New World, Foodvalten Island.
This was an island under the Whitebeard Pirates' protection. Its outline was oval-shaped, like an ancient Roman colosseum, with buildings arranged in terraces throughout the island and only a single opening connecting it to the outside world.
Since the island had no notable specialties, most of its residents made their living through agriculture.
Therefore, the goods the islanders offered to the Whitebeard Pirates each month were not money, but all kinds of food.
Over time, Foodvalten Island became the Whitebeard Pirates' tenth food supply point, which was also how the island got its name...
Under such lenient policies, the islanders' lives might not have been wealthy, but at the very least, they did not go hungry. They were even better off than the citizens of many World Government member states.
After all, citizens of World Government member states had to pay not only the Celestial Tribute, but also their own countries' taxes. Some even had to pay protection money to pirates.
The crushing burden of exorbitant taxes left the people of many countries unable to breathe, trapping them in a life where they could barely afford enough to eat...
As the Four Emperors' balance of power took shape in the New World, the Marines' territory and influence there steadily dwindled.
Some nations surrounded by the Four Emperors' forces even directly renounced their status as World Government member states, becoming vassals of the Four Emperors instead and paying them tribute.
At the entrance to Foodvalten Island, beside the harbor docks, three large three-masted sailing ships with white whale figureheads were moored. The black Pirate Flags fluttering from their masts clearly declared the force they belonged to... the Whitebeard Pirates!
Inside the town, boisterous shouts and noisy chatter continuously rang out from a bar called The Big Barrel.