Chapter 25: Blackbeard Teach's Invitation
The pirates in the tavern were stunned all over again.
Did they hear that right? Just now, Blackbeard had sent a pirate with a bounty of tens of millions flying with one punch. That power was a monster among monsters. Yet Satan dared to demand compensation from Blackbeard—his head, even.
"Has the world gone mad?"
"Mom, the sea is terrifying. Why are there so many monsters?"
"No way, I don't want to be a pirate!"
"This world is too scary. A ninety-million pirate just died!"
After the shock came fear. Wasn't a ninety-million Bloodbeard supposed to be a great pirate of the seas? Now two nobodies with no bounties were this strong. Would everyone be this powerful from now on? For a moment, pirates lost their nerve and dreamed of running home. Piracy was a deadly trade.
Between Blackbeard and Satan, the air turned strange. Even Blackbeard hadn't expected Satan to say something like that.
"Zehahaha. I lost my temper for a moment and couldn't hold back. No, my bounty is zero. My head's worthless."
"A figure like you with a bounty of zero? Then you're waiting for a chance to soar," Satan said lightly.
Marshall D. Teach. He had the Yami Yami no Mi now and remained unknown. Such a man either settles for mediocrity or hides a vast ambition. Clearly, Blackbeard was the latter, a tiger in the dark waiting for a certain-kill chance to seize his prey.
"Zehahahaha. Frightening, little brother. Dreams either shine in glory or vanish with the dust. I like you. When my pirate crew is founded, want to join me?"
"I don't like looking up to others. I prefer others looking up to me," Satan said.
"Zehahaha. Interesting. Too interesting. Brat, you're the most interesting person I've met at sea. What's your name?"
"Before you ask someone's name, shouldn't you give your own first?" Satan replied coolly.
"Hahaha. All the more I like you. I'm Marshall D. Teach."
Even Satan had to admit Blackbeard possessed a unique charisma. His boldness rivaled Shanks's, and his ambition was enough to bury the world. If he were not so treacherous, if he had not killed Whitebeard, his strength and character alone would have won him countless followers. But at Marineford he gained power and also earned the world's hatred. A true schemer.
"The D lineage, huh. They say those who bear that initial carry a fate. I wonder where your fate will lead," Satan said.
"Captain, you shouldn't reveal your true name so casually," said a bespectacled man behind him—Van Augur, the sniper of the Blackbeard Pirates.
"It's fine. The whole world will know my name soon enough. Besides, I've taken a liking to this brat. Tell me your name," Blackbeard said expectantly.
"Satan."
"Satan. I'll remember it. Since I killed your prey, I'll pay by buying the drinks. Proprietress, bring your strongest liquor. Tonight I'm drinking my fill."
"Right away."
The proprietress hurried to fetch the wine, not daring to resist someone who had just felled a ninety-million bounty.
"Kid, cheers."
As the cups were set down, Satan skimmed Blackbeard's heart and found the invitation genuine. Van Augur, however, held a faint killing intent.
"Captain, it's time. We should move. Otherwise the prey will run," Van Augur reminded him.
"Is that so?" Blackbeard's smile slowly hardened.
"I've heard there's a demon god in this world named Satan, a name that stands for fall and darkness. Darkness, I too am darkness. Next time we meet, I hope we won't devour each other—we'll become one."
Blackbeard left after those cryptic words.
Satan sat quietly with his cup and drained it.
Blackbeard's prey was Ace. And Luffy should be on Moria's turf by now. Next would be Sabaody Archipelago and then the Paramount War.
It was time to act. Before Whitebeard's death, he would make them witness his strength. From here on out he would grow madly stronger. When a titan falls, he deserves the brightest fireworks.
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