News spread like wildfire across the New World.
The Nightfall Pirates were hosting a Pirate World Expo.
The moment the announcement surfaced, the seas stirred. Pirates, brokers, and figures lurking in the Underworld all reacted. It had been years since such an event was held. In an era dominated by war and expansion, no one had the time or stability to organize something on this scale.
Now, someone finally did.
And it was the Nightfall Pirates.
The date was set one month ahead.
The location, Sicily Island.
A Spring Island in the northern waters of the Nightfall Pirates' territory, Sicily Island bloomed year-round with vibrant flowers. Once under another force, it had long since been seized and incorporated into their domain.
For an event like the Pirate World Expo, location mattered.
Too remote, and no one would come.
Too dangerous, and no one would risk it.
Sicily Island struck the balance. Accessible, secure, and large enough to host tens of thousands.
Construction began immediately.
The Nightfall Pirates mobilized massive manpower to reshape the island.
Trading districts.
Auction halls.
Arena spaces.
Docking zones for countless pirate ships.
Everything was expanded, reinforced, and redesigned to handle an unprecedented influx.
This was not just an event.
It was a statement.
If the Expo failed, their reputation would suffer.
If it succeeded, their name would echo across the entire world.
At Marineford, the news triggered immediate action.
A high-level meeting was convened.
Sakazuki spoke first, his voice heavy.
"A Pirate World Expo… the greatest festival of pirates. It's been a long time."
Sengoku nodded.
"Nearly eight years. The last attempt was interrupted by the rise of the Great Pirate Era. Since then, the New World has been consumed by war."
He paused, then continued.
"This is not something just anyone can host. Only those with overwhelming prestige and influence qualify."
Names surfaced in memory.
Golden Lion Shiki.
Whitebeard.
Captain John.
Wang Zhi.
Silver Axe.
And in recent years, the new Emperors.
Big Mom.
Kaido.
"Whitebeard wouldn't bother," Sengoku said calmly. "He values his family more than anything."
"Big Mom prefers her tea parties."
"Kaido has no interest in such matters."
"As for Golden Lion… the last Expo was his."
He looked up slightly.
"And now, Teach."
Silence lingered.
"Their recent truce with the Whitebeard Pirates… this might explain it," a Marine suggested.
"They want to expand influence," another added. "A step toward becoming an Emperor."
Sengoku did not deny it.
But his expression remained uneasy.
"There may be more behind this."
"I remember it now!"
Garp suddenly shouted, breaking the tension.
"The last Expo was Golden Lion's, right?"
Sengoku's face darkened.
"I just said that."
"Oh? Did you?" Garp laughed casually, picking his nose.
Then he added, almost proudly,
"I even snuck in once… for intelligence gathering."
The room froze.
Sengoku slowly turned his head.
"…You did what?"
"It was easy," Garp continued. "I said I was Monkey D. Zephyr, captain of the Sengoku Pirates. They let me right in."
Silence.
Pure, suffocating silence.
A golden light exploded.
"Great Buddha Impact!"
BOOM!
A human-shaped hole appeared in the wall.
Far in the distance, buildings collapsed one after another as Garp was blasted away.
"…Charge the repairs to me," Sengoku muttered, rubbing his temples.
Sakazuki exhaled slowly.
"So Teach wants to use this Expo to rise further."
"Yes," Sengoku replied. "But that's not all. We don't yet know the full extent of his intentions."
He turned away.
"Meeting adjourned."
Meanwhile, aboard the Moby Dick.
"Pirate World Expo…"
Whitebeard chuckled softly.
"It's been a long time since I heard that name."
Some crew members frowned.
"Teach beat us to it."
"We should have hosted one ourselves."
"Gurararara!" Whitebeard laughed. "If you want it, we'll host one in a few years."
To him, the decision was simple. If his sons wanted it, that was enough.
"And we've got plenty of junk to sell," someone added with a grin.
"That alone makes it worth going."
"Go if you want," Whitebeard said. "I'll stay here."
Even if he didn't attend, representatives would.
This was, after all, a feast for pirates.
In the stronghold of the Beasts Pirates, Kaido scoffed.
"Sounds boring."
He had little interest in such gatherings.
But Kreeler spoke calmly. "There will be Devil Fruits."
Kaido's eyes sharpened slightly.
"Rare ones. Even Ancient and Mythical types may appear."
"And it's a chance to recruit."
That was enough.
"Then we go." Kaido made his decision quickly. "Lemor. Gates. Kreeler. You'll attend."
For him, the Expo was not a festival.
It was a marketplace.
A hunting ground for power.
At Totto Land, Big Mom burst into laughter.
"Ma ma ma! A World Expo?" Her eyes gleamed. "We're going."
"Perospero. Oven. Amande."
"You three represent me."
"Yes, Mama!"
"Sweets…" she muttered, licking her lips. "And treasures."
High above the seas, in the Sky Kingdom, Golden Lion Shiki stood atop a massive stone lion.
"Fuhaha… a World Expo?"
"How nostalgic."
"Send people."
His gaze stretched across the sky and ocean below.
At his level, few things interested him anymore.
But this?
This could be… amusing.
Across the New World, pirates began to move.
Veterans.
Rookies.
Entire crews set sail toward Sicily Island.
The Underworld stirred as well.
Figures who ruled the shadows prepared to attend.
"Big News" Morgans.
"Queen of the Pleasure District" Stussy.
And many more.
A festival of chaos.
A gathering of monsters.
A marketplace of power, wealth, and ambition.
The Pirate World Expo.
The Festival of Darkness.
And at its center…
The Nightfall Pirates.