Chapter 194: The Final Slaughter!
Her figure was like a phantom, untethered by the laws of gravity or friction.
Every time she flickered through the chaotic, smoke-filled battlefield of Onigashima, her movements were accompanied by a cold, blood-colored light that seemed to slice through the very air.
Akame moved with the lethal, silent grace of an apex predator. Her footfalls made no sound against the shattered earth. The remaining members of the Beasts Pirates, already broken in spirit by the fall of their invincible Governor-General, could only stare in wide-eyed horror as the crimson afterimages danced through their ranks.
The cursed poison of her demonic blade, "Murasame," became the most efficient and terrifying "sedative" at this moment.
There were no drawn-out clashes. There were no roars of defiance. The enemies whose thick, durable skin was merely grazed by her incredibly sharp blade didn't even have the time to let out a scream of agony.
The moment the cold steel parted their flesh, a pitch-black, jagged curse mark would violently violently spread from the shallow wound, crawling up their veins like living, venomous spiders.
Before their brains could even register the sting of the cut, their massive bodies stiffened completely.
With their hearts suddenly and violently stopping, their faces were forever frozen in expressions of deathly shock and uncomprehending terror. They fell silently to the ruined ground, one after another, their heavy bodies producing dull thuds that formed a macabre rhythm amidst the fading sounds of war.
On the other side of the devastated battlefield, an even purer, more overwhelming aesthetic of violence was unfolding.
Esdeath and Albedo, two peerless beauties who looked as though they belonged in the highest courts of royalty, had completely transformed into unstoppable goddesses of slaughter.
Icy, biting chills that could freeze the marrow in a man's bones intertwined with pitch-black, suffocating demonic light.
Wherever the two women passed, the very environment seemed to warp around their overwhelming power. Enemies fell in massive swathes, dropping to the ground like fragile wheat being mowed down by a merciless scythe.
Esdeath didn't even draw a blade. With a mere wave of her pale hand, the moisture in the air condensed into massive, jagged spikes of unmelting ice that impaled dozens of pirates at once. Those who managed to avoid the spikes found their limbs frozen solid to the ground, only to be casually shattered into glittering, bloody ice dust by her elegant, high-heeled boots as she walked past.
Beside her, Albedo was a vision of dark, devastating majesty.
Wielding her massive, terrifyingly heavy battle-axe, she moved with a physical power that defied her slender, feminine frame. Every swing of her axe created a violent shockwave that tore through the air, completely obliterating everything in its path. Shields, armor, and Zoan-enhanced bodies were cleaved in two with the same effortless ease as a hot knife slicing through butter.
They didn't even need to actively search for targets.
The crumbling, panic-stricken pirates had completely lost their minds to fear. In their desperate attempts to flee the island, they would blindly run right into the paths of the two women, only to be crushed, frozen, or bisected without a single shred of mercy.
Soon, the chaotic shouts, the clashing of steel, and the agonizing wails that had defined the battlefield gradually subsided.
The fires that had threatened to consume the island began to burn low, starved of fuel. The remaining Beasts Pirates were either dead, dying, or completely incapacitated by terror and physical trauma.
Onigashima, the once-impregnable fortress of the Four Emperors, finally fell into a heavy, deathly silence.
Albedo paused, her chest rising and falling softly as she took in the mountain of broken bodies around her. With a flick of her wrist, she shook the blood from her battle-axe and put it away, her dark wings folding neatly behind her back.
She turned and walked toward Suzaku with elegant, measured steps, her pristine white dress miraculously spotless despite the absolute carnage she had just orchestrated.
Stopping a respectful distance away, she bowed slightly. Her mesmerizing golden pupils were filled with a fanatical, burning worship as she looked up at the man who commanded her very existence.
"Lord Suzaku, the enemy has completely lost the ability to resist."
Her voice was soft, melodic, and entirely respectful, a stark contrast to the brutal violence she had exhibited mere seconds ago.
But then, her tone shifted almost imperceptibly, carrying a hint of icy, calculated request.
"However, the enemy's numbers are still quite vast. The physical fitness and recovery rate of these Zoan-type ability users is indeed formidable. Upon closer inspection, many of them are merely unconscious from their injuries and exhaustion, not truly dead."
Albedo tilted her head slightly, her gaze sweeping over the groaning, unconscious pirates littering the ground.
"Does this one need to... 'clean up' all these potential threats? It would only take a few more moments to ensure none of them ever draw breath again."
The "cleaning up" she spoke of naturally meant wiping out all survivors, executing them while they were helpless to ensure no future rebellions could occur.
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Suzaku raised an eyebrow. He stood tall amidst the ruins, the wind rustling his clothes. He waved his hand dismissively, a very meaningful, almost predatory smile appearing on his handsome face.
"Kill them all? No, no. That would be such a tremendous waste of resources."
He slowly looked around at the hundreds, perhaps thousands, of massive, muscular members of the Beasts Pirates lying scattered all over the scorched earth.
His gaze was calculating, entirely devoid of pity, looking at them exactly like a wealthy rancher inspecting a newly acquired herd of prime livestock.
"Since we plan to use this place as a base and slowly develop our own power in the New World, there will be an endless amount of work to do. Construction, mining, renovation... rebuilding this country will always require a massive amount of manpower, right?"
Suzaku paused, the smile at the corner of his mouth deepening into something truly diabolical.
"Think about it, Albedo. These guys are mostly Ancient and Artificial Zoan users. Their stamina is outrageous, and their bodies are tougher than steel. They are a group of free, incredibly durable laborers who don't need to be paid wages."
He chuckled, the sound sending a shiver down the spines of the few pirates who were barely conscious enough to hear him.
"They will work themselves to the absolute brink of death for just a single bite of food, and given the fear we've instilled in them today, they absolutely won't dare to slack off for a single second... Tsk tsk, where else in this entire world could you possibly find such 'good, reliable enemies'?"
This incredibly pragmatic, borderline-evil speech, which could only be described as "making even a ruthless capitalist weep in shame," left Albedo completely stunned for a moment.
She blinked her beautiful golden eyes, processing the sheer depth of his logic.
Then, her pupils instantly erupted with an even more fervent, blazing light!
As if she had suddenly been enlightened by the greatest philosophical truth in the universe, her face flushed red. She showed an expression that was a complex mixture of deep shame for her own ignorance and absolute fanaticism for his brilliance.
Without hesitation, she fell to her knees and bowed deeply, pressing her forehead toward the shattered ground!
"As expected of Lord Suzaku! Your wisdom is truly boundless!"
Her voice trembled slightly with overwhelming excitement, completely full of profound admiration and blind devotion for his supreme intellect.
"Please... please forgive this one's severe shortsightedness and unfathomable stupidity! To think I merely saw them as meat to be slaughtered, completely failing to grasp your such far-reaching, magnificent schemes!"
Albedo looked up, her hands clutching the fabric over her heart, gazing at Suzaku with pure, unadulterated obsession. She promised solemnly, her voice dripping with renewed purpose.
"Please rest assured, Lord Suzaku! This one understands perfectly now! I will certainly 'entertain' these prisoners incredibly well."
A terrifying, sadistic smile graced her flawless features.
"I will personally ensure they burn themselves out completely, squeezing every last drop of sweat from their bodies to extract every single bit of 'surplus value' as manual labor, all to contribute to your great, eternal cause!"
She specifically emphasized the words "surplus value," her eager, breathless appearance making it seem as if she had already formulated a hundred and eight uniquely cruel ways to maximize the efficiency of this new labor force.
Suzaku nodded in deep satisfaction.
Well, Albedo was an Overseer by trade back in Nazarick. Her professional ability in managing subordinates and organizing massive logistical tasks was absolutely top-notch. Handing this over to her meant there was nothing to worry about at all!
As if in some sort of grand, fated resonance with the absolute defeat of the island's rulers, the atmosphere above them began to shift.
The thick, oppressive dark clouds that had hung heavily over Onigashima for decades—clouds that seemed to be permanently frozen in time by Kaido's draconic presence—suddenly roiled.
They were forcefully torn open from the center by a piercing, brilliant ray of golden light.
Then, more sunlight poured down through the widening gap, rushing over the island like a bursting, unstoppable flood of warmth.
The bright, warm light instantly dispelled the biting chill, the lingering smoke, and the heavy bloodthirst that had saturated the battlefield. The sky cleared at a rapid, visible pace, revealing a vibrant azure expanse that the island had never seen before.
The entire Wano Country, from the desolation of Udon to the bustling streets of the Flower Capital, seemed, at this exact moment, to be silently celebrating the complete, undeniable dissipation of the suffocating haze that had weighed heavily on its head for twenty long years.
The next day.
When the first, gentle light of dawn spilled over the jagged, broken peaks of Onigashima, the victors of this grand feast of war had already begun an incredibly efficient post-war liquidation.
"Lord Suzaku."
Albedo walked gracefully through the newly established command center. She wore a pure white dress, completely spotless and elegant, her dark wings tucked neatly behind her.
She walked elegantly up to where Suzaku was seated, holding a freshly compiled, thick stack of reports in her hands. Her expression was, as always, fanatical and deeply respectful.
"According to your wise instructions, this one and that battle-obsessed woman, Esdeath, have successfully gathered all the remaining survivors of the Beasts Pirates."
She handed the top sheet of the report to him, her golden eyes gleaming.
"During the interrogation process, we learned from the higher-ranking officers that the massive Quarry we passed earlier in the Udon region is not just a simple prison. It is, in itself, an exceptionally rich, entirely unmined Sea Stone vein."
Suzaku immediately raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, his interest fully piqued. He reached out and took the report, scanning the detailed numbers Albedo had compiled.
"Oh? A massive Sea Stone vein?"
He leaned back in his chair, a wide, thoroughly pleased smile breaking across his face.
"This is indeed a magnificent thing. Sea Stone is the ultimate hard currency on this sea, far more valuable than standard gold. To have a pure source of it... this is incredibly great news!"
This wasn't just a win; this was simply a god-given treasure trove!
With a monopoly on a resource like this, let alone using it to effortlessly control this massive group of dangerous Zoan-type ability user prisoners, they could practically dictate the entire Sea Stone trade in the entire New World in the future! The amount of Berries this could generate was an astronomical figure that would make even the World Government incredibly nervous.
"This one has taken the liberty to act on your behalf," Albedo's voice became increasingly soft, almost purring.
Her eyes flashed with dark wisdom and the eager light of seeking credit from her master.
"I have already ordered the surviving blacksmiths and our own soldiers to use the local materials immediately. They have worked through the night to forge incredibly heavy, durable Sea Stone shackles for all the high-risk prisoners."
She smiled, a chilling expression that promised endless suffering for the enemies of her lord.
"Now, under Esdeath's 'kind and gentle care,' the entire lot of them have been securely transferred to the bottom of the Quarry. They are about to begin their very first day of mandatory work, finally contributing their 'surplus value' to Lord Suzaku's great foundation."
Hearing this, Suzaku almost laughed out loud. He could vividly imagine the chaotic, terrifying scene currently unfolding in Udon.
He pictured Esdeath's beautiful, yet incredibly cold and sadistic face wearing a haughty, Queen-like smile. He could see her standing atop a rocky cliff, wielding a razor-sharp ice whip, while a massive group of once-vicious, arrogant pirates, now weighed down by heavy Sea Stone shackles, wailed in absolute misery as they frantically swung their pickaxes into the hard stone.
Tsk, professional matters should indeed be left to professional people.
"Extremely well done," Suzaku praised without a single moment of hesitation, his voice filled with genuine approval.
"The two of you will temporarily be responsible for overseeing the operations at the mine. Establish a firm hierarchy and get the production lines moving. That Quarry is going to be one of our most important future foundations."
He stood up from his chair, stretching his arms toward the ceiling.
"The rest of the crew will follow me. It is time we head back to the Flower Capital and properly take control of this country."
"As you command, my supreme master!" Albedo bowed deeply, a thoroughly contented flush spreading across her beautiful cheeks at his praise.
Several hours later.
On the long, winding dirt path leading toward the bustling Flower Capital, the afternoon sun was bright and warm. The air was fresh, completely devoid of the toxic factory smog that used to choke the country.
The atmosphere among the traveling group was exceptionally relaxed, filled with the lighthearted chatter of victory.
However, amidst this cheerful procession, one person seemed entirely out of place.
Nami, the usually incredibly energetic and loud Navigator of the crew, was currently looking like a wilted eggplant that had been mercilessly hit by a harsh winter frost.
She was completely listless, her shoulders slumped dramatically. She walked with a heavy, dragging step, her eyes staring blankly at the dirt path beneath her feet. It was so bad that an almost materialized, suffocating black mist of pure resentment seemed to be floating heavily behind her back.
"Miss Nami, what is wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
The ever-attentive and sweet-natured Rem noticed the orange-haired girl's severe abnormality almost immediately. She quickly broke away from the group and approached Nami, her blue eyes filled with genuine concern as she softly asked the question.
"Hmm?"
Hearing the commotion, Akame also stopped her steady steps. She tilted her head slightly, her long black hair swaying in the breeze. She sized the deeply depressed Nami up with her bright, ruby-red eyes for a moment, analyzing the situation like a battlefield puzzle.
After a few seconds of intense thought, Akame offered her own, very serious guess.
"Is it because you didn't have a chance to act in the previous decisive battle? Do you feel lost because you couldn't test your strength against the enemy?"
Akame nodded to herself, feeling she had hit the nail on the head. She stepped closer and patted Nami's drooping shoulder. "It is okay, Nami. Battles are unpredictable. There will certainly be other chances for you to bathe in the blood of our enemies next time."
"Yes, yes, exactly!"
Rem immediately hurried to nod in eager agreement, completely buying into Akame's assassin-logic. She offered her own clumsy, but incredibly sincere, comfort.
"Look on the bright side, Miss Nami! Didn't Lord Ulquiorra also stay on standby without acting during the main clash? He just stood there observing the whole time!"
Rem smiled warmly, her maid outfit fluttering slightly in the wind. "We are a team, and everyone has their own specific position and role to play! Miss Nami is our precious navigator; you absolutely don't need to mind such small things like not getting to fight!"
Listening to the pure, earnest, but entirely misguided comfort of the two dangerous girls, Nami's mood not only failed to improve, but it actually plummeted even further into the abyss.
Fight? Who the hell wanted to fight those terrifying monsters?!
Nami opened her mouth to speak, to explain her true grievances—perhaps the fact that she was exhausted, terrified out of her mind the entire time, or maybe just frustrated that she hadn't had the chance to safely loot Kaido's fabled treasure vault before Albedo took over the island's logistics.
But looking at the pure, serious faces of the maid and the assassin, the words completely died in her throat.
Instead, she just heavily dropped her head.
Nami let out a long, deeply exhausted sigh, the dark, oppressive aura of resentment surrounding her almost becoming a physical entity in the bright Wano sunlight.
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