Late at night at the port of Sphinx Island, the lighthouse beam swept across the sea in steady intervals as pirate ships departed one after another.
With the negotiations concluded, most of the Whitebeard remnants no longer had a reason to remain. They set sail in succession, each crew returning to handle urgent matters within their territories.
From an elevated cliff overlooking the harbor, Aether sat with a bottle of wine in hand, quietly observing the scene below.
Under the pale moonlight, more than ten ships floated offshore. Two flags fluttered in the wind on their masts. One belonged to his crew, while the other was a symbol still unfamiliar to the world.
A voice broke the silence.
"The Aether Pirates… your naming sense has not improved at all."
Aether did not turn. He raised a hand and caught the bottle tossed toward him by Silvers Rayleigh, then took a sip.
"Not asleep at this hour? Or is it because you have your youth back, and you are feeling adventurous?"
Rayleigh sat beside him, gazing up at the star-filled sky. After decades under the sa heavens, tonight felt different.
"You are the one leaving the world's most beautiful woman alone. What would I even be trying?"
Aether let out a faint laugh.
"Fair point. Shakuyaku is not exactly forgiving. If you tried anything foolish, she would make sure you regret it."
Rayleigh smirked but said nothing further. He seed more interested in imagining Shakuyaku's reaction when she saw him restored to his youth.
Instead, he shifted the topic.
"You should be more concerned about yourself. When Ace revives Rouge, how do you plan to explain things? Boa Hancock is one matter, and Hina is another. You have made quite a situation for yourself."
Aether coughed lightly, clearly uninterested in continuing that line of discussion.
"That is not your concern."
He reached into his belongings and tossed a pill toward Rayleigh.
"Take it. Give it to whoever you want. One is enough, taking more will not change anything."
Rayleigh caught it, his expression shifting subtly. The aning behind it was obvious.
He remained silent for a while before speaking, his voice quieter than before.
"So, you have no intention of inviting to your crew?"
Aether turned slightly, then raised his bottle and tapped it lightly against Rayleigh's.
"My na is Aether. Our eting was not random. Rayleigh, do you want to turn this world upside down with ?"
The words stirred sothing deep within Rayleigh. For a mont, mories of the past surfaced, of a ti when he had followed Gol D. Roger across the seas.
He took a slow drink before replying.
"I will stay and see whether you can truly reach that goal."
The era of the Roger Pirates had long ended. Their journey had fulfilled its purpose. If a new storm was to rise, then perhaps it belonged to a new crew.
Aether smirked slightly.
"Then how about joining as a combatant? I am saving the vice-captain position for a beautiful woman."
Rayleigh's expression stiffened for a brief mont.
"Get lost."
…
By the next morning, news of the agreent had already spread among the lower ranks. Though not every detail was public, the general outco caused a noticeable stir. Even so, most accepted it without resistance.
At the bustling port, pirates moved back and forth, loading supplies and preparing their ships.
Standing atop one of the Moby Dick–style ships, Marco stared at the twin flags above him.
The wind carried both the emblem of Edward Newgate and the banner of the Aether Pirates.
Serving under another captain had never been sothing he imagined.
"…This is for Pops, and for everyone."
His resolve had hardened. The events of the Marineford War had changed him. Even his long-stagnant strength showed signs of growth, though the timing left a bitter taste.
The agreent reached the previous night was straightforward.
Aether would assu control over Whitebeard's forr territory. In ti, it might bear his na instead.
In return, he would not suppress the forr Whitebeard forces and would take responsibility for protecting both the land and its people. Most importantly, he would work toward reviving Whitebeard.
The Whitebeard remnants, in exchange, reorganized themselves under his command.
The fifteen divisions, with the Fourth already absorbed, combined with twenty-two allied crews to form a fleet of thirty-seven pirate crews, numbering close to ten thousand.
If the territory was attacked, all crews were required to respond under Aether's command.
If Aether launched an offensive against another Emperor-level force, only half of each crew's strength would be mobilized, while the rest remained behind to defend their lands.
In large-scale conflicts, the First, Second, Third, and Fifth Divisions were required to send additional forces, as their strength rivaled top commanders like those under other Yonko.
There was also a safeguard.
If Aether failed to revive Whitebeard within five years, he would relinquish half of the territory, and the relationship would shift into an equal alliance.
It was the best compromise they could secure.
In return, Aether gained thirty-seven Vivre Cards and direct communication with all subordinate crews through Den Den Mushi.
With this agreent, a force rivaling the Four Emperors had taken shape.
The na of the Aether Pirates would soon spread across the seas.
A voice pulled Marco from his thoughts.
"Captain Marco, the ship is ready. We can depart."
Marco hesitated briefly.
"…Call whatever you want."
He turned his gaze toward the sea.
"Our destination is the Flower Capital. So foolish crews have invaded. We will remind them that even after Marineford, this territory is not theirs to take."
With the lead ship cutting through the waves, followed by allied crews, they sailed into increasingly rough seas.
Across the New World, the remnants of Whitebeard began to move as one.
Under Aether's command, they would first eliminate smaller threats, then gather their strength to face the greater dangers waiting ahead.
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