The Future!!! (2 in 1 chapter)

"Surrender, and you won't be killed."

Many soldiers didn't know who said these words, but anyone whose voice could cover the entire battlefield must be incredibly powerful.

By this point in the war, many on the World Government's side realized that the tide had turned. Resistance was futile, and they began to surrender.

As for the common soldiers, if it weren't for the fear of the World Government's authority, their commanders, and the safety of their families, they would have surrendered long ago. This war meant nothing to them. Plus, with guns and cannons flying around, even if they weren't killed on the spot, being left disabled would devastate their families.

Honor belonged to the elites, but their lives were their own.

Around the battlefield, the sound of weapons clattering to the ground spread like a chain reaction. In just a few seconds, the noise of weapons hitting the ground gradually faded.

Although most chose to surrender, some still held on to their weapons, their eyes filled with rage as they watched their comrades give up. In their minds, they were fighting for world peace. The World Government and the Celestial Dragons were the rightful rulers, and Nicholas and the allied forces were traitors. To them, pirates were nothing but pests of the sea, and anyone who sided with them couldn't be a good person.

Nicholas looked at the battlefield below, calm and composed. To him, the war was over. As for those who refused to surrender, he didn't care about their beliefs. Whether they surrendered or not made no difference to him.

Those who surrendered would be allowed to return to their homes after the war, while those still holding weapons had made their choice to fight to the end. Nicholas was more than willing to grant them that wish. After all, even in past regimes, there were always a few who chose to die for their cause. Let those loyal to the Celestial Dragons perish with their masters in Mariejois—it was fitting.

As the final moment approached, those still clutching their weapons braced themselves, unsure of what awaited them. But to their surprise, the navy and revolutionaries around them made no move to strike. Those who had steeled themselves for a last stand were taken aback.

Just as they were puzzled, the sky rumbled with thunder, and bolts of lightning rained down from the heavens above Mariejois.

In the stunned silence of the battlefield, lightning struck down precisely on those who refused to surrender. Some were horrified to realize that, even though the lightning struck mere inches from them, it didn't harm them at all.

This was the power of a god. Many with strong beliefs knelt down, witnessing what seemed to be a divine miracle.

With the final bolt of lightning, the war that would determine the future of the world came to an end. The World Government and the Celestial Dragons had become history.

"Yohohohoho… what a spectacular adventure this has been," Brook said, holding his sword-cane, gazing at Nicholas like he was the greatest man in the world. Since becoming one of Nicholas's crew members, everything he had experienced was beyond incredible. Now, he would fulfill the promise to his comrades of traveling the world and then meet Laboon at the Twin Capes. Thinking of these things, Brook felt a bittersweet mix of emotions.

Even though he didn't have a heart, memories of his adventures with Nicholas and the crew flashed through his mind.

It was heartwarming.

Brook placed his skeletal hands on his chest, where his heart would have been.

...

"It's over."

"Yeah. From now on, Albert Nicholas's name will define this era. I wonder what he'll do next."

Sengoku turned to Garp, his eyes drifting to Luffy, who was sleeping soundly in Garp's arms.

"Is our grandson alright?"

"Yeah, he's fine. That thing inside him tired itself out and went back. But Luffy's still a kid. The intensity of that fight drained him, both physically and mentally. He'll probably sleep for two or three days."

Garp didn't mind Sengoku's questions. After all, given their relationship, Luffy was like Sengoku's half-grandson, too.

A few minutes after the war ended, high-ranking revolutionaries and navy officers began gathering at Mariejois. Even though they had fought together to overthrow the World Government, the different factions still maintained a cautious distance, clearly on guard against one another. However, Nicholas's overwhelming presence kept anyone from acting rashly.

Nicholas sat comfortably in a large chair he had found from somewhere. His crew stood on either side of him.

"The war is finally over…"

"Yeah, we survived."

"But what do we do next?"

The navy commanders, revolutionaries, and pirates from all sides sensed the tension in the air. The quiet murmuring faded as many eyes turned to Nicholas, who sat at the center of it all.

After all, as the man who had almost single-handedly ended the war, his opinion carried great weight.

Dragon silently observed Nicholas, deep in thought. The Celestial Dragons had been overthrown. The World Government, which had supported them, was destroyed. The strongest force in the world had fallen.

But what comes next?

How would they rebuild the world? How would they change it?

What stance would the navy, which had a presence across the Grand Line and the Four Seas, take? What would become of pirates like Roger and Shanks? How would the relationship between World Government-affiliated nations and those that weren't be handled? How would the world's political landscape shift?

Everyone was waiting for Nicholas's response.

Without a care for the eyes on him, Nicholas began thinking about the future.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Nicholas spoke, his voice carrying across the field. "The war is over. Now, moving forward…"

Everyone held their breath.

After a war like this, the next step was always dividing the spoils. But this time, it wasn't just any spoils—it was the control of the world.

The mere thought of it made their hearts race.

"Let's throw a banquet!" Nicholas suddenly announced with a smile.

???

When Nicholas spoke, everyone around him had a collective look of confusion.

"An... an afterparty?! Do you even know what you're talking about?!" Buggy was the first to react, jumping out and yelling.

However, when Nicholas shot him a glance, Buggy's voice trailed off. After all, he had witnessed this man effortlessly take down the Five Elders.

Both Shanks and Roger tensed up as well. Although they didn't believe Nicholas would hold a grudge over something trivial, they couldn't be certain either. Nicholas's power had become increasingly unpredictable, and in their eyes, he had grown more and more distant.

"Buggy, is there an issue with my suggestion to have a celebration?" Nicholas's voice was calm and emotionless.

"N-no, none at all," Buggy stammered, sweating profusely.

"Good. You seem like a natural entertainer—why don't you perform at the party?"

"No problem!" Buggy agreed in a split second, his survival instincts kicking in.

"Nicholas..." Dragon hesitated. In his mind, this was the perfect moment to plan for the future, with Nicholas's influence at its peak.

"Dragon, the World Government is gone. There's no rush. The soldiers deserve some time to relax." Nicholas's words made Dragon pause and realize that many of his comrades from the Revolutionary Army were wounded and exhausted. There was indeed no immediate need to rush.

Nicholas turned to Jinbe. Before he could speak, Jinbe offered, "I'll take care of the food from the sea."

Nicholas smiled. "Let your comrades handle the food. I need you to head to Fish-Man Island and invite King Neptune. It's time to address the matter of Fish-Man Island."

Jinbe's eyes filled with determination. "Understood. Leave it to me."

He immediately set off to deliver the news to King Neptune: the dawn of Fish-Man Island had finally arrived.

"Captain, what about this guy?" Urouge asked, pointing to a still, motionless Aramaki.

"Aramaki? Well, the Red Line and many islands across the seas lack trees. Let him spend his time planting trees across the world as his penance. When he finishes, he'll find his redemption."

Nicholas's tone was casual. To him, Aramaki's real strength was not the issue—it was his Devil Fruit ability, which was practically divine for reforestation.

"Sengoku, can you handle the military forces of the World Government and its member nations?" Nicholas asked, turning his gaze to Sengoku.

Sengoku nodded in agreement. As the current Fleet Admiral of the Marines, there was no one more suitable for this task.

The Red Line bustled with activity. Marines and Revolutionaries alike rushed to tend to the wounded and deal with the surrendering soldiers.

Meanwhile, Nicholas, Dragon, Roger, Shanks, Sengoku, Sakazuki, and Kuzan walked together through the ruins of the Holy Land, Mariejois.

"Let's talk business," Sengoku said, breaking the silence as he surveyed the devastation.

"Sure," Nicholas replied, casually sitting on a patch of grass, with the others following suit.

Sengoku locked eyes with Nicholas and went straight to the point. "Nicholas, are you going to become the next Celestial Dragon?"

Nicholas smirked. "With my strength, do I need such a title? I think you've misunderstood me, Sengoku."

Not only Sengoku but everyone, including Dragon and Roger, looked at Nicholas curiously.

"I'm someone who hates feeling vulnerable. The reason I wanted to overthrow the World Government and the Celestial Dragons was because of Imu's existence. Can you imagine living under the constant threat of someone who could easily erase you from existence? I couldn't let that happen. So, rather than wait for them to act, I decided to make the first move."

Nicholas's gaze was calm as he stared at the burning ruins of Mariejois.

Sengoku and Dragon's lips twitched at his explanation—it seemed a bit too simple for such a monumental decision.

"By the way, aren't you all curious about what kind of world I want to create after overthrowing the World Government?" Nicholas suddenly grinned.

Dragon hesitated before asking, "So, Nicholas, what kind of world do you want to create?"

"I want a world where everyone is equal and free. A world where people aren't oppressed or exploited, and everyone can live happily." Nicholas smiled, tilting his head slightly.

As a former inheritor of socialist ideals, he hadn't had the chance to bring them to fruition in his old world. Now, in this new world, he wanted to give it a shot.

"A world of equality and freedom?" Dragon echoed, his expression thoughtful.

"How do you plan to achieve that?" he asked.

"Shh," Nicholas placed a finger to his lips. "It's not about how I plan to do it. It's about how you plan to do it."

"…"

Not just Dragon, but everyone fell silent. They realized Nicholas hadn't laid out any detailed plans for the future. Instead, he had simply presented a broad, idealistic vision, leaving the practicalities to others.

And from his words, it was clear—Nicholas had no intention of ruling the world.

 [AN - 2 more chapters left before completion. I'll miss Yall 😭😭😭]