Stopping that landmass-sized claw was not merely the work of the electrical surge. The instant the steel pillars emitted a blinding light, currents coursed through the pillars drilled deep into the Hell Island Crab's brain, releasing voltage and disrupting its movements. At the same time, machinery buried deep within its carapace began operating, injecting the toxic compound collected from the island into the Hell Island Crab's body, preventing it from making full use of its massive size.
Bzz!!
Its peculiar howl echoed across the vast, boundless sea. Having only rarely awakened, the Hell Island Crab had suffered one blow after another and was already growing drowsy. On the sea, the warship rose and fell with the waves. Under the soldiers' tense gazes, the enormous claw frozen in midair like a collapsing sky finally ran out of strength and drooped limply.
Thud!
Splash!
"Is... is it over?"
"I don't know... Vice Admiral Momonga?!"
The soldiers turned hopeful eyes toward Momonga. He stood with his sword drawn, sensed the surroundings with Observation Haki for a moment, then sheathed his blade. "It's over... Good thing we were here, or it really might have escaped!"
Upon hearing the news, the soldiers immediately erupted in excitement. A few even felt the battle had been far too easy and bragged loudly.
"We won? Just like that?"
"Yeah! I thought there'd be a huge battle, but all we had to do was flip a few switches!"
At that, Momonga's gaze sharpened as it swept over those carefree soldiers. Feeling that needle-sharp stare, each of them lowered their heads and did not dare breathe too loudly.
After a brief pause, Momonga slowly said, "Today's victory was won by your predecessors with blood, sweat, and their lives more than a decade ago! You merely stepped over the corpses piled