The members of the Nightfall Pirates followed Teach through the streets of Marlo Town, their destination was the Marine branch near the center loomed ahead under a bright evening sky.
"Captain, this is a great idea," Wallace said with a grin. "Having the entire town celebrate with us... it's genius."
"This Marine's got guts," Nelson added with a laugh. "If they'd resisted, not even this town would still be standing by morning."
Van Augur smirked, spinning his rifle idly. "That Lieutenant made the right call. Saved himself and everyone else. Otherwise, the East Blue would've lost another town tonight."
Gar snorted in disappointment, his fur bristling slightly. "A pity. I thought there'd be another hunt today."
Everyone nearby winced. They all knew Gar too well by now, this beastly Mink lived for the thrill of battle. Earlier, he had single-handedly slaughtered more men than any other crew member, one-fifth of the three thousand enemies who'd fallen that day. To him, bloodshed was simply sport.
Behind them, among the townspeople, realization began to dawn.
"Come on, son," one man said, tugging his boy's arm. "Let's hurry home and get ready."
"Ready? For what?" asked his neighbor.
"For the banquet, of course!" the man replied, as if it were obvious.
The neighbor blinked. "Isn't it just dinner? What's there to prepare?"
The father scoffed. "How can you call it a banquet if it's not grand? Food, songs, laughter, everything's gotta be perfect! What if those pirates aren't satisfied?" His eyes gleamed mischievously. "Besides, this is my chance to show off my singing! Who knows? Maybe I'll be discovered!"
His excitement spread quickly. People murmured in agreement—he was right. A feast for pirates like these couldn't be simple. It had to impress them.
Among the crowd, the elderly mayor stepped forward, Old Burke, a sixty-three-year-old man who'd led Marlo Town for more than three decades. His presence alone silenced the chatter.
"For the future of Marlo Town," Burke declared, "we will all unite. We'll host a banquet so grand the Nightfall Pirates themselves will remember it for life!"
Cheers erupted.
"We'll handle the arrangements," the mayor continued. "The banquet starts tonight. We have three hours. Everyone, take your tasks and move!"
"I'll provide the meat!" shouted a butcher, raising his cleaver proudly.
"I'll bring fruit!" called a vendor.
"I can cook!" a woman added, followed by others shouting, "Me too!" "Count me in!"
Performers stepped forward next—singers, dancers, acrobats, even jugglers. Everyone wanted to contribute.
Old Burke's eyes grew misty as he looked upon the people he had served for so long. Standing atop a crate, he bowed deeply. "Thank you, everyone. Tonight, we stand together."
And so, as the sun set, all of Marlo Town burst into motion.
Within hours, streets filled with energy and light. Tables stretched endlessly from the Marine branch outward, each covered with dishes, fruits, and barrels of ale. The smell of roasted meat filled the air.
The mayor had even ordered giant display screens to be brought in, over a hundred of them, so everyone could see the performances and the pirates' reactions. The screens were expensive, costing millions of Berries, but the town pooled their money. Wealthy citizens donated fortunes, vendors emptied their savings. Marlo Town became a hive of cooperation and anticipation.
The news spread like wildfire across the East Blue.
The same pirates who had annihilated three Marine warships were now hosting a banquet at a Marine base, with the very townspeople they could have slaughtered.
It shocked the world.
To the Marines, it was humiliation. To others, it was legendary.
At the Marine Branch 22 building, the Marine flag had already been lowered—replaced by the black banner of the Nightfall Pirates. The skulls fluttered ominously in the wind.
Marines watching through live broadcasts clenched their fists in fury. Pirates occupying a Marine branch and holding a feast there, it was blasphemy against justice itself.
But the people of Marlo Town didn't care for pride or politics. They had survived.
In the surrounding seas, eighteen Marine branches had already begun coordinating a response. The Nightfall Pirates had sunk six warships in total, if left unchecked, the East Blue itself might soon fall under their shadow.
Even so, the Marines were stretched thin. With the Great Pirate Era raging, their manpower was dwindling fast. Apart from the heavily fortified branch at Loguetown, commanded by Vice Admiral Brom, the "East Blue Admiral", most bases were undermanned and underpowered.
Meanwhile, inside Marlo Town, the celebration began.
Teach sat at the head of the main table within the commandeered Marine base, laughter booming around him. Plates overflowed with food, and barrels of ale were cracked open without restraint.
"Zehahahahaha! Now this is how you celebrate victory!" Teach roared, raising his mug high.
The crew cheered, drinking and devouring everything before them.
"This is… surprisingly comfortable," Wallace admitted between bites. "Better than fighting any day."
Van Augur chuckled, leaning back. "Even pirates need a break from killing once in a while."
Performances lit up the giant screens, singers, dancers, fire-breathers, and acrobats twirling under the glow of lanterns. Laughter and music filled the streets.
To the outside world, it was madness.
To Marlo Town, it was survival.
And to the Nightfall Pirates, it was glory.
Far away, in a quiet tavern, a red-haired man with a straw hat watched the broadcast. His sharp eyes narrowed as he stared at the figure sitting at the head of the feast.
"Who is that?" Shanks muttered, brows furrowing. "He looks… familiar."
The name Teach hadn't yet spread widely. Few knew who led the Nightfall Pirates, but those who did would soon connect the dots.
Elsewhere, Buggy the Clown nearly spat out his drink when he saw the screen. "Wait.. Teach?! That bastard from Whitebeard's crew?!"
He leaned closer, eyes bulging. "No way… he's the one leading them?! When did he leave Whitebeard?"
Recognition hit him like lightning. Two years had changed Teach's face and dress, but not his eyes or his grin.
"That monster's gotten stronger," Buggy muttered nervously. "Way stronger…" He gulped. "Good thing I'm nowhere near him."
If only he knew, the Fairytale Kingdom of Bocaboca, where Buggy now docked his ship, was exactly where Teach was heading next.
Back in Marlo Town, the feast raged on.
Wine poured freely, laughter shook the air, and the once-fearful residents of Marlo Town found themselves dancing beside pirates.
Teach sat back, sipping from his mug, his grin wide. The wine was homemade, each bottle different, rich with the warmth of family craftsmanship.
For once, the Nightfall Pirates weren't conquering or fighting. They were simply living.
And under the fluttering flag of darkness, Marlo Town blazed with light.