The consecutive hosting of the World Expo and the Swordsmanship Tournament had pushed the Nightfall Pirates' reputation to unprecedented heights. After the departure of the various forces, the Nightfall Pirates entered a period of steady and rapid development.
In the blink of an eye, a year passed. Across their territory, especially on Parage Island, tremendous changes had taken place, transforming it into an even more prosperous hub than before.
The Battle Pyramid remained as popular as ever. The number of participants had not declined after the tournament; instead, it continued to rise gradually.
During this year of relative calm, the Nightfall Pirates governed their territory in peace. Beyond routine training, many members honed themselves within the arenas and the Battle Pyramid, tempering their strength through constant battle.
Now, numerous members had already built reputations within the Battle Pyramid. They climbed the rankings, challenged powerful opponents, and gained widespread recognition throughout the Sageros Sea.
With the entire sea under their control, the Nightfall Pirates could broadcast battles across vast distances with large screens at a single command. This allowed every corner of the sea to witness the clashes within the Battle Pyramid.
As a result, their influence deepened. The people of the Sageros Sea gradually accepted their rule, even embracing it willingly.
A stable environment, improved living conditions, and abundant entertainment all stemmed from the rule of the Nightfall Pirates.
The title of "Dark Overlord" slowly spread, evolving from something unfamiliar into a widely recognized symbol of authority.
Unlike other great pirate territories, where subordinate forces simply paid protection fees while maintaining independence, the Nightfall Pirates governed differently.
As the saying goes, a vassal's vassal is not truly a vassal.
But within the Sageros Sea, this principle no longer applied.
The Nightfall Pirates exercised authority over every layer of power. These forces were not merely paying for protection. They had submitted entirely, accepting direct command.
Any group that resisted or pretended to submit while secretly opposing them was swiftly eliminated. There was no shortage of replacements.
With overwhelming strength backing their rule, the Nightfall Pirates maintained absolute control. Even with the presence of outsiders and wandering pirates, no one dared defy their authority.
Those who tested the limits had already paid the price in blood.
At the same time, the arenas and the Battle Pyramid became channels for recruitment. Fighters with potential were absorbed into the Nightfall Pirates, while entire pirate crews sought their protection and pledged allegiance.
Their power expanded at an astonishing, snowballing pace.
This rapid growth was fueled further by an internal system that had begun to circulate among the crew: the Fourth Sequence Plan.
Although not yet officially announced, rumors had spread widely.
This system would define status, rank, and authority within the Nightfall Pirates.
The First Sequence consisted of only three individuals: "Dark Emperor" Teach, "Shadow Dragon" Redyat, and "Fierce God" Ares. These three stood at the absolute peak, their positions unshakable.
They were monsters among monsters, destined to stand at the summit of the New World.
No one even dared to covet their positions. Anyone capable of challenging them would have no reason to remain under another's banner.
Below them stood the Second Sequence, known as the Seven Demon Kings.
Only seven positions existed, and every one of them would be fought over fiercely. Among the current high-ranking members, each was a monster in their own right, making the competition brutal.
The Third Sequence, the Thirteen Demon Generals, opened thirteen slots.
Compared to the Seven Demon Kings, these positions were more attainable, yet the competition was even more intense. Not only did contenders have to rival core members, but also countless ambitious challengers.
Finally, the Fourth Sequence, the Seventy-Two Demon Pillars, offered seventy-two positions.
For the majority, this was the primary goal.
Though still unofficial, the structure already felt real to many. After all, such a detailed system could not have emerged from mere rumors.
Titles carried weight. They inspired ambition and gave identity to strength.
Ultimately, the Nightfall Pirates valued one thing above all else: power.
This system would organize their forces, streamline command, and shape the structure of their growing empire.
Teach had already chosen the timing for its formal implementation. In his mind, it would occur in the twelfth year of the Great Pirate Era, Sea Calendar 1510, six years from now.
By then, many would have matured, and the foundation would be complete.
What no one else knew was that this moment would also mark Teach's rise to the throne of an Emperor.
The mere hint of this future created pressure within the crew. Members pushed themselves harder, aware that their comrades were also competitors.
This was exactly what Teach wanted.
Pressure created motivation. Ambition drove growth.
The expansion of the Nightfall Pirates demanded strength not only from Teach, but from every subordinate under his banner.
The Seven Demon Kings, Thirteen Demon Generals, and Seventy-Two Demon Pillars represented his grand ambition: to build a force that could rival, even surpass, the legendary Rocks Pirates.
Teach never spoke idly. Every word he uttered carried intent.
Yet the present reality remained clear. They were still far from that goal.
They needed more strong warriors.
Recruitment, training, and cultivation from the ground up all played a role. Fortunately, time was still on their side.
Above all else, Teach understood one truth.
His own strength mattered most.
Over the past year, his growth had not slowed in the slightest.
Conventional training had long reached its limits for him. Instead, he pursued extreme methods.
He trained with Seastone restraints, forcing his body to adapt while relying purely on Armament Haki. Like Garp forging his fists, Teach hammered his own body through relentless physical conditioning.
He lifted massive weights, constantly pushing beyond his limits.
He even ordered the creation of machines that generated lightning, using electrical currents to temper his body from within.
As for deep-sea training, it remained impossible.
Even with some resistance to Seastone, the weakness of Devil Fruit users toward seawater was absolute.
It was not something that could be overcome.
Teach had no intention of testing that limit.
Instead, he chose control. Flight ensured he would never fall into the sea so easily.
Ares trained in the Calm Belt. Redyat oversaw Parage Island. Teach himself remained in the Dark Night Palace, leaving most administrative matters to his subordinates.
Today, however, a rare gathering had taken place.
After hearing Mostima's report, Teach sat upon his throne, gazing down at the enormous map of the New World spread before him.
His posture was relaxed, one fist supporting his cheek, his long hair falling over his shoulders.
Yet the pressure he emitted was overwhelming.
Compared to a year ago, he had grown significantly stronger.
Even without intent, his presence alone weighed heavily on everyone in the room.
Mostima and the others felt it clearly, their excitement rising.
Teach was approaching the level of the Four Emperors.
Against figures like Whitebeard or Golden Lion, there was still a gap. But when compared to Big Mom or Kaido, the difference was no longer insurmountable.
Victory or defeat would depend on the battle itself.
Darkness began to flow from Teach's body, spreading across the map.
It engulfed the territories already under their control, then expanded outward in three directions: north, east, and west.
Island after island was swallowed by darkness.
To the east, it halted before reaching the territory of the Beasts Pirates, leaving a buffer zone.
To the north and west, however, it continued, consuming nearly a hundred islands before finally stopping.
The scale of his ambition was immense.
This would not be a short campaign.
The enemies ahead were far stronger than before. Powerful pirate crews and established forces stood in their path.
This time, there would be no easy victories.
Teach welcomed it.
Since entering the New World, he had yet to truly unleash himself in battle.
Now, he desired it.
War was the forge of reputation.
To become an Emperor, he would carve his name into the world through blood and conquest.
"Looking at the time, it's about time we begin," Teach said softly, a smile forming on his face.
His hand tightened slightly, and the darkness surged again.
"Swallow these territories. Crush anything that stands in our way."
His voice rose, filled with unrestrained dominance.
"It's time to prepare for the throne of an Emperor."
A terrifying wave of Conqueror's Haki burst forth, distorting the sky above the royal capital of Gretel.
Clouds twisted into a massive vortex.
Darkness spread as if the heavens themselves were bowing.
Teach raised his hand, black energy coiling around it like a living force.
"Go," he commanded.
"Conquer everything. Let them fall into the embrace of the Nightfall."
"There are no opponents ahead of us."
"Defeat them all."
Mostima lowered his head deeply, unable to hide the excitement in his eyes.
"Yes, Captain."
At that moment, the Nightfall Pirates received their orders.
Across the sea, fleets mobilized, forces gathered, and preparations began.
Like a colossal machine awakening, the Nightfall Pirates roared into motion once more.
War had begun again.