In just three days, the island that had been reclaimed by the Whitebeard Pirates fell once again.
The Nightfall Pirates struck with overwhelming force and seized it back without hesitation.
At the same time, their offensive did not slow. Despite the Whitebeard Pirates' stubborn resistance, two more islands were breached and taken.
The situation quickly tilted in the Nightfall Pirates' favor.
Many of the islands surrounding their territory originally belonged to the Whitebeard Pirates. Now that these islands had changed hands, the Nightfall Pirates held the initiative. They could choose when and where to attack, striking along multiple routes at will.
In contrast, the Whitebeard Pirates found themselves stretched thin. Their forces and top fighters were no longer sufficient to respond everywhere at once.
The pressure worsened with the capture of two key figures, Whitey Bay and Haruta.
Only a small portion of the Whitebeard Pirates' allied crews had joined this war.
It was not due to unwillingness. The battlefield lay in the outer regions of their territory, far from many of their allies. At the same time, numerous affiliated crews were already engaged in conflicts elsewhere in the New World.
Moreover, confidence in the Whitebeard Pirates' strength had led many to believe that several Division Commanders would be enough to handle the situation.
Reality proved otherwise.
Forced onto the defensive, the Whitebeard Pirates abandoned their earlier aggression and established a defensive line. Through Video Den Den Mushi coordination, their forces spread across multiple islands, bracing for the next wave.
For now, the battlefield entered a brief lull.
The war had only just paused. Within days, it would ignite again.
"Everyone, hold your ground. Don't panic. Pops has already sent reinforcements."
Jozu spoke as the acting leader, his voice steady. Yet the slight furrow in his brow betrayed his unease.
None of them had expected such a swift counterattack.
With Whitey Bay and Haruta captured, morale had dipped. Their overall strength, already strained, now felt insufficient against the Nightfall Pirates' relentless advance.
In this round alone, they had lost the island they once reclaimed, along with two more.
But territory was not the greatest concern.
Whitey Bay and Haruta were.
The Whitebeard Pirates valued family above all else.
As long as they were alive, there was still hope. And the Nightfall Pirates, having taken them prisoner, would not kill them lightly. Doing so would provoke the full wrath of Whitebeard.
Even so, time was critical.
Failing to protect their own family would stain their reputation. If the situation dragged on, the damage would only grow worse.
Across the seas, countless eyes were watching.
"Why don't we launch a night raid?"
Rakuyo's voice was sharp with frustration as he gripped the chain of his meteor hammer tightly.
"We sneak into their territory, rescue Whitey Bay and the others, and withdraw. Even if we lose a few islands in the process, we can take them back later."
It was not the first time the idea had been raised.
They had already held a meeting to discuss it. However, before any plan could be finalized, the Nightfall Pirates launched a surprise attack that disrupted everything.
They knew exactly where Whitey Bay and Haruta were being held.
The Nightfall Pirates had made no effort to hide it.
The prison island lay directly ahead of them, a former Whitebeard territory now under enemy control. It was as if the Nightfall Pirates were inviting them to come.
That alone made it suspicious.
"No," someone replied firmly. "It could be a trap."
Infiltrating enemy territory was never simple. Guarding that island were three Executive Officers of the Nightfall Pirates: Gar, Slada, and Nelson.
Any one of them would be difficult to deal with. Facing all three at once would be extremely dangerous.
Worse still, reinforcements from nearby islands could arrive at any moment. If they were surrounded, the consequences would be disastrous.
"You don't need to worry about Whitey Bay and the others," Jozu said after a pause. "Pops will handle it."
His tone carried confidence.
Everyone present understood why.
The Nightfall Pirates would not dare to harm them.
Far away, aboard the Moby Dick, Whitebeard received the news.
"Gurararara! Teach has an executive on Jaya Island, doesn't he?" he laughed loudly, his expression calm rather than angry. "Have Marco go and ask what price they want."
To him, defeat and capture were not disgraceful. It simply meant his sons were not strong enough yet.
Since their lives had been spared, negotiation remained possible.
Looking at the anger on his crew's faces, Whitebeard slammed his bisento against the deck.
"We'll settle this score later. Focus on what's in front of us."
The pressure of the New World, and now the Nightfall Pirates, would only forge his children into stronger warriors.
"Now then," Whitebeard continued, "who will head over to support Jozu?"
Despite everything, he took this front seriously.
The Whitebeard Pirates were currently engaged in the chaotic central seas. If the Nightfall Pirates seized too many of their outer territories, the losses would be severe.
Already, nearly ten islands had fallen.
They needed reinforcements.
"I'll go, Pops!"
"Let me handle it!"
Voices rose one after another. Not only core members, but allied captains as well stepped forward.
The competition for territory in the New World had never been more intense.
Between the Golden Lion Pirates, the Beasts Pirates, the Big Mom Pirates, and numerous other forces, space was limited.
Even Whitebeard, who only sought a place his family could call home, could not ignore the necessity of territory.
To protect his family, he had to fight for it.
Meanwhile, another force had quietly risen to prominence.
High above the seas, the Golden Lion Pirates had established something extraordinary.
A Sky Kingdom.
Over a hundred islands floated in the heavens, connected by vast stretches of island clouds. Seasonal islands, entire kingdoms, even territories once under the World Government had been drawn together into a single, massive aerial domain.
This was the creation of "Golden Lion" Shiki.
Guided by his strategist, "Heavenly King" Rhinos, Shiki used his powers to manipulate clouds and islands, linking them into a stable, floating network.
White cloud stairways connected each landmass, allowing free movement between them.
The result was astonishing.
A peaceful, prosperous realm, untouched by war.
"Golden Lion isn't so bad," a resident remarked, gazing toward the central island.
Others nodded in agreement.
Here, there were no pirate raids, no constant fear of battle. Food, clothing, and shelter were abundant. Conflicts were rare.
To many, it felt like paradise.
Even their daily entertainment came from watching battle footage transmitted from the seas below.
This stability gave the Golden Lion Pirates a massive advantage.
With their core territory secure in the sky, they could deploy more forces across the seas, expanding their influence further.
As a result, their overall power and reputation had surpassed even that of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Many pirates chose to join them, unwilling to live under the banner of another man they would have to call "father."
Shiki's bounty reflected this rise.
At 4.97 billion Berries, he stood on the brink of surpassing five billion, approaching the legendary level once held by the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger.
Even Whitebeard had to acknowledge the pressure.
At the same time, on Jaya Island, another storm was brewing.
The Navy was preparing for a major operation, but such mobilization required time and resources.
For now, the island was divided among various factions.
Despite the looming threat, it remained lively.
Powerful figures from across the seas had gathered, confident in their ability to resist the Marines.
Yet beneath the surface, chaos reigned.
Skirmishes broke out frequently. Conflicts of interest sparked constant tension, especially among local pirate groups whose territories were being encroached upon.
Resistance was futile without strength.
Amid this tension, a blue figure soared through the sky.
Marco the Phoenix.
His destination was clear.
The territory of the Nightfall Pirates.
"Please come in. Mr. Laffitte is already waiting inside."
The guards showed respect, but there was a hint of pride in their voices.
Marco noticed.
It irritated him, but he said nothing.
A loss was a loss.
Whitey Bay and the others had been captured. They had to be brought back, no matter the cost.
And he already knew the price would not be small.
Inside, Laffitte stood waiting.
His pale face, crimson lips, and refined attire gave him an unsettling presence.
Marco's eyes narrowed slightly.
He knew Laffitte well.
Cruel, calculating, and disturbingly fond of torment.
A man who thrived in darkness.
Laffitte said nothing at first. He simply watched.
The silence stretched.
Finally, Marco spoke.
"Release Whitey Bay and the others. The islands you've taken are yours. We won't contest them."
A generous offer.
Too generous.
Laffitte chuckled softly.
"Those islands are already ours. We don't need your acknowledgment." His smile widened slightly. "And frankly, I don't believe you have the ability to take them back."
Marco's expression darkened.
"Then state your terms."
Laffitte adjusted the brim of his hat, twirled his cane, and slowly raised his head.
A thin smile spread across his face as he spoke.
Marco's face grew grim.
He had expected a heavy price.
Even so, hearing it aloud still made his jaw tighten.
After a long silence, he exhaled.
"…We agree."
Three days later, on the battlefield between the two forces, the prisoners were returned.
"Ice Witch" Whitey Bay, Haruta, and hundreds of captured crew members were released and safely escorted back.
The transaction had been witnessed by too many to conceal.
The cost was staggering.
Seven Devil Fruits.
Three billion Berries.
It was an enormous ransom.
One that brought both pain and humiliation to the Whitebeard Pirates.
And it guaranteed one thing.
The next battle would be even more brutal.