Who ends up leading Animal Farm at the conclusion of the story?

At the conclusion of "Animal Farm," the pigs, specifically Napoleon, emerge as the leaders of the farm. This reflects the central theme of the story, which critiques the corrupting influence of power and how revolutionary ideals can be betrayed. The pigs, who initially advocate for equality among all animals, gradually begin to adopt the same oppressive behaviors as the humans they overthrew. By the end of the story, the farm's governance has shifted into a dictatorial regime under the pigs, demonstrating how the leadership has become indistinguishable from that of the oppressive human farmer. This transformation highlights the irony and the cyclical nature of tyranny, showing that the pigs have become the very thing they sought to replace, making them the ultimate rulers of Animal Farm.