"Hahaha… again!"
After dismissing his subordinates with a wave of his hand, Blackbeard stepped forward alone. Thick black mist emanated from his body, wrapping around the unlucky prison guards who had been frozen by Mizuchi and then "liberated" by Blackbeard himself.
"Liberation!"
Blackbeard struck twice in succession. A flood of "ice men" was hurled at Mizuchi, obstructing his line of sight.
"Dark Water!"
With his vision blocked, Mizuchi saw Blackbeard aim his right hand at him, activating his Devil Fruit ability.
A powerful suction force erupted around Mizuchi, violently pulling his body toward Blackbeard.
"Flash Kick!"
Even as he was drawn in, Mizuchi acted preemptively, striking before Blackbeard's ability could take full effect.
A dazzling yellow light illuminated the entire LV4 floor. The attack hit Blackbeard's body with crushing force before anyone could react.
Mizuchi, initially charging toward Blackbeard, stopped himself after the kick. Yet his attack sent Blackbeard flying backward like a mass of black mist, moving faster than Mizuchi himself.
"Captain!""Incredible! This is the pirate with a bounty of 600 million Berries? His strength must already surpass that of the Seven Warlords!"
Mizuchi's display of power left the members of the Blackbeard Pirates and even Jinbe wide-eyed in astonishment.
As a Warlord, Blackbeard's strength was naturally formidable. Yet against Mizuchi, he was completely powerless—an undeniable sign that Mizuchi's power likely exceeded that of the Seven Warlords.
A newly emerging pirate, not only with a staggering bounty of 600,100,000 Berries but also possessing strength surpassing the Seven Warlords, would be enough to shake the balance of the entire New World once he entered it.
"Hahaha… D! Join me! I am destined to become Pirate King, and you… will become a world-famous powerhouse by helping me ascend to the throne! Even the current Four Emperors will pale in comparison to you!"
Even after being mercilessly beaten by Mizuchi, Blackbeard, instead of showing any self-awareness, laughed maniacally, trying to recruit Mizuchi into his crew.
"I refuse!"
Mizuchi's voice was as firm as iron. He had never intended to join the Blackbeard Pirates, and whether he would continue traveling with the Straw Hat crew remained uncertain.
Perhaps only a man stronger, more charismatic, and even more striking than himself could ever make Mizuchi willingly and completely devoted to him.
"My strength isn't limited to this! Watch closely—this is the true power of my Dark-Dark Fruit!"
Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, Blackbeard's black mist began to spread rapidly. The mist that had once only swirled around him now expanded outward, consuming everything it touched along the floor, crushing it mercilessly.
"Hey! Hey! Hey! Boss, this is too insane!"
The Blackbeard Pirates rushed toward the guards as the mist spread, but the unfortunate prisoners, hurled twice already, were again swallowed by the black fog. This time, escape seemed impossible.
"Everyone, fall back!"
Mizuchi, showing no sign of complacency, ordered Luffy and the others to retreat, then switched his Devil Fruit card.
"Venom-Venom Fruit loaded. Duration: 10 minutes. Cooldown: 30 seconds."
The system message sounded, and Mizuchi immediately began his counterattack with venom.
"Poison Dragon!"
A surge of potent venom shot from Mizuchi's right hand, transforming into a ferocious dragon that charged at the attacking Blackbeard.
"Ah! Ah…!"
The venom infiltrated Blackbeard's body, causing him to clutch his head in agony. The black mist, no longer under his control, spread uncontrollably. The mist, once confined to a five-to-six meter radius around him, expanded outward at an alarming rate.
"This is bad! I didn't expect this black mist to be so troublesome!"
Just as Mizuchi prepared to retreat, the system voice interrupted.
"One minute elapsed. Dark-Dark Fruit replication complete."
Without hesitation, Mizuchi loaded the Dark-Dark Fruit and pressed his right hand toward the spreading black mist.
"Shhh! Shhh! Shhh!"
A dense wind and the faint sound of things being sucked in filled the air. The uncontrolled black mist was drawn entirely into Mizuchi's right hand and absorbed into his body.
"You lost, future Pirate King!"
With the mist under control, Mizuchi slowly approached the writhing Blackbeard amidst the fearful gazes of his crew, speaking mockingly.
"What exactly is your ability…"
Blackbeard stared at Mizuchi in shock. His Dark-Dark Fruit was already terrifyingly powerful, yet against Mizuchi, he had been completely helpless. Had Mizuchi not defeated him in a single strike, Blackbeard might have believed their strength was on par.
"And yours?"
Mizuchi's tone implied much, but Blackbeard was utterly clueless.
"Enough! Luffy! You handle this one!"
Mizuchi absorbed Blackbeard into his hand and casually tossed him toward Luffy.
Blackbeard was the one responsible for Ace's capture. Compared to Mizuchi, Luffy was far more qualified to deal with him.
"Blackbeard!"
Luffy's gaze burned with rage. From the moment he learned the name Blackbeard, a torrent of hatred had surged within him.
"Ace was captured by a pirate named Blackbeard and handed over to the World Government."
Luffy had learned this from Gloriosa before entering Impel Down. Now that Blackbeard stood before him, there was no way Luffy could forgive him.
"Gear Second!"
With a shout, Luffy charged forward.
"Luffy! Stop! Not yet! Hold back!"
Jinbe intercepted him just in time, blocking his path.
"Luffy! Think carefully about what's truly important right now!"
Jinbe's words made Mizuchi frown slightly. Blackbeard's presence in the New World was hardly beneficial.
"Since you can't act, I'll handle him!"
Mizuchi grabbed Blackbeard from the ground once more. The black mist, illuminated by the stark white ice, seemed even more sinister.
"Boom!"
A deafening explosion rocked LV4. Prisoners, previously stunned by Mizuchi's display of power, panicked and fled toward the LV3 passage.
"It's Magellan! Magellan is here!"
The terrified cries sent the remaining pirates scrambling.
"Magellan!"
Mizuchi's grip on Blackbeard's neck tightened, his anger barely contained.
"D! Let's go!"
After dodging Little Sadi's whip, Ivankov leapt beside Mizuchi, urging him.
"Mizuchi, we go first."
Luffy cast one last reluctant glance at Blackbeard but knew what was more important, choosing to temporarily let him go.
"You guys go ahead. I… have some business to discuss with Magellan."
With a sudden surge of strength, Mizuchi slammed Blackbeard onto the floor like a ragdoll and began walking against the flow of fleeing prisoners toward the guards.