Chapter 674: The Thing That Changed the World!
"It's the legacy of the Kozuki clan."
"No matter what it takes, I have to get it."
Momonosuke still refused to say what the thing actually was.
But the look in his eyes made it obvious.
Whatever he was chasing was not just important. It was world changing.
Blackbeard studied him for a moment, expression unreadable.
In the current era, what could even change the status quo?
Unless time itself could be rewound, the Dragon Hunter Pirates becoming the overlords of the seas was already a foregone conclusion.
"So it's Kozuki inheritance." Blackbeard shrugged. "Fine. I won't press you on it."
"If we're cooperating, what do you need me to do?"
"And how much do you really know about the Dragon Hunter Pirates?"
"Would what you're offering even be useful to me right now?"
Teach spoke fast, impatient.
There was no point in the two of them playing word games.
Putting everything on the table would not magically build trust, but it would save time.
And Blackbeard still had business to handle.
"The current Wano is in the hands of the Shimotsuki clan," Momonosuke said without hesitation.
"And they're protected by Enel, the handyman squad leader of the Dragon Hunter Pirates."
"I need your help to get rid of them."
"Second, the Dragon Hunter Pirates don't have time to deal with the sea right now."
"Because they're on their way to get closer to God."
"God?" Blackbeard went still.
He had heard whispers of gods before.
If Momonosuke was telling the truth, then the Dragon Hunter Pirates cutting the broadcast made sense.
Anything involving God would never be shared with the world.
As for Enel and the Shimotsuki forces, that was another matter.
Enel and the other big names were Emperor level threats.
Even Blackbeard would find it troublesome to clash with them head on.
Still, the intelligence was valuable.
It meant something else too.
If Blackbeard wiped out the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates now, the Dragon Hunter Pirates would not come running.
At minimum, the squad leaders and main forces would not have time to show up.
And that was more than enough.
With Blackbeard's current strength, dealing with the lower division commanders and the regular pirates should not be a problem.
Especially now that he had the Mythical Zoan Snake Snake Fruit, Model Hydra.
With that, he even felt confident standing across from Whitebeard's shadow.
But then a question surfaced.
Why should he help Momonosuke?
Teach knew Momonosuke well enough to understand one thing.
This boy was not blindly arrogant.
On the contrary, behind that frivolous face was a mind that never walked into a deal without leverage.
If Momonosuke dared to come and negotiate, it meant he believed he had a real card to play.
"Captain Teach." Momonosuke leaned in, watching him. "You're hesitating."
"I'll make it clear."
"If you help me achieve my goal, I can help you change the whole world."
"Creating an era that belongs to Blackbeard isn't impossible."
His tone sharpened, aggressive now.
And worse, it carried certainty.
Teach felt his own emotions stir and he frowned.
It was rare for anyone to sway him like that.
That alone made Momonosuke more dangerous than he looked.
"I agree," Blackbeard said at last.
"But I've got a problem to handle first."
"Vista, the fifth division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, is on an island nearby."
"I'm going to kill him."
"If you come with me, that's you acknowledging our alliance."
Teach said it plainly.
In his eyes, there was no partnership more solid than spilling blood together.
If Momonosuke did not even dare to stand beside him for this, then the deal was worthless.
Teach was curious.
Would the boy flinch?
"Fine." Momonosuke smiled. "I'll be on your ship."
"Maybe I'll even need to lend a hand."
After saying that, Momonosuke sat down on the deck as if he owned the place.
Blackbeard's grin widened.
He had a strong feeling that the next thing he did with Momonosuke would be insane.
He still did not know what it was, but the thought alone made his blood run hot.
"Set sail!"
"Chase Vista!"
Blackbeard turned toward the open sea and roared.
Excitement surged through him.
This was what pirates were supposed to be.
Not like Ryuunosuke and his Dragon Hunter Pirates, a twisted sea government wearing pirate skin.
They had used absolute power to become what they were.
That was not piracy.
Even if they built a new era, it was not an era for pirates.
Blackbeard would do it himself.
He would drag the world back into a pirate era.
An era that belonged to Blackbeard.
Soon, their ship vanished into the distance.
At the same time, massive pirate ships appeared in another stretch of sea.
"That's Blackbeard, right?"
"Alright. Our turn to work."
A figure on the ship spoke in a steady, almost bored voice.
As if dealing with Blackbeard was nothing at all.
…
On the island.
"Haa…"
"I'm really exhausted this time. Too many territories need reorganizing."
"And Captain Ryuunosuke's model is ridiculously hard to implement."
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
Vista drew his rapier and slashed the air a few times as he spoke, letting the motion burn off the tension.
"Captain, are we done?" one pirate asked, grinning.
"Right now, I just want to get back on the ship, drink, and relax."
It was tiring, sure.
But it was meaningful.
Not like fighting for nothing.
When the work ended, the sense of relief and accomplishment hit like a wave.
Honestly, it felt good.
"Rest for now," Vista said.
"We'll set off tomorrow and regroup with everyone."
"Hopefully the others consolidated their territories without trouble."
For a long time, they had always moved together.
Splitting up like this felt strange.
Even Vista could already picture the ship, everyone back in one place, the noise, the laughter, the familiar rhythm.
The thought made him oddly melancholic.
He always teased Ace for being a kid who could not leave home.
Turns out he was the same.
Maybe they were not suited to be pirates after all.
"Yeah!"
"Let's drink a little first, then rest…"
"Captain, can we drink too?"
The crew instantly swarmed, riding the mood.
Most importantly, they had seen Vista hauling plenty of food and booze earlier.
A little eating and a little drinking would not hurt, right?
"No," Vista snapped. "Pops said it clearly."
"No drinking while you're on duty."
"Everyone go rest…"
"Captain!"
The lookout came running, face pale with panic.
"B Black Blackbeard's ship!"
"Blackbeard?" Vista's eyes sharpened. "Teach!"
The anger hit instantly.
If it were not for Teach, Thatch would still be alive.
And Teach had turned his hand against his own family.
Unforgivable.
So he came for Vista too.
"Hahaha… so I really was underestimated."
"Everyone, prepare for battle!"
"Do not let Blackbeard leave!"
Vista drew his twin swords in one clean motion, steel flashing in the light.
.....
[Check Out My Patreon For Advance Chapters On All My Fanfics!]
[[email protected]/FanficLord03]