Contrary to many predictions, the Nightfall Pirates did not leave the West Blue.
They continued to roam its waters, sailing openly from island to island. Even when Marine ships encountered them, the Marines would deliberately detour and avoid contact. This was not hesitation or coincidence, but a direct order from Marine Headquarters.
The tide of the era was shifting.
The New World was entering an even more violent phase. After a brief lull, pirate crews erupted into fierce rivalry once again. Every pirate who harbored ambition toward the title of Sea Emperor began to act.
Whether they were already dominant-level monsters, slightly weaker contenders, or reckless challengers who lacked the strength to back their dreams, all of them moved.
Once the Marines were forced to withdraw, the New World truly became pirate territory. The struggle for supremacy had officially begun. Everyone understood that the title of Sea Emperor was fundamentally different from being a mere overlord. Its weight, prestige, and authority stood on another level entirely.
To claim that title, one needed overwhelming strength, immense reputation, vast influence, and control over large territories.
In the New World, dominant-level pirate crews were far from rare.
At present, those with genuine qualifications to compete included Whitebeard Edward Newgate, Golden Lion Shiki, Big Mom Charlotte Linlin, Kaido of the Beasts, and the older generation of overlords: Captain John, Silver Axe, and Wang Zhi.
Among Kaido's generation were other terrifying figures. Alexander Caesar, known as the Devil of the Satan Pirates, a Mythical Zoan Human-Human Fruit user in his Devil Form. Akane Rexter, the Trickster of the Weird Pirates, a Paramecia Mind-Mind Fruit user. There was also Apep, the Demonic Sword of the Demonic Blade Pirates, a great swordsman who possessed the Teleport-Teleport Fruit.
These ten stood at the peak of the New World. Even though the three older generation powerhouses had begun to show signs of decline, several of the others had yet to reach their limits and still possessed room to grow.
The number of Sea Emperor seats would never be large. At most, there would be no more than five.
Moreover, everyone understood that two of those positions were already effectively reserved.
Golden Lion Shiki and Whitebeard Edward Newgate.
Whether measured by personal strength, crew composition, or territorial influence, these two stood clearly above the rest.
Below them, countless other pirate crews stared greedily at the emperor's throne. Even the infamous "Demon's Heir," Douglas Bullet, was among them. The intensity of the competition was self-evident.
And defeating rivals was not enough.
To be recognized as a Sea Emperor, one also needed acknowledgment from Shiki and Whitebeard themselves. That requirement alone made the path far more brutal.
Within the Marines, changes were no less dramatic.
While expanding their forces and suppressing the Four Seas, Marine Headquarters was undergoing an internal generational shift that drew increasing attention. In fact, it showed signs of accelerating beyond expectations.
Compared to the three Logia Devil Fruit users, whose strength was undeniable, many older Marine powerhouses had spent decades building influence, connections, and prestige. In those areas, the younger generation could not compete.
When rumors spread that the standards for becoming an Admiral might be lowered, several strong Marines who lacked Devil Fruits began actively seeking them out, hoping to bridge the gap in strength.
Vice Admiral Brom had been one such example, consuming the Crush-Crush Fruit to push himself further.
Though Brom's strength was still insufficient, his potential had been clear. Unfortunately for him, that future ended the moment he crossed paths with Teach.
Becoming an Admiral was never easy.
Powerful Devil Fruits were rare, and for those who had already reached the limits of their physical growth, only Ancient Zoan or stronger fruits could offer a meaningful leap forward.
Some had already succeeded.
Although their current strength fell short, a few years of growth and potential Devil Fruit awakening would likely allow them to step into true Admiral-level territory.
The Admiral position stirred the ambitions of countless individuals and the interest groups backing them. Even if the odds were slim, no one was willing to abandon the chance.
As a result, the number of Admiral candidates quietly increased.
This development surprised Sengoku and other Marine high command, and even the World Government had not fully anticipated it. Their proposal was beginning to slip beyond their control.
Yet no one intervened.
Until the moment of selection arrived, everything remained theoretical. In the end, only strength would decide who stood at the top.
Many of these candidates were backed not only by Marine factions but also by World Government officials, and even by certain Celestial Dragons who chose to meddle.
The drawbacks had yet to appear. Instead, the benefits were obvious.
The overall combat strength of the Marine high command visibly increased. This did not go unnoticed. Intelligence agents from various major forces observed the change and spread the news.
Those who had once mocked the Marines began to grow wary.
Within Marine circles, inflated confidence led to renewed discussions about re-entering the New World, even though only months had passed since their withdrawal.
The reason was simple.
Military achievements were essential for becoming an Admiral, and the fastest way to earn them was by killing or capturing powerful pirates.
However, this proposal was rejected by Marine high command, the World Government, and even the Celestial Dragons.
The Great Pirate Era had inflicted enormous losses. Many countries had reduced their Heavenly Tribute voluntarily, while some smaller nations had been destroyed outright.
Under such pressure, both the Marines and the World Government faced intense scrutiny. Their reputation had suffered, and the trust of allied nations was wavering.
Despite appearances, allied nations were not mere subordinates. Officially, they were equal members of the World Government, possessing significant rights and status.
For now, Marine Headquarters' primary mission was clear. Protect allied nations and stabilize the Four Seas.
Even so, the trend had already begun.
This unsettled the dominant-level pirates of the New World. As they clashed, they exercised an unusual degree of restraint, avoiding battles to the death.
They understood the danger.
Marine Headquarters was waiting. The moment any dominant-level pirate grew weak or suffered severe injuries, the Marines would strike, launching a full-scale operation into the New World to eliminate a major threat.
Though withdrawn, the Marines had never taken their eyes off the New World.
These overlords knew it. For their own survival, and for the balance of pirate power as a whole, they could not give the Marines such an opportunity.
Meanwhile, Marine elites continued to act aggressively in the Four Seas and the Grand Line, hunting pirates to accumulate achievements. With only three Admiral seats available, speed mattered.
And because of this, some eyes quietly shifted toward the Nightfall Pirates.
After all, they were widely regarded as the strongest pirate crew outside the New World.
None of this had yet reached Teach.
News of the Marine suppression spread quickly. Pirate crews that had been overly active went into hiding. Intelligence organizations flourished, providing early warnings of Marine movements.
With advance information, few pirates were foolish enough to fight battles they could not win. Upon receiving alerts, powerful pirates would simply disappear.
This made it increasingly difficult for Marine elites to accumulate achievements and slowed the suppression of the Four Seas.
Among all regions, the West Blue was affected most profoundly.
The reason was the Dark Council.
Ordinary civilians knew nothing, but among the upper circles of the West Blue, it was common knowledge.
The notorious Ghostfire assassin group had been eradicated overnight through a joint operation by the Dark Council's member forces.
More than half of the major underground powers joined the Dark Council. Within months, its influence spread across the entire West Blue.
Kagres Island, once an obscure location, became the Dark Council's headquarters. The first Dark Council meeting lasted eight full days, addressing matters both large and small.
All major departments were fully established.
The Speaker of the Dark Council, "Hades," became the undisputed ruler of the West Blue underworld.
After deliberation, the Dark Council expanded the number of first-tier force seats to twelve.
Including the heads of the five major departments, the Dark Council itself consisted of seventeen members.
The Dark Parliament also adjusted its structure. Second-tier force seats increased to twenty-seven, while third-tier seats rose to eighty-one.
These numbers were not fixed. Clear standards existed, and ranks could rise or fall over time.
Different tiers enjoyed different privileges and authority.
The Chief Justice of the Dark Tribunal was Pushkin, aged sixty-three. A legendary figure from the past, he belonged to no faction and was chosen specifically for his neutrality.
The President of the Dark Bank was Morgan, the most profitable businessman in the West Blue underworld. His appointment passed with little opposition.
The Chief Judge of the Dark Arbitration Court was "Mad Wolf" Wolson, an Ancient Zoan Dire Wolf Fruit user. He had once fought Kaido for two days and two nights before retreating. Though not Admiral-level, his strength was close, and his prestige unquestioned.
Eight deacons and an enforcement force of eight thousand followed, their positions determined by strength.
The Dark Audit Office, led by Metternich, oversaw finances and intelligence classification.
Beyond these public departments existed secret ones.
The Eye of Darkness. The Blade of Darkness.
One gathered intelligence. The other executed assassinations.
Their existence was known to very few.
The Dark Council's structure was complete, efficient, and terrifying.
Within months, it had become a colossal presence across the West Blue.
Even Teach, upon learning of it, could not help but feel stunned.
His original expectations had been far too conservative.