Four Tiers

"No... no way, no matter how powerful Nightmare, going against the whole world is just too crazy!" Usopp said, swallowing hard.

"If it were someone else, it would indeed be impossible, but don't forget, Nightmare is not a normal person. After all, how could a normal person say something as unrealistic as wanting to be above the world?" Koala forced himself to overcome his fear and said in a trembling voice.

Fortunately, the others were also in shock and didn't notice the unusual emotions in Koala's words.

"Was that bastard deliberately not participating in the competition because he was afraid I'd beat him up? That's so despicable!" Luffy said with a strangely confident displeasure.

"Idiot, you should at least have some self-awareness, okay? Going up against that kind of monster, you wouldn't have enough lives to survive!" Nami said speechlessly.

"However, it is precisely because Nightmare clearly stated that he would not participate in this competition that the World's World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament has become unprecedented and full of suspense. After all, whether people admire or hate that man, his strength is undoubtedly the World's Strongest. If he were to participate, not everyone would be willing to be the green leaf that sets off the flowers," Sabo said with a smile.

"Hey, Sabo, from what you're saying, there are a lot of strong fighters participating in this Martial Arts Tournament, aren't there?" Luffy's interest was piqued again upon hearing this.

"Of course, only a few people can resist the temptations of fame and fortune on this vast sea. For example, if our Revolutionary Army can win the honor of being the best in the world, it will quickly attract heroes from all over the sea to join us, making the revolutionary Tidal Wave even stronger. As for Ace and his crew, they don't want Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit fall into the hands of others. As for the Marine Headquarters and the World Government, they want to use this method to salvage their plummeting reputation."

Sabo continued, "There are many, many more people who are drawn to this place where dreams begin, driven by greed. Some are pursuing the immense power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, others covet the sharpness of the Supreme Grade Sword, and still others crave unimaginable riches."

"What? Supreme Grade Sword!" Zoro's eyes gleamed with intense light. For any swordsman, the allure of Supreme Grade Sword is irresistible.

"Wealth...treasures that rival those of a nation!" Nami cupped her cheeks in her hands, her eyes now bearing the symbol of Beli.

"Hey, wake up! It's one thing for Luffy and Zoro to participate in the competition, but at least you should recognize your own strength first!" Usopp exclaimed in shock, quickly snapping Nami out of her reverie.

Nami paused, realizing that her participation in the competition was essentially giving others experience points. So, she quickly turned to Luffy and Zoro, her eyes sparkling, and said gently, "You two have to do your best! Don't put pressure on yourselves. Even if you don't win back the prize money, I absolutely, absolutely, absolutely won't be angry..."

"Hiss... How terrifying!" Seeing Nami's almost demonic appearance, Luffy and Zoro felt a chill run down their spines and quickly changed the subject, saying, "By the way, Sabo, tell me quickly, which opponents are we need to be wary of?"

"Hmm..." Sabo pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Let me first tell you about the Four Tiers of powerhouses that I have compiled based on the information we have already gathered."

"The first tier of powerhouses consists of six individuals: Steel Bones Kong, the Commander-in-Chief of the World Government's Armed Forces; Patrick Redfield, the Redfield Golden Lion Shiki, the Chief of CP0 of the World Government; Shiki, the Red Hair Pirates; Red-Haired Shanks Pirates; Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army; Hawkeye Dracule Mihawk, the former World's Greatest Swordsman!"

"Hiss... As expected, everyone here is a legend among legends!" Even with Zoro's strong will, he couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.

"Wait, doesn't Nightmare count as a top-tier powerhouse?" Nami asked incredulously.

"That's because... the first tier represents the position closest to the throne, and Nightmare is already sitting on the World's Strongest throne waiting for someone to challenge him!" Koala said quietly.

"Isn't the Dreamland Kingdom supposed to be the strongest power? Why don't they have a single top-tier fighter, while the World Government has two?" Usopp asked, puzzled.

"The Marine Headquarters was so powerful back then, but in the end it was destroyed by Nightmare all by himself. In my opinion, Nightmare alone is worth at least three top-tier powerhouses. Moreover, Golden Lion has close ties with Nightmare, so it's not unreasonable to consider him as one of his people." Sabo shook his head and explained.

"Luffy, what's wrong?" Zoro noticed that Luffy hadn't said a word since earlier, which was very unlike his usual self.

"Shanks... he might not be able to appear on the field," Luffy said in a low voice.

"What!" the five exclaimed in unison.

"Although I don't know the specifics, based on Uncle Beckman's guess, Shanks was very likely attacked by Nightmare."

"Nightmare ..." The group whispered among themselves. The man was indeed, as his nickname suggested, an indelible Nightmare in everyone's hearts.

"Luffy, you..."

"I'm fine. Uncle Beckman said that Shanks' identity is somewhat special, so even if he is captured by Nightmare, he shouldn't be in any immediate trouble. He told me not to worry and that he would take care of rescuing Shanks."

Perhaps to divert Luffy's attention, "As for the top-tier combat power in the second tier, there are Marine Admirals Momousagi, Aokiji, and Green Bull; former Admiral Zephyr; CP0 Vice-Chief of the World Government, Blade Sivis; Enel, the leader of the Four Horsemen of Apocalypse under Nightmare; Charlotte Katakuri, the leader of the Sweet Commanders; Shiryu of the Rain, the warden of the prison; and the fallen Admiral Drake; former vice-captain of the Roger Pirates, Dark King Silvers Rayleigh; former first division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, Marco; and former vice-captain of the Red-Haired Pirates, Ben Beckman."

Everyone remained silent. Only when these names were spoken did they realize that there were indeed countless powerful individuals in this world.

Sabo then added, "The Five Elders of the World Government are very likely also second-tier powerhouses, but they have made a pitifully small number of appearances. Even if they have, they have long been erased and cannot be verified."

"Wait a minute, Sabo, you've overlooked someone," Koala suddenly interrupted.

"Huh? Really?" Sabo asked doubtfully.

"Idiot, have you forgotten yourself? You are now the Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army, and your abilities absolutely qualify you to be at this level!"