When Michael first heard this news, his mind was somewhat conflicted.
Because the location and people involved in the Dark-Dark Fruit's appearance made perfect sense...
But the timing was far too early.
So early that Michael hadn't even considered this possibility.
From the very beginning, he hadn't paid much attention to Blackbeard's affairs...
Because compared to that original timeline, this was happening far too soon.
No matter how much Michael planned ahead, he wouldn't give high priority to something that wasn't supposed to happen any time soon.
Yet precisely this kind of event had occurred prematurely.
Michael didn't know whether this was mere coincidence or if the butterfly effects from his prolonged meddling were finally manifesting completely.
In the original timeline, the Summit War occurred in 1522 of the Sea Calendar, while Ace only officially joined the Whitebeard Pirates and came to regard Whitebeard as his "father" in 1520.
Meaning Blackbeard killed Thatch and stole the Dark-Dark Fruit sometime between 1520 and 1522.
There should have been at least three or four more years before this happened...
But what's done is done.
Aside from Thatch's somewhat unjust death, Michael didn't feel particularly disturbed.
After all, this was ultimately just internal consumption among pirates themselves.
One more or one less didn't make much difference.
Rather than worrying about them, it would be better to focus on advancing the cultural invasion plan.
But...
He still couldn't help complaining—was Blackbeard somehow destined to clash with the commanders of Whitebeard's Second Division?
In the original story, he was hunted by Ace.
Now he's being pursued by Weevil, who replaced Ace as the Second Division commander.
Why couldn't he go bother Kozuki Oden instead? He was also once the commander of Whitebeard's Second Division!
Normally, Michael would have just complained and moved on.
But the person privately contacting him via Den Den Mushi right now was Whitebeard himself.
That changed everything...
"Are you worried about Weevil?" Michael raised an eyebrow. "While Weevil isn't the.... brightest, his combat abilities are quite reliable..."
Especially since Weevil had been personally trained by Whitebeard for several years now.
He was undoubtedly much stronger than Ace had been back then.
Plus, Weevil wasn't a Devil Fruit user...
Whereas Blackbeard, who had just obtained the Dark-Dark Fruit, could genuinely be taken out by Weevil if he wasn't careful.
"Of course I'm not worried about that! Weevil is the most combat-gifted among all my sons!" Whitebeard's voice finally lost some of its initial gloom.
"But as you said... he's not the smartest. I'm not afraid of him fighting Teach... but what if Teach uses other methods?"
"Stop, stop, stop, old man. What exactly are you trying to say now?" Michael interrupted Whitebeard's speech.
"Don't tell me you want me to go out to sea to find your son... I'm not some babysitter for the Whitebeard Pirates! The only reason I helped you establish a kingdom was to turn you into something more than just pirates, easing the pressure on both the Revolutionary Army and the Marines..."
"You didn't have to be quite so blunt about it," Whitebeard sighed. "I just wanted to tell you that I've uncovered Teach's next destination..."
"His next destination?"
"Thunder God Island."
"Thunder God Island... Isn't that Kaido's territory?"
"With the Flying Pirates crushed by you and the Big Mom Pirates also establishing their own kingdom, Teach only has two options left—ally with Kaido or strike out on his own."
Whitebeard's voice was calm, his explanation clear, logical, and well-reasoned.
The world's strongest man also possessed a sharp mind.
"And without a doubt, for an opportunist like Teach, allying with Kaido is the superior choice."
"You really do know your son well."
"After all... he is still my son, no matter what."
"Honestly, if it weren't for your overwhelming strength... you'd make a terrible pirate."
"Which is why I'm now the King of the Whitebeard Kingdom."
"Alright then, Your Majesty, anything else? If not, I've got a little revolution to attend to... a few more countries to liberate."
"Fine, one last piece of information... in exchange for you making the trip. In my current position, acting rashly would only waste our nation's resources and spark a full-scale war." A hint of resignation crept into Whitebeard's voice.
"Kaido... plans to take revenge on Wano Country."
Revenge... on Wano?
Hearing this, Michael didn't show concern.
Instead, he smiled.
"Good, it's a deal... Weevil will return safely to the Whitebeard Kingdom."
With that, Michael hung up the Den Den Mushi.
Then, he glanced at the tense faces around him.
"What? Why are you all looking at me like that?"
"That was Whitebeard you were just talking to!" Tokikake raised his hands with a wry smile. "And you mentioned Kaido and Wano... Whatever's happening, just hearing those names tells me this isn't some small matter!"
"Of course it's not small."
Michael chuckled.
"After helping them with such a huge favor before, if I step in again, Wano will owe me two enormous debts... Don't you think they ought to repay me properly?"
"Michael... do I need to remind you?"
Gion sighed, stepping forward to gently touch the side of Michael's face.
"You're smiling too much like a villain."
"Gion... I'm no demon."
...
Thunder God Island.
Blackbeard panted heavily as he looked down at Weevil, unconscious on the ground, and burst into laughter.
"Zehahaha! Serves you right, you idiot, chasing after me nonstop! How's that working out for you now?"
"Whew... Good thing you showed up when you did, Kaido."
As he spoke, Blackbeard looked up to see a massive azure dragon coiled in the sky above.
Uo Uo no Mi, Model: Seiryu—the Mythical Zoan, Azure Dragon.
King of the Beast Kaido.
"Tch!" Kaido, in his Azure Dragon form, exhaled a puff of white mist from his nostrils before reverting from his beastly transformation.
His massive frame loomed over Blackbeard Teach, looking down at him imperiously.
The next moment, he extended his hand toward Teach.
Teach couldn't help but let out his signature "Ze-hahaha" laugh before firmly grasping Kaido's hand.
Kaido's gaze was filled with disdain as he regarded Teach.
"Though I don't like you… to be precise, I despise you… until our alliance achieves its ultimate goal… you will remain my ally."
"Until…"
"That man called Michael vanishes from this world!"
Blackbeard released his grip, baring his rotten teeth in a grin:
"Well then, it seems our league of villains… will remain unshaken for a long time to come."