Chapter 431: Blackbeard's Death!
After the clash with Roy, Gaino guided the Eternal Ark back into the sea.
The crew of the Dragon Hunter Pirates gathered once more aboard their ship, gazing in awe.
The Eternal Ark
"…Is this really our ship?"
Nami's voice trembled as she stared at the vessel, utterly disbelieving.
The ship had changed beyond recognition. Its aura, its very presence—it was no longer the same God's Ship. As navigator, she was the first to sense the sheer leap in capability. Her fingers twitched, eager to run to the control room and discover what new marvels awaited within.
Meliodas whistled. "The Eternal Ark… the name alone says it all. Captain, is this the ship we'll use to leave this world?"
His words carried weight. He remembered Ryuunosuke speaking of a vessel that could pierce through worlds. Now, the Eternal Ark's existence confirmed it. This was no mere improvement of appearance—the ship had transcended its old form. Its earlier attack alone proved its destructive might.
Ryuunosuke nodded calmly. "Yes. But we'll need more. Kun!"
The massive sea beast broke the surface, its jaws parting. From its maw stepped Shirahoshi, eyes shining with determination.
"Lord Ryuunosuke, this is what you seek."
She held out a radiant gem—the Infinite Green Stone.
Gaino's small figure appeared, eyes wide. "The second Eternal Heart!"
System prompts echoed in Ryuunosuke's mind. He now held two of the five Eternal Hearts required to open the Eternal Gate. With them, the path to Raftel—and to other worlds—began to take shape.
The Infinite Blue Stone, he suspected, lay on the Infinite Continent, likely tied to Enel. As for the Black Stone and the last, still-unknown Heart… those answers would come later.
"Captain, shouldn't we help your brother first?" Najenda asked, her gaze turning toward the battle raging nearby.
Ryuunosuke's expression hardened. "Ace and the others are still fighting Blackbeard. Gaino, stay alert. If his men try to escape—kill them."
In an instant, he soared toward the battlefield, the rest of the crew following to encircle their prey.
"Big Brother!" Ace shouted with relief as Ryuunosuke arrived.
Kuzan, crouched on the ice, frowned. He knew immediately the tide had turned. With Ryuunosuke here, Blackbeard's fate was sealed. Even Kuzan himself might not leave unscathed.
Ryuunosuke studied the clash ahead—Whitebeard and Blackbeard locked in brutal combat. "Should I intervene, or will you handle this yourself?"
Whitebeard's family matters were not his to claim. He could aid, but not take over.
Ace answered for him. "Brother, help me keep this one busy. I'll assist Pops!" He darted toward the battlefield, leaving Ryuunosuke standing before Kuzan.
"Kuzan," Ryuunosuke said evenly, "are you going to fight, or will you wait quietly for the result?"
It was their fourth encounter. Once, Kuzan had been a serious threat. But those days were gone. The gap in strength now was vast.
Kuzan's lips pressed into a thin line. "Captain Ryuunosuke, there are things you don't under—"
"I don't care," Ryuunosuke cut him off. "If Blackbeard dies here, every scheme he's spun dies with him."
Silence stretched. Then Kuzan sighed, sank onto the ice, and pulled a bag of snacks from his coat. "Suit yourself."
The battle was no longer his.
On the field, Whitebeard—revitalized by the Life Essence—pressed Blackbeard to the ground with raw might. Ace joined him, flames roaring.
Blackbeard writhed, coughing blood, his body failing beneath quake and fire.
"Go to hell, Teach!" Whitebeard's hand closed over Blackbeard's head, a quake charging in his other fist.
Panic twisted Blackbeard's face. "Pops! Don't! I'm your son! Please, Pops!"
His pleas fell on deaf ears.
"Let me finish it!" Ace shouted. "He was my subordinate once—let me be the one to end him!"
A colossal Entei loomed behind Ace, mirroring his gesture. When Ace pointed his burning finger downward, the Entei pressed its fiery digit as well.
Heat beyond imagining engulfed the battlefield. Even Whitebeard, seasoned warrior that he was, turned aside from the blaze.
Blackbeard did not escape.
"AAAGHHH!"
His screams echoed as Entei's incineration finger burned through him. Flesh, bone, and darkness itself seared away.
Whitebeard turned his head, unable to watch. No matter how far Teach had fallen, he had still once been a son. And to kill one's own son… the weight was unbearable.
His voice rumbled like the sea. "Teach… if you had told me you wanted the Dark-Dark Fruit, I would have given it to you. Even the Tremor-Tremor Fruit—if you had proven your worth, your ambition—I would have made you my heir. But it's too late."
Ace's flames roared higher. Blackbeard's final cries dwindled into ash.
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