Even Creed felt the pressure was enormous. After all, once he defeated Imu and the World Government, he would have to shoulder the entire world.
If the new order ended up better than the old World Government, then fine. But if it turned out worse, then the slogan of "overthrowing the World Government" would become a complete joke.
Of course, those things would need time to prove.
But right now, there was one thing Creed had to do immediately.
That was to strip the Celestial Dragons of their so-called "creator" status—so that from this day on, there would be no more "gods" in this world!
As for punishment, that would be left to the new World Government to judge. Whether the guilty ones would become slaves, be executed, or rot in prison until they died—Creed didn't care which. But he would never allow them a good ending. They all had to receive the punishment they deserved.
As for the tiny handful of Celestial Dragons who rarely did evil, their status would still be stripped and they would be exiled. What the people of the world chose to do to them afterward—well, that was beyond what the new World Government could control.
After helping Creed overthrow the Celestial Dragons and the World Government, Redfield also took his leave. He wanted to go find the life he truly wanted.
Before departing, he solemnly thanked Creed…
But the matter of what to do with Kaido and Big Mom left Creed a little conflicted.
Both of them had committed plenty of evil, yet they had also genuinely helped him. In the decisive battle to take the Holy Land, they had played an extremely important role.
Creed privately found time to ask them what they planned to do next. Big Mom's answer was simple—she only wanted to continue ruling her Totto Land, with no other demands.
Kaido's answer, however, surprised Creed. He was willing to keep following Creed, asking only that if there was a chance, Creed would allow him to resurrect Captain Rocks.
Creed could agree to Big Mom's condition—though Totto Land would have to accept supervision from the new World Government. But Kaido's request… Creed couldn't answer so easily.
Even if Rocks couldn't threaten Creed, reviving such a supreme pirate powerhouse would not be a good thing for the new World Government.
Creed didn't know what obsession Kaido had with it. Big Mom, who had once been Rocks's crewmate as well, should know the reason—but Creed couldn't be bothered to ask.
He didn't need to rack his brain for Kaido, and he didn't need to care what Kaido was thinking.
Shanks still returned to the New World to be one of the Yonko, living freely. Many of Marco's people also needed to go back and protect Whitebeard's homeland, and they all took their leave one after another.
In an instant, a large part of Creed's alliance dispersed.
However, as the Marines acknowledged the new World Government and actively assisted with its operations, the manpower shortage on Creed's side was greatly eased.
At Creed's instruction, Fujitora became the new Marine Admiral and assumed office in due time.
Yet the Dark King Rayleigh, who had fought side by side with Fujitora, vanished without a trace, leaving Creed speechless.
Originally, once things calmed down, Creed had planned to go to Laugh Tale. If he could invite Rayleigh along, it would save a lot of trouble—after all, Rayleigh was the former Pirate King's right-hand man, and he had been to Laugh Tale before.
But after Creed discovered the fourth Road Poneglyph in the Hana no Ma (Flower Room), he dropped the idea of searching for Rayleigh.
As long as he had the correct destination, with his current strength, there was nowhere in this world he couldn't go.
No matter how vicious the weather or how dangerous the environment, nothing could stop him.
Yet after obtaining the Road Poneglyph, Creed wasn't in a hurry anymore. He wanted to go into seclusion for a period of time and raise his strength again!
With the full awakening of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit and the awakening of the Op-Op Fruit, his overall strength had already reached SSSS+ rank, and a "?" had appeared after it.
He was about to step into the demigod tier!
That was the same realm Imu was in!
As for how to take that final step—Creed needed time to carefully ponder it.
He always had a faint feeling that Laugh Tale wasn't simply a place where the Pirate King buried treasure.
Creed still held some awe toward the unknown. Since he had the chance to grow stronger, he felt it was better to do so first.
From what he had seen of Imu's attributes, demigod-tier strength required at least one base attribute to reach SSSS+ rank, and among abilities, at least two needed to be SSSS+ rank.
Perhaps an awakened Space-Space Fruit also provided a certain boost.
As for that point, Creed believed the fully awakened Tremor-Tremor Fruit might be able to offset it.
Right now, Creed only had one SSSS+ ability: Ice Erosion Sword Intent.
He was still missing one base attribute and one ability—yet the "?" had already appeared.
That meant the accumulated bonuses from his many SSSS-rank abilities were substantial.
Maybe raising any one base attribute to SSSS+ rank would also let him step into the demigod tier.
As for the god tier above that?
Keep dreaming.
Creed suddenly felt that the road of cultivation ahead of him was still very long.
After handing the final Road Poneglyph to Robin for deciphering, and after giving Dragon and Ain a few instructions, Creed entered seclusion.
He was determined to reach demigodhood!
Not long after the World Government's defeat, the news that the Celestial Dragons had been overthrown and reduced to slaves, and that a new World Government had been established, spread across the entire world—leaving the vast majority of people stunned.
No one expected the World Government, which had stood unshaken for eight hundred years, to be flipped over just like that by Creed.
What made it even more ironic was that Creed—the one who overthrew the World Government—had originally been a Marine officer, and had even rendered outstanding meritorious service to the Marines!
East Blue, Windmill Village.
Inside the party bar, since it was daytime, there weren't many customers. By the window sat an elderly man with white hair and beard, yet brimming with vigor.
Garp!
He was holding a newspaper, his smile brilliant, as he muttered to himself, "Good boy… you've opened a new era! Just like I'd expect from my grandson!"
"Right, I should make a trip—catch those two brats, Luffy and Ace, and drag them into the Marines!"
After a short while, he slapped the table and made a decision!
(End of Chapter)
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