At the port of Parage Island, three towering forces stood in silent opposition.
Vice Admiral Garp, Golden Lion Shiki, and Whitebeard each led their respective factions, their gazes locked, their auras colliding in an invisible storm. The oppressive pressure they radiated forced countless onlookers to retreat, fearful that a catastrophic battle might erupt at any moment.
Even the Nightfall Pirates felt the tension. Their cadres remained still, brows furrowed, fully aware that if a clash truly began, it would spiral beyond their control. Yet none of them moved. They all understood one thing.
Their captain was watching.
From afar, within the Battle Pyramid, Teach observed everything. If the situation crossed the line, he would intervene. Since he had not appeared, it meant the balance still held.
Time seemed to stretch.
After a long, suffocating silence, Garp was the first to withdraw his aura. He crossed his arms, his voice carrying a domineering edge.
"Now's not the time. If you want a fight, name a time and place. This old man will be there."
Golden Lion Shiki's eyes narrowed, his tone cold and unyielding.
"This is the New World, Garp. I'm not Redfield."
His words carried deeper meaning. Unlike Patrick Redfield, who had been captured through coordinated Marine tactics after exhausting himself, Shiki had no intention of falling into such a trap. He knew full well how the Marines operated, and he had no interest in giving them an opportunity.
Garp only laughed, raising his fist.
"Then come and try it."
Whitebeard watched the exchange with a grin, clearly uninterested in interfering. If a fight truly broke out, he would not back down, but for now, he was content to observe.
High above, in the Battle Pyramid, Redfield clicked his tongue in annoyance at being dragged into the conversation without reason, though a flicker of interest appeared in his eyes. His hatred for the Marines had never faded.
If there was a chance to break them, he would take it.
Nearby, Morgans was practically trembling with excitement, snapping photos as fast as his hands could move.
"Yohoho! This is perfect! Tomorrow's headlines are already written!"
Beside him, Stussy adjusted her shawl, her lips curling slightly.
"A clash between monsters… the world won't look away."
Back in the pyramid, Teach suddenly smiled.
"They're here."
Redfield tilted his head slightly. "Who?"
"The last two."
At the port, the three factions gradually eased their standoff, their attention shifting toward the sea.
Two colossal pirate ships were approaching.
Unlike the staggered arrivals of the previous forces, these two sailed side by side, their presence overwhelming, their hostility unmistakable.
The Beast Pirates.
The Big Mom Pirates.
Even before they docked, the tension between them was already visible. The ships surged forward in competition, neither willing to yield an inch, their captains standing at the bow, glaring at each other like titans ready to collide.
"Kaido," Big Mom's voice boomed, laced with irritation. "You've grown bold, talking back to me."
Kaido snorted.
"Linlin, forget it. I'm not lending you Gates."
The air seemed to freeze.
Big Mom's grin widened, but there was no warmth in it.
"I wasn't asking."
Her intention was clear. She wanted Gates, not only for his strength, but for her own twisted ambitions. Kaido knew exactly what she was thinking, and there was no chance he would agree.
"If you want him," Kaido growled, "come take him."
Their auras surged.
Even before they stepped onto the island, the sky began to shift. Clouds twisted into a massive vortex, the air growing heavy as if the world itself was bracing for impact.
At the port, Doflamingo watched with a knowing smile.
"They won't fight," he murmured. "Not here."
Trebol trembled beside him. "Doffy… are you sure…?"
Doflamingo's grin widened.
"He will step in."
The ships docked.
The moment Big Mom and Kaido set foot on the port, they ignored everything else. Their eyes locked, and in the next instant, their Conqueror's Haki erupted.
The sky split.
Black-red lightning tore through the air as their overwhelming will crushed everything in its path. Hundreds collapsed instantly, their consciousness snuffed out under the pressure. Even those who remained standing felt their bodies tremble uncontrollably.
"Napoleon!"
Big Mom's hat transformed into a massive blade, infused with terrifying Haki.
"Kaido! Last chance!"
Kaido answered with a roar, raising his spiked club, equally drenched in Haki.
"Stop dreaming!"
The world darkened.
Thunder roared.
Then they moved.
Just as their weapons were about to collide, a figure appeared between them.
Too fast to track.
Too sudden to react.
Teach.
His arms were clad in hardened darkness, black gauntlets formed from condensed power. Conqueror's Haki coiled around them, while swirling void-like vortices expanded from his palms.
He caught both attacks.
The impact exploded.
A blinding golden light erupted, shockwaves tearing across the port and into the sky. The clouds themselves split apart, the storm forced open by sheer force.
Around them, chaos reigned. Some were thrown back, others clung desperately to the ground, barely managing to remain conscious.
At the center of it all, Teach stood firm.
The pressure was immense. Even he felt the strain as the attacks bore down on him, his dark constructs cracking under the force. Yet the black vortices in his palms expanded, devouring everything.
Impact.
Haki.
Power itself.
All of it was swallowed.
Slowly, the attacks faded.
When the light dissipated, Teach remained standing, his expression calm, almost casual.
"My apologies," he said with a faint smile. "This is my territory."
He lowered his arms.
"This island cannot withstand your fight."
Behind him, the Nightfall Pirates stepped forward, their full strength revealed to the world for the first time. One by one, powerful figures lined up, their presence alone enough to shake the hearts of those watching.
Even Kaido and Big Mom hesitated.
They had felt it.
That strange, devouring force.
Their abilities, if only for a moment, had faltered under Teach's influence.
After a brief silence, Big Mom laughed.
"Fine, Teach. I'll give you face."
Kaido clicked his tongue but said nothing, lowering his weapon.
The tension broke.
Relief swept through the port like a tide.
Whitebeard threw his head back and laughed.
"Gurararara! You've grown strong, brat!"
Golden Lion Shiki watched with narrowed eyes, a grin tugging at his lips.
"A monster of the new era… how interesting."
Teach turned, sweeping his gaze across the gathered giants.
"Since all our honored guests have arrived," he said, his voice carrying across the port, "allow me to welcome you properly."
He gestured toward the towering structure in the distance.
"The Battle Pyramid awaits."
One by one, the strongest figures of the era began to move.
The storm had not yet begun.
But everyone could feel it coming.