The massive war about to erupt in the Golden Sea did more than dominate headlines. It completely overshadowed the chaos of the New World's Chaotic Sea and even drowned out the Nightfall Pirates' renewed expansion campaign. Across the world, countless eyes fixed on a single question: who would emerge victorious?
Even for Marshall D. Teach, the outcome unfolding before him carried elements he had not anticipated.
He had originally expected the Golden Sea conflict to drag on much longer, gradually grinding both sides down. However, the sudden intervention of the World Government's affiliated kingdoms had accelerated everything. That variable had slipped past even him.
No one was flawless.
Teach had underestimated the collective influence of those kingdoms. Among them were rulers far more perceptive than he had given credit for. The Golden Sea was never just a battlefield for profit. Its consequences rippled outward, touching the interests of nations, factions, and countless individuals who were not even directly involved.
Their response was logical.
But it had shortened a war that should have lasted years.
Now, the World Government was escalating at an unprecedented scale, and that information could not be concealed. Jaya Island had already been at a disadvantage in terms of raw combat strength. With reinforcements pouring in, that gap was widening further.
Fortunately, Teach had eyes inside.
Through internal channels, he had already obtained first-hand intelligence.
Four Admiral-level combatants.
That number alone was enough to make most powers hesitate.
In addition to their original forces, the World Government had dispatched another Army Admiral, an Ancient Zoan user of the Ancient Vulture Fruit. While his strength ranked only as average among Admirals, the Army itself was vast. Combined with the Marines, their total force now stood at one hundred and fifty thousand troops, supported by numerous elite officers.
It was a terrifying lineup.
In fact, for many veterans, this was the first time in nearly twenty years that the World Government had mobilized forces on such a scale, reminiscent of the war that had destroyed the Rocks Pirates and reshaped the world.
Even if their top-tier combat power was still lacking compared to that era, the sheer size of the conflict had already reached a comparable level.
Such an army could wage war against an Emperor of the Sea head-on.
And that was only what could be seen.
In the shadows, CP0 had begun moving as well.
Though they lacked true top-tier monsters, every CP0 agent was at least Vice Admiral level. According to intelligence from Stephanie, twelve members had been deployed. Among them were two particularly dangerous figures.
One was "Shokuma," a Paramecia user with the Sucking-Sucking Fruit, capable of absorbing attacks and generating a gravitational pull reminiscent of the Dark-Dark Fruit.
The other was the so-called "Gentleman."
Based on reports, both were considered borderline Admiral-level threats.
Teach knew better.
He had personally witnessed the Gentleman in action. While lethal, the man had not yet reached the comprehensive level of a true Admiral. Still, that did not make him any less dangerous.
Altogether, the World Government's force, both visible and hidden, was overwhelming.
If underestimated, the consequences would be catastrophic. Jaya Island would fall, and with it, countless elite pirates from the New World. The loss would be devastating.
Among those forces were three of Teach's own key executives: Laffitte, Burgess, and Nelson.
Teach's expression darkened slightly.
His fingers tapped rhythmically against the armrest of his throne as he recalculated.
Plans never survived unchanged.
"Mostima," he said quietly, "put the expansion on hold. At least until the Golden Sea war concludes."
Mostima nodded immediately. "Understood."
No one present needed further explanation. Wars could be started at any time, but the Golden Sea was a once-in-a-generation opportunity. If it was lost now, it might never be reclaimed.
Of course, "on hold" did not mean complete withdrawal. The fleets had already been mobilized at enormous cost. Instead, they would avoid direct conflict with major powers like the Whitebeard Pirates and other factions tied to the Golden Sea.
Smaller targets, however, remained fair game.
"Send Redyat and Shiryu to Jaya Island," Teach continued. "Let them bring whoever they choose."
Mostima's expression sharpened. Sending both men was no small decision.
"Understood."
"The Golden Sea must be won," Teach added, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "If necessary, I will act personally. Before that, I need to speak with the others."
The others.
There was no need to clarify.
The Four Emperors.
Four Den Den Mushi were placed before him.
One by one, they came to life.
The first to appear was Shiki, the Golden Lion, grinning as always.
"Teach, what do you want?" he asked, though his gaze had already shifted toward another screen.
That second screen revealed Edward Newgate, Whitebeard, silent and imposing.
The tension between the two was obvious. Over the past year, their crews had clashed repeatedly, blood spilled on both sides.
Teach only smiled. "Let's wait for the others."
Soon, the third screen flickered on.
Charlotte Linlin, Big Mom, appeared mid-feast, stuffing sweets into her mouth while laughing.
"Mamama! What's this gathering?"
Before anyone could respond, the final Den Den Mushi activated.
Kaido appeared, holding a wine gourd, his expression calm but heavy.
All four Emperors were present.
Teach leaned back slightly.
"Then I'll begin."
The room grew still.
"It's about the Golden Sea."
At once, their expressions sharpened.
Teach laid everything out.
The Admirals. The Army. CP0. The hidden trump cards.
He held nothing back.
By the time he finished, silence filled the space.
Even these monsters were forced into brief contemplation.
They had known the war was escalating.
They had not known it had escalated this far.
Their gazes shifted toward Teach, carrying a new layer of scrutiny. Information like this did not come easily. The depth of his intelligence network was… unsettling.
But that was a matter for later.
Right now, the Golden Sea came first.
"So?" Shiki finally asked. "What's your plan?"
Teach's lips curved faintly.
"We cannot lose the Golden Sea," he said simply. "So we won't."
A straightforward answer.
Yet none of them disagreed.
"We stall," Teach continued. "Drag the war out until the World Government can't sustain it. When that happens, they will retreat on their own."
He paused briefly.
"To do that, we reinforce Jaya Island. My side has already sent Redyat and Shiryu."
"CP0 will stay hidden until the decisive moment. That's their trump card."
"And when they move…"
A dangerous gleam surfaced in his eyes.
"…we strike."
The meaning was clear.
A counter-ambush.
They would turn the World Government's trump card into its downfall.
"Not all of us need to act," Teach added. "Two or three will suffice. Mobility and concealment are key."
Whitebeard frowned slightly. "Who?"
"I will," Teach said without hesitation. "And Shiki."
Shiki let out a low chuckle.
"Not a bad choice."
"In air and sea combat, we have the advantage," Teach continued. "And our destructive capacity is higher."
Then he shifted his gaze.
"Kaido. Linlin. You two pressure the Marines in the New World. I'll have Ares assist."
The plan unfolded piece by piece.
They would create the illusion of desperation. Apply pressure elsewhere. Force the World Government to divide its focus.
Meanwhile, the real killing blow would fall in the Golden Sea.
Everything connected.
Everything aligned.
For a moment, silence lingered.
Then, one by one, faint smiles appeared.
It was simple.
Brutally simple.
And because of that, effective.
They already knew the enemy's hidden card.
That alone tipped the balance.
Raising their drinks across the Den Den Mushi screens, the five most powerful pirates in the world shared a silent toast.
For now, they were not rivals.
They were allies.
And together, they were about to overturn the world.