Time passed like a fleeting horse in the white fields; the three days had flown by in an instant.
The event had now reached its tenth day.
As of today, the event was approaching its conclusion.
During the three days that passed in a blur, Wano Country had undergone earth-shattering changes.
First, on the eighth day of the event, at dusk.
Uchiha Madara and Kaido ended their battle, which had lasted nearly two days. Susanoo's blade cut through the dragon in Kurisato Village, and the scorching dragon blood stained the ground red.
Sengoku and several others escorted the severely injured Kaido, Jhin, and Jack, and returned to Cake Island on a flying carpet.
Uchiha Madara, Hashirama, and Maito Gai did not accompany them but remained in Wano Country.
Next, on the ninth day, Kozuki Oden returned to the world after more than a decade and slew the Yamata no Orochi in the Flower Capital.
The tenth day, that is, today.
Kozuki Oden had become the shogun of Wano Country. Leading some of his old companions, he cleared out the remnants of the Black Charcoal Serpent and destroyed weapon factories.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Madara and Edward Newgate agreed to a battle on Onigashima, with Muyang, Maito Gai, and Hashirama as spectators.
As soon as the battle began, both combatants unleashed their full power, and Onigashima trembled under the clash.
Beyond Wano, in the broader world.
Over the ten days, the same phenomena occurred worldwide: one, a naval base was captured by one or a few individuals; two, a pirate crew was annihilated by an unfamiliar powerhouse.
These incidents occurred daily and became regular features in the World Economic News. In recent days, the newspaper dedicated a small box on the page to tally how many naval bases had been captured and how many pirate crews destroyed to date.
Although journalists were stationed worldwide, it was impossible to know precisely how many pirate crews were wiped out at sea each day. Morgans, not fond of falsifying reports, published a number far smaller than the actual destruction.
After ten consecutive days of events bombarding the world, people everywhere clearly felt the turmoil around them, and their emotions gradually shifted from panic and anxiety to numbness.
The eleventh day of the event.
As time passed and through the efforts of the participants, the number of pirates in the seas rapidly decreased, and the number of rogue elements in the Navy dwindled to almost nothing.
With fewer point contributors, the speed at which participants gained points slowed dramatically, rank changes became infrequent, and the top fifteen positions began to solidify. The score gap among the top fifteen was significant. Unless someone's points surged due to special circumstances, the current top fifteen were effectively the final winners.
The pirate camp's total score lagged behind that of the Navy. Barring accidents, the Navy was expected to win.
The pirate members did not sit idly by. They nearly wiped out the Celestial Dragons. Over a dozen, including the Five Elders and Imu, were killed, leaving only two or three, who were rare exceptions among the Celestial Dragons—good people.
For the same reason, the Navy could not sit back and watch their lead disappear; they went into overdrive to accumulate points.
Meanwhile, Onigashima had sunk from the aftershocks of the battle between Uchiha Madara and Newgate, marking the end of their fight.
The twelfth day of the event.
Sengoku and the others returned to Navy Headquarters, first imprisoning the Charlotte family, Kaido, and two of his subordinates. Then they held a meeting.
They announced that the Navy would take control of the World Government.
As the largest and most powerful armed organization under the previous World Government, once they spoke, no one dared object. Those who dared to raise objections were tossed into molten lava by Sakazuki for a "soak."
Thus, the process of the Navy taking over the World Government's legacy went smoothly and was swiftly consolidated.
The thirteenth day of the event.
Through newspapers and live broadcasts, the Navy publicly announced their takeover of the World Government.
Countries around the world responded with mixed feelings.
Kings contacted the Navy one by one, inquiring about various matters.
For pirates, the change from the World Government to the Navy running affairs made little difference.
The fourteenth day of the event.
The limited-time event entered its final countdown.
Participants from both camps, their eyes no longer focused on points, instead turned to shopping and sightseeing, flying off to different islands.
Wano Country.
The picturesque Flower Capital.
Inside the Shogun's mansion perched atop a low hill, with a view of half the Flower Capital from the open door.
"Another world… what is it like?"
Kozuki Oden held a bowl of sake, gazing at the cherry-blossom-strewn Flower Capital.
"If you want to know what it's like, I can't explain it clearly in just a moment…"
Whitebeard set the sake bowl down and projected images uploaded by group members for Oden to see.
Tall, bustling cities; cliffs carved with human figures; roaring monsters; vast starry skies; mist-shrouded mountains; floating castles in the sky; ships soaring through the air…
"Oh! This looks so interesting! I really want to see it with my own eyes."
Oden's eyes sparkled with curiosity as he looked at the projections.
"Oden-sama, what did you just say?!"
Before the words fell, two grim voices sounded. Oden's body froze, and his neck turned stiffly, like rusted gears clicking backward.
Behind him knelt Tsunetsugu and Izou, their eyes glowing with sharp red light.
"Slap~~!"
Behind them, Ashura Doji held ropes, cracking as they were pulled.
Although the three in front had not spoken, Oden inexplicably understood their meaning.
Oden-sama, if your answer does not satisfy us, do not blame us for being merciless!
Ropes at your service, monitored 24/7, to prevent any chance of escape.
"I was just speaking casually."
Oden looked at the three kneeling men with a mix of amusement and exasperation, finding their actions somewhat exaggerated.
"No! Oden-sama, you are a man of action. Every word you say cannot be ignored!"
Tsunetsugu said seriously, while Ashura Doji and Izou nodded in agreement.
"Even if I wanted to go, I couldn't! Going to another world isn't like sailing—a ship is easy to get, but a terminal is difficult…" Oden spread his hands.
"Here."
Before he could finish, Muyang tossed a terminal into Oden's outstretched hand. Oden's words stopped abruptly. Izou and Tsunetsugu stared at the terminal in Oden's hand.
Ashura Doji yanked the rope, producing a crisp snap echoing in the room.
Oden looked at the three, opened his mouth, and after a moment said, "Don't worry. I won't go to another world for now. I have no mood for it."
Oden turned, his gaze passing over the Flower Capital and toward the distance.
Hearing this, Tsunetsugu and the others relaxed slightly.
"Tch."
Muyang, disappointed at missing the expected excitement, pouted and drank the sake in one gulp.