The battle over Vegapunk came to an end. The World Government obtained all the research and data on the Mother Flame, while Oak gained Vegapunk and the entire Gran Tesoro. For the moment, the world settled into peace.
News of the incident also spread among the major powers, though only within a limited circle, and the version circulating differed somewhat from the truth.
Those major powers believed that the World Government could not tolerate Oak's attempt to sever the New World from its control and had therefore launched a surprise attack on his Pirate Alliance. It had even deployed the Five Elders.
For many, this was the first time they learned that the Five Elders possessed tremendous combat strength.
Yet even so, the World Government's operation had failed. Oak's Pirate Alliance had driven it out of the New World, making everyone realize that even the World Government could no longer deal with the alliance easily.
As a result, the major powers in the New World that had been waiting on the sidelines abandoned their hopes of the World Government destroying Oak's Pirate Alliance. They obediently pledged allegiance to Oak and placed themselves under the alliance's rule.
Some factions also tried to sneak out of the New World with vast fortunes, such as the royal families and nobles of certain World Government-affiliated Countries there. Without exception, however, they were wiped out by the forces Oak had stationed at the New World's major entry and exit points, and their wealth was confiscated.
By the time the one-month deadline arrived, Oak had essentially unified the New World. He then announced another rule.
From that point onward, pirates would no longer be allowed to plunder in the New World. He also established a military force similar to the Navy, dedicated to cracking down on