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If everything proceeded according to the original plan, Nine Snake Island would become a sanctuary without gender discrimination—a dream paradise that women across these harsh seas yearned for desperately. The Amazon Lily Kingdom would thrive in peaceful seclusion under Queen Boa Hancock's enlightened rule, protected by the New Marine's Adventure Group system rather than exploited by the World Government's Shichibukai arrangement.
Unfortunately, the world possessed no room for "if."
And when nothing unexpected was supposed to happen, something catastrophic inevitably occurred.
As the five individuals chatted among themselves—exchanging pleasantries and tactical information with careful diplomatic precision—Admiral Raizumi served as the primary initiator of conversation. He wanted to extract maximum intelligence value from this encounter, hoping to recover his losses from the failed capture mission.
After all, if Kennen achieved absolutely no military merit after such an extended journey from Rome to the Calm Belt, he would lose tremendous face upon returning to Marine Headquarters. He would be failing his Marine subordinates who'd participated loyally in this operation.
Even if Fleet Admiral Artoria Pendragon chose not to criticize him afterward—even if she maintained diplomatic silence about the mission's failure—Kennen, who possessed relatively shallow foundations within the organization, would definitely suffer whispered gossip behind his back from Marine colleagues. Burying his head like an ostrich wasn't something a Marine Admiral would do. The strong maintained their own dignity regardless of temporary setbacks.
As everyone conversed with apparent casualness, Admiral Kennen's brows suddenly furrowed again. As the individual with the strongest Observation Haki among those present, he detected something alarming through his extended mind network—an evil aura that had manifested suddenly on Nine Snake Island. This particular presence represented a discovery he absolutely hadn't registered before.
Someone new. Someone dangerous.
"Nine Snake Island is remarkably lively today," Kennen observed, electrical discharge intensifying around his small frame. "Not only have you two arrived, but there's also someone hiding in the shadows. The evil emanating from this individual cannot be concealed no matter how hard they try."
The Admiral's warning immediately put everyone on high alert. Nine Snake Island harbored no extremely evil people among its permanent population. Most residents were ordinary women—civilians seeking refuge from abusive situations, female warriors who'd developed abilities sufficient to protect themselves. They possessed basic human decency at their core. Beyond wanting adequate food, comfortable clothing, and occasionally missing male companionship, they weren't worthy of the designation "evil" in any meaningful sense.
"I received advance information about this operation from sources within the Marine," Rayleigh mused aloud, speaking more to himself than addressing the others directly. "So where did this other party obtain their intelligence? Is that same informant selling secrets to multiple buyers?"
The Dark King continued his self-directed monologue without paying attention to reactions from people around him. His words sounded quite irritating to Admiral Kennen's ears, confirming suspicions and generating additional doubts about Admiral Borsalino's character and loyalties.
I will definitely report this treachery to the Fleet Admiral upon returning, Kennen thought grimly. The Marine cannot allow Borsalino to continue acting so recklessly, undermining operations and selling intelligence to external parties.
"I know exactly who's coming," Marco announced suddenly, his previously dazed expression transforming instantly. Bloodshot eyes filled with concentrated hatred—the kind of pure loathing that emerged from absolute betrayal. "I didn't expect him to dare show his face here."
The intensity of emotion radiating from the Phoenix made the air feel thicker. Marco wanted desperately to consume the approaching individual's flesh and drink his blood, to crush the traitor into ash so fine it would scatter on the slightest breeze. Only through complete annihilation could the hatred burning in Marco's heart find even temporary relief.
"Zehahahaha! I certainly have quite a collection of acquaintances gathered on Nine Snake Island today!"
The devilish, unbridled laughter arrived first—rolling across the plaza like thunder, carrying malicious amusement and absolute confidence. Then a middle-aged pirate with tremendously bloated physique came into everyone's sight, his massive frame dominating the space through sheer physical presence.
Several teeth were conspicuously missing when he smiled—gaps in his grin that somehow enhanced rather than diminished the predatory impression. Brown skin weathered by countless battles, rough features that suggested both cruelty and cunning, wild charm radiating from someone who'd seized everything he wanted through raw ambition and calculated violence.
"I'm genuinely surprised you're not dead, Marco!" the newcomer boomed, his voice carrying across the island with bone-rattling intensity.
This was none other than Marshall D. Teach—the man who'd become Emperor of the Seas through treachery and overwhelming power, the Governor (Captain) of the Blackbeard Pirates, wielder of abilities that defied natural law itself.
He'd traveled tens of thousands of miles across dangerous waters to finally arrive here, transported instantly via Van Augur's Doa Doa no Mi (Door-Door Fruit) spatial manipulation.
"Hey there, little trainee from Whitebeard's ship," Silvers Rayleigh called out, his previously grandfatherly tone replaced with icy contempt. "You possess remarkable audacity showing your face here."
The Dark King despised this particular traitor with unusual vehemence. The complete annihilation of the Whitebeard Pirates stemmed largely from Marshall D. Teach's elaborate conspiracy. Edward Newgate had catastrophically underestimated this rebellious son. The destructive power unleashed by Blackbeard's ambitions had exceeded even the most pessimistic projections from experienced observers.
As one of Marco's drinking companions during dark months after Marineford, Rayleigh didn't mind helping his friend achieve vengeance here. Allowing Marco to take proper revenge, to completely erase Marshall D. Teach from this world... yes, as long as there existed one fewer ambitious monster prowling these seas, there would be one less catastrophic variable threatening everyone's survival.
Although the Dark King's body grew increasingly useless—even the strongest man couldn't overcome time's relentless invasion forever—there were five combat-ready individuals present on this island. They would definitely provide mutual support when dealing with a Yonko, even one as dangerous as Blackbeard. With Marine Admiral Kennen's participation, the balance of victory tilted dramatically toward their coalition.
When better to strike than now?
"Boa Hancock," Admiral Kennen interjected smoothly, seizing the tactical opportunity. Blue electricity crackled across his small form with growing intensity. "As long as you and your allies help me kill or capture the Yonko Marshall D. Teach, I believe the Fleet Admiral will agree to virtually any reasonable compensation you request. This level of military achievement would be absolutely permanent—impossible to erase from official records."
The Admiral was already preparing for battle, electrical discharge building to combat-ready levels as he followed the confrontational rhythm developing among the group. He possessed absolute confidence in a five-against-one engagement. Even one of the Four Emperors would have to kneel before such overwhelming numerical and tactical superiority.
Marshall D. Teach's bounty alone—a staggering sum that dwarfed most pirates' lifetime earnings—would be sufficient for everyone present to claim substantial shares. Capturing or killing Blackbeard represented a guaranteed profitable transaction by any calculation.
Faced with such astronomical reward potential, one could only hope Marine Headquarters possessed sufficient cash reserves. They couldn't allow a single Yonko's bounty to completely drain the organization's compensation pool in one payment.
Observing the five individuals opposite him displaying obvious eagerness for combat, Blackbeard Teach couldn't suppress nervous perspiration. Cold sweat broke out across his massive frame despite the warm climate.
However, what thoughts actually circulated through his calculating mind... only this sinister man himself knew for certain.
"Boa Hancock," Blackbeard began, his tone shifting toward something approximating charm—though the effect was ruined by his missing teeth and predatory grin. "To speak honestly, no man alive can truly resist your beauty. You represent feminine perfection itself—absolutely suitable to become my princess consort."
His eyes raked across her figure with undisguised lust.
"Why don't you simply become my woman instead? I'll personally handle everything concerning Nine Snake Island's welfare and security. You have my word as Emperor."
One of the Yonko's purposes for traveling here involved precisely this ambition. The lecherous Marshall D. Teach had been attracted by Boa Hancock's globally recognized title as "The World's Most Beautiful Woman." He wanted to demonstrate his supreme status by possessing this particular female—claiming her as visible proof of his power and success.
If Blackbeard could hold the Empress in his arms while meeting with fellow pirates and rival powers, it would represent tremendous face-saving prestige. Many individuals would look upon Marshall D. Teach with newfound respect and envy. He'd gain more practical political benefits than the Yonko title alone could provide.
Blackbeard Teach was fundamentally a self-centered man—the most realistic pirate sailing these seas. He wanted to possess the greatest wealth available, to wield maximum power over territories and subordinates, to keep the most beautiful woman beneath him in bed. He embodied naked ambition without pretense or shame.
"You are disgusting filth that cannot produce ivory from a dog's mouth," Hancock spat, her voice dripping with absolute contempt. "You will never, ever be worthy of marrying me in this lifetime or any other."
Her hands came together, forming the characteristic heart shape with elegant fingers.
"Mero Mero Mellow!"
Pink heart-shaped light radiated from her palms, shooting directly toward Marshall D. Teach's massive body. The Mero Mero no Mi (Love-Love Fruit) proved almost universally effective against lustful men—individuals who harbored desire became vulnerable to instant petrification regardless of their combat abilities.
Then, as had become distressingly common today, another unexpected outcome materialized.
Blackbeard Teach made absolutely no evasive movements whatsoever. After being struck directly by the Mero Mero Mellow beam, zero petrification manifested on his body. Not even partial transformation—his flesh remained completely organic, unaffected by power that should have turned him instantly to stone.
This situation occurring again today made Boa Hancock genuinely doubt her own legendary charm for the first time in years.
First consideration: judging from physique and obvious human features, Marshall D. Teach was definitively human—not some exotic species immune to her abilities.
Second consideration: he was unquestionably male and demonstrably very lustful. He'd even openly declared intentions to "ride" the Empress, to claim her sexually as conquest and trophy. This wasn't merely attraction to Boa Hancock—this was obsessive desire bordering on madness.
Both conditions were simultaneously met. So why could Blackbeard Teach completely resist the petrification ability of the Mero Mero no Mi?
The mystery hung in the air like poison, unanswered and deeply troubling.
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