straw Hat Pirates."

Dr. Vegapunk, leading the three primary powerhouses of the Science Research Unit, Aranea, Bartholomew Kuma, and Edward Weevil, stood upon the red carpet below Alucard’s steps as he delivered his report.

They had just completed the task of suppressing Germa 66. However, according to their final investigations, the eldest daughter, Reiju, had split from them back on Whole Cake Island and had almost certainly integrated into the Straw Hat Pirates.

"Master, the Marines... have retreated from Zou."

At that moment, Robin walked in from outside to deliver the intelligence. "According to Borsalino’s report, Zunesha inexplicably began attacking the Marines. Left with no other choice, they were forced to withdraw."

"Borsalino?"

Hearing the name, the corner of Dr. Vegapunk’s mouth twitched up slightly. "That lazy wretch is exactly the type to bolt the moment he senses even a shred of danger. Still, this is the first time I’ve ever heard of Zunesha initiating an attack."

"So then, what is our next move?"

Aranea stood with one hand resting on her hip, her tight-fitting armor accentuating her voluptuous curves to perfection. "Is it time for the Immortal Pirates to deploy?"

By this point, very few people across the seas still appended the word "Pirates" after "Immortal."

It was no longer just Alucard’s moniker or the name of a mere pirate crew; it had become the defining symbol of the entire era.

"Or perhaps, Captain, you intend to spare the Straw Hat crew’s lives a while longer, allowing them to grow further before you deal with them?" Dr. Vegapunk asked with a strange chuckle.

"Controlling Zunesha? Fascinating..."

Alucard let out a soft laugh, tilting his head back. His physical form gradually dissolved into deep shadows, leaving only a pair of piercing crimson eyes visible within his outline, a sight that sent an instinctive shiver through anyone watching. "The end... at long last, the end is here..."

"Master..." Even Robin’s face flashed with a rare hint of apprehension at the sight.

The grin on Dr. Vegapunk’s face widened into an even more exaggerated, ecstatic smile. "Oh ho! The Captain is finally getting serious. This truly is the final war."

Once the Straw Hat Alliance was eradicated, the remaining factions like Moria, Crocodile, Kid, or Apoo would be nothing more than clowns leaping on a stage, easily swept aside at leisure. In every sense of the word, this was indeed the final war.

"Heh heh heh... This truly feels like a grand crusade."

Alucard rose from his throne and began walking down the steps with slow, deliberate strides, his voice laced with manic euphoria. "Come, go make the final preparations!"

By relying on Momonosuke’s ability to communicate with Zunesha, the massive Marine task force led by Borsalino had been successfully repelled. However, due to the severe strain of overexerting his power, Momonosuke had temporarily lost consciousness.

Right now, the rest of the alliance was gathered in a heated discussion regarding this newly awakened ability.

Sabo knelt beside Momonosuke, whose head was currently resting on Reiju’s lap. He let out a sigh of amazement. "I never would have imagined that our trump card for driving back an Admiral’s fleet would be this child."

"To think such a thing was possible... for Zunesha to possess an independent consciousness. Let alone witnessing it, I had never even dreamed of it," Duke Inuarashi added, still visibly shaken from the ordeal.

"I wonder if the late Oden-sama was aware of this. If this power can be mastered to perfection... could it perhaps grant us the strength to stand against the Immortal?" Kin’emon speculated.

"Don’t celebrate too early."

Sabo’s expression turned grim. "Alucard gains the strength of any formidable enemy he defeats. He currently commands the collective powers of Luffy’s father, Dragon-san, as well as Old Man Garp, the Great Pirate Edward Newgate, Blackbeard Teach, and Kaido of the Beasts. He wields the absolute apex of the world’s power. The singular, ultimate gamble we have left to seize victory from his hands is the great treasure Roger left behind, the One Piece."

Ace stood with his hands shoved deep into his pockets, gritting his teeth in frustration. "To think we have to rely on that bastard’s legacy... it really pisses me off."

"Mnn... ugh..."

Momonosuke groaned as he began to stir. Seemingly loath to part with the soft warmth of Reiju’s thighs, he intentionally nuzzled his face against her legs a couple of times.

This sight instantly caused Sanji, Brook, and Kin’emon’s tempers to explode.

"Hey! Even though I’m not particularly fond of this woman, it’s not your place to take advantage of her, you brat!"

"Get your face off Reiju-san’s legs this instant!"

"I have never seen a creature so utterly shameless!!"

Nami stepped forward to intervene, cutting them off. "Alright, that’s enough. Momonosuke is the one who saved us from the Marines. If any of you guys can match that achievement, then you can talk!"

Hearing her rebuke, the trio instantly deflated like popped balloons, slinking over to the side in defeat. After all, what could they say? Momonosuke was the only one capable of communicating with Zunesha.

"We’ve successfully neared Pop’s old territory, and Zunesha has come to a halt. We can take a brief rest here, yoi," Marco noted as he walked over.

They had arrived at Kairyu Island, one of the former territories of the Whitebeard Pirates.

Following Whitebeard’s death, the island had been briefly occupied by the Blackbeard Pirates, but the alliance had recently reclaimed it.

Suddenly, Ace’s expression shifted drastically. Having inherited a fragment of Roger’s ability to Listen to the Voice of All Things, his Observation Haki was sharper than anyone else present.

Ace stared intently up at the sky. Seeing his reaction, Luffy asked curiously, "What’s wrong, Ace?"

Before Ace could even answer, Momonosuke bolted upright from Reiju’s lap, his face pale with terror. "The ocean... the ocean is freezing over! Zunesha can’t move!!"

The moment the words left his mouth, everyone felt the surrounding temperature plummet exponentially.

A Monkey Mink came sprinting toward them in a panic. "Master Nekomamushi! Duke Inuarashi! The entire sea around us has frozen solid!"

"Freezing the ocean..."

Sabo ground his teeth, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper. "The handy work of Fleet Admiral Kuzan, no doubt."

Down below, right at the base of Zunesha’s rear right leg, a silhouette no larger than a speck of dust slowly rose from the vast expanse of ice. The figure exhaled a frosty breath, murmuring, "What a troublesome chore you’ve handed me, Captain."

Ice Age!

It was indeed Kuzan’s doing.

In the very next second, the dense clouds directly above them parted. Dozens of massive battleships materialized out of the sky, floating high in the air. Flying proudly from their masts were the insignia of the Immortal Pirates alongside the seagull crest of the Marines!

Standing at the bows of those vanguard ships were the absolute titans who stood at the pinnacle of the era.

Boa Hancock, Ivalis, Trafalgar Law, Storm Queen...

Issho, Borsalino, Alessia, Momousagi...

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