Steel Nation Goldenstein—a nation where steel production was quite literally the foundation of its economy.
Though not a great nation with over ten million people, it was a medium-sized nation with a population exceeding one million. Even among the numerous World Government member nations, Goldenstein wielded considerable influence.
And this time's joint withdrawal from the World Government was initiated by Steel Nation Goldenstein. If you asked why...
"If I can't even stand up when my own woman is wronged, what kind of man am I?!"
Goldenstein's king had proven his strength at Mary Geoise—he'd been one of the few who withstood Imu's Conqueror's Haki without fainting. As an allied nation, Goldenstein had never missed a Heavenly Tribute payment. The king personally welcomed and honored every Celestial Dragon who visited his kingdom.
But that very hospitality would cost him everything. Because he welcomed Celestial Dragons so eagerly, in his middle years, he suffered a humiliation no man should ever face.
In fact, five years ago when Celestial Dragons passed through Goldenstein, he should have discovered the truth. A Celestial Dragon had taken interest in his wife, but due to his status as an allied nation king, the order was ultimately withdrawn.
He should have understood long ago. Those damned Celestial Dragons would never fear his status. It was purely his advisors' scheme.
Celestial Dragons were fools, but that didn't mean everyone around them was a fool. If Celestial Dragons made brainless moves, those around them would work to change their minds.
For instance, if a Celestial Dragon fancied an allied nation king's wife, if it were a small nation, they could simply eliminate the entire country, following the Celestial Dragon's wishes.
Goldenstein wasn't some small nation. Conversely, due to abundant steel production, almost half of Goldenstein's annual Heavenly Tribute was steel substitutes. Goldenstein's steel production accounted for one-third of World Government steel demand, a world-renowned nation.
In such circumstances, even if Celestial Dragons spoke, their guards couldn't casually execute orders. But that didn't mean they'd defy Celestial Dragons.
Since they couldn't snatch the queen right in front of the king, they'd just wait for the right moment. After all, no one can stay vigilant forever.
The King of Goldenstein never suspected the truth. The Celestial Dragon's advisors had suggested a crueler plan: withdraw the order publicly, then abduct the queen later. That way, the king would search desperately for his missing wife, helpless and humiliated—a fitting punishment for daring to hesitate when a Celestial Dragon wanted something.
The Celestial Dragon loved the idea.
So while the king attended the World Conference, exhausted and heartbroken over his wife's disappearance, she was suffering mere buildings away—enslaved and violated by the very Celestial Dragon he'd once welcomed into his kingdom.
And so the alliance was born. Goldenstein wasn't poor—in fact, its steel production made it one of the wealthiest nations on the seas. But wealth couldn't erase such humiliation.
Goldenstein rallied ten other nations to its cause. Some were too poor to afford the Heavenly Tribute. Others had suffered similar humiliation at Celestial Dragon hands. A few just saw an opportunity worth gambling on.
Whatever their reasons, they jointly approached the White Wolf Pirates—the only force in the world bold enough to openly defy the World Government. They would become nations under White Wolf protection. In exchange for help escaping the World Government, they'd pay substantial annual protection fees.
The protection fees would be at least half what they currently paid in Heavenly Tribute. Goldenstein's king was even willing to negotiate if the White Wolf Pirates demanded more.
Though the White Wolf Pirates had a good reputation, they were still pirates—and pirates typically burned, killed, and plundered for profit. That wasn't prejudice; it was simply reality.
Goldenstein could afford to be generous because they had plenty of money and desperately wanted revenge against the Celestial Dragons. But the poorer nations might balk at higher fees.
Still, everything hinged on one condition: the White Wolf Pirates had to actually accept their allegiance and prove they could stand against the World Government.
If White Wolf Pirates didn't accept them, they could only continue paying Heavenly Tribute under World Government protection.
At the end of Sea Circle Calendar 1464, as New Year approached, White Wolf Pirates replied.
They used letters instead of the more convenient Den Den Mushi because most transponder snails were monitored by Marines and CP organizations—especially in allied nations.
The World Government had invested enormous resources in controlling these countries. Many CP agents spent their entire lives embedded in a single nation, posing as chefs, workers, or soldiers. This network of spies ran deep, reaching every level of society.
After all, without inside help, how could Celestial Dragon guards so easily abduct queens from supposedly protected allied nations?
The allied envoys couldn't locate Silas directly, but Sphinx's outer island wasn't exactly a secret. The White Wolf Pirates' veteran crew members lived there, so the envoys contacted them, who then relayed the message to Silas. Despite the roundabout route, the message eventually reached him.
Eleven allied nations, all located in the Grand Line's second half.
These eleven nations already comprised half of New World's total allied nations. Controlling them would let Silas sever World Government's New World connection. Then he might truly be New World's undisputed emperor, the true White King!
So for this major event, Silas abandoned his Wano journey at the New Year's start, returning to Sphinx.
"If we truly bring these eleven nations under our banner, we can expect the World Government to retaliate. They absolutely won't let this slide." Roy, a White Wolf Pirates veteran who wore a Pure Gold ring and looked decades younger than his actual age, spoke with unusual gravity. "One misstep could mean total war!"
He looked at Silas, silently asking if he was truly ready for this.
"That's why we must control the narrative!" Silas replied. The World Government was the world's strongest organization, but its power came from exploiting hundreds of allied nations.
The White Wolf Pirates were just one pirate crew with nothing to lose. But the World Government? They had everything to lose.
"We can't let the Marines get involved!" If the Marines joined the attack on these eleven nations, the whole rebellion would be doomed.
Though he'd embarrassed the Marines multiple times, Silas wouldn't underestimate them. Sebastian's death and Rona's departure had weakened the Marines' top-tier strength considerably.
But they weren't helpless. Kong, Ortega Sivan, Portman Nissen, and Elephant Yama—the Marines still had at least four Admiral-level combatants. If those four attacked simultaneously, Silas couldn't survive without Rona and Harald's support.
And this time, the roles were reversed. He wasn't the one attacking—he was defending.
"How's the newspaper situation?"
"All good. We've secretly bought out three major publishers. When we need them, we can shape public opinion however we want."
"I'm counting on you."
"Hehe, what I want isn't just your verbal thanks." Lily winked at Silas.
Since the Sabaody Archipelago incident ended, Lily had helped Silas manage newspapers. Combined with her naturally outgoing personality, she had considerable standing in underground circles.
Strength plus ability. Without veteran crew helping manage the rear, Silas couldn't confidently take new members out training.
"More importantly, get our message out to the regular Marine soldiers. We don't need them to turn traitor—just make them question what they're fighting for."
"The newspapers will probably get shut down for that."
"It doesn't matter." If they made it through this, the White Wolf Pirates would become a legitimate threat to the World Government—not just because of territory, but because of rising stars like Newgate and Linlin.
Within five years, Newgate would definitely reach Admiral-level strength. If he got lucky and mastered future sight in this upcoming battle, he'd be at least quasi-Admiral level.
Six years from an ordinary person with no foundation to that level of power—that was the talent of a future emperor.
"Rona, I need your help this time!"
"I knew you were waiting for me here." Rona rolled her eyes. Silas had invited her under the pretext of new Marine funding, actually coveting her Admiral-level combat power.
After all, besides Silas, White Wolf Pirates completely lacked top-tier fighters. Top combat power came from allies.
Whether Rona or Harald, without them, Silas alone couldn't oppose the World Government, this behemoth standing on these seas for eight hundred years. It wasn't easily shaken.
However, Silas hadn't deceived Rona. Even if those eleven nations truly left the World Government, White Wolf Pirates manpower couldn't constantly provide protection. Then Rona-led new Marines should debut, handling the eleven nations' security.
Silas would take a portion of the protection fees to fund Rona's new Marine force.
Sound familiar? This was exactly how the World Government operated—except the White Wolf Pirates didn't have to waste money on parasitic Celestial Dragons. Even with just eleven nations funding them, they'd have more than enough.
As for why Harald would help, there were several reasons beyond their mutual defense pact and what Silas owed him. Elbaf was currently suffering from rare natural disasters—not only poor harvests, but the abnormal climate was preventing the giants from fishing. This normally fertile land rarely experienced famine.
Under these circumstances, Harald had little choice but to seek help from allies.
This was also why Silas wanted to establish trade routes. The New World's climate was unpredictable—disasters could strike at any time. Having trade partners meant nations could support each other through hard times.
Given current Silas-Harald relations, one word, and both would support each other with all their might.
"Oh right." Lily suddenly remembered something. "I've got news about that Rocks brat. He's been held up by that scumbag Glyndwr—still stuck in Magra Kingdom."
Silas raised an eyebrow. "Did they capture him?"
"No."
"Then forget about him." Not that Silas didn't care, but he knew what Rocks was capable of. When Rocks had left the crew, he'd already been the second strongest member behind Silas.
Nearly two years had passed since then. If Rocks couldn't even beat Glyndwr—who wasn't even Admiral-level—then he wasn't ready to challenge Silas. He might as well come back and train more as a rookie.
For monstrous talents like Rocks and Newgate, Admiral-level strength wasn't their ceiling—it was their starting line.
"I'm waiting for your challenge!"
Magra Kingdom's sewers.
The future Red Count was currently a teenage boy, but his future had already been drastically changed by one bastard's arrival.
"Hey, dead yet?" Patrick kicked the figure lying in the corner, holding several fat, ball-like rats, their coming days' rations.
Patrick felt incredibly unlucky. Half a year ago, why did he bother with this bastard? Just some cured meat. Take it then. Otherwise he wouldn't be reduced to eating rats in sewers.
"Hey, you okay?" But after half a year together, however iron-hearted Patrick was, he couldn't help developing some feelings for Rocks. After all, he'd never had friends growing up.
Now seeing Rocks lying there looking defeated, he couldn't help worrying.
"So you lost once, twice, thrice. You lost five times. Just win next time?" Rather, losing so many times while successfully escaping, if he were that Glyndwr guy, he'd be hopping mad by now.
"Shut up!" Rocks lay on the ground. "Can't you see my thoughts? How could you think I'm depressed?"
Patrick paused, somewhat irritably checking Rocks's inner thoughts. Only to discover Rocks wasn't depressed. His heart burned like flames.
"Haven't you noticed?" Rocks looked at Patrick, grinning. "Each time I battle that guy, I last longer. And this time..." Haki gathered in Rocks's hand. "Armament Haki's internal destruction and Observation Haki's future sight. I've comprehended both."
"Next time, that guy's death arrives!"