After they left, the battle slowly drew to a close.
Ryan had left without achieving his original goal: destroying the Marines here, cementing his authority, and uniting the New World.
But the imposing figure he had cut while fighting Sengoku and the others was seared into everyone's memory.
They had all seen Ryan's strength. If he had wanted to stay and bring them under his command, he likely could have done it. But Ryan had passed up the chance. Carter's and Gaban's safety mattered far more.
They had all witnessed Ryan become the Pirate King. Some who had come just to watch felt proud to have been there; it would give them something to brag about over drinks for years to come.
Perhaps one day, they would tell their descendants, "I was there when history was made! I fought alongside the Pirate King! Without me, who knows how that battle would've ended?"
Kaido left in a foul mood. Behind him, the sea still churned, and the Marines and pirates who had died in the battle were lost somewhere beneath its currents.
Who knew how many heroes this sea had buried? The sea embraced them all, and that was why so many men were drawn to it.
Meanwhile, aboard the Soaring Dragon, Ryan called Charlos from the ship's cabin.
"Bilibili! Bilibili!"
At home with nothing to do, Charlos was sprawled across his bed in a strange position. The instant he heard the Transponder Snail ring, he sprang up in excitement.
He had only one Transponder Snail, reserved for contacting his dearest master.
Ryan had spent nearly a year traveling without seeking him out, as though he had forgotten his obedient slave. It broke Charlos's heart. Whenever Charlos tried calling him, he had no major intelligence to report, so their conversations never