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Blackbeard's ship was sailing toward Marineford, filled with his new crewmates.
Besides his original followers, there were also the prisoners he had broken out of Impel Down—the most terrifying criminals from the sixth level, all incredibly powerful.
"ZEHAHAHA! POPS'S TREMOR-TREMOR FRUIT... I'M GOING TO GET IT FOR SURE!" Blackbeard stared in the direction of Marineford.
If he could get his hands on that fruit, Blackbeard was confident he could become the strongest man on the seas, perhaps even strong enough to defeat Shin Uzumaki.
Of course, that was just his own feeling. Blackbeard had no idea just how powerful Shin truly was.
"Captain, look over there. I think that's the Kuja Pirates' ship."
Suddenly, Jesus Burgess, one of Blackbeard's earliest followers, called out to him.
"The Kuja Pirates???"
Blackbeard's arrogant smile vanished. He turned to look in the direction Burgess pointed.
His eyes widened. It really was the Kuja Pirates' ship.
"Shin Uzumaki..." A wary expression appeared on Blackbeard's face.
He remembered a time when Whitebeard was still in his prime, yet he had been defeated by Shin Uzumaki in a single battle.
"Let's go meet him."
But then Blackbeard thought of his Dark-Dark Fruit and his new crew of powerful allies. He didn't need to be too afraid of Shin Uzumaki!
"Shin Uzumaki… the man I've always wanted to kill."
Shiryu—a cigar clenched between his teeth, let out a cruel smile.
Shiryu was a bloodthirsty man who loved to kill powerful and famous figures. And Shin Uzumaki was probably the most famous person on the seas, widely recognized as the strongest, even more so than Whitebeard.
Shiryu had been the Head Jailer of Impel Down, one of the "Two Great Walls" alongside Magellan, and was incredibly strong. But his bloodlust, his habit of killing prisoners, had led to his imprisonment by Magellan.
When Blackbeard invaded Impel Down, Magellan had temporarily released Shiryu to deal with him. But Shiryu had betrayed him, joining Blackbeard's side and even providing an antidote when Blackbeard's crew was poisoned.
If not for Shiryu, Blackbeard might have died in Impel Down. Magellan's strength was terrifying, definitely at an Admiral's level.
His Venom-Venom Fruit was something to be feared.
"Shiryu, you'd better not be careless..." Blackbeard glanced at Shiryu.
He had gone to great lengths to find these new crewmates, he didn't want to lose one so soon.
Shiryu's expression was nonchalant, as if he hadn't heard a word Blackbeard said. In truth, Shiryu hadn't fully committed to Blackbeard yet. He was still in an observation period.
If Blackbeard didn't meet his standards, Shiryu would leave without hesitation. The same was true for the others from Impel Down, like Avalo Pizarro, Catarina Devon, and Vasco Shot.
They had no loyalty to Blackbeard—not yet.
They were only following him because they acknowledged his strength.
Blackbeard glanced at Shiryu, then said nothing. If Shiryu insisted on courting death, at worst, he would just have to abandon him.
Though Blackbeard was currently overflowing with confidence, he was still wary of Shin.
———————
"That must be Blackbeard up ahead."
Aboard the Pluton, Robin looked at Blackbeard's distant ship.
"Is that guy with his head sticking out of the water even a person?" Nami couldn't help but ask, spotting a massive figure standing in the sea.
"That's Sanjuan Wolf, also known as the 'Colossal Battleship.' He's much larger than a giant."
Shin explained.
Excluding the Sea Kings in the deep sea, his size was among the largest in the world. The Sea Kings in the deep sea were on another level, some larger than islands, capable of destroying one with a single movement.
"Such a terrifying creature actually exists…" Nami swallowed hard.
"Hmph. He's nothing compared to what Shin can do."
Hancock scoffed, a hint of disdain in her voice. She had seen Shin's Susanoo. Compared to that, this Colossal Battleship was nothing.
The Pluton drew closer. Blackbeard didn't move.
Looking at Shin's Pluton, a flash of envy crossed Blackbeard's eyes. This ship was far superior to his current makeshift raft. If he could, he would have tried to steal it. But that was just a thought. He didn't have the guts to actually try.
"Captain Shin, what brings you here?" Blackbeard asked with a wide grin.
He wanted to find out Shin's purpose. Not knowing made him uneasy.
"Came to see the man stirring up the seas."
Shin stood with his arms crossed, looking at Blackbeard.
"Shin, this man is hideous. I find him quite disgusting." Hancock looked at Blackbeard with contempt.
Hancock looked down on ugly people, and Blackbeard was clearly a prime example. His looks were not his strong suit.
Blackbeard's expression darkened.
To be insulted to his face like that... he wanted to get angry, but after a glance at Shin standing beside Hancock, he held it back. He could ignore Hancock, but he was extremely wary of Shin.
"Captain Shin, if you don't mind, could you tell me your real purpose? I have business to attend to—" Blackbeard said to Shin.
He was in a hurry to get to Marineford, afraid that Whitebeard would be killed before he got there. He could steal a Devil Fruit, but if Whitebeard had been dead for too long, he wouldn't be able to.
"Shin Uzumaki, I hear you're strong. Care to test my blade?"
Just then, Shiryu suddenly drew his sword and pointed it at Shin.
"..." Shin raised an eyebrow, his gaze fixed on Shiryu.
Blackbeard's face, already dark, turned even darker.
He couldn't believe Shiryu was this reckless, picking a fight with Shin Uzumaki at a time like this. Was he trying to get himself killed?
At this moment, Blackbeard wanted nothing more than to beat Shiryu to death. He had been somewhat grateful to Shiryu for saving him, but now the idiot was actively trying to piss off Shin Uzumaki.
Did he have a death wish? If he had the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, Blackbeard felt he wouldn't be afraid of Shin Uzumaki.
But he hadn't gotten his hands on it yet.
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