The fearless reporter, satisfied with his interview materials, left the brutal battlefield of Chongtu Island.
This Big News will definitely make tomorrow's newspapers sell out.
A terrifying King of Exile, a powerful Imperial Twin Marquesses...
The East Blue Empire, which has continuously overwhelmed the Overlord of the North Blue and the Twin Heroes of the West Blue...
The Goa Empire, the [Strongest Nation of the Four Seas], is rising rapidly, like a blazing sun, its might dominating the Four Blues!
After politely seeing the reporter off safely, Aramaki was in high spirits, eagerly awaiting his worldwide fame the next day.
With boundless energy and nowhere to vent, Aramaki joined the battle to clean up the mess, forcefully annihilating Zoro, Eric, Saka, Sanji, and the others who were still fiercely fighting to seize the ship.
The entire Battle of the Chongtu Island officially came to an end.
A large number of pirate ships and naval warships were captured.
Countless naval forces from the Flower Kingdom and the remaining pirate warriors from the Mulberry Kingdom were captured.
Eric led the remaining clone soldiers and Guard Army in a frenzied search for the treasures and supplies on the warships.
After the Snail Ship arrived at Chongtu Island, the clone soldiers on board joined in the cleanup work of capturing weapons.
Whether it was the dead warriors of the Mulberry Kingdom or the surrendered naval soldiers of the Flower Kingdom, all their weapons and money were confiscated.
There is also a portion of unused Underworld weaponry.
Everything on Chongtu Island now is a spoil of war from the Goa Empire.
"Hahaha, Zoro, not bad, you took down a pirate samurai with a bounty of over 100 million."
Congratulations on becoming an Imperial Viscount!
"But I am now an Imperial Marquess! Quick, quick, call me 'Marquess' so I can hear it!"
Aramaki looked at Zoro, who was covered in bandages, and laughed triumphantly.
After Wang Shi and Yi Xiao left, apart from Reiju, he, as Marquess, was the highest-ranking official.
Yesterday we were all Baron, and if you didn't use honorifics, Aramaki couldn't stop you.
But today, he is already an Imperial Marquess, two or three ranks above these Baron Viscounts. Shouldn't they address him as "Marquess"?
"Tch, if I were your age, taking down these pirates with 500 million or 1 billion bounties would be a piece of cake."
"Give me a few years, and I'll catch up with you!"
Looking at the smug Aramaki, Zoro snorted. It was indeed very difficult for him to defeat a pirate with a bounty of over 100 million this time.
Besides his own recent significant improvement, Zoro also found an opportunity to defeat his enemy because the enemy had lost morale and was determined to escape.
Under normal circumstances, Zoro would probably be half-dead, and might not even be able to defeat his opponent.
As a novice swordsman, he still lacked experience and foundation.
Fortunately, he had the guidance and instruction of sword masters such as Diamante, Bogard, and Yixiao, and his strength increased rapidly.
"Congratulations, Marquess Aramaki! From now on, Lord Aramaki will be one of the Imperial Twin Marquesses of our Goa Empire. Congratulations!"
Eric, being a shrewd old fox, was very sensible. He happily congratulated Aramaki, giving Aramaki plenty of face and satisfying Aramaki's vanity.
"You're so sensible, Baron Eric. I'll protect you from now on."
"It's alright if you didn't get promoted this time. I'll personally guide you in cultivating Haki, and I guarantee you'll succeed next time."
Aramaki patted Eric on the shoulder with a satisfied look. As for Zoro, the young man with the Mosshead, let him follow that great guy, Yixiao.
"Zoro, I've fallen behind after all."
Saka was also covered in bandages; he had defeated a pirate with a bounty of 50 million and was almost killed.
Zoro actually managed to defeat a pirate with a bounty of over 100 million and even mastered the Steel-Cutting Realm, which made him a little upset.
"My training intensity is five times that of yours!"
Zoro, despite his injuries, started drinking and responded casually, but a slight smile did appear on his lips.
He has indeed become stronger.
As expected, choosing to sail with Wang Shi was the right decision; they quickly encountered powerful figures like Diamante, Bogard, and Yixiao.
If he were still hanging around Isshin Dojo and East Blue, he'd probably still be a frog in a well, completely oblivious to the enormous gap between himself and the World's Greatest Swordsman.
But now, he has found his own path.
Kuina, wait for me. I will carry our dreams on my shoulders and step by step ascend to the position of the World's Greatest Swordsman.
"Hmph, I'll catch up with you!"
A new determination appeared in Saka's silver- Saka eyes. Logically speaking, he had grown a lot, but compared to these monsters, he was really far behind.
However, when he was following His Majesty the Wang Shi, he never imagined that he would be able to kill a 'great pirate' with a bounty of 50 million Belly so quickly.
That's 2.5 times the highest bounty in the East Blue, which is 20 million. It's outrageous!
If Koushiro- sensei and his fellow disciples knew, they would definitely be shocked.
But compared to Zoro, Issho, and Aramaki, a pirate with 50 million Belly is practically a nobody.
"Sanji, if you're not used to it, don't force yourself next time. After all, your dream is to be a chef, not a fighter."
Reiju looked at her pale-faced younger brother with a hint of pity in her eyes. This 'war machine' herself didn't seem to feel anything when facing the brutal battlefield.
After all, she had experienced many wars of this scale, fighting alongside the Germa Evil Legion in their campaigns across the land and sea.
She had even witnessed Judge and his three younger brothers slaughtering small countries and islands, causing more casualties than this battlefield.
"No need to say anything, Reiju, I will overcome it. From now on, I will be stronger than all the ingredients."
Sanji's hands trembled slightly as he lit a cigarette, exhaled a deep puff of smoke, and his eyes slowly hardened.
Moreover, this time they're attacking two Pirate King kingdoms, not ordinary civilians.
"Cheer up, everyone, and do the task His Majesty has assigned you perfectly."
Looking at those withered pillars and Daimyo, Aramaki even wanted to drain the prisoners, including the vice-pillars and Daimyo retainers, dry.
People can be spared in exchange for ransom.
But we must teach them the most profound lesson and etch our fearsome reputation into their minds.
Without hesitation, Aramaki unleashed countless vines, sucking a mouthful of blood from each of them, making them even less inclined to resist.
···
Within the Flower Kingdom and the Mulberry Kingdom, everyone was shocked upon learning of the battle situation at Chongtu Island.
The king of the Flower Kingdom and the general of the Mulberry Kingdom could only raise ransom immediately and urgently gather the pillars of the nation and the Daimyo who remained in their respective countries to rescue the people.
No one expected that their war would be suppressed by the Goa Empire from the East Blue.
Everyone was wiped out.
Has the Goa Empire become that powerful?
Enough for one country to defeat two!
While the two countries were in chaos, a warship sailed toward the territory of the Happo Navy.
The warships that had been floating in the air eventually landed back on the water and resumed their normal navigation.
Because the distance is a bit far, Issho's Press-Press Fruit ability isn't as overpowered as Golden Lion Shiki's Float-Float Fruit ability.
It needs to constantly expend energy to maintain its weightless state.
Unlike the power of the Float-Float Fruit, which grants the ability to float permanently.