One Piece: Conquering Wanokuni at Start

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For a time, there was silence across both the Totto Land sea area and the Wanokuni sea area. No major news came from either side, as both factions seemed to be preparing for the inevitable clash.

This war, destined to reshape the balance of power among the Four Emperors in the New World, grew ever more significant with each passing day.

Marines, pirates, commoners, and underground forces of every size—all eyes turned to the border seas where the conflict was set to erupt.

The surface remained calm, but beneath it, powerful currents of tension surged.

New World – An Island in Whitebeard's Territory

"Pops, it looks like the BIG MOM Pirates are on the move," said Haruta, captain of the Twelfth Division, his tone serious. "This situation is bound to ripple across the New World."

Rakuyo, the Seventh Division captain, smirked and dismissed Haruta's concern with a wave of his hand. "Haruta, you're always so cautious. Pirates don't operate that way."

He then turned to Whitebeard, leaning forward eagerly. "Father, this is our chance, isn't it? That brat's been poking at our territory—this is the perfect opportunity to hit back."

The "territory" in question was unmistakably Fish-Man Island, which flew the Whitebeard Pirates' flag.

Whitebeard, reclining in his rattan chair, didn't respond immediately. Instead, he turned his gaze toward Izou, the Sixteenth Division captain and a native of Wanokuni.

"What do you think, Izou?"

All eyes shifted to him. It was no secret that Izou's roots were in Wanokuni.

Izou hesitated briefly, his expression conflicted, but then shook his head and replied firmly, "You don't need to worry about me. My family now is here—with you all."

Whitebeard threw his head back and let out a thunderous laugh.

"Gurararara! That's the spirit! Good! How could a pirate turn a blind eye to an insult? And that brat has gotten far too arrogant lately!"

Marco offered a small smile. "Exactly, we're the Whitebeard Pirates!"

The declaration felt like a rallying cry. As soon as Marco said it, the crew around him erupted with cheers, their excitement palpable, as though a fire had been lit within them.

"Zehahaha!"

Teach, munching on a donut, suddenly broke into laughter. "Hey, Pops! I've got an idea."

Whitebeard shifted his gaze to Teach, and the rest of the crew followed suit. Though he wasn't a division captain, Teach had grown up with the crew and commanded respect in their familial atmosphere.

Teach scratched his head, offering a toothy, innocent grin before continuing. "Why don't we take advantage of the BIG MOM Pirates fighting Alex and hit Wanokuni directly? Zehahaha!"

The suggestion was met with mixed reactions. Some were taken aback, expecting something more detailed, while others couldn't deny the potential of the plan. It was underhanded, yes, but it had merit. Attacking Alex's territory during the war could yield huge gains, both in terms of power and profit.

Whitebeard frowned slightly. Marco, perceptive of his father's mood, was quick to respond.

"Teach, it's not a bad idea," Marco said, shaking his head, "but it's beneath us. Even if we succeeded, what would the world think of us? What would they think of Pops?"

Marco's words carried weight. "Pops is the strongest man in the world," he continued. "No amount of gain is worth tarnishing his name with something so cowardly."

The room fell silent, and those who had initially found Teach's suggestion appealing began to murmur in agreement.

"Marco's right, pops' reputation means more than any territory."

"Besides, Wanokuni isn't easy to invade. The terrain is steep and defensible, and as Alex's stronghold, it's sure to be fortified to the teeth."

The other captains nodded in unison, their earlier enthusiasm redirected.

"Let's wait until after the battle," Marco suggested. "We'll join the turf war then. If Alex interferes with our territory, we'll plunder his achievements."

After finishing, Marco turned to Whitebeard, awaiting his response.

Compared to Teach's earlier suggestion, Marco's plan was far more in line with Whitebeard's ideals. Without hesitation, the captain of the Whitebeard Pirates waved his hand and readily agreed.

"Gurararara! Let's go with Marco's idea. No objections, Teach."

"Of course not, Pops," Teach replied, scratching his head with a sheepish grin. "I was just throwing an idea out there. I didn't think about your reputation, Pops. If I had, I would've definitely been on the same page as Captain Marco."

Whitebeard chuckled, nodding in satisfaction. He wasn't one to hold different ideas against his sons. After all, his crew was a patchwork family drawn from every corner of the world. As long as no one violated the iron law of his ship, they were free to think and speak as they pleased.

When Whitebeard gave his approval, the rest of the crew followed Marco's plan without question. Even Teach put on a cooperative smile, though it seemed to carry a faintly deceptive edge.

Teach's respect for Whitebeard's strength was genuine—there was no denying the overwhelming power of the man known as the strongest in the world. Over the years, Teach had admired, envied, and even desired that power.

At first, his ambition had been tempered by the sheer scale of the world. Finding a specific Devil Fruit in the vastness of the seas seemed almost impossible. He had resigned himself to the idea that if he never found the Dark-Dark Fruit, he'd live the rest of his life quietly in the Whitebeard Pirates.

But everything changed when Alex rose to prominence. The young Emperor had defied expectations, wielding the power of not one but two Devil Fruits. That feat cracked the lid on the ambition Teach had kept sealed deep within.

Now, Teach couldn't help but burn with envy and jealousy.

If Alex, that upstart, could become an Emperor of the Sea with dual Devil Fruit powers, why couldn't he? The ambition Teach had stifled for so long began to seep through every fiber of his being.

Yet here was Whitebeard, the strongest man in the world, dismissing the perfect chance to weaken Alex's forces. Teach seethed silently at the "ridiculous" reason Whitebeard had rejected his idea—reputation.

'A pirate is a pirate. We're supposed to use any means necessary to secure profit and power. Since when does reputation matter more than a golden opportunity?'

He scoffed inwardly at the excuses about terrain or protection. To Teach, Whitebeard's unparalleled strength made such concerns laughable.

Reaching for a piece of steak, Teach scanned the crew. They were sharing jokes and cheers, enjoying the warmth of a family bound not by blood but by loyalty and camaraderie. And yet, deep within, Teach felt only disgust.

The family-like atmosphere, which so many found comforting, grated against him. 'Pirates? This isn't piracy anymore. This is playing house under the protection of Pops' name.'

Suppressing his irritation, Teach took a deep breath and reevaluated his position.

Despite everything, Teach knew he couldn't act hastily. Ambitions aside, the Whitebeard Pirates were still at their peak, and his place within them provided safety and opportunity. If nothing else, he could wait.

He was twenty-nine now—not young, but still with time on his side. The seas were ever-changing, and opportunities could arise in an instant.

'After all,' Teach muttered to himself, 'people's dreams never end.'

His thoughts wandered briefly to a conversation he had overheard between Whitebeard and Roger. They had mentioned something about the meaning of "D", which he had in his name.