The moment Ezra appeared on screen, both pirates and civilians fell silent.
All eyes locked onto him.
Then the world witnessed his absolute decisiveness.
Ace's execution.
His battle against the Whitebeard Pirates.
Whitebeard's death.
And finally, the destruction of Marineford itself.
Each shocking event sent chills down pirates' spines.
Each one filled civilians with wild relief and joy.
This was the ending they had been praying for.
"Admiral Scorched Flame is so handsome!"
"He is unbelievably strong!"
"That was all of Marineford!"
"And he just erased it like that?!"
"As expected of the strongest admiral!"
Excitement spread everywhere except among pirates.
In Shimotsuki Village, Koushirou wore the same stunned expression.
"Ezra… isn't that strength a bit too much?" he muttered, scratching his head.
He suddenly felt worried for Zoro.
His student was nowhere near that level.
Honestly, neither was he.
At the Baratie, Zeff and the others had also watched the war.
They came away with only one thought.
Never become pirates in this lifetime.
Zeff wiped sweat from his forehead.
"Sanji is going to have a hard road ahead…"
There was no helping it. Ezra was simply too powerful.
Not strong in the usual sense.
If he had fought Whitebeard evenly, people would still be shocked.
But he had ended it in a single strike.
How were pirates supposed to survive in this era?
Similar reactions played out across the world.
In Stussy's castle, she had already received reports beforehand.
But seeing Ezra kill Whitebeard with her own eyes left her shaken for a long time.
"So this is the young master's true strength."
"As expected of the one I chose to follow."
On Fish-Man Island, King Neptune had taken Ezra's earlier advice and installed Den Den Mushi for communication with the outside world.
At this moment, he felt that decision had paid off immensely.
After all, Fish-Man Island now lived under the protection of Scorched Flame.
Who would dare invade them in the future?
"Hahaha! Admiral Scorched Flame is truly incredible!"
"Raise your glasses! A toast to Admiral Scorched Flame!"
Cheers echoed throughout the island.
But in Foosha Village, inside Makino's small bar, the mood was completely different.
Everyone's faces were filled with sorrow, anger, and confusion.
They had known both Ezra and Ace.
They were friends.
Dadan slammed her fist on the table.
"Why?! They were so close!"
"Why did Ace have to become a pirate?!"
No one answered.
They understood that as a marine, Ezra had to kill pirates.
But understanding did not erase the pain.
The air over the small village felt heavy with grief.
Still, the emotions of one tiny place could not overshadow the reactions of the entire world.
It was not just ordinary people who were celebrating.
Deep within the Holy Land, Imu also watched Ezra's battle.
She showed only mild surprise at the power he displayed, as if it were nothing extraordinary.
A faint smile curved her lips as she tapped her fingers lightly.
"As expected of Ezra. Even Whitebeard fell so easily."
Below her, the Five Elders nodded repeatedly.
"His growth is terrifying."
"We are no longer a match for him."
"It would be an honor just to spar with him once."
"He is truly on another level."
They had once been wary of his status.
Now, even without considering that, none of them dared to challenge him.
Back on the warship, Morgans finished broadcasting the footage.
Sengoku and the others were left stunned.
They knew Ezra had killed Whitebeard.
They just had not seen how.
Now they had their answer.
One strike. Instant victory.
Sengoku clicked his tongue.
"Ezra… how exactly do you train?"
When he had first met Ezra, he already thought the young man was monstrously strong.
Back then, it had only been an expression.
Now it was literal.
He truly was a monster.
The thought was not Sengoku's alone.
Kizaru and the others felt the same.
Especially the more hardline officers.
They had just witnessed a new symbol rise.
No, not rise. He was already at the peak.
Akainu and the others exchanged firm nods.
They had made up their minds.
From now on, Ezra was their standard.
As for Kizaru, who was used to taking things easy, a worrying thought crossed his mind.
If Ezra became Fleet Admiral one day, would slacking off still be possible?
He might get cut down in one swing.
As everyone processed their thoughts, the fleet finally reached G-1 in the New World.
Sengoku ordered an orderly disembarkation.
But the moment they stepped off the ships, they froze.
Countless civilians lined the harbor on both sides.
Their eyes were filled with excitement and hope.
"They're here! The Navy really came to the New World!"
"The Navy is here. We're saved!"
"The Navy is here. There is justice again!"
Sengoku quickly composed himself and turned to the soldiers.
"Stand tall. Show the people our best."
"Yes, Fleet Admiral!"
At his command, waves of marines marched off the ships, pride shining on their faces.
They had won.
Finally, Sengoku and the admirals disembarked.
The crowd stretched their necks to see them.
"That's Sengoku the Buddha!"
"There! Admiral Kizaru!"
"Admiral Akainu! Absolute Justice!"
Then Ezra stepped onto the dock.
The cheers grew even louder.
"That man! Ezra D. Vale!"
"Admiral Scorched Flame!"
"The strongest man in the world!"
"He's so handsome I can't breathe! I want to marry him!"
Ezra listened to the crowd, a faint smile on his face.
This was why the Navy existed.
So that ordinary people no longer had to live in fear of pirates.
So everyone could live in peace.