"This sea really is that cruel!"
The Black Emperor Pirates and their captain, "Black Emperor" Marshall D. Teach, became famous across the sea through this battle.
They destroyed an Affiliated Nation and escaped unscathed from Marine Vice Admirals Borsalino and Garp.
Teach, in particular, once again showed everyone what a true monster of this sea looked like.
Several years earlier, Teach had already caught the attention of the sea's major powers.
Now, he had reached a level that demanded their serious consideration.
He had gone from a promising star everyone was watching to a superstar whose fame rivaled that of a Sea Emperor.
His strength might not yet compare with those Sea Emperors.
But in influence and name recognition, the Black Emperor Pirates were second only to the Flying Pirates.
His growth in the Sky Arena and his travels through the Four Seas had earned him a vast following.
Yet within a few days, a short video on the Image Platform rapidly gained popularity. More and more people watched it, and for a time, it even eclipsed the Black Emperor Pirates.
It was footage a retired Marine veteran had recorded of his campaigns over the years.
He had simply placed a small Den Den Mushi on his chest.
It allowed viewers to experience the terror of war at sea through the eyes of an ordinary Marine.
He had never imagined he would live long enough to retire.
He had survived two bloody wars, the fall of Marine Headquarters twice, and several other conflicts, escaping death through sheer luck.
Eventually, injuries that were difficult to recover from impaired his ability to fight. Weary of war as well, he applied for retirement.
He returned to the island he called home.
Against those monsters, ordinary Marines were far too insignificant to influence the