The Nightfall Pirates were said to be nearing Erso Island, and the entire world waited with bated breath.
Around Erso Island, ships of every kind gathered—scouts from major powers, reporters, and pirates who wanted to witness the great battle with their own eyes.
On the opposite side of the island, fifteen Marine warships were anchored in formation. To secure a better view of the battlefield, people had landed days in advance, clearing away trees that obstructed the line of sight. A wide passage was carved through the forest, and at the island's center, an enormous open area was formed—the designated main battlefield.
The live broadcast had already begun.
No one was impatient. Instead, an eerie tension hung in the air as countless eyes stared at the endless ocean on their screens, waiting.
The scene shifted to the sky.
Floating high above was "Heavenly King" Rhinos, vice-captain of the Flying Pirates. A giant of the New World, Rhinos was one of Shiki the Golden Lion's most trusted subordinates and possessed true Admiral-level combat power.
Together with Shiki's other monster subordinate, "Thunder Tyrant" Kronos, Rhinos was the reason the Flying Pirates maintained their reputation as the strongest pirate crew in the New World.
Dressed in white scholarly attire, Rhinos held a book in one hand, a long sword hanging calmly at his waist. His handsome features, gentle smile, and refined temperament made him look more like an elegant noble than a pirate.
Many women watching the broadcast couldn't help but feel their hearts flutter.
Yet no one dared underestimate him.
Rhinos's physical combat ability, terrifying swordsmanship, and mastery of the Air-Air Fruit had been pushed to the extreme, allowing him to unleash catastrophic power. His only weakness was his physique, which, while not monstrous, still far surpassed that of ordinary pirates.
As the strategist of the Flying Pirates, Rhinos bore some resemblance to a scholar-general—a calm mind wielding overwhelming force.
The one holding the video Den Den Mushi was none other than Morgans himself.
Given the unprecedented scale of this clash, the president of the World Economic News Agency had personally taken charge of the broadcast. His massive, suit-clad body and sharp eyes looked amusing to some, but those in the know understood this was his permanent beast form.
Above the battlefield, dozens of news birds circled the sky.
This was not just about Dark Emperor Teach.
Every executive, every notable combatant on both sides, would become the focus of the world. Their battles were priceless footage.
Morgans began introducing the major figures present.
On a commandeered pirate ship stood "King of Conflagration" King, the second-in-command of the Beast Pirates.
The original crew of that ship was too terrified to move. They had never imagined that King would simply "borrow" their vessel.
King stood over seven meters tall, his physique tall, powerful, and perfectly proportioned. His entire body was covered—mask, goggles, black attire, gloves—leaving no skin exposed. Black feathered wings stretched from his back, flames constantly dancing around his body. A sword hung at his waist, ornaments adorning his limbs.
Though he had joined the Beast Pirates only a year ago, King had already displayed astonishing dominance, both in strength and cruelty.
As an Ancient Zoan, Pteranodon-type Devil Fruit user, his power was firmly at quasi-Admiral level.
More terrifying still—he was only twenty-five.
His potential was immense.
Information about King had also been exposed. He was a former elite of Impel Down, rumored to be one of the three monsters corresponding to the Marines' "Three Supernovas."
While the Marines had their prodigies, Impel Down had produced three terrors of its own: King, "Rain" Shiryu, and Magellan.
At Marine Headquarters, in Impel Down, and even within the World Government, countless officials watching the broadcast clenched their teeth in rage.
King was their shame.
He had betrayed Impel Down, defected from the World Government, and joined the Beast Pirates—yet he still wore the Impel Down prison uniform and emblem openly.
A year ago, King had vanished mysteriously from Impel Down. Investigations confirmed his allegiance to Kaido. As a former core member, King knew too many secrets. [T/N: I dont know why author was saying he was from impel down. Can someone confirm to me when were the information about King been told? my assumption is, around 2021 when author was working on this work, they didnt know about it yet so he made it up.]
Over the past year, the Marines and World Government had attempted to assassinate him multiple times.
Every attempt failed.
Not only because of King's rapidly increasing strength, but because Kaido stood behind him. The Beast Pirates' territory had become an iron fortress, supported by unique beast-taming detection techniques that made infiltration nearly impossible.
On the other side of the sky flew Marco the Phoenix, core executive of the Whitebeard Pirates.
His arms transformed into blazing phoenix wings as he hovered calmly. After years of fighting alongside Whitebeard, Marco was no longer a rookie apprentice—his strength had soared.
Marco felt a complicated anticipation.
It had been a long time since he'd last seen Teach.
They had once been close in the Whitebeard Pirates, but by Teach's third year, he had already begun preparing to leave. Their interactions dwindled.
Many Whitebeard Pirates resented Teach for leaving.
Marco knew better.
He knew he couldn't defeat Teach.
Not three years ago.
And certainly not now.
Teach's monstrous physique, terrifying vitality, overwhelming physical combat ability, Haki, and now his Devil Fruit power meant that once Marco's regeneration was suppressed, he would fall without resistance.
The truth was bitter, but undeniable.
Higher in the sky, Charlotte Katakuri, Big Mom's second son, sat cross-legged atop a swirling tornado Homie.
A mochi-like Homie formed a scarf around his neck.
Eyes closed, Katakuri meditated in silence, seemingly isolated from the world.
Even at his young age, Katakuri already possessed an undefeated legend. Since birth, his back had never touched the ground. Within the Big Mom Pirates, he was a pillar of faith—feared only slightly less than Big Mom herself.
Yet Katakuri was terrifying in another way.
His siblings were his absolute taboo.
Anyone who harmed them would be crushed without mercy.
Elsewhere, representatives and subordinates from other top pirate crews gathered—great pirates with bounties exceeding five hundred million.
Everyone waited.
They knew the Nightfall Pirates were close.
On the island itself, tens of thousands of Marine elites stood ready. Sweat dripped down faces gripping weapons tightly. Nervousness was unavoidable.
They were facing the infamous Nightfall Pirates.
At the very front stood the three Admiral candidates—Gilman, Atchison, and Nickt—on a temporary platform. Draped in justice cloaks, their presence exuded authority and power.
Behind them, Marine officers stood tall. Further back, even ordinary soldiers maintained perfect posture, knowing the entire world was watching.
The massive formation, backed by fifteen warships, displayed the might of the Marine Grand Fleet.
Even Sengoku, watching from Marine Headquarters, nodded slightly in approval.
Only Borsalino was present as a Marine observer. If the Marines held the advantage, he would not interfere. If they fell behind, he would step in to preserve their forces.
He was prepared to watch the show.
Then—
"They're here."
The voice came from the sky.
It was Heavenly King Rhinos.
Everyone snapped to attention.
At first, most people saw nothing and felt confused. But the expressions of the true powerhouses grew solemn.
From afar, a pressure approached.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
Like a brewing storm.
Then—
"The sky… it's darkening."
In the distance, a massive darkness spread, devouring the sky itself.
Light vanished as if swallowed whole.
Five pirate ships emerged from within the darkness.
As the Nightfall Pirates advanced, the darkness followed them.
The air became unbearably heavy.
Darkness descended.
Fear crept into hearts.
Was this the power of the Dark-Dark Fruit?
Had Teach already developed it to the point of influencing the sky itself?
The Nightfall Pirates had arrived.
Excitement surged but so did dread.
"They're finally here!" Nickt roared, his voice amplified by his ability. "For justice—eradicate this evil!"
"For justice!"
Tens of thousands of Marines shouted in unison.
The roar shook the heavens.
Fear was swept away, replaced by blazing morale. Weapons were gripped tighter. Their spirits surged to their peak.
One command from a seasoned Vice Admiral had transformed the battlefield's atmosphere.
Some pirates scoffed, calling it theatrics.
But its effect was undeniable.
From afar, the Nightfall Pirates heard the roar.
Smiles spread across their faces.
At last, the battle they had awaited.
"Zehahahahaha!" Teach laughed loudly. "Comrades! crush their confidence with absolute power! Let the world once again feel the terror of the Nightfall Pirates!"
The crew erupted in cheers, weapons raised high.
For them, this battle meant only one thing.
Exhilaration.
Teach then turned to Liszt and the band.
"You won't join the fight," he said calmly. "For your first appearance, play Starry Sky. Let the world hear it. Let them know, the era of the Nightfall Pirates has arrived."
"There's no danger. Liszt is here, and the executives are watching."
For these young musicians, battle would be too cruel.
Instead, they would make history in another way.
Starry Sky, a masterpiece Teach had composed on Beast Island and refined by Venus's greatest musicians, was about to echo across the world.
The darkness had come.
And with it, the night.