For Blackbeard's crew, the only way out now was to win the Marines' support.
If they could secure Marine backing, break Whitebeard's encirclement, and put events back on course, there might still be a chance.
But after what had happened at Impel Down, re-forming a reliable alliance with the Marines was wishful thinking.
When Blackbeard Teach floated the notion that Sengoku might play along—a living horse doctor for a dead horse—he assumed the admiral would laugh it off. He never expected Marshal Sengoku to agree so readily.
"What— I knew Marine Admiral Sengoku was shrewd, but with Fairy Tail supporting Whitebeard we can't bicker among ourselves now. We must unite and—" Blackbeard started, plastering on a smile.
"Don't get cocky, Blackbeard. I haven't said yes." Sengoku cut him off.
"I can reinstate your Shichibukai status," Sengoku went on, a teasing curl at the edge of his voice. "But there's one condition…"
Blackbeard felt his smile falter. A cold premonition crept up his spine.
"As for how you freed those five from Impel Down—Avalo Pizarro, Catarina Devon, Basque Chōte, the huge battleship wolf, and traitor Shiryu—and why you put them under my command again… if you can bring them back to me now, I might reconsider."
The temperature in the room dropped as Sengoku spoke. Blackbeard's grin fell away entirely.
Catarina Devon and Avalo Pizarro flashed looks at Blackbeard. Shiryu's demon sword, Thunderstorm, glinted menacingly. Even the usually drunken Basque Chōte was suddenly alert, and the huge battleship Wolf stood ready to bolt. Having clawed their way out of the darkness of Impel Down, none of them wanted to return. None of them trusted Blackbeard's promises—he had once murdered comrades without a second thought.
"Katerina, watch your mouth," Blackbeard spat, forcing his voice smooth. "You're not thinking straight. Today, we need to work together."
"Or you hand Teach over to Whitebeard right now and we're done." Catarina's voice was low and icy. Avalo readied himself to act. Shiryu's hand tightened on his blade.
Blackbeard's black face twisted as he realized how quickly his crew's loyalty had frayed. What had been disagreement was now a blade's length from open betrayal. A thin bead of cold sweat trickled down his temple.
After a moment, someone in the group clapped slowly.
"Sengoku really is resourceful—813, the Strategist. One line from him almost had my crew collapse from within." Blackbeard forced out vicious praise, trying to steady the situation. "Shiryu, Catarina, Basque, Avalo, Wolf—I know what's on your minds. But now—today—we need unity. Whitebeard won't simply walk away if you draw a line. Better we stand together and keep our chance to survive than be picked off one by one."
Whitebeard made no reply; there was no need. As long as the Marines didn't step between them, it made little difference whether it was Teach alone or the whole Blackbeard gang—Whitebeard would raise a hand and crush them.