The great war between the Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates had ended.
Most of the high-ranking Marines had already returned to Marineford, the headquarters of the Navy.
Inside the Marine conference room, smiles could be seen on many of the senior officers' faces.
This war had been a tremendous harvest for the Marines.
Although they had suffered losses, the Whitebeard Pirates had also paid a heavy price. More importantly, the battle had displayed the overwhelming strength of the Marines to the entire world.
It restored confidence among civilians and greatly suppressed the arrogant atmosphere among pirates in the New World.
After all, it had only been two years since the Marines withdrew from the New World.
During that time, their influence there had completely disappeared. The New World had essentially become a pirate kingdom, and many pirates gradually stopped taking the Marines seriously.
In the eyes of most people, this battle was a Marine victory.
And in truth, it was.
The Marines had demonstrated their strength, and during the war they held the advantage in high-level combat.
The Whitebeard Pirates suffered heavy casualties.
To prevent more of his sons from dying, Edward Newgate ultimately ordered a retreat.
Whitebeard had made his statement.
This war also marked a crucial step in the Marines' return to the New World.
Previously, the G1 Marine Branch there had been little more than an empty shell.
Although G1 had been heavily damaged during the conflict and was now undergoing rapid reconstruction, the Marine fleet had advanced deeper into the New World as the Whitebeard Pirates withdrew.
During this advance, the Marines reclaimed four previously lost branches.
G2.
G3.
G4.
G5.
These four bases were all located in the early region of the New World.
The World Government also approved a large amount of military funding to rebuild these important strongholds.
The victory did more than increase the prestige of the Marines and the government.
The rise of powerful pirates in the New World had already become a major problem.
The emergence of Sea Emperors and other great pirates carving out their own territories had caused the World Government to almost completely lose control over the New World.
Many pirates had essentially built their own kingdoms.
If this continued unchecked, their power and influence would only grow stronger with time.
This trend was already obvious.
For that reason, the World Government strongly supported the further development of the Marines.
The Navy's strategic focus had to return to the New World.
Pressure needed to be placed on the pirates there.
Otherwise, pirate power would continue expanding unchecked.
After all, the rate at which pirates destroyed each other was far slower than the number of new pirates constantly setting sail and growing stronger.
During the meeting, several matters were finalized.
In one month, a major promotion ceremony would be held within the Marines.
The event would be broadcast across the entire world.
It would present the new face of the Marines to everyone.
At the same time, Marine forces were continuously being deployed into the New World to rebuild their bases.
To prevent pirate attacks during the rebuilding process, powerful officers also had to be stationed there.
It had only been two years since the Marines left the New World.
Now they were suddenly returning in force.
This would inevitably create tension with the pirates already ruling the region.
No pirate wanted to see Marine warships suddenly appear in the middle of a battle between rival crews.
Naturally, many forces would try to obstruct them.
After a month, Marine warships might once again begin sailing across the New World.
Even if they faced tremendous pressure from pirates.
Of course, that scenario remained far in the future.
Rebuilding the Marine branches was not something that could happen overnight.
Each base in the New World functioned as a heavily fortified military fortress.
Constructing them required massive resources.
Furthermore, the war had cost the Marines many elite soldiers.
Their manpower had become severely strained.
Large numbers of Marine elites had already been transferred to the New World, yet the branches there still lacked personnel.
Even Marine Headquarters itself was now short on elite troops.
They would have to recruit new Marines and train them.
That process alone would take years.
Meanwhile, the task of suppressing pirates across the Four Seas was still ongoing.
Although the increase in pirate numbers had been slowed, the total number had not yet declined.
However, now that the Marines had demonstrated their strength, the number of people choosing to become pirates might decrease in the short term.
For now, it remained impossible for the Marines to roam the New World as freely as they once had.
Compared to the previous chaos, the New World now possessed a strange form of order.
Various pirate groups had divided the seas among themselves.
They ruled enormous territories.
If Marine fleets entered those territories, retaliation would be swift and brutal.
For the time being, Marine operations could only extend to the early regions of the New World near the Red Line.
Sageros Sea.
"Lord Mostima, more and more foreign pirates have appeared recently."
The subordinate spoke with concern.
"Half of the remaining two-thirds of the unoccupied sea has already been taken by other pirate crews. What should we do next?"
Mostima sat at the head of the hall.
A silver longsword hung at his waist.
Hearing the report, his expression did not change.
He had known about this situation for some time.
He also knew Teach's plan.
Those pirates sent to cause trouble would become whetstones.
Tools to sharpen the Nightfall Pirates.
Their true objective was Saint Louis Island.
But given the current situation in the New World, launching an external war anytime soon was unrealistic.
The pirates who had recently joined the Nightfall Pirates were far inferior in quality compared to the veteran crews serving the Sea Emperors.
If a large war erupted now, it would only lead to unnecessary casualties.
Teach had no interest in such waste.
"Don't worry too much," Mostima said calmly.
"They're still useful."
"Ignore those who behave themselves."
"But if anyone crosses the line… eliminate them."
Right now, Mostima's priority was developing their existing territory.
Once Teach arrived in the Sageros Sea, everything would change.
Under Teach's overwhelming strength, the current obstacles would mean nothing.
Relying on Teach's reputation, the Nightfall Pirates had expanded rapidly across the Sageros Sea.
But their development had now reached a bottleneck.
They lacked a central pillar.
Teach himself.
With their current strength, they had already reached the limit of what they could achieve alone.
Mostima walked to the palace window and looked out toward the distant sea.
"Teach… hurry back."
"Let's welcome our era."
He spoke softly.
The pressure of the entire expansion effort rested heavily on his shoulders.
There was always more work to do.
He could not afford to relax.
Everything he did now was to create the perfect stage for Teach's return.
Meanwhile, aboard the Nightfall Pirates' flagship.
"So that's how it is."
Teach spoke while holding a Den Den Mushi.
"They've already set their sights on us."
On the other end, Stephanie chuckled.
"Your Nightfall Pirates are already considered a top priority by CP0."
"You're listed at the same level as the Sea Emperors."
"You should be careful. There may already be spies inside your crew."
"Heh heh."
Teach narrowed his eyes slightly.
He had not expected the Nightfall Pirates to become a key CP0 target so quickly.
Those two agents they had captured earlier had clearly been a test.
From now on, the World Government would truly begin acting against them.
Planting spies.
Stealing intelligence.
Just thinking about it sounded troublesome.
Still, it was completely normal.
The Nightfall Pirates had repeatedly challenged both the Marines and the World Government.
Ignoring such a threat would have been impossible.
"Don't worry about that," Teach replied calmly.
Stephanie laughed again.
"I've already arrived in the New World."
Her tone carried a hint of pride.
She had traveled far faster than the Nightfall Pirates thanks to the World Government's secret routes.
"Really?"
Teach's eyes brightened slightly.
"Where?"
Stephanie laughed softly.
"I won't tell you exactly where."
"But I've replaced a casino boss in the New World underworld."
"I now control thirteen large casinos and over fifty medium ones."
"I also have plenty of thugs working under me."
"It's enough to establish a foothold in the New World."
"But only in a limited region."
The casino network had originally been a CP0 operation.
Its public purpose was business.
Its secret purpose was intelligence gathering and occasional assassination work.
Stephanie sounded genuinely excited.
Compared to her previous life in the West Blue, this position was far more interesting.
However, her current influence was still limited.
In the New World's chaotic underworld, her power was considered only average.
"To help me expand," she continued, "CP0 also sent additional agents."
"There's even a CP0 candidate among them."
"I'll be able to grow quickly."
Casinos could generate enormous profits.
But large amounts of money attracted trouble.
Without enough power to deal with disruptive pirates, such businesses could never survive.
With the World Government backing her, Stephanie's expansion would be much easier.
Sooner or later, her name would echo throughout the New World.
And the underworld emperor Stussy, known as the "Queen of the Pleasure District," could legitimately assist her development.
Another Den Den Mushi rang.
Teach answered.
"Mingo."
"What do you want?"
Through the receiver, Teach could almost see the eerie grin of Donquixote Doflamingo.
"Fufufufu…"
"You can feel it too, can't you?"
"The dawn of a new era."
Teach smiled.
"Oh?"
"So you've already started?"
"Are you confident?"
This time of year was when the World Government's affiliated nations delivered their Heavenly Tribute to the Celestial Dragons.
Teach already guessed what Doflamingo had done.
It was reckless.
Mad.
Yet beneath that madness was cold calculation.
Ever since learning that his younger brother had joined the Marines, Doflamingo had changed.
He had grown stronger.
And far more insane.
Teach could clearly sense the power behind his voice.
"Just wait for tomorrow's news."
"It will be good news."
"Fufufufu."
Doflamingo stood on the deck of a luxurious ship.
Around him lay piles of corpses.
The night wind blew through his large pink feather coat.
Nearby, a towering Marine officer trembled as he stared at the carnage.
Fear flickered in his eyes.
But soon it turned into fury.
Doflamingo had his back to him.
Still speaking on the phone.
"Damned Heavenly Yaksha!"
The Marine roared as he charged forward with his sword.
"Die!"
But Doflamingo seemed to have eyes on the back of his head.
He leapt into the air.
Then stopped.
Floating in midair.
Under the moonlight, countless threads formed a massive web around him.
"Fufufufu."
"Don't interrupt me."
He flicked a finger.
A razor-thin thread sliced through the air.
The Marine froze.
Then his right arm fell to the ground.
Completely severed.
The next morning, News Coo delivered newspapers across the world.
And one headline instantly shocked everyone.
A pirate had done something no one had ever dared to do.
"The first Warlord of the Sea!"
"That Heavenly Yaksha?"
"No… it can't be!"
"He robbed the Heavenly Tribute meant for the Celestial Dragons!"
"And used it to blackmail the government into making him a Warlord!"
"This guy is insane!"
"Hahaha! Maybe the government isn't so terrifying after all!"
"There's more!"
"The Marines escorting the tribute were completely defeated!"
"All the Vice Admirals were wiped out, and one even had his arm cut off!"
The entire world erupted in shock.
The Seven Warlords of the Sea system had existed for some time.
Many pirates had been considered candidates.
But until now, none had actually accepted the position.
Doflamingo became the first.
And the way he achieved it was outrageous.
He robbed the Heavenly Tribute itself.
Even if an ordinary pirate somehow managed such a feat, they would immediately face relentless pursuit from both the Marines and the World Government.
Yet Doflamingo was not hunted.
Instead, he became a Warlord.
Even stranger, he had not even been on the Marines' list of candidates.
"What are those idiots above thinking?"
Sakazuki slammed his fist onto the table in fury.
"They didn't even inform us before releasing this news!"
Sengoku sighed.
"Leave it for now."
"His identity is… special."
The order had come from above.
Even Sengoku had no authority to refuse it.
"However," Sengoku added slowly, "the higher-ups promised something."
"They will no longer interfere with the Warlord selection."
"From now on, the Marines will decide who becomes a Warlord."
The World Government clearly knew they had angered the Marines.
This concession was meant to calm them down.
The Four Emperors had emerged.
The Nightfall Pirates had entered the New World.
Marine Headquarters was preparing major promotions.
And the first Warlord of the Sea had appeared.
All signs pointed toward the same conclusion.
A new era was approaching.
For now, however…
It was only the prelude.