"It seems he still hasn't realized his own strength," Nelson sneered as he watched Hien, who had tried to stab Teach, get his chest pierced clean through by Teach's hand. Still, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of shock at Teach's brutal methods and the monstrous transformation of his body.
"Hien!" Robert shouted in horror, watching his comrade's lifeless body slump to the deck.
"How dare you?!" Robert lunged at Teach, his fist gleaming with a black metallic sheen.
"Oh?" Teach's brow lifted slightly in amusement. Armament Haki, huh?
The others immediately turned to Wallace, realizing how similar this power was to his own. Wallace narrowed his eyes at Robert's fist. "Armament Haki… impressive." He was still far from mastering it himself, though he'd developed his own technique, Steel Tempering, a process that combined his molten steel ability to harden his body like iron through heat and pressure.
But Teach only looked unimpressed. "You haven't learned your lesson."
Robert flashed forward with Soru, stomping the deck more than ten times in a heartbeat to reach blinding speed. Yet Teach moved faster.
"Such weak Armament Haki."
Before Robert could react, Teach's massive clawed hand gripped his neck. The pressure crushed down, his eyes bulging, his mouth opening wordlessly.
"Robert!" Spank roared, charging forward. But facing Teach was suicide.
"Pfft!" Blood splattered as Spank was swatted aside, crashing into the warship's steel bulkhead.
Teach's hand twisted.
Crack.
Robert's neck snapped cleanly, and his body went limp.
"Trash," Teach muttered, his interest fading as he turned toward Spank, who struggled to rise.
"You bastard…" Spank gasped, blood filling his throat. "The Marines will throw you into Impel Down…"
Teach grinned, his teeth gleaming under the sunlight. "Is that so? Then let's see…"
"Too bad you won't live to find out."
His kick came faster than wind.
Thud!
Spank's head was sent flying, his body collapsing to the deck.
With that, the battle was over. The Marines were annihilated.
The crew scavenged through the warships, loading supplies, firearms, and cannons into their holds. The Nightfall Pirates' stores were bursting now, though most of it was useless junk to them.
Nelson stored the rest using his spatial ability, training himself under the added strain. He sneezed mid-way, clueless why.
Those few Marines who had escaped into the sea were quickly sniped down by Van Augur, his shots echoing with eerie precision.
And then, from the Lucky Goddess, two cannon salvos thundered at point-blank range. The last of the Marine ships were ripped apart, sinking into the dark blue sea.
From the port of Sakhalin Island, the entire town bore witness. Reporters snapped frantic photos, seagulls scattering, and one News Coo—closest to the carnage, snatched the clearest shots before fleeing with trembling wings.
"That monster…" it thought instinctively.
Pirates watching from afar were speechless.
"All three Marine warships… destroyed?"
"The Nightfall Pirates don't leave anyone alive. The Marines on board? They're all dead," another said grimly, though awe flickered behind his eyes.
"The East Blue's about to erupt. The Marines won't take this lying down… Vice Admiral Brom's stationed here, isn't he?" someone whispered, almost gleeful.
Meanwhile, at Marine Branch 22—
"What did you say?! Colonel Robert and his men were wiped out?" Lieutenant Youngs' voice cracked. "By the Nightfall Pirates? Those were three Colonels!"
"Their warships have sunk. No survivors confirmed," the voice over the Den Den Mushi reported gravely.
The words hit Youngs like a hammer. His mind reeled.
"There's more," the agent added, voice heavy. "The Nightfall Pirates are heading toward Branch 22. Lieutenant Youngs, prepare yourself."
When the line went dead, Youngs stood frozen. Fear gripped his chest but escape wasn't an option.
Marine Branch 22 was built inside Marlo Town. Most of the Marines stationed there were born and raised locally. Their families were here. Their homes were here. They couldn't abandon them.
Taking a deep breath, Youngs clenched his fists and raised his head.
"The Nightfall Pirates are coming."
Word spread fast. Panic swept through Marlo Town. Civilians packed belongings; others prayed.
But Youngs gathered every Marine in the branch square, his back straight, eyes fierce. He was the only officer left, and the men looked to him as their final anchor.
"Let's go," he said quietly. "To welcome the Nightfall Pirates."
"Lieutenant Youngs, what are you saying?"
He sighed. "We surrender. We'll meet their demands and protect Marlo Town. If they attack… I'll die before I let this place burn."
Murmurs spread among the Marines.
"The blame will be mine alone," Youngs continued, his expression solemn.
But the soldiers shook their heads. "You're not carrying this alone, sir. We'll stand with you."
Youngs' throat tightened. Tears blurred his eyes. "All right… then we'll face them together."
They marched toward the port, Marines, unarmed, standing between the town and the approaching ship.
Behind them, civilians gathered, holding makeshift weapons. Fear gripped them, but they refused to flee. They'd protect their home, even against monsters.
The golden ship Lucky Goddess drew closer, the skull flag with three heads fluttering ominously in the wind, a mark of terror across the East Blue.
Nelson chuckled softly. "Quite the welcome party."
"Too many people," Wallace muttered. "And too many civilians." His gaze slid toward Teach, awaiting the captain's decision.
The ship finally docked. Silence fell. Every heartbeat echoed.
The Nightfall Pirates disembarked one by one, their killing aura rolling like a storm. The Marines trembled.
Teach led the way, stepping forward until he stood face-to-face with Youngs.
"Is there something you need, Marine?" Teach asked casually, eyes glinting.
Behind him, blades hissed free, the pirates grinning cruelly. The Marines flinched. Even the civilians felt their knees weaken under the suffocating pressure.
Youngs swallowed hard, forcing himself to move. Then, he fell to his knees, his voice loud and clear.
"Whatever your demands, I will agree to them! But please spare the people of this town!"
Shock rippled through the crowd. Marines and civilians alike froze.
Then one by one, the Marines followed their Lieutenant's lead—dropping their weapons and kneeling.
Humiliation? Perhaps. But their dignity as protectors demanded it. For Marlo Town's safety, they would bow even to darkness.
Tears streamed down faces in the crowd.
Teach stared down at Youngs for a long moment. Then—
"Zehahahahaha!" His booming laugh shook the air. "You're a rare one, Marine. I like your guts!"
Youngs trembled, unsure if this meant death or mercy.
Teach grinned wider. "Relax. I'm not here to raze your town. I just have one request."
Youngs looked up quickly. "Anything. Name it!"
A tense silence. Then Teach spoke slowly, almost mischievously.
"We're holding a grand banquet. Originally, I planned to use your Marine base…" He gestured lazily toward the town. "But since we're here, let's expand it. I want the whole town to join in. Everyone celebrates. Got it?"
The crowd blinked.
Youngs was stunned speechless. "That's… it?"
Teach tilted his head. "What? You dissatisfied?"
"N–No! Not at all!" Youngs said hastily, shaking his head.
"Then go prepare, Marine," Teach said with a low chuckle, brushing past him.
The path cleared instantly as the Nightfall Pirates strode into Marlo Town, darkness and laughter following in their wake.