"Captain, it's about time we upgraded our transportation."
"A raft doesn't suit the glorious title of Seven Warlord we're about to obtain."
"Hahaha! If we modify that Marine warship a bit, it'll make a fine ship for us!"
The pirates laughed loudly.
Soon, the massive Marine warship docked.
Vice Admiral Momonga and Xia Yu stepped ashore.
"Oh?"
"You only sent a single Vice Admiral… and not even any Marine soldiers?"
"Aren't you afraid our Blackbeard Pirates might pull a little double-cross?"
Blackbeard laughed loudly, his tone filled with provocation.
The rest of the crew looked just as arrogant.
None of them took Momonga seriously.
Nearby, Ace looked over.
He had underestimated Blackbeard.
That ambitious madman…
Would he even rob the Marine warship this time?
Seeing the Blackbeard Pirates' attitude, Momonga reached for the hilt of his sword—
But Xia Yu stopped him.
First…
Take Ace back.
Once Ace was secured—
He could slaughter the Blackbeard Pirates without worry.
Ignoring Blackbeard's taunts, Xia Yu looked at the half-dead Ace.
"You're Ace, right?"
"The son of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger."
Xia Yu spoke in a childish voice, yet his tone sounded like that of a calm adult.
Ace was slightly surprised.
Momonga hadn't spoken yet—
But this kid had already taken charge.
And Momonga showed no sign of discomfort.
It seemed this boy's status was even higher than a Vice Admiral.
Still—
Ace had no time to worry about that.
"Damn Marines."
"If you have the guts, just kill me!"
Ace shouted angrily.
"Sorry."
"That's something I can't do."
Xia Yu waved his hand casually.
The Blackbeard Pirates were stunned.
Why did this eight-year-old kid seem to have such authority?
Was Momonga actually under his command?
A veteran Marine Vice Admiral taking orders from a child?
There was only one possible explanation.
This brat must be some powerful official's spoiled son.
A useless noble brat who relied on his family's power.
They had killed plenty of people like that in the Grand Line.
After their brief shock—
The pirates burst into mocking laughter.
"Zehahaha! Interesting… very interesting."
"So you're the one in charge of this mission, kid?"
"Do you want Uncle to buy you some candy?"
Blackbeard laughed loudly.
His crew immediately joined the mockery.
"No wonder the Marines can't suppress pirates."
"You people must really be short on manpower if a kid like this is a big shot."
"Vice Admiral Momonga… being bossed around by a brat must feel terrible."
"How about joining us pirates?"
"We're much freer than the Marines!"
"Hahaha!"
"And you, kid…"
"You've got guts to negotiate with the Blackbeard Pirates."
"Just don't start crying later!"
Momonga had long since lost his patience.
But Fleet Admiral Sengoku had given strict orders—
The Seraphim had to be the ones to fight.
Their real combat ability needed to be tested.
Since Xia Yu was present, and the Seraphim were his creations, Momonga chose to remain silent.
"Who said the Marines have no one left?"
"So many strong fighters are standing right here."
"Can't you see them?"
Xia Yu said calmly.
He wasn't angry at all.
To him, the Blackbeard Pirates were nothing more than walking corpses.
Let them jump around a little longer.
It would be his mercy toward them.
After hearing Xia Yu's words—
The Blackbeard Pirates looked at the group.
Including Xia Yu himself, they saw eleven children around eight or nine years old.
They immediately burst into even louder laughter.
"Zehahaha!"
"Kid, the strong people you're talking about might only seem strong to you."
Blackbeard sneered.
"Yeah, kid."
"Maybe Uncle here can smash all your 'strong fighters' with a single punch."
Burgess flexed his huge fist menacingly.
"After killing you brats, we could even cook you into soup."
Lafitte made a frightening face, trying to scare the children.
Watching these scum provoke him again and again—
Xia Yu merely smiled slightly.
What a group of clowns.
Even now, they hadn't noticed the terrifying energy radiating from the Seraphim beside him.
Ignoring them, Xia Yu ordered one of the Seraphim to bring Ace over.
"Ace belongs to us now."
Xia Yu said calmly.
Seeing Xia Yu act so directly, Blackbeard's expression darkened.
Of course Ace had to be handed over—
Without him, Blackbeard couldn't become a Warlord.
But Xia Yu moving Ace without his permission still irritated him.
An eight-year-old brat…
Daring to show such an attitude in front of him?
Fine.
This time he would teach the kid a lesson.
He couldn't kill them—after all, he still wanted the Warlord title.
But robbing them?
That was perfectly acceptable.
"Ace has been handed over."
"So the Warlord position… and your warship should belong to us now, right?"
Blackbeard grinned wickedly.
"You bastard!"
"The Marines never promised you a warship!"
Momonga shouted angrily.
But the pirates only laughed.
"Zehahaha!"
"So what if I changed my mind?"
"You don't actually think you can leave here safely…"
"Without leaving a warship behind, do you?"
The Blackbeard Pirates straightened their bodies.
A terrifying aura burst from them instantly.
The air itself seemed to grow heavy under their pressure.
Momonga sensed their power through Observation Haki and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
No wonder these men had managed to capture Fire Fist Ace, once the most promising rookie on the seas.
Their strength…
Was truly formidable.
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