Blackbeard had already made up his mind.
His eyes gleamed with ambition as he silently followed Bullet and the others, led by Baloric Redfield, also known as the "Lonely Red."
After all, Blackbeard considered himself smarter than fools like Pizarro, the "Corrupt King," or Catarina Devon, the "Crescent Moon Hunter," who openly flaunted their ambitions without restraint.
Such recklessness would only lead to becoming cannon fodder in the coming battle!
Blackbeard preferred to bide his time, avoiding unnecessary attention until the perfect moment to strike arrived. For now, blending in with these infamous monsters suited his plans perfectly.
The Formation of the Great Pirate Alliance
Under the command of "Lonely Red" Baloric Redfield, the infamous "Demon Heir" Douglas Bullet, Blackbeard, and the others commandeered a stolen Impel Down warship, setting sail for the designated meeting point of the Pirate Alliance.
Meanwhile, the entire New World was thrown into turmoil.
A grand pirate alliance, unprecedented in scale, was forming under the leadership of the Big Mom Pirates. When news spread that legendary criminals from Impel Down's sixth floor had joined forces, many hesitant factions took notice. Some publicly declared their allegiance, while others secretly sent envoys.
The allure of power and opportunity proved irresistible.
Even the major figures of the underground world, who had previously sought out Doflamingo, found themselves drawn to the alliance. Since they regularly attended Big Mom's tea parties, these underworld titans—Stussy, the "Queen of the Pleasure District," Usury King "Feld," Shipping King "Umit," Warehouse Boss "Gibson," and the "Big Hand Undertaker" Piekro—chose to join without hesitation.
A Shocking Response from Morgans
As soon as these events began unfolding, the first organization to receive the news was, naturally, the World Economic News Press.
"President... President!" A frantic staff member burst into Morgans' office. "Stussy, Feld, Umit, Gibson, Piekro... They've all joined the Big Mom-led Pirate Alliance! And they're still extending invitations! What should we do?!"
Within his mobile headquarters, "Big News" Morgans sat alone, deep in thought. Unlike the countless others who believed this alliance spelled doom for a certain man, Morgans remained eerily calm.
After a long silence, he finally spoke in a shocking manner:
"Refuse them... No, tell them I'm sick. Very sick. So sick that I can't even move. There's nothing I can do this time."
He knew exactly why they sought him out—to leverage his extensive network of albatross spies and gain intelligence. However, as one of the world's foremost information brokers, often outpacing even the World Government in acquiring news, Morgans was also a businessman. He understood the importance of making the right call when the stakes were high.
This time, he chose caution.
Because when he thought about that man, the one they all wished to kill, an inexplicable sense of foreboding gripped him.
Morgans had built the World Economic News into a global powerhouse by trusting his instincts. And now, those instincts screamed danger.
His apprehension only grew upon receiving reports that the Revolutionary Army had begun mobilizing worldwide.
He had no intention of getting involved.
Still, to maintain neutrality, he sent a polite message wishing the Big Mom Pirates success in their alliance. Simultaneously, he secretly dispatched an albatross to Mariejois on the Red Line—to inform that man about the alliance of the Big Mom Pirates, "Lonely Red," and others.
Bai Ye: A Lone Figure Against the World
Standing atop the near-collapsed Red Line, Bai Ye gazed calmly at the storm-drenched Grand Line.
If anyone witnessed this moment, they would be utterly shocked.
Despite the chaos engulfing the New World, despite the ambitious factions in the first half of the Grand Line, Bai Ye remained unmoved.
He was waiting.
Waiting for those who sought death to come to him.
Alone, he stood against the entire New World's pirate factions, the underground crime syndicates, and the newly formed "Great Alliance" of the Impel Down escapees.
What a terrifying sight it would be.
Yet, it was happening.
And Bai Ye's expression remained calm, without the slightest ripple of emotion.
The Alliance Makes Its Move
As expected, the forces of the New World wasted no time.
In the skies above, the heavy downpour that had engulfed the world gradually faded into a fine drizzle.
Standing on the Red Line, Bai Ye had a clear view of both halves of the Grand Line—the first half and the chaotic New World.
Then, on the horizon, he saw them.
Pirate ships, each bearing unique emblems, appeared one after another.
First one… then two… then three…
In the blink of an eye, hundreds of densely packed pirate ships filled the distant sea, an overwhelming armada sailing through the rain.
And leading this massive force was none other than the Big Mom Pirates, with "Lonely Red" Baloric Redfield and their powerful allies at the helm.
The greatest battle in history was about to begin.