The Flying Pirates were still the strongest force on the seas, but they had lost their terrifying grip on power.
In the previous era, they had reached the pinnacle by taking on three rivals at once.
But now?
Even with young monsters like Xiaer and Goenitz, they could no longer fight three at once.
For the Sea Emperors of the New Era, it was not just the captain's strength that mattered. It was the number of powerful fighters under their command.
At the very least, they needed two Top Combatants and plenty of other formidable fighters.
In other words, a captain's strength alone was not enough to become a Sea Emperor.
The crew had to be strong enough too.
In Hades's view, the Black Emperor Pirates, led by Teach, could inherit the Flying Pirates' throne and become the strongest pirate crew.
But they would struggle to match the fear and dominance the Flying Pirates had commanded at their peak.
The seas did not stand still. Times had changed.
Teach could use Devil Fruit Hunting to cultivate a great many formidable fighters, but raising Top Combatants was nowhere near as easy.
It took more than a top-tier Devil Fruit.
Of course, recruiting other top-tier monsters would be another matter.
For now, the Black Emperor Pirates had yet to show the potential to surpass the other great powers.
They needed time to grow, and they needed more Top Combatants.
Hades looked forward to the Black Emperor Pirates' future, but he knew Marshall D. Teach could not do it alone.
That was why he had arranged for his son Lubbock, who knew everything, to become Teach's brother and quietly guide his development.
He had also arranged for his son Hallorant, who had eaten the excellent Bounce-Bounce Fruit, to join Teach. Hallorant might not