He tacitly agreed with Sengoku's decision.
"By the way… what is this pirate's name?" Kizaru suddenly asked, recalling the omission.
"He said his name is Blackbeard."
Several minutes later.
Blackbeard walked in.
Despite standing before the three most powerful figures in the Marines — and being virtually unknown at this time — Blackbeard showed not the slightest trace of fear.
He was incredibly bold.
He openly looked Sengoku and the others up and down, studying them with keen interest.
At the same time, the three Marines were also observing Blackbeard.
The man before them was massive and burly, with tanned skin, thick shaggy hair and beard, and several teeth missing from his grin. His shirt hung open, revealing his broad chest.
He looked like the very definition of a rough, wild pirate.
Moreover, his fingers were loaded with expensive rings, and his body was adorned with numerous jewels, diamonds, and gold accessories.
To the eye, he appeared to be nothing more than a coarse, vulgar outlaw.
Sengoku spoke first. "You… are Blackbeard?"
"Zehahahaha!" Blackbeard laughed loudly. "That's right! I am Blackbeard — Marshall D. Teach!"
Hearing the initial "D.", the three Marines were startled, and their expressions turned grave.
The Will of D… Just what is he planning?
Blackbeard acted as if he didn't notice the wary attitude of the three men.
He spoke freely and confidently. "Originally, I was a member of the Second Division of the Whitebeard Pirates. But recently… I left."
He declared openly: "I intend to establish my own crew!"
"And naturally… I have a keen interest in the title of Warlord of the Sea!"
He stated his intentions clearly.
Blackbeard had come here specifically for the position of Warlord.
That title held immense appeal for a man like him.
After all, becoming a Warlord meant immunity from Marine pursuit.
For a pirate crew in the process of growing and expanding, that privilege was invaluable.
Sengoku frowned slightly. "What can you offer us in return?" he asked.
Since entering the room, Blackbeard had only been talking about what he wanted.
He hadn't mentioned anything else of substance.
"Zehahahaha!" Blackbeard laughed again. "Oh, I will give you exactly what you desire most!"
His eyes glinted darkly as he continued. "The Captain of the Second Division of the Whitebeard Pirates… would you be interested in him?"
Sengoku, Akainu, and Kizaru were all taken aback!
He was referring to none other than Portgas D. Ace!
A great pirate with a bounty of over 500,000,000 berries.
And more importantly… Ace possessed an even more significant identity.
He was the son of the former Pirate King, Gol D. Roger!
Realizing this, Sengoku's mind raced with excitement.
With his strategic mind, he instantly conceived countless plans regarding Ace, and by extension, Whitebeard himself.
He smiled faintly, keeping his composure. "Is Ace in your custody right now?"
"If he is… we might consider your request."
Sengoku gave no definite promises.
Blackbeard looked straight at him. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku… you truly are a cunning man, aren't you?"
"Very well then… I promise you, if you grant my request, within two months I will deliver Ace to you… alive. How does that sound?"
As if reading exactly what was in Sengoku's mind… Blackbeard deliberately emphasized the word alive.
Sengoku didn't hesitate for a second. "We have a deal."
Having obtained exactly what he wanted, Blackbeard turned and left arrogantly.
Kizaru looked at Sengoku. "That was rather hasty… not quite like you, Sengoku!"
Sengoku smiled confidently.
"If he truly brings Ace to us… what harm is there in being a little hasty?"
He looked at the two Admirals and declared: "I can already see it."
"The time for the Marines to rise to power once again… is fast approaching!"
Sengoku laughed heartily.
Out on the vast ocean of the New World.
Aboard the ships of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Whitebeard, Marco, and the others stood on the deck of the Fourth Division's vessel.
Whitebeard's expression was unusually stern and serious.
His massive figure blocked the sun, casting a long, heavy shadow across the deck.
Lying on the deck was a man.
He was tall and broad, dressed in a chef's uniform.
It was Thatch — Captain of the Fourth Division and also the cook of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Thatch was a man who usually wore a constant smile… but that smile was gone forever now.
He lay motionless on the wooden planks.
He was dead.
Marco — Captain of the First Division and also the ship's doctor — was examining his body.
There was no sign of life left.
His heart had stopped beating, his breathing had ceased, and his skin was ice-cold.
There was nothing more that could be done.
Marco stood up, his face dark and gloomy.
He took off his glasses and wiped them slowly.
"Well?" Whitebeard asked. His voice was low and heavy, like the pressure building before a massive storm.
Marco sighed deeply. "From what I can tell… he's been dead for at least ten hours."
"Attacked during the night… and by someone he knew… a member of this crew."
Hearing the words "attacked by a crewmate", every man standing on deck felt a chill run down their spines.
The Whitebeard Pirates were different from any other crew.
Every member considered each other family.
Hearing news like this felt no different than hearing that one family member had murdered another.
Whitebeard looked down at Thatch, and a terrible suspicion began to form in his mind.
"Is anyone missing from our crew?"
He looked around and asked loudly.
The crew members looked at one another in silence, unable to speak.
Then, Portgas D. Ace — Captain of the Second Division — stepped forward.
"Father… Blackbeard from my division… he is gone!"
Ace's words exploded in Whitebeard's mind like a thunderbolt!
Marshall D. Teach…!
Suddenly, too many memories rushed through his head.
From the very first moment he had met Blackbeard… El had warned him to be careful of that man!
And later on as well… He had specifically taken Blackbeard and Ace to meet El.
And once again… the result was the same.
El had warned him again!
But why… why had he been so slow to realize the truth?
Why had he been so oblivious until now?
He turned sharply toward his "sons" and roared: "Does anyone know if Blackbeard held a grudge against Thatch?! Why would he do such a thing?!"
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