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Chapter 56: Thunder Fruit Is Here! Blackbeard Claims Another 20 Billion!
After Virgo had planned out a course of operation, he gestured with a commanding wave of his hand toward the pirate ship, "Catch up to the boat!!!"
"Yes!!!"
The warships began moving toward the ships led by Pizarro with great determination. The other side noticed their approach but maintained its original course. As the paths narrowed, neither side showed any intention of retreating.
Aboard Blackbeard's ship, Pizarro remarked with a sneer, sitting in his chair with crossed legs and arms folded across his chest, "Shout~ The Marine thinks they can approach us? They must not fear death."
Despite the importance of the mission, he didn't believe the Marines could trouble him. "Boys! Let the Marines witness our strength!"
"Oh!!!"
"We're the mighty pirates of the Blackbeard Pirates!!"
"Hahahaha!!!"
Laughter and noise echoed on the pirate ship, the crew eagerly readying their weapons, acting as though they ruled these seas—not the Marines. The Blackbeard ship, "Five Four Zero," quickly closed the distance with their adversary.
However, they withheld fire even when within range of their cannons. Virgo needed to ensure the safe transport of the Devil Fruit they were carrying, using the excuse that he didn't want to accidentally harm any civilians who might have been taken hostage. The Evil King, on the other hand, was simply arrogant, thinking the Marines couldn't pose a real threat.
The moment the ships engaged, Virgo leapt into the sky, using the Marine's "Six Styles" of "Moonwalk," stepping on air bursts to propel himself forward. Just displaying this technique boosted the morale of the Marines. He charged toward the Evil King, his body coated in purple-black Armament Haki and wielding his preferred combat weapon—a bamboo pole.
Pizarro smirked dismissively, stroked his crooked beard, and said, "You're eager to meet your end, Marine." He too infused his punch with Armament Haki and struck at Virgo. Their weapons clashed, an explosive airflow pushing the pirates back. As neither attack was successful, both combatants got serious. One combined Six Styles into his combat skills, while the other relied on sheer physical strength and a more potent Armament Haki. They fought closely, with frequent powerful bursts of air making the area around them no man's land.
Meanwhile, Kanjuro took the opportunity to torture and kill the smaller pirates, moving around the battlefield to deal with any Marine trouble. He was ingratiating himself with the others, preparing for his own advancement within the Marines. The battle was evenly matched for a time.
However, when Pizarro noticed his troops were perishing, he brought out all his strength as if it mattered more than anything, quickly overpowering Virgo and seeming to secure victory. Before long, Virgo's face and body were noticeably red and swollen, close to being overwhelmed.
Unbeknownst to the fighters below, hundreds of meters above, a pitch-black pterosaur raised its head. King, having transformed, held a bizarre and grotesque expression, waiting for the perfect chance to strike. As Pizarro engaged Virgo once more, Pizarro shattered the bamboo pole reinforced with Armament Haki. Virgo, maintaining the pose of swinging the remaining half forward, had no time to react.
King released his facade. His long beak shot forward like a slingshot, a powerful shock wave erupting from its tip with a massive sonic boom, striking toward Pizarro as if it were a space-based weapon. In an instant Pizarro aiming to capitalize on Virgo's vulnerability, was caught by this space-piercing impact.
With a bang, Pizarro was smashed and killed instantly, his flesh and blood flying onto Virgo's face. The pirate ship under their feet split in two, revealing a hole blasted into the sea.
Virgo felt the disgusting touch on his face and froze. The pirates and Marine soldiers witnessed the scene and their mentality shifted dramatically.
"Run away! Pizarro is dead!"
"Mission failed! Go back and pray to Boss Teach!"
"Wuhu! We won!"
"Vice Admiral is too strong!"
Virgo slowly retracted his stance, realizing that it must be Kaido's people who secretly assisted after seeing their disadvantage. Without lingering, he turned his attention to the remaining pirates.
"All in custody!"
"Send someone on the boat to find clues about the survivors!"
The Marines stood firm, saluting before replying, "Yes!" Virgo glanced at Kanjuro in the crowd, who still looked serious.
A moment later, a soldier came forward and reported.
"Report! Vice Admiral! No civilians were found, but we discovered a very good Devil Fruit that is well kept."
Virgo was overjoyed internally, but he displayed sadness and said disappointedly, "No civilians were found... but at least it means they haven't been captured by pirates."
"Take that fruit," he instructed.
The fruit, blue with thunder and lightning, was presented to them. Virgo looked at his subordinates questioningly and asked, "Do you want to eat this fruit?"
They exchanged looks, and though tempted, found it difficult to express their desire. Then, Kanjuro stood up and said, "Vice Admiral! This is your trophy; how can we share it with you?"
The others, feeling a bit ashamed of their earlier thoughts, concurred, "Vice Admiral! It's yours. Whether you turn it in or eat it, we support your decision!"
"Yes!!!"
Virgo took the fruit, appearing conflicted, and after a few minutes of silent thought, he declared, "I want to be stronger to defeat stronger pirates."
"Then eat it! This is the sea's secret treasure!"
"We trust you and will follow you!"
"Eat it!"
"Eat it!"
Suppressing his inner delight, Virgo bit into the fruit with a stoic expression. Thunder and lightning burst forth, wrapping his body like a mortal god. Everyone watched in awe.
"Blackbeard, what do you mean?" Kaido's tone was full of anger.
"It was the Marines! Who could have predicted that the G5's Vice Admiral was so strong?" Blackbeard deflected the blame.
"I'm asking you why it was the Marines! I warned you to be careful and to ensure the fruit's delivery, didn't I?" Kaido growled.
"I... I..." Blackbeard faltered, unsure of what to do. Eventually, he said through gritted teeth, "I'll compensate you five billion and help you get the fruit back!"
"20 billion! I'll handle the fruit situation myself!" Kaido demanded.
"Fine," Blackbeard conceded, in pain.
Kaido almost chuckled. By planting spies, he achieved his goals, tricked Teach, enticed the redheads, gained a Devil Fruit, and now 20 billion. He came out ahead.
Knowing he could not defy Kaido at such a time, Blackbeard hung up the phone and in a rage, slammed his palm on the table. The Shock Fruit's power, triggered by his anger, vibrated the whole island. His bloodshot eyes glared at the cadres below, his face contorted with fury.
"Who leaked my plan! Who!!!"