The White Wolf Alliance was a trade coalition centered around the White Wolf Pirates, founded jointly by the Eleven Nations Alliance, Elbaf, Fish-Man Island, Sphinx, and numerous other nations.
The alliance's purpose wasn't to oppose war, but to foster mutual exchange. More importantly, it established a maritime trade network spanning the entire New World, designed to improve living standards for people across all member nations.
Once ships flew the "White Wolf" flag, they became feared by pirates. Plundering White Wolf Alliance merchant ships meant offending the White Wolf Pirates and powerful forces like Elbaf.
As a result, pirates operating in the New World avoided White Wolf Alliance merchant ships at all costs. Only a handful of reckless rookies with a death wish dared attack.
Besides, merchant ships usually traveled with guards dispatched by various nations, ranging from Fish-Man Island warriors to Elbaf giants. Ordinary pirate crews stood little chance of capturing White Wolf Alliance merchant ships.
But that assumed the attackers were actually pirates! The New World's harsh conditions made survival difficult. Even at the height of their power, the Marines often couldn't deliver supplies on time to New World branches, causing discipline to break down in some outposts and turning Marines into plunderers.
That's right. The ones attacking White Wolf Alliance merchant ships weren't pirates, but Marines!
Since they were already mortal enemies of the White Wolf Pirates, these Marine soldiers, who acted more like street thugs than Marines, didn't care about potential retaliation. Ridiculous. As if restraining themselves would somehow keep them safe.
After the Acropolis Port battle, the New World Marines suffered devastating losses in personnel and funding. Some Marine branches existed only on paper. Though other branches retained their structure, Marine headquarters had lost all contact with them. The only fully operational base was likely just the G-1 Marine Branch near Acropolis Port.
Someone then proposed a ruthless strategy. Since the White Wolf Pirates were enemies anyway, why not deploy these rogue Marines to attack White Wolf Alliance merchant ships? Win or lose, it would disrupt the White Wolf Alliance's trade routes and force the White Wolf Pirates to divert significant resources.
This approach naturally angered many Marines, but even more quietly endorsed it, as it could weaken the White Wolf Pirates. Attacking White Wolf Alliance trade routes meant the White Wolf Pirates would receive less funding, slowing their expansion.
Thus, when the main Marine forces withdrew from the New World, they left behind Marines who had already gone rogue. Though not technically pirates, they were worse than pirates in every way. Their sole mission: destroy the White Wolf Pirates trade routes.
BOOM!
The boom of cannon fire echoed across the seas. Black cannonballs exploded near the merchant ship, sending towering waves in all directions. Panic spread through the crew. Shouts, screams, and curses filled the air.
"Didn't they say this was the protected White Wolf Alliance trade route? We're flying the 'White Wolf' flag. Why would some fool still attack?"
"The 'White Wolf' reputation doesn't seem worth much."
"I said establishing maritime trade routes in the New World wouldn't be easy. Should've stuck to regional trade."
Though only one merchant ship was under attack, this vessel was actually a joint investment by several merchants. The ship's cargo was divided into several sections, with goods sold at each port and new merchandise purchased for the next destination.
In the World Government's eyes, the New World was a wasteland, but this wasn't entirely accurate. The real cause of resource shortages was the brutal climate. Even Elbaf, with its fertile land, suffered food crises, much less other nations.
However, harsh weather also produced rare commodities found nowhere else. Many minerals fetched exorbitant prices simply by crossing borders.
Kokoro was one of this merchant ship's captains. A native of Fish-Man Island, she'd finally fulfilled her promise to Silas upon reaching adulthood and launched her own merchant fleet.
At first, she simply transported Fish-Man Island pearls and treasures. What fish-men and merfolk considered worthless baubles fetched astronomical prices in the human world.
However, most of the time, fish-men and merfolk were reluctant to trade with humans. Though Fish-Man Island joined the World Government over a hundred years ago, they'd never established formal diplomatic relations or attended a single World Council.
Due to the World Government's lax enforcement and the proliferation of slave-hunting crews, countless fish-men and merfolk held deep-seated hostility toward humans.
Then the White Wolf Pirates appeared. Countless strikes against slavery, countless rescues of Fish-Man Island residents from traffickers earned Fish-Man Island residents' trust.
After the Acropolis Port battle, they officially withdrew from the World Government, joining forces with the Eleven Nations Alliance under the White Wolf Pirates' protection.
To be honest, though the World Government expected some fence-sitters to defect to the White Wolf Pirates after Acropolis Port, they never expected Fish-Man Island would be the first to withdraw despite paying Heavenly Tribute faithfully for over a hundred years.
Consider this: Fish-Man Island lies 10,000 meters undersea. Resources humans found rare might be abundant near Fish-Man Island. Among these was a mineral that burned underwater.
Fist-sized pieces could release tremendous heat, burning for an entire day. This meant nothing to Fish-Man Island, but for nations in frigid regions, it was a lifeline.
By chance, Kokoro discovered that Mechanical Island Baldimore at the New World's edge desperately needed this combustible mineral and would trade advanced technology for it. Thus, Kokoro's current voyage.
Unlike other merchants transporting valuable cargo, Kokoro carried only ice-like stones. Many mocked Kokoro, believing she'd lose everything.
Kokoro knew better, because Mechanical Island's demand for combustible minerals was massive. Her mineral shipment was a drop in the bucket compared to the entire island's needs. She'd even brought a contract ready to sign.
If Mechanical Island was satisfied with this trade, she hoped to secure a formal trade agreement on behalf of Fish-Man Island. Mechanical Island was a government ally, not a White Wolf Alliance member, but since it was on the route, the merchants aboard didn't care whether their trade partners were government allies or White Wolf Alliance members. Business was business.
At first, they cautiously followed the White Wolf Alliance's designated trade routes, but after several voyages, they discovered that with the White Wolf Pirates dominance in the New World, simply flying the White Wolf Alliance flag meant that even in government-controlled waters, no pirates dared attack them. The merchants grew bolder.
Who would have thought that barely into their voyage, they'd encounter fearless "pirates" targeting them.
"Everyone shut up! I've already contacted the White Wolf Alliance patrol fleets and New Marines. Just hold on. Support will arrive soon!" As a seasoned veteran, merchant ship captain Ivan wasn't some inexperienced youngster. Pirate attacks? He'd been through worse, though that was all in the past.
"Boy, when those Marines board, you go first!"
"Why?" The blond youth's eyes widened.
"Because I saved your life!" The youth looked at the old man, leaning against the cabin with his hands behind his head. "Old man, how do you know those Marines aren't pirates?"
"Of course I know!" Ivan glanced at the youth irritably. "I've dealt with Marines more times than you brats." As a helmsman, he'd led his comrades in escaping Marine encirclement; his greatest dream had been owning his own ship. And now, that dream had finally come true. If he'd led his comrades out of danger before, this time was no exception.
"Scum attacking civilians better not board my ship!" But things didn't go as planned. Ivan's former ship was made from the finest shipbuilding material: Adam Wood.
The ship's speed was world-class. His current ship was just an ordinary merchant vessel, and he didn't have those powerful crewmates anymore, either.
CLANG!
The clang of metal striking the hull sounded. Though aged, Ivan wasn't senile. He roared instinctively, "Guards, check the sides immediately. Those scum have boarded!"
He glanced at the nearby youth. "Boy, your turn!" Hearing Ivan's words, the youth complained, "Even without me, old man, you alone could handle those Marine soldiers, right?"
Though his Observation Haki wasn't fully developed, the youth could sense that the boarding Marine soldiers weren't particularly strong. What alarmed him most was this unremarkable-looking old man before him.
"Little brat, you dare say that?" Ivan aimed a kick at the youth's butt. Though the youth tried to dodge, his poor position meant he was still going to get kicked. "Don't you see how old I am?"
Though he'd had some strength when young, Ivan was now just an old man. And with a free bodyguard at hand, why not use him?
"You're named Rayleigh, right? Bounty 70 million Berry. I remember your pirate crew recently clashed with the White Wolf Pirates and the Rocks Pirates. Be careful, or I'll turn you in."
"Old man, you recognized me?"
"I'm old, but my eyes work fine!" Ivan rolled his eyes at Rayleigh, feinting another kick. "Still not going?"
"Fine, I'll go." The future "Dark King" Rayleigh was currently just an unknown young pirate. Facing the old man's threats, he reluctantly stood up. "Got weapons? I'm a swordsman."
"Will this do?" Rayleigh looked at the mop Ivan tossed him, his mouth twitching. "You call this a weapon?"
"Heh, true masters could use even tree branches as weapons. The attackers aren't serious threats anyway. A mop's enough."
"Fine." Hearing this explanation, Rayleigh had to admit it made sense. Three months ago, his pirate crew encountered the White Wolf Pirates' Rocks Pirates.
After a fierce battle, his crewmates were captured, and he barely escaped with severe injuries. Fortunately, Ivan's merchant ship passed by, rescuing him from the wreckage.
From their first meeting, Rayleigh knew Ivan wasn't an ordinary merchant captain. Though Ivan's aura was restrained, the feeling was like a beast with its claws retracted. You couldn't imagine the damage when they came out.
Over this time together, Rayleigh had roughly gauged Ivan's temperament. Though verbally harsh, he was actually a good person. Otherwise, he wouldn't have saved him.
As they grew closer, when the old man was in a good mood, he would offer advice. In his own words, he was just an insignificant nobody. Many things were hearsay, so just listen, don't take them too seriously.
If Rayleigh had fully matured, an old captain's guidance wouldn't have mattered much. But, currently in his growth phase and having just mastered two-color Haki, the old man's guidance was precious.
Rayleigh still needed to rescue his captured comrades, but knew that with his current strength, it was absolutely impossible. So he must become powerful! Wonder how those idiots Roger and Gaban are doing? However worried I am, on this vast sea, I can only do my part and pray that before finding them, I don't encounter any members of the Rocks Pirates or the White Wolf Pirates.
But when you're unlucky, everything goes wrong.
"Yo." A voice suddenly rang out in the cabin. "Long time no see, Ivan." Rayleigh hadn't encountered other White Wolf Pirates members. He'd encountered White Wolf himself!