Roya was well aware of Blackbeard's sneaky move, but he made no display of concern.
When faced with overwhelming power, every scheme is mere self-delusion.
Roya smiled lightly.
"If you were smart, you'd have fled the moment you saw me."
He continued, "There's still time. If you want to play, I'll humor you."
Blackbeard's expression flickered.
"Still time? What, do you plan to go join the war at Marine HQ too?!"
Roya scoffed, "Not everyone acts under the sway of their own ambition and greed like you."
A faint cough came from behind him. Blackbeard ground his teeth.
He roared, "Attack! Scatter and break out! Warn the Navy of Roya's plot!"
Issuing orders, he still advanced instead of retreating.
Black smoke coalesced around his fists as he slammed into Roya's chest.
He regretted trusting his instincts—Impel Down truly was under Roya's control.
His only hope was to distract Roya's forces, buy time, and escape before word could reach Marine HQ.
His gambit worked immediately: Jinbe and Boa Hancock's expressions changed.
They dashed off, intercepting Blackbeard's four strongest men—Laffitte, Daz Bonez, Jesus Burgess, and Van Augur—locking them down.
Blackbeard glanced at a stunned Magellan and the giant munching a slab of meat.
A crazed grin spread across his face again.
"With heavy hitters like you backing Magellan, he won't dare defect!"
"But if we capture that so-called Second-in-Command—the one rumored to copy Devil Fruit powers—this'll be the haul of the century!"
Greed filled him once more.
He roared and surged ahead, his fists speeding up.
His punch swerved sharply, targeting Roya's forehead.
Smack! A dull thud.
Blackbeard's grin froze in shock—the blow had been stopped by a massive hand—the unknown giant!
The giant bit down hard into his meat, then looked up at Roya.
"Master, who's this guy? He looks like he's attacking you. Can I hit him?"
Roya smiled at Blackbeard's stunned gaze and nodded.
Instantly, Blackbeard's arms were clamped as the giant used him like a rag, slamming him into the ground twice.
Boom— boom! Stars flickered in Blackbeard's vision, his nose blossoming crimson.
No Devil Fruit could stand against that raw power.
Blackbeard still refused to yield.
As he was swung upward again, he managed to draw two flintlock pistols from his belt.
While soaring through the air, he fired at Roya's back!
Gunpowder roared and Blackbeard laughed fiercely, oblivious to smashing into the ground again.
Blood spurted from his mouth, painting his world red.
Until the two bullets struck a monstrous red fist—not his own blood.
That fist then vanished into Magellan's body.
Tiny, haki-infused bullets against such a blow? Obviously futile.
More pain numbed Blackbeard's mind—he nearly passed out.
Before he did, four figures emerged from the hole in the floor.
They moved at blinding speed, descending upon Blackbeard's men as they struggled to flee.
"This is it!" Blackbeard's flame of hope flickered—and died.
He collapsed onto the floor, unconscious.
Those four were SqUard and company: revolutionaries tasked by Roya, alongside Squard and McGuy.
Also among them was the revolutionary commander with the Horu Horu fruit—Emporio Ivankov!
Ivankov burst from the hole and whipped into the air like a phantom, deploying afterimages that encircled Laffitte and the others.
All four voices echoed a mocking laugh:
"Heh-ho! Still putting in work in the prison—my mirror-image technique's gotten even quicker!"
Death Wink!" Ivankov barked.
All afterimages fired rapid "death winks," compressing the surrounding air until it exploded in shockwaves, leaving the four pirates defenseless, thrown apart and writhing in pain.
"Heh-ho! Finally returned a bit of that lifesaving kindness, Lord Roya!"
Even the formidable Roya couldn't help but beam at Ivankov's antics. He laughed and said, "You don't have to thank me."
He gestured.
"We captured eight Navy warships—and before word gets out, you're free to sail anywhere. Pick a ship and get out of this madhouse."
Ivankov paused, then asked,
"Roya-dono, don't you want us to help Captain Whitebeard?"
That thought was too jarring. Roya smiled and waved him off.
"No need. Best of luck with your Revolution."
Ivankov flashed one last flirty smile. "Thank you, Roya-dono! You and the Whitebeard Pirates will forever be allies of the Revolution!"
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