Time passed peacefully into the year 1496 of the Sea Era.
No major conflicts erupted in the New World. Even the Whitebeard Pirates failed to rise as expected.
A faction's growth had its own rhythm. Once that rhythm was broken, the damage could be immense.
When things went smoothly, momentum built. Like a snowball rolling downhill, a faction grew faster and faster while maintaining a steady pace.
The Flying Pirates were the clearest example. Even during the war, their expansion had never stopped.
The Whitebeard Pirates, on the other hand, had suffered a crushing defeat and struggled to recover.
Their strength was returning, of course, but fewer new recruits were coming in.
Fewer groups wanted to join the Whitebeard Pirates or place themselves under Whitebeard's protection.
The main reason so many factions had joined them in the past was the formidable reputation "Whitebeard" Edward Newgate had carried since the Rocks era.
Newgate's tremendous strength was another reason.
Under Whitebeard, they could grow while enjoying a measure of security.
But the defeat had exposed the Whitebeard Pirates' weakness. Naturally, factions were no longer rushing to join him.
Factions would not flock to Whitebeard territory again until the crew had rallied and won an impressive victory.
Whitebeard no longer bore the title of "Legendary Pirate," and he had yet to earn the title of "World's Strongest."
Such recognition had to be won through battle after battle. To protect his crew, the Whitebeard Pirates stayed within their own territory, so Newgate fought far less often.
That left him few chances to demonstrate his terrifying destructive power.
The disruption to their momentum could prove fatal.
Unless they restored their reputation, the perception of weakness would make them a target for countless pirates.
Especially young pirates eager to rise by bringing down a veteran.
John,