The great war between the Nightfall Pirates and the Marines, titled The Nightfall Pirates' Declaration of War, dominated the headlines of every major newspaper.
Urso Island became the center of global attention. All eyes were fixed on it, waiting for the moment the Nightfall Pirates and the Marines finally clashed.
Teach's declaration of war was not just bravado. It was a calculated move to prevent the Marines from resorting to underhanded tactics, such as secretly dispatching additional top-tier fighters to assist the three Admiral Candidates in encircling and annihilating the Nightfall Pirates.
This battle was meant to be public.
Whether through live broadcasts or in-person spectators, there would be countless witnesses. Teach had made his intentions clear. This war was strictly between the Nightfall Pirates and the grand fleet formed by the three Marine Admiral Candidates.
Anyone else who interfered would become a third party, even if they were Marines.
If the Navy broke the rules under the eyes of the entire world, they would be ridiculed regardless of victory or defeat.
After the Nightfall Pirates issued their declaration, the three Admiral Candidates responded with a video of their own, formally accepting the challenge.
The stage was set.
At the same time, powerful forces in the New World began to move.
According to intelligence reports, "Heavenly King" Rhinos, first mate of the Flying Pirates, was heading toward the first half of the Grand Line.
Marco the Phoenix of the Whitebeard Pirates.
King the Conflagration of the Beast Pirates.
Charlotte Katakuri, the second son of the Big Mom Pirates.
Many other great pirates also dispatched representatives.
Their objectives were identical. They wanted to witness the battle firsthand.
Another reason was more practical. Strength could not be fully judged through video. Only by standing on the battlefield could one truly feel the pressure, the presence, and the danger.
This was a preliminary evaluation of the Nightfall Pirates.
The outcome of this war would determine how these powers reacted once the Nightfall Pirates entered the New World. Regardless of the result, the Nightfall Pirates would become competitors, and accurate intelligence was essential.
When this information reached Marine Headquarters, Sengoku's face darkened.
He admitted that after Teach's declaration of war, he had seriously considered sending additional forces to ambush the Nightfall Pirates on Urso Island. Concentrating the Navy's strength there could eliminate a future disaster at minimal cost.
Even if Teach survived and escaped, the Nightfall Pirates would be wiped out.
However, the three Admiral Candidates accepted the challenge without consulting him, leaving Sengoku in an awkward position. His reputation mattered.
If the Navy lost face but destroyed the Nightfall Pirates, the storm would eventually pass.
But then came the news from the New World.
It shattered his plans.
So many powerful figures moving toward the first half of the Grand Line made Sengoku uneasy. If things spiraled out of control, suppressing them would be extremely difficult. Worse, it could provoke the sea emperors and other overlords.
Of course, Sengoku understood their true purpose. They were not only observers. They were there to ensure the Marines did not interfere with this formal war.
With that, Sengoku had no choice.
He could only wait for the battle to begin while keeping a close watch on every pirate involved, ready to react to any abnormal movement.
The world waited.
Some people even tracked the Nightfall Pirates' route, calculating their speed and counting down the days.
"Zehahaha, the stage is set. Time to show our strength," Teach laughed as he folded the newspaper.
Even he had not expected the battle to draw this much attention, but this was exactly the war he wanted.
With the world watching, pressure naturally followed. Even with his confidence, Teach could feel it.
The crew felt it too.
Their sense of urgency grew, but so did their excitement. Training became harsher. Many voluntarily extended their sessions.
This was a global debut.
Everyone wanted to show their strongest self.
That tension was exactly what Teach hoped for.
"I've got good news," Nelson announced loudly. "When we reach the next island, our Nightfall Pirates uniforms will be ready."
The reaction was immediate.
Excitement spread through the crew.
"They're finally done?"
"I've been waiting for this!"
Even the executives were clearly looking forward to it.
Teach had gathered everyone's preferences and descriptions, then commissioned the world-famous Vanguard Group to design exclusive dark-style outfits for the Nightfall Pirates.
Months ago, when Vanguard Group headquarters received the call and learned it was from the infamous Dark Emperor Teach, their senior executives nearly panicked and considered contacting Marine Headquarters out of fear.
Once they learned Teach only wanted custom clothing, they relaxed instantly and then grew ecstatic.
This was an enormous opportunity.
Collaborating with the Nightfall Pirates would elevate Vanguard Group's reputation overnight. The Nightfall Pirates had countless followers around the world. Once people saw their outfits, demand would explode.
Even after sharing profits with the Nightfall Pirates, the gains would be staggering.
Fame and fortune came together.
The Vanguard Group immediately sealed off information and gathered their top designers. They created a style officially named "dark style," blending the Nightfall Pirates' identity with traditional pirate aesthetics.
Teach's design concepts intrigued the designers, fueling their creativity.
The preferences and requirements of each Nightfall Pirate were quietly transmitted. Having accepted the commission, Vanguard Group knew failure was not an option.
Under pressure and temptation alike, they produced numerous designs. Drafts, samples, and finished products were delivered to the designated location.
Any revisions would be handled later.
The crew had long anticipated these uniforms. They would elevate the Nightfall Pirates' presence and identity.
"There's more," Nelson continued. "The new ships are finished. Our future main ship and two auxiliary ships are ready. Once this battle ends, we'll switch."
The Lucky Goddess would be retired.
It had been decided long ago. The ship was too small for the Nightfall Pirates' current scale. Five ships already felt cramped.
Two were purchased, two were Kraken Kingdom warships, and the Lucky Goddess had sailed with them for three years.
From the East Blue to the West Blue, now toward the Grand Line.
From fewer than sixty people to over twelve hundred.
The Lucky Goddess had witnessed it all.
Some veterans felt emotional. They were among the first fifty.
But reality was unavoidable. The Lucky Goddess could not follow them into the New World.
Teach needed larger, sturdier ships.
True pirate ships.
Teach himself felt little sadness. He had prepared long ago and already made a decision about the Nightfall Pirates' true flagship.
Like the Oro Jackson, the Moby Dick, or the Queen Mama Chanter.
A ship that symbolized a legend.
The Queen Anne's Revenge lay quietly in Water 7's massive shipyard, alongside two auxiliary ships.
Built primarily from Adam Wood, it was nearly complete. Some components remained unfinished.
The weapon systems and power core still awaited Otto's work. Only then would the Queen Anne's Revenge truly awaken.
The Nightfall Pirates advanced relentlessly.
In less than a month, they were approaching Reverse Mountain.
The speed was astonishing.
Pirate King Roger took three years to circle the world, and even Marine Hero Garp's trips lasted months.
"It's time the world truly knows the Nightfall Pirates."
Their ship entered Reverse Mountain.
Reporter birds circled above, filming and photographing the ascent. The news spread instantly.
The World Economic News Agency announced it eagerly.
The Nightfall Pirates had arrived.
They were about to enter the Grand Line.
On Urso Island, the Marine grand fleet had already arrived.
Marine warships were faster, and the fleet had only rested once at a branch base.
Vice Admiral Gilman scoffed as he read the newspaper. "Just pirates. We'll crush all their expectations."
Despite differing backgrounds, he was an old Marine who upheld justice. His hatred toward pirates ran deep.
Atchison clenched his fists. "The whole world revolves around one pirate crew. Disgusting. Evil like this must be erased."
Nearly every headline focused on the Nightfall Pirates.
Very little praised Marine justice.
Even worse, a public survey had been published.
Fifty-nine percent believed the Nightfall Pirates would win.
Only forty percent believed in the Marines.
The anger burned.
They had to prove themselves.
What began as a personal battle for promotion had become a test of Marine justice itself.
The public lacked confidence in them.
The title of Admiral Candidate carried little weight without Admiral-level strength.
People compared them to Vice Admiral Brom, whom Teach had defeated. Brom's Crush-Crush Fruit was devastating, yet he still fell.
Teach's presence was different.
Domineering.
Confident.
King-like.
Even through video, his aura could not be hidden.
Since their debut, the Nightfall Pirates had never lost to the Marines. Battles ended in massacres.
Some young pirates openly declared that the Admiral Candidates were stepping stones on the Nightfall Pirates' road to kingship.
The Nightfall Pirates represented the new era.
Now, the three Vice Admirals represented Marine justice itself.
They would uphold it with their own strength.
The curtain was about to rise.