"Heh heh, don't worry, Blackbeard," Spandine chuckled softly from beneath his white cloak, though a flicker of hatred flashed in his eyes. "CP0 gave you this intel because the Five Elders don't want the Navy's newly appointed Admiral getting too full of himself—only to die young out at sea. This is for the future of Marine Headquarters."
As he recalled all the times he'd been humiliated by Luo Yu recently, Spandine could barely contain his desire to see the man stumble.
"Oh? So what you're saying is, you want me, Blackbeard, to give this new Admiral a proper beating?" Blackbeard burst into laughter.
"Sounds ridiculous—but it's exactly the kind of outcome I'm after."
"I want the world to know that I, Blackbeard, am the true king of these seas."
"Lafitte, do you see the Navy's ship yet?"
"Captain, I've spotted the warship. There are clear signs of battle on the island. Looks like CP0's intel checks out."
Lafitte, now in his birdman form, landed atop the mast's lookout post, scanning the horizon.
"Is that so?" Blackbeard grinned. "Well, that's good news."
"The new Admiral was attacked by Drought Jack, a pirate with a billion-Berry bounty. Even if he managed to drive Jack off, he must've paid a hefty price. I'm curious to see if he can handle a second wave. I've been looking for the perfect chance to make my name."
"Alright, boys! Stay sharp! Don't let that Admiral slip away!"
"Aye, Captain!" Burgess and the others roared in unison.
This time, CP0 hadn't just handed over intel on the Navy's Fourth Admiral—they'd also leaked the impending ambush by Drought Jack of the Beasts Pirates, a pirate worth a billion Berries.
The goal was simple: bait the ambitious Blackbeard into making a move against the new Admiral.
Watching the bloodthirsty pirates around him, Spandine couldn't help but smile.
He'd waited far too long to see Luo Yu finally fall flat on his face.
Just thinking about Blackbeard's Dark-Dark Fruit and its absurd ability to nullify Devil Fruits filled him with anticipation.
He was desperate to see whether this arrogant Navy upstart could still laugh after today.
As the massive raft surged forward, the ten-minute journey closed rapidly.
But when they finally got a clear look at the Navy warship, their pupils shrank. Some eyes nearly popped from their sockets.
The grins on their faces froze in place.
On the deck stood a towering figure, bound in chains of seastone, like a mountain of muscle—Drought Jack himself.
Everyone's minds went blank.
This… wasn't what they'd been told.
Didn't CP0 say the Fourth Admiral had been ambushed by Jack and was locked in a brutal life-or-death battle?
So where was the wounded Admiral?
Why was Jack—the one who was supposed to have retreated—tied up like a dumpling on the Navy's deck?
This was Drought Jack! One of the top three calamities of the Beasts Pirates! A billion-Berry monster!
If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, they never would've believed it.
"C-Captain…" Burgess stammered. "Jack, one of Kaido's top three, is in the Navy's hands. Should we… retreat?"
Even a billion-Berry pirate had been taken down.
And not just any pirate—one of Kaido's elite.
This wasn't how the script was supposed to go.
Even Spandine, hiding in the shadows nearby, was completely dumbfounded.
Had their predictions just been completely steamrolled by reality?
Why did Luo Yu always act outside their expectations?
All eyes turned to Blackbeard.
For the first time, he felt what it was like to be the center of attention—and it was excruciating.
Thinking back to his bold declarations just moments ago, he realized that backing down now would be a slap in the face.
A flicker of struggle crossed his face. Then, gritting his teeth, he stepped forward.
"Navy! I am Blackbeard Teach. I've come to hand over Fire Fist Ace, Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, in exchange for the Shichibukai seat."
"Here's the man. Don't forget your end of the deal."
He chickened out.
Burgess and the others stood frozen.
They never imagined that the same Blackbeard who'd been so full of bravado seconds ago would fold faster than a cheap map.
All those grand ambitions? Not a word. He just handed Ace over like a package.
The whiplash was unreal.
"Blackbeard Teach?"
Tashigi and Smoker were already on high alert.
They'd expected some kind of twist when Blackbeard showed up so suddenly.
But they hadn't expected things to go this smoothly.
As Ace was dragged onto the deck, Tashigi and Smoker exchanged a glance, then said gravely:
"Apologies, but Fleet Admiral Sengoku has reassigned this mission to Admiral Kizaru. Admiral Luo Yu has declared that all operations are suspended during his vacation. You'll have to take the prisoner back with you."
Mission canceled due to vacation?
Blackbeard and his crew were stunned.
They were being turned away—even when offering Ace for free?
Even Ace, tied up like a dumpling and dumped on the deck, couldn't process what he was hearing.
A ridiculous thought crept into everyone's minds.
Changing commanders mid-mission was a huge taboo in any organization.
And now the Navy had suddenly swapped out their new Fourth Admiral for an old one?
Something was clearly off.
Blackbeard's respectful expression froze, then twisted into a grimace.
"Heh… mission canceled due to vacation?"
"I've heard this new Admiral is obsessed with pay and bonuses. No way he'd let a juicy reward like this slip through his fingers."
"If he's refusing even a free handoff, then taking down Jack must've cost him dearly."
"But no one in this sea has ever refused me. If he won't even show his face, then I'll just have to use force."
Force?
Smoker and Tashigi's expressions darkened.
Just as Fleet Admiral Sengoku had feared, the worst-case scenario was unfolding.
This deal with Blackbeard was never going to be simple.
"Get your Admiral out of here—now!" Ace suddenly roared from the deck. "Blackbeard's Dark-Dark Fruit can nullify Devil Fruit powers! If he makes a move, your new Admiral will become nothing more than a stepping stone for his rise to fame!"