"Marshall D. Teach?"
"Yes, Vice Admiral Roman."
Of course, it was him—
It doesn't take much thought to figure out that the only ones bold enough to target the Marine's joint transport fleet would be the Four Emperors—or at least someone on their level! Anyone else would just be asking to be crushed.
Accompanying the fleet was not only World, who could use his ability to expand the massive cargo ships, but also five elite Vice Admirals, Boa Hancock leading the Kuja Pirates—no, the Amazon Lily National Guard—and even a CP0 squad secretly deployed by the World Government.
In an emergency, World himself was a formidable force. Altogether, this group could easily destroy a nation—a large one at that. Even if Donquixote Doflamingo brought his entire family from the Seven Warlords of the Sea, few would make it out alive. As for anyone else, they wouldn't even stand a chance.
That said, Blackbeard hadn't yet officially gained the title of "Emperor." Because Ace was still alive, the Whitebeard Pirates didn't crumble into chaos as they did in the "original timeline." Instead of recklessly challenging Blackbeard, losing countless lives, and being utterly defeated, they gave up two-thirds of their territory and defensively held the remaining third. No matter how much Blackbeard provoked them, they remained unmoved, frustrating him to the point where he cursed the interim captain Essa and all eighteen generations of his family daily!
In any case, while Teach was just a rising pirate before, now things had changed:
"What are the losses?"
In response to Roman's question, the reporting officer quickly replied:
"Casualties are minimal, but the cargo losses are... over 60% of the goods were stolen!"
Oh, impressive.
That's tens of thousands of tons of cargo! Blackbeard must have used some sort of ability to take so much. Considering his power to steal abilities from other Devil Fruit users, he likely acquired a fruit with powers like "object shrinking" or "spatial transportation."
"What about their losses?"
"The Blackbeard Pirates lost over 20 ships, and 12 pirate groups were captured, totaling around 5,000 men. But..."
The officer hesitated.
"We didn't manage to capture any of Blackbeard's main crew."
It's normal.
The Blackbeard Pirates are all a bunch of crafty veterans. Except for Burgess, the rest only give half their effort while keeping the other half ready to retreat at any moment. How could they be caught so easily?
Otherwise, why would Burgess be the captain of the first ship in the Blackbeard Pirates? Isn't it because he's loyal… or maybe just dumb?
As for his strength: someone who got taken down by Sabo in just a few moves—if Luffy used Gear Fourth, he'd probably punch him into two pancakes right on the spot. Someone like that holding the position of first ship captain? What a joke!
"What are Fleet Admiral Akainu's orders?"
Since this officer came looking for Roman, it's obviously not just to deliver a message. Based on Roman's understanding of the Marines:
"Yes! Fleet Admiral has summoned Vice Admiral Roman to the Fleet Admiral's office!"
After saluting, the captain glanced toward the hall behind Roman.
"And Vice Admiral Tsuru as well!"
"Got it. You may go."
After Roman gave a small nod, the officer hurried into the hall where arguments were still going on.
"Roman, is that Blackbeard really…"
"Yes, it's him."
The pirate who captured Luffy's brother Ace, leading to the Summit War!
It's safe to say the relationship between Blackbeard's crew and the Straw Hat crew has been sealed as one of hatred. Considering Blackbeard's ambition to become the Pirate King and his ruthless methods, a confrontation between them is inevitable.
"Ann, you should head back to the dormitory."
It was clear that Nami shouldn't get involved in this kind of situation, especially when it involved a conflict over goods worth hundreds of billions of Berries.
---
Boom!
"What a load of crap!!!"
A thunderous roar erupted from the Fleet Admiral's office, making the Marines passing by flinch and quicken their steps instinctively.
"If the deal falls through... cough, cough, calm down, Fleet Admiral Akainu."
Facing an enraged Akainu, the shattered remains of what had been his desk, and the other Vice Admirals standing as stiff as statues, Roman had no choice but to step forward.
"The priority now is figuring out how to manage everyone's losses from this incident."
After all, the joint fleet involved the World Government, the Marines, Amazon Lily, and the countries and merchants backing this massive shipment… not to mention Roman himself!
"I'll waive my share,"
Roman said lightly. Since he had initiated this operation, it was natural for him to bear part of the losses. Though the amount was in the tens of billions of Berries, Roman didn't think much of it.
"But as for everyone else's losses…"
Roman wasn't strapped for cash, but how many others in this world could say the same? The other "victims" were probably already rushing toward Marine Headquarters! With pirates, the Marines could fight them off, but when it came to allied nations and major trading companies, things got tricky.
"Tch, the profits from our previous shipments—"
Akainu, puffing on his cigar, glanced at Vice Admiral Tsuru. The stern, elderly strategist gave a nod.
"It's enough to cover this time's losses, but most of it has already been allocated as military expenses…"
"Let them sort it out themselves!!"
Akainu's words left the Vice Admirals expressionless. Only Kizaru, lounging on a sofa nearby, spoke up slowly.
"This time, the enemy acted decisively and very quickly. By the time I arrived, they had already transported over half of the cargo. So—"
For once, the usually laid-back Kizaru was serious. After all, the "science unit" under his command was a true money-eating monster! They had been counting on the joint fleet to ease their financial burden, but Blackbeard had pulled this stunt...
"Just as Vice Admiral Roman suggested before, every mission should include an Admiral for support!"
Roman had indeed proposed a configuration of one Admiral and five Vice Admirals for such missions. However, Marine leadership dismissed the idea, thinking no one would dare provoke the joint fleet. Plus, there was another issue:
Marine only had *one* Admiral at the moment!
With Garp and Sengoku retired, Akainu promoted to Fleet Admiral, and Aokiji having left, only Kizaru remained. This left the Marines stretched thin. For instance, if there had been an Admiral present this time, they could have held out until Kizaru arrived.
"An Admiral..."
Akainu tapped the ash off his cigar as he considered. Marine did have two Admiral candidates—Momousagi and Chaton. Their strength was undeniable, but neither met Akainu's personal standards.
Moreover, Akainu was a hardened military man. Momousagi was a woman, and Chaton—a sleazy old man who had confessed to Momousagi a hundred times only to be rejected—wasn't exactly a good match for Akainu's values.
"Then—"
"Launch a global recruitment drive!"
This was Marine's confidence. The world was vast, and not all top fighters turned to piracy. Many simply defended their territories in silence. Under the banner of Marine "justice," there would surely be exceptional talents willing to step forward.
After all, becoming an Admiral wasn't just about being Marine's top combat force—it was also a position of great authority.
---
Meanwhile,
in the New World, on one of the islands that used to belong to the Whitebeard Pirates:
"Captain, this is the World Government's latest bounty notice."
"Zehahaha!!!"
Blackbeard Teach took the bounty poster handed over by Lafitte, the "Grim Sheriff." The massive 3.2476 billion Belly bounty printed on it made Teach burst into laughter. For a pirate like him, a higher bounty was almost like recognition from the world.
And a bounty as high as 3.2 billion...
"Zehahaha, it seems our latest raid really made the Marines lose face—!"
However, the next second, Teach stopped laughing because—
*Whoosh!*
A white "giant bird" was speeding toward them from the horizon! Of course, a normal bird wouldn't fly with its wings completely still, wouldn't have flames shooting out of its rear, and definitely wouldn't have people standing on it.
"***!"
Teach cursed in some unknown language then shouted:
"Get ready, boys! A Marine Admiral is coming!!"
"Hmph, a Marine Admiral?"
Standing at the front of the group, Akainu let out a cold snort. His arms slowly began turning into molten, bright red magma. Roman, standing nearby, quickly intervened.
"Fleet Admiral, take it easy."
"Don't burn the vehicle we're riding on..."
"These are your creations. Just make another one for the return trip, can't you?"
Fine. You're the Fleet Admiral, you call the shots.
Roman rolled his eyes. Below them, a dense crowd of pirates had already aimed their guns and cannons at the "giant bird" in the sky—or rather, Roman's fighter jet.
Without waiting, Akainu, clearly filled with rage, swung both magma-covered arms forward!
"Great Eruption!"
Although Nami had once imitated this move, it was nothing compared to Akainu's actual attack—a mere candle flame next to the blazing sun!
As Akainu swung his fist, massive punches wreathed in roaring flames and flowing magma erupted forth. Each punch was the size of a house, and under the guidance of his Observation Haki, they struck precisely where the pirates were concentrated.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Hundreds of magma punches rained down, their deafening explosions drowning out all other sounds on the battlefield. Intense heat spread out as magma flew through the air, engulfing everything. Within a radius of several kilometers, every plant, tree, and building melted into smoldering charcoal before sinking into the black and red magma.
"Aaaahhh!!!"
The unlucky pirates caught in the magma were instantly scorched black, their bodies cracking open like dried earth, with glowing red fissures beneath. It was as if their blood and flesh were fused with the molten lava in a horrifying spectacle. Their moisture evaporated instantly, their muscles crumbled to ash, their bones dissolved, and they were reduced to a puddle of sludge.
With a single move, 80% of the pirates on the battlefield were gone, consumed by the rolling magma. Onlookers from both sides couldn't help but wince at the sight!
No wonder Oda himself named Akainu's Devil Fruit the most destructive Logia ability. One punch cleared out all the "fodder"—though here, the "fodder" had bounties starting at tens of millions of Berries…
"Blackbeard!!"
After clearing the field with one blow, Akainu leapt toward the smoke-covered Marshall D. Teach! Meanwhile, the other Vice Admirals jumped off Roman's aircraft and dove into the battlefield. Roman sighed before joining the fray.
Blackbeard, if you don't die today, you'll firmly secure your position as an Emperor of the Sea.
It's truly amazing—Blackbeard, the Four Emperors, and the global draft.
---
----You can read 10 advanced chapters at my patreon.com/YeyeQiu