The Nightfall Pirates were already sailing toward Water 7, where their new ship awaited them.
Naturally, they had read the World Economic News.
Just as Teach had predicted, the already turbulent sea grew even more restless. Yet compared to the storm that was coming, this chaos could only be called the calm before it.
No one would ignore a gold mine.
Not the World Government. Not the emperor class pirates of the New World. Not even powerful kingdoms with ambitions of their own.
Jaya Island had become the focal point of the world, and before long, it would turn into the very eye of the storm, with countless conflicts spiraling around it.
Given the World Government's appetite, they would certainly want to seize Jaya Island outright and claim it as their own.
But the other powers would never allow that.
And so, the disputes began.
As the world waited, the exclusive interview aired as scheduled.
Morgans grinned from ear to ear. In just this short period, he had already pocketed an astronomical number of Berries.
Within minutes, the sea completely boiled over.
Over ten thousand tons of gold.
Those words, spoken directly by Marshall D. Teach, echoed across the world.
On Whole Cake Island, Big Mom froze mid bite, dessert still in hand, her eyes locked onto the screen.
"Katakuri," she said slowly, turning her head. "How much did he say?"
Katakuri frowned slightly, then answered calmly, "Mama. Over ten thousand tons of gold."
Big Mom's hand trembled.
"Is it real?"
"It should be," Katakuri replied. "As long as gold continues to be salvaged from that sea area, it's real. And Teach is not the type to lie about something like this."
Big Mom's lips stretched into a grin.
"Mama… go seize that island for me. All that gold belongs to me."
She stuffed the dessert into her mouth, licked her fingers with satisfaction, then straightened. Her eyes widened, a terrifying light flashing within them as she let out a distorted laugh.
Katakuri spoke again, his tone steady. "Mama, this needs to wait. The gold is scattered across the seabed. Salvaging it will take time. And we won't be the only ones going after it."
He continued, "Jaya Island lies in the first half of the Grand Line. Our influence doesn't extend there easily, and the Marines and World Government are already entrenched. If we want a share, we'll need allies."
Pirates and the World Government were natural enemies. None of the great pirate crews would allow the Marines to monopolize such wealth.
If they did, the Marines' power would surge, squeezing pirates out entirely.
"Our priority remains the struggle for the title of Emperor," Katakuri concluded. "Jaya Island will take years to resolve without overwhelming power."
Big Mom snorted, but her excitement cooled.
She understood.
Still, her towering figure rose to its full height, nearly nine meters tall.
"Ma. I'm done waiting," she said. "Inform Kaido. Prepare for war."
"Yes, Mama," the Charlotte Family members replied in unison, bowing their heads.
In the territory of the Beast Pirates, Kaido let out a booming laugh.
"Prepare for war! We're taking the Emperor's seat!"
He drained his sake, tossed the gourd aside, and stood. Swinging his spiked club casually, he sent a violent gust tearing through the hall.
The Beast Pirates had already received word from Big Mom.
The two forces had aligned their timing.
Now.
Unlike Big Mom, Kaido cared less about gold and more about battle itself. Still, he had no intention of letting such wealth slip away. Armies required funding.
"Gurararara. My sons, this is something we cannot ignore."
Edward Newgate laughed loudly as he addressed the Whitebeard Pirates.
"As pirates, we have no choice but to involve ourselves. And we won't be the only ones." [T/N: Remember this is Prime WB the one who fights and drinks with gol d roger, not the sickly recluse wb.]
Elsewhere, within the ranks of the Golden Lion Pirates, Shiki shook his head with a sigh.
"What a waste," he muttered. "If that gold were on land, I'd have lifted the entire island."
Over ten thousand tons of gold. Enough to form the foundation for world domination.
With his strength and ambition, Shiki believed he could have ruled the seas outright. Add an Ancient Weapon, and even the World Government would tremble.
"We wait for the right moment," Rhinos said with a nod. "But we will move."
As an Emperor, he represented not only himself, but a vast portion of pirate interests.
This was about survival.
"Heh heh," Shiki laughed. "Linlin and that brat Kaido have been restless lately. They won't sit still for long. Looks like they're eager to climb onto the Emperor's throne."
The Flying Pirates possessed one of the largest intelligence networks in the world. Even though their control within individual territories lagged behind the Big Mom Pirates, their overall reach was unmatched.
Unlike the past, when Shiki's Sky Kingdom collapsed after his imprisonment, his power had now returned to its peak and was still growing.
With vast territory and influence, he was an uncrowned king, second only to the Whitebeard Pirates.
Even so, the World Government and Marines never dared to relax their vigilance.
"Still," Rhinos said with a smile, "we don't yet know who Linlin and Kaido intend to challenge."
"It doesn't matter," Shiki replied. "They're latecomers."
Even among Emperors, there were differences.
At Marine Headquarters, an emergency meeting was underway.
High ranking officers filled the chamber.
"Regarding the recent footage," Sengoku said, standing, "the World Government has ordered us to purge Jaya Island. Such a place cannot be allowed to fall under pirate control."
"This must be done," Tsuru agreed. "But we must prepare for war. Other forces will not sit idle while we claim such wealth."
"Hmph," Sakazuki snorted. "So what? Prepare for war. The Grand Line is our territory. If they come, we'll crush them."
The air seemed to heat slightly as his killing intent leaked out.
As head of the Inspection Department, Sakazuki inspired fear even among fellow officers. His methods were ruthless. Pirates or Marines alike faced severe punishment if they crossed the line.
Yet the results were undeniable.
Discipline had tightened. Morale had hardened.
The Marines had never feared war.
Being forced out of the New World had always been a humiliation. While the Great Pirate Era and sheer pirate numbers played a role, the shame remained.
Now, with pirates being captured and sent to Impel Down in droves, confidence had begun to return.
Calls to re enter the New World were growing louder.
Sengoku raised a hand. "Our primary mission remains stabilizing the Four Seas and the Grand Line. We will involve ourselves in Jaya Island, but not at the cost of our broader strategy."
Tsuru nodded. "For now, a single Vice Admiral will suffice. The New World pirates haven't acted yet. There's no need to rush."
Outwardly calm, Tsuru felt a heavy weight in her chest.
She saw it clearly. Jaya Island could very well spark a second massive war between the Marines and the New World pirates.
The Marines had only just begun to stabilize the seas.
Another war could undo everything.
But she said nothing.
She was already exhausted.
Doflamingo in the North Blue had grown increasingly reckless, his malice spreading unchecked. Containing him was becoming harder by the day.
And now, this.
A storm was coming.
And at its center stood the Nightfall Pirates.
The Dark Emperor, Marshall D. Teach.
She remembered him. A young pirate who once claimed he could take her life.
She had not believed him then.
Now, she knew he had not lied.
This chaos was deliberate. And Tsuru was certain of one thing.
The gold the Nightfall Pirates had shown was not all of it.
Far from it.
Sengoku noticed the faint tension in her expression.
He said nothing for now.
But after the meeting, he would ask.