Blackbeard's speed was terrifying. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of Kaguya. Clenching his fist, a ripple of shockwave energy coiled around it as he swung his left arm in a powerful punch!
Seeing him approach, Kaguya gave a cold snort. She raised her fair arm, fingers spread wide, and from her palm erupted a massive force.
"Shinra Tensei!"
Crack—!
Boom—!
A deafening explosion rocked the heavens as Blackbeard's shockwave clashed head-on with Shinra Tensei!
The collision sent a shockwave surging outward like a tsunami, raising howling winds.
"Aaaahhh—!"
Caught off guard, people on the battlefield were blown away like ragdolls, screaming as they crashed back to the ground in disarray.
Everyone stared, eyes wide, at Blackbeard standing his ground against Kaguya.
"He actually... blocked it!"
"Such incredible power!"
"But how? A person shouldn't be able to wield two Devil Fruit abilities!"
"For ordinary humans, no," Marco gritted his teeth. "But as you all know, Teach isn't normal. His body structure is different from others. Is that why... this happened?"
"Still, to block an attack from Kaguya—known as the strongest in the world—how is that possible?!"
"Has Teach really become that powerful?!"
Even the marines felt their hearts sink. If Teach truly had that kind of strength, this war might be lost.
"What incredible power," Blackbeard's eyes gleamed with excitement. "It's like the energy is surging endlessly from within me! I feel like I can control the whole world! Hahahaha!"
"That's just your delusion," Kaguya looked down on him, her tone dripping with contempt. "How tragic was your childhood? How inferior do you feel to use such pitiful means to prove yourself?"
"What did you say?!"
Unexpectedly, Blackbeard's grin disappeared, and his eyes turned sharp as blades.
"Oh? Did I hit a nerve?" Kaguya smirked. "What a pity."
Bloodshot eyes locked onto Kaguya. Suddenly, Blackbeard threw his head back in wild laughter: "Ahahahahahaha—!"
Everyone exchanged bewildered glances, unsure what had gotten into him.
"Wonderful! Absolutely hilarious! Hahahaha—!" Blackbeard roared with laughter, baring his teeth in a savage grin. "This is no longer your era, Kaguya. Let me send you to the afterlife to join Whitebeard!"
As soon as he finished, Blackbeard raised his arm, muscles bulging, fist clenched, and charged with shockwave energy. Then—he slammed it down!
Crack—!
A glass-shattering sound rang out as spiderweb-like cracks spread through the air. The shockwave was many times stronger than before, tearing outward in all directions!
"Die!"
Kaguya's lips curled into an icy smile. She raised her snow-white arm, eyes flashing coldly, and thrust her palm forward.
"Silver Wheel Reincarnation Explosion!"
An immense force burst from her palm, shredding the air into a spiraling vortex that hurtled forward at lightning speed!
BOOM BOOM BOOM—!
A series of deafening explosions shook the battlefield as the shockwave collided violently with the Silver Wheel Reincarnation Explosion. Stone shattered, debris flew, and the unleashed power obliterated everything in its path like a force of nature!
BOOM—!
A figure shot out from the cloud of smoke like a cannonball. Boom! He slammed into a nearby rock, shattering it into pieces.
It was Blackbeard!
At that moment, he looked utterly miserable—blood pouring from his nose and mouth, his clothes torn and tattered like rags, his body covered in bloodied wounds. His eyes widened, his throat convulsed, and he coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Tap tap tap.
With the sound of crisp footsteps, a pair of slender legs appeared before him. Blackbeard looked up, his eyes narrowing.
The silver-haired girl's delicate cheeks were icy cold, and her eyes—chilling as water—glared down at him. "Blackbeard, you've grown arrogant. Did you really think gaining Whitebeard's power would let you defeat me?"
"As expected of the so-called strongest in the world… you are indeed powerful," Blackbeard coughed violently twice, wiped the blood from his mouth, and grinned viciously. "But it's too early to talk like that!"
Suddenly, he raised his arm and clenched it in the air. "Dark Hole Path!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, black energy erupted from all directions, rising from the ground and blotting out the sky. The darkness surged forward and enveloped Kaguya!
"Ahahahahaha—!"
Blackbeard laughed wildly, his eyes wide with excitement. He threw his arms into the air. "Fools! I am the strongest now! Hahahaha!"
...
Damn it!
From afar, Marco's heart sank in alarm. Blackbeard had feigned defeat just to set up a sneak attack!
"See that, all of you? Hahaha!" Blackbeard spread his arms wide, laughing maniacally. "Tell the whole world—those foolish peace-loving civilians, the Navy, the World Government, and all pirates—the future of this world has been decided! That's right—the next era belongs to me! Hahahaha!"
As they watched Blackbeard's unchecked arrogance, everyone's hearts sank.
"Damn! I thought the Navy would win after Whitebeard's death."
"But who would've thought someone could wield two Devil Fruits?"
"Who is that Blackbeard guy, really?!"
"Wasn't the war supposed to be over?!"
"Why is it turning out like this again?"
"Whitebeard is dead, and yet the war still isn't over?"
"Damn pirates!"
Sengoku's heart was heavy. The Navy, after such a brutal war, was completely exhausted. Even the admirals were worn down. If another fierce battle broke out now, they'd be in deep trouble.
Just then, a familiar and melodious voice suddenly rang out, echoing across the battlefield.
"You didn't seriously think you'd already won, did you, Blackbeard?"
Blackbeard's smile froze. His pupils shrank sharply!
"What?!"
Blackbeard spun around, eyes wide in shock. Not far away, a pitch-black void appeared in the air, and a foot stepped out—followed by the graceful figure of a silver-haired girl. It was Kaguya!
"Impossible!" Blackbeard's face twisted in disbelief. "I clearly..."
"Clearly what? That you sucked me in?" Kaguya tilted her chin, a mocking smile tugging at her lips. "You thought that little trick could trap me?"
This was Kaguya's ninjutsu—Yomotsu Hirasaka!
Blackbeard stared in wide-eyed disbelief, sweat beading on his forehead. He instinctively took two steps back. Ever since obtaining the Yami Yami no Mi, he'd never encountered something so bizarre.
The fruit allowed him to absorb anything, but never had anyone escaped its darkness. This was unheard of.
Kaguya strode forward confidently. Blackbeard continued retreating, now visibly flustered. "Stay back! Don't come any closer!"
"Scared already?" Kaguya mocked. "Too late."
Just as she approached, Blackbeard suddenly lifted his head and sneered. "You're the naive one!"
With that, he swung his arm, darkness engulfing it. In a flash, he hurled a punch at Kaguya.
"Black Vortex!"
Black energy burst from his fist, and at the same time, an immense gravitational pull appeared. Rocks shattered, debris swirled into the air—and Kaguya was drawn toward him!
"Hahahaha!" Blackbeard's eyes gleamed with frenzy. "I don't care how you got out—just die!"
But then Kaguya raised her head, wearing a smirk. "You think you're the only one who can control gravity?"
Her words made Blackbeard freeze in confusion.
Before he could react, Kaguya raised her pale hand, fingers spread wide. Her eyes narrowed.
"Universal Pull!"
A colossal gravitational force exploded from her palm!
Caught off guard, Blackbeard stumbled forward. Barely managing to steady himself, he looked up in shock. "How... how is this possible?!"
To his astonishment, Kaguya had gravitational powers too—and hers were even stronger!
The force felt like an invisible hand dragging him forward. No matter how he struggled, he couldn't resist. Even the dark energy around his hand was being pulled toward Kaguya.
With icy eyes, Kaguya approached and stared down at him. "Blackbeard, you were the one who hit my student earlier, weren't you?"
"Huh?" Blackbeard blinked, confused.
Student?
What student?
But before he could process anything, the gravitational pull intensified. Unable to resist, he was dragged forward.
BAM!
Kaguya's snow-white fist smashed into his face. His features distorted instantly, blood and spit flew from his mouth—and possibly a tooth as well.
Blackbeard was launched like a cannonball. Boom! He crashed into a nearby hill, sending rocks flying and dust billowing into the air.
Everyone stood stunned, jaws hanging open. Just moments ago, Blackbeard was dominating the field. Now, he had been punched straight into the sky!
As the dust gradually settled, Blackbeard's battered figure came into view. He lay among the rubble, bruised and bloodied, eyes blackened and nose swollen—it almost looked comical.
At that moment, members of the Blackbeard Pirates stepped in front of him, shielding their captain while staring warily at Kaguya, sweat forming in their palms.
Anyone from the Grand Line had heard of Kaguya. It wasn't just her beauty—it was her terrifying power. Even the Yonko paled in comparison to her.
Just standing in her presence, just making eye contact with her, brought an invisible pressure that made it hard to breathe.
Kaguya glanced at them and said coldly, "So these are your companions? Birds of a feather flock together, I see."
A flicker of anger appeared on the faces of the Blackbeard Pirates, but none of them dared to respond. If Blackbeard himself had been defeated, what chance did they have?
Blackbeard stood up from the rubble, brushing aside his crewmates and stepping forward, revealing his jagged, missing teeth. "Truly astounding. A legendary figure indeed—you possess a power to be feared."
Kaguya crossed her arms. "If you're thinking of begging for mercy, it's already too late."
"No, no, don't get me wrong," Blackbeard said with a crooked grin. "I'm not looking to make you my enemy. In fact, I think there's something you might be interested in. We could... work together."
Kaguya raised an eyebrow. "Work together?"
Blackbeard chuckled. "Come take a look—you'll understand."
"If it doesn't interest me," Kaguya said with an icy snort, "then I'll kill you." Her tone was glacial, the chill in her words making everyone around them shiver involuntarily.
"Relax," Blackbeard replied, still grinning. "You'll definitely be satisfied."
...
Led by Blackbeard, they headed toward a small nearby hill. But halfway there, Kaguya suddenly stopped.
"I've changed my mind," she said. "Killing you sounds better."
Everyone was stunned—why wasn't she following the script?!
They quickly assumed fighting stances, palms slick with cold sweat as they faced the silver-haired girl.
But in that instant—Kaguya made her move!
She raised her arm and launched a punch. In a flash, it tore through the air, multiplying into countless fist shadows that rained down upon them.
"Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack!"
Boom boom boom—!
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