Moments after the Sky Stream erupted, a massive black cube hurtled down from the heavens, spinning wildly.
Swoosh!
From within, a thick, fur-covered hand ripped the cube apart.
"Dark Water!"
The cube collapsed inward, swallowed by the force, vanishing completely.
A booming, manic laugh followed.
"Zehahahahaha! My subordinates, we're free at last!"
Four figures appeared out of thin air, tumbling helplessly through the clouds.
"Huh?! We're in the sky?!"
All four were stunned for an instant.
"Captain! We're falling!" Burgess shouted as he twisted in midair. His eyes darted around at the endless storm clouds above and the mist-shrouded void below. He scratched his head and cackled nervously. "Wehahahahaha! This is way too high! We're finished this time!"
"Falling from the sky… quite the predicament," Van Auger muttered calmly as he adjusted his rifle, his sharp eyes scanning their surroundings.
Blackbeard Teach plummeted headfirst, but his grin never wavered. Instead, his laughter only grew louder.
"Burgess, don't speak such weak words! Our destiny has only just begun. Today will not be our grave!"
Doc Q coughed weakly as he clutched the reins of his sickly horse, Stronger. His voice rasped through the wind.
"Pfft… Captain… do you have a plan for us not to splatter on the ground?"
Before Blackbeard could answer, a deafening roar tore through the air above.
"Awooo!"
A colossal Sea King with fin-like wings descended from the sky, its scales glinting under the storm clouds as it shrieked in panic.
Blackbeard's eyes widened, and then his grin split into a wicked smile.
"Zehahahahaha! Our chance to live has arrived!" He thrust out his hand. "Reverse Dark Water!"
Dark energy spiraled from his palm, dragging his body upward with incredible force. In the next moment—
Bang!
Teach collided with the beast's scales and latched on, gripping tightly.
"Zehahahahaha! Brothers, our day of death has not yet come!"
He reached out again.
"Dark Water!"
One by one, his crewmates were pulled in by the gravitational force. Burgess slammed onto the Sea King's back, laughing like a madman.
"Wehahahahaha! Captain, you're amazing!"
Van Auger landed steadily, while Doc Q and Stronger thudded onto the monster's slick scales.
The Sea King shrieked again, wings thrashing against the pull of gravity. It no longer cared about the parasites clinging to it—its only instinct was to survive.
"Captain…" Burgess gulped nervously, "are you sure this thing won't dive straight into the sea and drag us with it?"
Teach bared his teeth in a feral grin, his voice brimming with arrogance.
"Fall to my death? Zehahahahaha! My era hasn't even begun. How could I possibly die like this?!"
The beast beat its massive wings furiously, gliding just above the ocean's surface. For one fleeting moment, it roared with triumph.
"Awooo!"
But its strength faltered, and with a final heave, it crashed into the sea.
Splash!
The instant Blackbeard touched seawater, his body went limp.
"Gurgle, gurgle…" He sank like a stone, bubbles rising as he thrashed helplessly.
"Quick! Save the Captain!" Doc Q rasped, his pale face turning grimmer.
Without hesitation, Burgess dove beneath the waves, grabbed Teach, and hauled him back to the surface.
"Pfft!" Teach spat out seawater, then burst into laughter, coughing between his words. "Zehahahahaha! So salty!" He swept his gaze across his crew. "That bastard Shirogai Yamikuro really tossed us aside! But throwing us from the sky? Did he think that would be enough to kill us?!"
Burgess slapped the water, laughing hysterically. "Wehahahahaha! I thought we were done for!"
"Destiny's still with us," Van Auger said calmly, swimming with steady strokes.
Doc Q coughed again, voice ragged. "Cough… I'm starving… Stronger's worse off than me…"
Blackbeard tilted his head back toward the towering Sky Stream above. His grin sharpened.
"They've gone to Sky Island… The Plunderer, Shirogai Yamikuro, Vice Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates. Zehahahahaha! I'll remember this insult. The Blackbeard Pirates never forget a grudge!"
Burgess barked out another laugh as they swam onward. "Captain! The hunt for The Plunderer failed! How are we supposed to make a name for ourselves now?!"
Teach threw his head back, still smiling through exhaustion.
"It doesn't matter! The seas are full of prey. We'll find another target… one even better suited for us! Zehahahahaha!"
…
Two days later.
Mary Geoise.
The Gorosei gathered once again in their chamber, their expressions grim.
Jaygarcia Saturn's brows furrowed. "Red-Haired Shanks sent an envoy to contact Whitebeard?"
A Vice Admiral knelt before them. "Yes, Saint Saturn. If Red Hair and Whitebeard join hands so carelessly, the risk is immeasurable."
Saturn folded his arms. "Shanks doesn't act without reason. Still, his plans won't be simple to counter. Fortunately, he isn't one to disturb the entire world for selfish gain. Whatever his goal, it should remain manageable."
Saint Nasujuro's hand rested on the hilt of his ancient sword as his voice cut through the chamber. "The immediate issue is filling the vacancy left by Crocodile. If we delay, small problems may snowball into disaster."
Saint Mars nodded in agreement. "If the balance between the Marines, the Shichibukai, and the Four Emperors collapses, the entire world will be shaken. Balance must be preserved."
The Gorosei fell into silence for a moment. Inwardly, regret lingered.
It was unfortunate that Shirogai Yamikuro—"The Plunderer," a rookie already wielding Emperor-level might—had refused their offer to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Such power, under the World Government, would have been invaluable.
The Vice Admiral broke the silence. "Because of this urgency, the Marines have summoned the other six Warlords to Marineford. We still don't know how many will actually attend."
"Keep a close watch," Saturn ordered coldly. "Each of those pirates harbors dangerous ambition. Do not let them stir trouble."
"Yes, Saint Saturn."
…
Marineford.
An announcement boomed across the docks.
"Shichibukai Donquixote Doflamingo has arrived."
"Shichibukai Bartholomew Kuma has arrived."
The Marines on guard stiffened.
"Look—it's a Warlord!"
"Quiet! Don't disgrace Marineford!"
Under their tense stares, the two Warlords crossed paths.
Doflamingo grinned through his pink-feathered coat, his laugh curling under his breath. "Fufufufufu… Kuma, I didn't expect you to actually show up."
Kuma's massive frame towered in silence. He closed his book, expression unreadable. His reply came slowly, his deep voice cutting through the air.
"I'm here only to observe. The decisions have already been made by the Marines."
…
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