The Alliance of Pirates Unwilling to Accept Defeat

Meanwhile, on the other side of the sea, dramatic changes were also taking place in the pirates' world.

"We can't just sit around and wait to die."

On an island hidden within stormy waters, dozens of pirates of all kinds had gathered in a brightly lit hall.

Their faces were filled with anger and unease, but more than anything, with deep-seated unwillingness to accept defeat.

This had once been the secret base of a great pirate, but now it had become a refuge and planning ground for every pirate who felt threatened by the combined fleet.

"The Neo Marines and the Marines have joined forces. They've completely lost their minds!"

A burly man with a face full of knife scars roared and slammed the table, cracking one of its corners.

"They're trying to wipe us out!

From the East Blue to the Grand Line, there isn't a single safe stretch of sea left!"

"Calm down."

In the hall, a figure slowly rose to his feet.

He was tall, draped in a tattered cloak, with an iron mask covering his face, making him seem exceptionally mysterious.

His voice was low and calm, yet it carried an overwhelming pressure that could not be ignored.

"We already knew the Marines would move sooner or later.

This sea has always been our stage, but now they want to tear it down and replace it with their rules."

"Then what do we do?"

Another pirate leader asked with a frown. Sweat covered his face, and fear flickered in his eyes.

"For all these years, the Marines have never shown such powerful resolve, and the Neo Marines are even less to be underestimated.

Jin An, Kuzan, and those damned remnants of Whitebeard—they've joined forces. We simply can't win!"

Those words plunged the entire hall into silence.