As the massive procession arrived, the towering Battle Pyramid loomed ahead like a monument carved into the sky itself, its sheer scale making even the strongest figures present feel unexpectedly small. The structure radiated an overwhelming sense of grandeur that no one could ignore.
Its outer walls were formed from enormous dark-purple mirrored panels, reflecting the outside world while concealing everything within. From the exterior, it was impossible to glimpse the interior, yet from inside, one could observe the world beyond with perfect clarity.
Countless influential figures followed behind, while even more spectators gathered at a distance, watching with undisguised curiosity.
Voices of astonishment rippled through the crowd as people stared upward, eyes wide and mouths slightly open, unable to suppress their shock.
Members of the Nightfall Pirates took visible pride in these reactions, as nearly everyone who stood before the pyramid for the first time shared the same sense of awe. Teach simply smiled faintly, clearly satisfied.
Golden Lion Shiki looked up and let out a low chuckle, openly praising the structure. In his view, even the headquarters of the Marines paled in comparison.
Several Marines instinctively wanted to argue, yet no words came out. Deep down, they knew the comparison was not in their favor.
Whitebeard laughed heartily, curiosity evident in his tone as he wondered aloud what the inside looked like. Someone nearby muttered in disbelief, questioning whether this truly was the result of an investment of one hundred billion Berries.
The group continued forward, ascending step after step until the massive entrance came fully into view. The gate alone stood fifty meters tall, with people moving before it like ants beneath a colossal archway.
Guards from the Nightfall Pirates stood watch at the entrance. Teach had already considered improvements for the future, believing that giants would be the ideal guardians for such monumental gates.
Unfortunately, the crew had yet to establish connections with the Giant race. Still, the thought lingered, as giants represented not only immense combat power but also a powerful symbol of prestige coveted by forces such as Big Mom, the Marines, and even the World Government.
Crossing through the entrance, the group entered a vast interior space. The first floor alone rose two hundred meters high, an enormous open expanse that dwarfed anything most had ever seen. A massive display panel outlined the structure of the pyramid, marking arenas, zones, and pathways.
Not all areas were active yet, but even the partially opened sections buzzed with activity.
Large screens hung across the walls, broadcasting ongoing battles from various arenas. Cheers, roars, and the clash of combat echoed constantly, blending into a lively, almost festival-like atmosphere.
Crowds gathered before the screens, many unable to secure seats inside the arenas themselves. The affordability of viewing access ensured that even ordinary people could participate in the spectacle, making the place feel alive at every corner.
Soft music drifted through the corridors at intervals, adding a strangely relaxing contrast to the intensity of the battles.
As they moved deeper, the main passage stretched onward, cutting through multiple zones. The food court released rich, irresistible aromas that immediately stirred appetites. Training areas, leisure spaces, and residential sections followed, each meticulously arranged.
Big Mom's attention was instantly captured the moment they passed through the food area, her expression practically lighting up as she inhaled the scent of sweets.
Eventually, the group reached the central elevator platform.
It was enormous, spanning two hundred meters in both length and width, enclosed in transparent glass that offered a clear view of every floor. Handrails lined the interior, thoughtfully installed for stability.
The platform was large enough to hold everyone comfortably. As Teach stepped on, others followed, some curious onlookers even joining in.
The elevators were designed in a connected system, with each floor having paired platforms for ascent and descent. When one moved, all moved in synchronization. The entire mechanism was automated, reducing delays and managing the heavy flow of people.
Teach had already arranged for priority control. There would be no waiting today.
The platform rose smoothly, offering a panoramic view of each floor as they passed. Every level was bustling, densely packed with activity. Even now, with the main event yet to begin, the population inside the pyramid had already reached several hundred thousand.
At full capacity, it could easily hold over a million.
The structure itself reflected a carefully designed hierarchy. The higher one went, the fewer arenas there were, and the stronger the competitors became. Advancement depended on accumulated victories, forming a system where strength determined elevation.
Rewards scaled accordingly. Without meaningful incentives, no one would continue climbing, and Teach understood that well.
Devil Fruits, vast sums of Berries, and other rare prizes had already begun to circulate as incentives. The system was still in its early phase, but its appeal was undeniable.
Eventually, the platform reached the seventeenth floor.
Compared to the lower levels, this floor was far more exclusive. Only four arenas existed here, arranged around a cross-shaped central passage. The atmosphere was quieter, more refined, yet carried a heavier sense of significance.
A grand hall stood ahead, reserved for the strongest individuals and the most important guests.
Only select members were allowed to proceed further. For the Whitebeard Pirates, only division commanders qualified. Others were escorted to designated quarters by the Nightfall Pirates, free to explore the pyramid on their own.
Inside the hall, several familiar figures were already present.
Big Mom immediately lost all interest in anything else the moment she spotted the massive table overflowing with desserts. At its center stood a gigantic cake, surrounded by delicacies from across the Four Seas, the Grand Line, and Fish-Man Island.
Teach gestured toward it with a smile, explaining that everything had been prepared specifically for her.
Her eyes gleamed as she rushed forward, taking a seat custom-built for her size. Without hesitation, she grabbed a dessert and stuffed it into her mouth, her face instantly melting into bliss before she began devouring everything in sight.
Elsewhere, Oden spotted Whitebeard and burst into laughter, rushing forward without restraint. Their reunion carried the warmth of long-standing bonds, unaffected by time or circumstance.
As conversations resumed, a sudden voice broke the flow.
Golden Lion Shiki stared ahead in visible shock, his gaze locked onto a figure he had not expected to see in such a state.
Redfield stood there, youthful and composed, his appearance completely at odds with the memories everyone held of him.
The room fell into a brief silence as even the strongest present reacted with surprise.
Questions arose immediately. Shiki demanded to know how such a transformation was possible, and others shared the same curiosity. Longevity, youth, and the preservation of strength were desires no powerhouse could ignore.
Redfield merely smiled, offering a vague answer that revealed nothing of true value. It was a power he had obtained, nothing more, nothing less.
Though curiosity lingered, no one pressed further.
Gradually, everyone settled in. Food and wine were served, and the atmosphere eased.
Kaido quickly took interest in the Monkey King Wine. The rich aroma alone drew attention, and once he drank, he showed no restraint. Entire containers were emptied in moments.
Unlike others who exercised caution, Kaido indulged freely. His immense tolerance allowed him to endure the initial effects, but excess soon caught up to him.
Before long, his movements grew unstable, his expression shifting as drunkenness took hold. His usual restraint vanished, replaced by reckless impulses.
Seeing Teach, Whitebeard, and Shiki before him, Kaido's instincts flared. He reached for his weapon, eager to start a fight without reason or warning.
The situation could have escalated instantly, but Teach had already anticipated it.
Darkness surged, suppressing Kaido's transformation before it could fully manifest. His ability restrained the rampaging Emperor, cutting off any chance of destruction.
Seastone chains were quickly brought in, binding Kaido securely before he could resist further.
Without ceremony, he was dragged aside and left there.
Teach gave a simple instruction to release him once he regained his senses, then turned his attention back to the others as if nothing had happened.