As time passed, the Nightfall Pirates drew closer, their figures becoming clearer with every passing second.
High atop the mast, their flag fluttered violently in the wind. Three skulls with sharp, piercing eyes gazed in different directions, crossed bones behind them, and a swirling dark vortex at the center. It was unmistakable, the symbol of the Nightfall Pirates.
Morgans, barely able to contain his excitement, pushed the live broadcast Den Den Mushi closer, revealing the Nightfall Pirates' full appearance to the entire world.
The moment the image appeared, countless viewers froze.
Every member of the Nightfall Pirates was dressed in dark-themed attire, radiating an overwhelming presence. The camera slowly swept across them. Black dominated their outfits, accented by dark purple and eerie blue. Some bore the Nightfall Pirates' emblem openly, others displayed dark vortices, and a few were decorated with blood-red claw patterns.
No two outfits were the same.
As the camera moved closer, the executives came into view.
Van Augur wore a black cloak that fluttered behind him. Kaguya stood silently in a black kimono. Pito leaned casually in a black denim jacket. Clemons and Daz Bonez were dressed in black monk robes. Laffitte appeared as chilling as ever in his signature black attire. Pouf wore a dark purple shirt paired with black trousers. Baccarat stood out in a sleek black leotard that emphasized her graceful figure.
Every member of the Nightfall Pirates followed the same dark aesthetic, each with their own unique details and symbols.
Finally, the camera focused on the two figures seated apart from the rest.
The captain and vice-captain.
Unlike the others, they sat upon jewel-inlaid thrones.
Redyat wore a long robe inscribed with mysterious runes, dark purple dragon patterns winding across it. Beside him sat Marshall D. Teach.
Teach leaned back casually, one hand resting on the armrest. He wore a black pirate coat trimmed with elegant gold embroidery. His shirt was loosely unbuttoned, revealing his muscular chest, and his slightly curly long hair swayed gently in the sea breeze.
A faint smile rested on his face.
The aura of a king was impossible to ignore.
As the Nightfall Pirates arrived, the sky above Urso Island seemed to split in two. One half bathed in light, belonging to the Marines. The other swallowed by darkness, belonging to the Nightfall Pirates.
Five pirate ships docked along the shore.
The war was about to begin.
Many viewers around the world found their eyes lighting up, not from fear, but fascination.
The Nightfall Pirates' clothing style was unlike anything on the market. It was clearly custom-made, bearing unique insignias and designs. Some people, even in the middle of this looming war, found themselves tempted.
Across the world, eyes were glued to the broadcast.
Some Nightfall Pirates struck what they believed were their coolest poses. Others looked completely relaxed. Through the camera, people even noticed a group of crew members calmly playing cards on deck, as if a world-shaking battle was not about to unfold.
The scene stunned viewers everywhere.
In the East Blue, the Buggy Pirates watched. In the South Blue, the Red-Haired Pirates observed in silence. Two former apprentices of the Roger Pirates, now captains in their own right, followed the broadcast with interest.
Some watched through video Den Den Mushi, thanks to the World Economic News Agency's upgraded systems. Others gathered around massive public screens, listening to Morgans' excited commentary.
At Sabaody Archipelago, Area 13, Shakky's Rip-Off Bar had closed for the day.
Inside the dimly lit bar, a single video Den Den Mushi played the scene from Urso Island.
Silvers Rayleigh leaned back in his chair, eyes fixed on the screen. Shakky stood beside him, arms crossed.
"He's grown to this extent already," Rayleigh said quietly. "At this rate, I don't think I could beat him anymore."
"Hehe, you're not that old yet," Shakky replied, unconvinced. She knew Rayleigh's strength had barely declined. He was still one of the strongest men alive.
Rayleigh chuckled, rubbing his stubbled chin, strands of golden hair now streaked with gray. "I haven't held a sword seriously in three years. It's the era of the young now. You can't fight time."
Elsewhere, in the New World, countless pirate crews watched from an island called Arkas.
Their gazes were fixed on the screen, on the figure known as the Dark Emperor.
On the deck of the Nightfall Pirates' ship, Teach rose from his throne. His tall, powerfully built body stood proudly as his coat billowed behind him.
"Let's go," he said with a grin. "They've been waiting long enough. It's time to hold a grand funeral for these Marines."
The ships were already docked.
From the broadcast alone, anyone could feel Teach's absolute confidence.
Nearby, the crew members who had been playing cards looked up.
"Then we'll continue later," one of them said casually as they gathered the cards and set them aside. "When we get back."
That single sentence left countless viewers stunned.
A decisive battle loomed, yet they were confident enough to plan their card game afterward.
One by one, the Nightfall Pirates disembarked onto Urso Island.
The darkness that had blanketed half the sky slowly receded as Teach withdrew his power. Light returned, and the oppressive atmosphere eased slightly.
On the vast, barren battlefield, Marine forces had already assembled at the center.
They knew the Nightfall Pirates had landed.
The war was imminent.
At the front, the three Marine Vice Admirals and Admiral candidates stood with arms crossed. Gilman, Atchison, and Nickt could already sense powerful auras approaching, not just one or two, but many.
From afar, pirates and reporters watched as the Nightfall Pirates advanced steadily toward the Marines.
Teach met the Marines' gaze with a confident smile as he led his crew forward.
The Nightfall Pirates' presence alone exuded overwhelming deterrence. After more than half a year of brutal training on Beast Island, their overall strength far surpassed what it had been during the battle with Vice Admiral Brom.
The two sides closed the distance.
"Let's start," Teach said calmly, glancing toward the Marine formation. He turned his head to Redyat and smiled. "You fire the first shot."
Redyat nodded. "About time. I'll take care of that Miasma Fruit user."
With that, he leapt into the air, using Moonwalk to rise higher and higher.
Instantly, all attention snapped to him.
Morgans tracked his movements at once, his Observation Haki guiding the camera smoothly. The world listened as Teach's words confirmed it.
The first move was coming.
The distance between the two forces was now less than a thousand meters.
Gilman and the other Vice Admirals tensed. Whatever Redyat was about to do, it wouldn't be simple.
Marine soldiers looked up instinctively, eyes fixed on the figure climbing into the sky.
Across the world, audiences held their breath.
In the Kingdom of Tirisfal, Mainz watched the broadcast with a faint smile. "Looks like my brother is finally getting serious."
High above the battlefield, Redyat's body began to change.
His form expanded rapidly. Obsidian-black dragon scales spread across his body, hard and lightless.
Everyone knew what was coming.
With a thunderous dragon's roar, a colossal shadow swallowed the sky.
A gigantic black dragon appeared.
Wings spread wide. Horns spiraled like a crown. Its massive body was covered in impenetrable scales, claws sharp enough to tear mountains apart, a barbed tail swaying behind it.
The dragon hovered in the air.
The moment it appeared, an overwhelming pressure crashed down.
Some Marines staggered backward. Weaker soldiers collapsed to the ground outright.
In the Barbarossa Kingdom, Yamato stared at the screen, eyes shining. "Father, that looks a lot like your ability."
Kreeler nodded thoughtfully. "Dragon's Roar. The innate might of dragonkind. Only those with strong wills can withstand it, though it's still weaker than the Governor's." [T/N: Honestly, i do not know who is Kreeler or how to rename him. I kept him as author called him for now till I figure out who it is in world of one piece. If you got an idea who it is please let me know.]
"That's only natural," Kaido said, draining his gourd in one gulp. "He's still a kid."
Yamato grinned, gripping her club. "I've learned Thunder Bagua."
Kaido snorted. "That wasn't Thunder Bagua."
Even so, the sheer power of her swing surprised those watching.
Back on Urso Island, Redyat's presence dominated the battlefield.
Conqueror's Haki erupted alongside Dragon's Roar, crashing into the Marine ranks like a tidal wave.
Most Marines remained standing, their morale still burning hot, bolstered by the three Admiral candidates at the front. Yet fear crept in all the same.
More importantly, the world realized something else.
Redyat possessed the disposition of a king.
Combined with Teach, and with "Evil God" Ares still in the New World, the Nightfall Pirates now had three kings among their ranks.
Their future potential was terrifying.
High above, Redyat lifted his massive head.
An immense, frightening energy began to gather in his mouth.
Everyone who had seen Kaido fight before recognized the scene.
The feeling was exactly the same.
The war had truly begun.