The world-shaking battle of the opening ceremony carved itself deeply into the minds of all who witnessed it. The names of those three figures would echo across the seas for years to come, standing at the very peak as both supreme powerhouses and unparalleled swordsmen.
The images of that clash would not fade with time. Instead, they would become milestones, guiding countless swordsmen who now chased those heights with renewed fervor.
Whether it was Redfield, Kozuki Oden, or Yamamoto Genryusa, every swordsman would remember them.
"What a spectacular battle," Teach said with clear satisfaction as he looked at the three after returning to the hall.
"Hahaha! That was truly exhilarating. You should visit Wano Country someday," Oden replied cheerfully, glancing between Yamamoto Genryusa and Redfield.
Before this, their interactions had been limited. They knew each other's names and reputations, but little beyond that. Now, after crossing blades, recognition had taken root. Strength acknowledged strength, and bonds were formed in the furnace of battle.
Teach, meanwhile, was more than pleased with the outcome. The opening ceremony had exceeded expectations and firmly established the authority of the Swordsmanship Tournament in the eyes of the world.
If such a tournament were ever held again, its prestige would only grow.
Of course, that would not happen anytime soon. This competition was tied to the title of "World's Strongest Swordsman." Repeating it too soon would cheapen that title. Moreover, there was no venue more fitting than the Battle Pyramid itself.
By now, the tournament had fully entered its operational phase. With tens of thousands of swordsmen participating, even the vast Battle Pyramid could not conclude the event quickly.
The first stage alone aimed to filter the top 1,024 participants, leaving only a tiny fraction to advance.
Since many positions were effectively secured by Sword Masters and Grand Sword Masters, the competition among ordinary swordsmen became even more brutal.
A large number of participants won all ten of their matches, far exceeding the available advancement slots. As a result, additional elimination rounds became necessary.
Injuries were inevitable. Severe wounds could easily disrupt performance, forcing delays in scheduling.
Each competitor fought at least one match per day, sometimes two, depending on the arrangement. Even though the schedule had been planned in advance, unexpected injuries often forced adjustments.
Death also occurred, though rarely. Even so, each casualty created ripples that affected tournament logistics.
Managing such a massive operation pushed the Battle Pyramid staff to their limits. While members of the Nightfall Pirates oversaw order, the majority of administrative personnel came from the Kingdom of Christi.
Their responsibilities were clear. The Nightfall Pirates maintained control and security, while Christi's workforce handled logistics.
The first round alone lasted half a month.
Among all the matches, the most captivating were those between Sword Masters, or between Sword Masters and Grand Sword Masters. These duels often stretched on for an entire day and night when both sides were evenly matched.
As for clashes between Grand Sword Masters, those had yet to occur. The Nightfall Pirates deliberately delayed such battles, ensuring they would receive the full attention they deserved.
When those matches finally began, they would be held one at a time, possibly even one per day, allowing the entire world to focus on each duel.
At present, however, the sheer number of battles meant spectators could only watch one at a time. Every arena in the Battle Pyramid was filled to capacity.
Each match was broadcast live via dedicated Den Den Mushi, allowing viewers to switch between fights at will. Recordings were also stored and made available for a fee.
This collaboration between the Nightfall Pirates and the World Economic News Agency proved immensely profitable. Swordsmen across the world were eager to study others' techniques and improve themselves.
Although most services within the Battle Pyramid were free for participants, the costs were negligible compared to the massive profits generated.
Food, supplies, and essential goods flowed continuously from various islands to Parage Island. The Kingdom of Christi served as the primary supplier, leveraging its vast production capacity to meet the needs of millions.
Teach himself paid little attention to individual matches. The same was true for the other Emperors. Only the final battles between true elites would draw their focus.
Instead, Teach's Observation Haki remained constantly active, silently overseeing the entire situation and preventing any unforeseen incidents before they could arise.
At the same time, something far more subtle was unfolding.
A peculiar creature began appearing across the territories of the Nightfall Pirates.
It had three dragon heads, two tails, massive bat-like wings, no forelimbs, and stood on two powerful hind legs. Its body was covered entirely in scales, exuding an aura of dominance and mystery.
Statues of this creature appeared at ports, arenas, and important locations throughout the Sageros Sea, including the thirty-six islands and the Battle Pyramid itself.
Through plush toys, carvings, and illustrations, its image spread rapidly.
Even the figurehead of the Nightfall Pirates' flagship, the Queen Anne's Revenge, bore the same three-headed dragon design.
Teach's clothing featured its likeness, and gradually, both pirates and civilians began to imitate it.
This was not coincidence.
This was influence.
What began as a symbol quietly evolved into a trend. With the Swordsmanship Tournament as a catalyst, the creature's image spread beyond the Sageros Sea, reaching the New World, Paradise, the Four Seas, and eventually the entire world.
People noticed it, even if only subconsciously. Curiosity grew.
What was this creature?
What did it represent?
Only a select few knew the answer. Teach, Mostima, and Redyat.
This was the foundation of the "God-Making Plan."
Not a god in the literal sense. Teach had no belief in divine beings, nor did he acknowledge the so-called gods of the Celestial Dragons.
However, he believed something else.
The world itself possessed a kind of will. Whether it was a system, an instinct, or an invisible order, it undeniably existed.
This idea originated from a single notebook.
The Nightfall Pirates had obtained the majority of Ohara's vast library. Aside from materials related to the Void Century, which they deemed unnecessary, everything else had been preserved.
Ohara's collection spanned far beyond its four hundred years of existence, encompassing knowledge from over eight hundred years, and even older eras.
Among this ocean of knowledge were manuals, secrets, maps, and forgotten techniques.
While organizing these materials, scholars uncovered something extraordinary. An ancient manuscript, nearly one thousand years old. It predated even the Great Kingdom.
Its author called himself the "God-Maker."
The contents of the manuscript shook Teach to his core. It began with a theory regarding Devil Fruits.
As the world developed, new concepts gave birth to new Devil Fruits. The appearance of novel ideas could lead to the creation of corresponding abilities.
Then came the central question.
If mythical creatures did not exist, why did Mythical Zoan Devil Fruits exist? Were they purely born from imagination? Could imagination itself create reality?
The author attempted to answer this question.
He designed a creature. A Thunder Bird with golden feathers and extreme speed. He painted it, sculpted it, and dedicated himself to its creation.
Then he realized something crucial.
Myth required belief.
It required time, history, and widespread recognition.
So he traveled the world, searching for isolated tribes and primitive civilizations.
Eventually, he found one.
They worshipped a creature with a lion's head, a goat's body, and a snake's tail.
A Chimera.
At their altar rested a Devil Fruit.
Through deception and violence, he obtained it and confirmed his theory. It was indeed a Mythical Zoan.
With this proof, he began his own experiment. He spread belief in the Thunder Bird among the natives, building statues and guiding worship.
Decades passed.
Nothing happened. His body aged. His hope faded. Until one day, a Devil Fruit appeared on a tree behind the altar.
He had succeeded.
A Mythical Zoan had been created through belief.
That revelation became the cornerstone of Teach's plan. He would not wait decades like the God-Maker. He possessed something far greater.
An entire sea under his control. A population numbering in the millions. And influence that stretched across the world.
Thus, he began planting the seed.
The creature that now spread across his territories.
A being born from memory, shaped by imagination, and nurtured by belief.
Teach did not need to hide his actions. He embraced visibility, allowing the image to spread naturally while reinforcing it through subtle guidance.
The Swordsmanship Tournament served as the perfect catalyst.
A stage watched by the entire world. A moment where symbols could become legends. And in time, belief would take root. Eventually, that belief would give birth to something real.
A Devil Fruit.
A power tailored to his design. A perfect complement to the Dark-Dark Fruit. Teach had already chosen its form.
A creature from another world, etched into his memory. A being of destruction and supremacy. Its name was unmistakable.
Ghidorah.