At that moment, the system's voice rang clearly in Marco's mind:
"Ding! Mission complete. Edward Weevil has been eliminated. Reward: 1,000 attribute points."
Marco glanced at the newly gained points and, without hesitation, invested them all into Spirit. His previous 8,300 points climbed to 9,300, leaving him just one step away from his long-term goal.
He gently blew the smoke from the pistol's muzzle and said with a faint, self-mocking smile,
"It seems that sometimes weapons really are better than fists. Blades and bullets kill cleanly—fists don't always get the job done."
The commanders approached.
Vista chuckled lightly. "You really live up to your name, Marco. Your strength is becoming terrifying."
Marco merely smiled, offering no rebuttal.
Jozu stepped forward, still gripping the trembling Miss Bakkin. "Marco, what do we do with this old hag?"
"Kill her," Marco answered calmly.
The bluntness of his reply stunned the commanders.
Since the end of the Marineford War, they had all noticed it—Marco had changed. The man who once preferred restraint now carried the decisiveness of a true leader. Perhaps Pops' death had forced him to shoulder a burden that allowed no hesitation.
Seeing their expressions, Marco explained evenly,
"We have to make it clear what happens to anyone who harms the Phoenix Pirates. We can't afford to be like Pops anymore—letting people off with a beating. They killed our comrades. That alone seals their fate."
Jozu nodded slowly. "I understand."
His arm flashed, turning to diamond as he lifted Bakkin into the air. In the next instant, a cold gleam passed through Vista's blade—
Miss Bakkin's head fell.
No one reacted.
They all understood. In the past, when Whitebeard still lived, the crew relied on his overwhelming presence. Enemies were beaten, humiliated, stripped of wealth—but rarely killed. The old man's shadow and power were enough to deter retaliation.
But now, that shadow was gone.
If they wished to survive, they would have to become ruthless in their own right.
Marco looked around and spoke firmly, "Alright, brothers. Weevil has been dealt with. Prepare to leave. Have someone escort the villagers back safely."
"I'll take care of it immediately," Blenheim replied.
Izo then added, "One more thing, Marco. Whitey Bay has located Trafalgar Law. She's bringing him here now."
Meanwhile…
In the first half of the New World, on Deshman Island.
The Blackbeard Pirates were locked in a fight with one of the Supernova—X Drake.
Drake coughed violently, blood spilling from his lips as he watched his crew being slaughtered by Shiryu and the others. His face twisted with fury and disbelief.
"Damn it… Blackbeard… how did you end up here?"
"Zehahahahaha! Fate, Drake!" Blackbeard laughed, his grin wide and cruel. "Your strength isn't bad. I'd even consider recruiting you—but you used to be a Marine."
His eyes darkened.
"I can't trust you. So go ahead and die."
The battle ended decisively.
Drake lay broken, his limbs shattered by Blackbeard's hands, escape utterly impossible. His crew had already been wiped out by Shiryu.
"Alright, Teach," Shiryu said impatiently as he sheathed Rain. "Finish it."
Blackbeard shook his head. "No. This Devil Fruit belongs to Burgess."
"Captain?" Burgess froze in shock.
It was a Zoan-type Ancient Species Devil Fruit—yet Blackbeard didn't even hesitate to give it away.
The crew fell silent, sensing once again that Teach's ambitions went far deeper than any single power.
For Teach, this Devil Fruit still wasn't enough.
He glanced at it with clear disdain and said casually,
"If it were a Mythical Zoan, I'd take it without hesitation. But an ancient species? That can wait. Besides—Burgess is my comrade. His strength growing means the Blackbeard Pirates grow stronger as a whole."
"Then thank you, Captain!" Burgess exclaimed, barely able to contain his excitement.
X Drake lay broken on the ground, utterly unable to move. He knew there was no escape. Still, he had made one final preparation.
While they were talking, Drake had already sent a message to Marine Headquarters.
Even if he died here, the Blackbeard Pirates' intelligence had to reach the Marines.
Soon after, Blackbeard ended him.
Just like that, X Drake—one of the Supernova, a member of the Worst Generation—was erased from the world before his legend could truly begin.
Moments later, Burgess devoured the Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Ancient Species, Model: Allosaurus. His body swelled as he transformed, roaring in exhilaration.
"Incredible!" Burgess shouted. "So this is the power of an Allosaurus! I feel far stronger than before!"
Shiryu watched the scene with sharp eyes and let out a low chuckle.
"So you really pulled it off. It seems you truly have the potential to change the world, Teach."
Blackbeard laughed darkly.
"Zehahahahaha! Of course. I'm the man who will one day rule the world!"
His grin widened—then slowly turned cold.
"But for now, we stay low-key. Clean up everything around us. If the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates find out we've returned to the New World, they'll hunt us like rabid dogs. Now isn't the time to clash with them."
Shiryu exhaled smoke, his eyes narrowing.
"Then what's your next move?"
Blackbeard's smile grew ferocious.
"Zehahahahaha… don't you find it interesting? Both the Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates know I can steal Devil Fruit powers—yet neither side has publicized it."
"For me," he continued calmly, "that's actually perfect."
Shiryu flicked ash from his cigarette.
"The Marines won't announce it because they aren't sure it's true. They want to capture you alive and throw you onto an operating table. As for why the Whitebeard Pirates are silent… that I can't say. Even if the truth came out, most people wouldn't believe it."
Blackbeard waved it off dismissively.
"Whatever the reason, power is all that matters. With absolute power, you can stand at the top of the world."
His eyes gleamed with obsession.
"That's why my next step is simple—find an even stronger Devil Fruit."
Burgess, already envisioning the future Blackbeard described, pounded his chest and declared,
"Don't worry, Captain! We'll follow you to the end—no matter what!"
Blackbeard laughed, his voice echoing across the island.
"Zehahahahaha!"
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