In the abandoned shipyard on Water 7, Franky was constructing a ship for the Straw Hat Pirates. This was the dream ship he had envisioned and cherished for years, even though he had distanced himself from shipbuilding. It was a ship born from a dream, made possible by finding suitable individuals to entrust it to, and Franky was putting all his effort into its creation.
With the support of his mentor Iceburg and fellow craftsmen who admired the spirit of the Going Merry, Paulie, Lulu, and Tilestone also joined the project, contributing to the progress of the construction.
Franky's subordinates, who had all been taught shipbuilding skills, wanted to help, but due to injuries sustained during the battle with the Pirate Alliance, they were unable to assist. As Franky did not grant permission, the shipbuilding process continued with a team of five.
The remarkable skills of Franky and Iceburg, who showed no signs of rust despite the hiatus, were impressive. Even with the three of them working at Galley-La Company's Dock 1, they were barely keeping up... or rather, they were slightly falling behind. As I considered that a bit more manpower might be useful, I coincidentally heard familiar voices that were nostalgic for the three.
"Popopo. It's quite pathetic that the foremen of Galley-La are falling behind in their work, isn't it?"
"Well, that pace is certainly challenging. Of course, Iceburg-san is exceptional, and so is Franky's craftsmanship."
"Rob Lucci?! Kaku?! What are you two doing here..."
The two standing there were former coworkers at Dock 1, who should have retired and returned to their hometowns.
"We came to see your faces after a long time. And quite coincidentally, we ran into Lucci at the station."
"We heard that you were building a ship here, as part of your Galley-La work. Popopo."
With these words, the two approached Pauly and the others, wearing somewhat smug smiles.
"Popopo. If it's not related to Galley-La's work, there shouldn't be a problem if we, retired craftsmen, join in, right?"
"If that's the case, then the reward will be the celebration after the work is finished. How about that?"
"You guys... Hah, your skills aren't dull, are they!"
In response to the offer of help from the two, Paulie's eyes moistened slightly, but he smiled. Adding the two to the team, the work continued with a crew of seven.
Lucci and Kaku were once considered candidates for foremen and their skills had not deteriorated over the years. Thanks to them, Pauly and the others were able to keep up with the speed of Franky and Iceburg's work, and the ship's construction progressed smoothly.
From a distance, Tom, who had once been Tom's Workers' secretary, looked at this scene and Coco, asked a question.
"Tom-san, aren't you going to join in?"
"Hahaha! Ah, these young folks are coming together to shape the future. There's no place for old folks like me on this stage."
"I see. It seems Franky has found his resolve, which is good."
"Yeah, he's got that confident look on his face."
As he observed the apprentices working together to build the ship, Tom wore a genuinely happy smile.
***
Encounter at a Corner of the New World: Whitebeard, Edward Newgate, and Red-Haired Shanks.
The discussion between the two Yonko, who ruled over the New World, took a contentious turn when Shanks' advice to stop Ace was met with resistance from Newgate.
When the conqueror's haki clashed, the sky seemed to split. Yet, neither had any intention of continuing the fight further. After the exchange of blows, they sheathed their weapons.
As Shanks turned to leave, as if the conversation had concluded, Newgate spoke quietly.
"… Do you know about the Commander-in-Chief of Enies Lobby?"
"… You mean Spandam?"
"Hmm, you actually know."
"Well, I owe him a big favor."
"I see…"
Listening to Shanks, Newgate's expression showed a hint of intrigue. After a brief contemplative look, he spoke softly.
"In that case, you seem to know more. The last time I encountered him was many years ago... But I still remember his overwhelming aura. How far has that monster grown now?"
"… Even if both you at your prime and Captain Roger in his prime stood together, it wouldn't be enough to face him. That's the level we're talking about."
"Gurararara, is that so…? But if we haven't heard any extravagant rumors, then he must not be the type to cause a ruckus…"
"He's an enigmatic presence, but as long as you're not in opposition, he won't go out of his way to exert his strength."
For Whitebeard, Spandam was an adversary he had encountered twice in the past and had become cautious enough to consider fleeing upon a third encounter.
However, the opportunity to face him again never arose after the second encounter, and there were no significant rumors. There were talks of an unstoppable monster in Enies Lobby, which matched his expectations of an uncontrollable force.
"… I see. By the way, you mentioned owing someone a big favor earlier."
"Yeah, well, it's not something worth discussing."
"…"
Without further questioning Shanks, Newgate watched as Shanks departed. Even among the two pinnacle figures of the world, they were oblivious.
Little did they know, the enigmatic entity of their discussion was eavesdropping on their conversation from high above...
***
A Battle of Unthinkable Destruction Unfolds on Banaro Island, one of the islands within the Grand Line. The fight is so intense that it threatens to obliterate not just the town, but the entire island itself. On the fallen body marked with Whitebeard's symbol lies Portgas D. Ace, and standing before him with a triumphant laugh is the massive figure of Marshall D. Teach, also known as Blackbeard.
The fierce battle between the two concluded with Teach's victory. In the center of the now-desolate island, turned into a wasteland by the flames of Ace's final attack, Teach basks in his triumph.
"Zehahahaha! This is the power of darkness! ... Well, regardless, that was quite a display of strength. It didn't go according to plan, but instead of Straw Hat, I'll proceed with the plan using Ace's head as a trophy. Hey, you guys! Get Ace onto the ship!"
Initially targeting Monkey D. Luffy's head to secure his position among the Shichibukai, Teach had managed to capture an even greater prize. In exchange for Ace's life, he planned to use his newfound status to infiltrate Impel Down, recruit past notorious criminals as his subordinates, and ascend to power rapidly.
Furthermore, he intended to exhaust Whitebeard and the Marines by engaging them head-on in the attempt to rescue Ace, thereby weakening them and potentially stealing the power of the Gura Gura no Mi. These sinister plans were brewing in Teach's mind.
However, in the actual course of events, Teach did succeed and eventually rose to the status of a Yonko. Yet, that is another tale entirely, one that would have occurred in the original story.
"Hey! What are you doing? Can't you hear me? Seriously... How far do you intend to—"
"It's not a matter of distance."
"Wha—!?"
Startled by a sudden voice, Teach turns around to see a man wearing a mask with an 'X' over his left eye and a hat adorned with a dragon motif, his body concealed by a cloak.
Utterly surprised by the presence that appeared out of nowhere without any detectable aura, Teach is left agape as the masked man—Spandam—continues.
"Your crew has set sail ahead of you. There's no need for a response anymore. But, there's no need to worry... We'll meet again soon."
"What!? Blackbeard Pirates!!"
Overwhelmed by the formidable pressure emanating from Spandam, Teach immediately thrusts his forearm forward, activating the gravitational force of the Yami Yami no Mi.
However, Spandam remains unmoved, standing in place without the slightest flinch.
"You fool... The gravitational force of darkness should be pulling everything in! Why isn't it working... Damn it! Dark Vortex Black Hole!!"
Teach looks on in disbelief at Spandam, who remains unaffected by the gravitational force that was supposed to draw everything in. In a panic, Teach places his hand on the ground and expands the darkness, attempting to pull everything in the vicinity.
Yet, with a light tap of his foot, Spandam causes the surrounding darkness to dissipate with a burst resembling a popped balloon.
"What...? Wh-Why did the ability forcibly deactivate...? What's going on!? What did you do!?"
"I have no intention of answering such questions. I can tell you one thing, though... I am here to execute the justice of darkness."
In an instant, an immense and awe-inspiring aura is released, darkening the entire field of vision. The overwhelming power, so vastly different from anything Teach has experienced, is enough to make him instinctively brace for death.
"Ugh... Ahh... Ngh... What is this? A song? Where is it coming from...? Ugh... Whoaaah!?"
Drawn to the eerie song that suddenly resonates in his ears, Teach shifts his gaze and realizes that he is surrounded by a multitude of skeletal figures enveloped in black flames. The flames sway as the skeletons sing.
"It's a beautiful song, isn't it? Fortunately, my partner will sing a requiem lullaby for you."
"Stop... Don't come... Don't come near me...!"
Desperately trying to move his body and escape, Teach finds himself unable to budge due to the overwhelming pressure bearing down on him. As terror takes over his expression, Spandam calmly delivers his message.
"... It seems people's dreams never truly end, but yours ends here. Oh, right... You don't sleep, do you? In that case, you're about to experience dreams for the first time..."
"Wait... I... In a place like this..."
"Then, sleep well—'Beast of Death.'"
That day, on Banaro Island, the pitch-black sun consumed not only darkness but also everything else, leaving nothing in its wake.
***
In the silence of Banaro Island, Portgas D. Ace slowly regains consciousness, his eyes fluttering open.
"Where is this... Ugh!? It hurts... Oh, right. I... I was defeated by Teach... What happened after that?"
Despite grimacing in pain that courses through his body, Ace manages to sit up, enduring the discomfort. He remembers being defeated by Teach.
However, upon waking up, he realizes that his body isn't bound or restricted in any way. Ace checks his surroundings and, knowing that Teach isn't the type to let a defeated opponent go, his eyes widen in realization.
"What?! What is this... What on earth... What happened?"
Before Ace's gaze lies a row of heads, including Teach's, lined up from the Blackbeard Pirates. The bizarre sight leaves Ace utterly astonished.
Ace was indeed defeated by Teach. Even if it had been a draw, he couldn't fathom why not only Teach but also other crew members would end up as lifeless bodies.
Ace rises to his feet, suppressing his pain, and approaches Teach's body. Holding Teach's head as if cradling it, he speaks with a mixture of confusion and disbelief.
"Hey, Teach. What on earth did you see? What could possibly make you die with that expression of pure terror...?"
Naturally, Teach's severed head offers no answer to his inquiry. Ace's journey to pursue Teach for his crime of fratricide comes to an end, leaving an eerie sense of unease in the aftermath.
***
With a sense of duty, Ace buries the bodies of all the Blackbeard Pirates as a sign of respect. Holding one of the accessories that Teach had on him, Ace keeps it as a memento and bids farewell as he leaves the island.
Even though he dealt with Teach, Ace understands that the worst-case scenario would be if he were accidentally captured by the Marines, potentially leading to the events of the Impel Down and Summit War arcs. For now, he decides to observe the situation until he returns to Whitebeard's side.
Using Totmusica's power, he creates a skeleton that will monitor Ace. With a snap of his fingers, he activates the Door-Door Fruit's ability, making the skeleton disappear into another dimension, following Ace from behind.
This way, if anything happens to Ace, I'll be able to sense it. If he's at risk of being captured by the Marines or anyone else, I'll step in.
Now, as initially planned, Teach has been taken care of, eliminating the conditions for the Impel Down and Summit War arcs. Since the residents of Banaro Island were incapacitated with Conqueror's Haki before dealing with the Blackbeard Pirates, only Teach had seen my presence, and with his demise, there won't be any leaks of information.
I've also copied the powers of the Yami Yami no Mi from Teach's body. Additionally, although I didn't really need it since I could create flames with magic, I copied the Mera Mera no Mi from him while he was unconscious nearby.
With this, any potential issues involving Water 7, Impel Down, and the Summit War that might involve me have been resolved. Now, it's a matter of how the situation unfolds.
For now, I'll return to Enies Lobby and report to the Five Elders about Whitebeard and Red-Haired's conversation.
***
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