Few people knew that the Monster Legion was rising again.
Even the World Government and the Marines left the surviving monsters alone. Neither had Intelligence Agents among them.
After killing Kurozumi Hachinosu, the "Snake King," and destroying the Kurozumi Family, the Black Emperor Pirates, quiet for nearly two years, began making moves of their own.
They had plundered centuries of wealth from the Drum Kingdom.
The Black Emperor Pirates were not short of money.
As they developed their territory, they gained many additional sources of income.
Even so, they had not given up on the gold in the Golden Sea.
Joining the Battle of the Golden Sea would also serve as a major training exercise.
The Black Emperor Pirates' expansion had been unstoppable—almost too easy.
Teach did not need a vast force. He needed enough powerful fighters.
Despite their rapid expansion, the Black Emperor Pirates cared little for ordinary pirates.
Pirates assigned to guard islands or carry out other duties earned a wage.
Most still made their living through plunder.
They certainly could not let their members cause trouble within their own territory.
So most of them went to other sea areas.
Friction with other powers was inevitable. The major powers seemed to get along on the surface, but in truth, clashes between them were common.
They were only minor skirmishes, though. No one paid them much mind. It had always been that way.
Meanwhile, most powers had their attention fixed on the Golden Sea.
The longer the war went on, the more things could change at any moment.
The fighting was so fierce that the situation was hard to judge. It could spiral out of control at any time.
Besides, both sides kept sending more forces into the Golden Sea.
Boros Island, headquarters of the Black Emperor Pirates.
Teach,