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New World, near the waters of the Sphinx Islands.
Several massive pirate ships floated on the calm sea, their bows shaped like white whales.
Above the fleet, a black flag emblazoned with an upturned crescent-shaped mustache fluttered in the breeze—a symbol of the Whitebeard Pirates. At the center of it all was their iconic main ship, the Moby Dick, surrounded by the accompanying vessels of their fleet.
What was once a lively and cheerful scene was now drowned in a tense silence. The cause of this unease lay scattered across the decks: freshly delivered newspapers dropped by a flock of news coo.
Edward Newgate sat on a throne-like chair stationed on the deck of the Moby Dick. Despite the murmurs of his crew, he hadn't asked anyone to relay the news to him.
Instead, he held the paper in his own massive hands, reading the headlines that confirmed two startling events: Charlotte Linlin, known as Big Mom, was dead, and Kaido had been defeated.
Even though he had heard his sons discussing the news moments earlier, seeing the words with his own eyes struck a chord deep within him. The deaths of his former comrades stirred memories of a bygone era—times when they had sailed the seas together as part of the same crew.
Whitebeard sighed. While many had chosen different paths and clashed as enemies over the years, there was no denying that they had once shared bonds as shipmates.
Now, he found himself reminiscing about those days, haunted by the realization that he was one of the few remaining figures of that era still standing.
When his thoughts returned to the present, he noticed the unease etched on the faces of his crew. His sons, who usually brimmed with energy and confidence, were subdued.
Though the Whitebeard Pirates had long considered Linlin and Kaido enemies, the overwhelming display of power from Wanokuni—the land that had defeated those two Yonko—was difficult to ignore.
Whitebeard's gaze swept across the deck. He could sense the doubts festering within his crew, and it didn't sit well with him. His voice broke the silence like a thunderclap.
"That brat Alex just managed to scrape out a victory, and you're all shaken by it?"
"What's this? Have you lost faith in your dad's ability to handle someone like him?"
The question jolted the crew, and they quickly erupted into a chorus of denial.
"Impossible! Father, you're the strongest man in the world—there's no question about it!"
The loyalty of the Whitebeard Pirates had always stemmed from the family-like bond they shared on board. But for many, it was Whitebeard's title as the "Strongest Man in the World" that had initially drawn them in. His strength was undeniable, and their faith in him was absolute.
However, the silence that lingered among the crew wasn't about doubting Whitebeard.
The truth was harder to admit: this recent battle had laid bare their own shortcomings.
Under the protection of Whitebeard's flag, they had sailed freely through the New World, carrying themselves with confidence. But the display of power from Wanokuni had exposed their recklessness—a recklessness born from relying too heavily on their captain's shadow.
When it came to Whitebeard facing the Flying Generals, there was no doubt among his sons—if it were their father, victory would surely be his. But when considering the entire Whitebeard Pirates facing Wanokuni, the outcome was far less certain.
"Gurararara! That's enough of that!"
Whitebeard's deep laugh silenced his sons before they could speak further. Cutting off any lingering doubts, he cast his sharp gaze toward his commanders and began to issue orders.
"Marco, prepare to separate the fleet. Assign teams and make the arrangements. Since Kaido took part in this war, we'll inherit whatever remains after their defeat."
His expression hardened as he continued. "As for Linlin's Totto Land, since it's been taken by that brat Alex and brought under Wanokuni's rule, we'll make a special trip there! I want to see if that kid is truly worthy of standing in front of me!"
The sons exchanged glances, unsure of what to make of the situation. However, they knew better than to question their father. As Whitebeard's words sank in, the crew's hesitation gave way to boisterous cheers.
"Of course, Dad is the strongest man in the world!"
"I've been saying it all along—those Marine bounty rankings are intentionally insulting! Maybe we should pay a visit to the New World G-Branch and give them something real to write about!"
Amid the raucous cries, one figure remained notably out of place—Teach.
He stood apart from the others, silently studying Hancock's bounty poster. Her stunning appearance drew his attention, but his interest lay elsewhere: the mention of her Soul-Soul Fruit ability.
For Teach, Whitebeard had always been the one to lean on when facing dangerous enemies. He firmly believed in his father's overwhelming strength.
But now, as he glanced at Whitebeard—whose health had begun to show signs of decline—doubt gnawed at him. If Whitebeard fell to Alex, what would become of Teach's ambitions?
He clenched his teeth in frustration, uncertain of his next move.
After Wanokuni's forces integrated Totto Land into their territory, their army quickly moved to establish order. The rule of Charlotte Linlin was replaced by Alex, and a proclamation of loyalty to him was spread across the islands.
The message was clear: the victors would not harm the common people of the archipelago. Instead, Wanokuni promised a semblance of stability and leniency. The islands would become part of Wanokuni's domain, and Alex would now serve as their absolute ruler.
To the relief of many, the taxes collected under Alex's rule would amount to half of what Linlin had demanded. However, the price of survival—a portion of their souls—remained unchanged.
This announcement soothed the anxieties of the populace. While they had been fearful of new leadership, the conditions seemed far more tolerable than under Big Mom's chaotic reign.
Some even began to look forward to the change. Wanokuni's reputation as a prosperous and organized nation gave the people hope for a better life. Unlike Big Mom, Alex was seen as a stable and calculated ruler, one who wouldn't throw the region into disarray on a whim.
For those who had already lived under Big Mom's rule for decades, paying with their souls was simply a continuation of the status quo. With time, it seemed inevitable that the islands would fully integrate into Wanokuni's system.
In the General's Castle
Within the castle, Toki stood before Alex, reporting on the progress of the integration.
"After moving to a new environment, the people need time to adapt."
Alex, reclining lazily on a sofa, rested his head on a pair of pale, elegant legs. His relaxed demeanor belied the weight of his position as he glanced at Toki.
"For now, those tasks fall to you," Alex said with a sly grin. "Don't worry, I'll reward you properly when you're ready for a break."
Toki's reserved nature made such exchanges rare, but she allowed herself a small smile, glancing at him with a mix of exasperation and amusement.
"With the way you delegate tasks, I wouldn't even know when it's time to rest."
Alex laughed, his voice echoing through the chamber. "You've done more than your share lately, Toki. Once the Sky City project begins, I'll need your expertise even more. I'll make sure you're properly compensated."
A faint blush colored Toki's cheeks, but she quickly steered the conversation back on track. "Before that, shouldn't you focus on Whitebeard?"
"Whitebeard? Perhaps. After Kaido's defeat, it's likely their approach will change. I'll leave it to the Shadow Guards to gather intel on their movements."
At the mention of information, Alex turned to Robin, who had been silently observing the exchange.
"Speaking of which," he said, "has there been any news from the World Government?"
Robin, who had been seated nearby and massaging Alex's head with a practiced touch, replied smoothly.
"Yes," she said. "According to reports from Catarina, the World Government has initiated a global conscription. They're aggressively recruiting new Marines, even bypassing the traditional hierarchy of the three Admirals. Promising candidates can now be directly promoted to Admiral rank."