In the first half of the Grand Line, on an unnamed island.
In a secluded mountain pass, the Blackbeard Pirates sat together, resting. Traces of disarray were visible on everyone's faces, and the atmosphere was somewhat somber.
Teach sat on the beach, looking at the wound on his shoulder, freshly re-bandaged by Doc Q. It was inflicted by Gion's famous sword, konpira, and still throbbed faintly.
His body, which amplified pain, deepened his hatred for that female Marine.
Not far away, Lafitte leaned against a coconut tree, his face pale, and faint blood seeping from the bandage on his chest. Gunko's attack had pierced his chest; had he not reacted quickly, he would already be a corpse.
"Although I don't know why Saint Ian specifically wants to capture Ace, this... is not at all bad for us!"
After a brief silence, Teach scanned the few people present, then said, "It's just, where should we go to find Ace?"
"Captain, there's no need to rush." Lafitte walked over, leaning on his walking stick, with his characteristic dance-like steps, though his movements were somewhat stiff due to his injuries. "Saint Ian didn't give us a time limit. As long as we capture Ace, the deal will be complete."
"Zehahahahaha!" Teach grinned, revealing his uneven, rotten teeth. "I'm not worried about failing the deal, Lafitte. I'm just a bit impatient to capture Ace alive!"
He suddenly stood up, his burly figure casting a huge shadow on the beach.
"That bastard, from the day we left Whitebeard's ship, he's been chasing us like a mad dog! If I don't get rid of him, I can't even sleep peacefully!"
Just then, a rough laugh echoed from far to near.
"Captain! Look what I caught!"
Jesus Burgess ran over, laughing like a victorious general, carrying a goat that was still kicking its legs.
Upon seeing the food, the gloomy atmosphere finally livened up a bit.
Van Auger put down his beloved rifle "Senriku," which he was wiping, and skillfully pulled out a dagger to bleed and skin the goat. Doc Q, meanwhile, pulled out several bottles and jars from his medicine box, mysteriously sprinkling unknown powders on them, making Burgess wince.
Soon, a bonfire was lit, and the entire goat was placed over the fire. Fat dripped into the flames, making sizzling sounds, and a rich aroma of meat filled the air.
Teach tore off the fattest leg of lamb, took a big bite, and mumbled, "Zehahaha, eating meat is the best! When I become a Shichibukai, I'll eat cherry pie every day!"
The few of them gathered around the bonfire, eating meat and drinking heavily, as if they had forgotten the disarray and humiliation they experienced in Mock Town.
As they feasted, a small boat propelled by flames was speeding across the distant sea, riding the wind and waves.
At the bow, a young man, shirtless, stood tall. He wore an orange cowboy hat adorned with smiling and crying face emblems on its brim, and a string of red beads around his neck. On his back was the proud skull symbol of the Whitebeard Pirates.
It was none other than the second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, "Fire Fist" Ace.
When he saw the crude pirate ship, made of giant logs spliced together, anchored by the shore, his eyes instantly lit up.
"Teach, I finally found you!"
The small boat accelerated and rushed onto the beach, and Ace leaped off.
He followed the messy footprints on the beach and soon arrived at a mountain pass. Looking down from above, the bonfire at the foot of the mountain and the few figures sitting around it were so striking.
"We have a guest."
Almost at the same moment Ace appeared, "Supersonic" Van Auger looked up and aimed his beloved rifle at the figure in the mountain pass.
Lafitte stood up elegantly, tipped his top hat with his walking stick, looked up at Ace, and a strange smile hung on his lips: "Fire Fist Ace, we've been waiting for you for a long time."
Teach stood up, still clutching the lamb leg, his mouth stained with grease. He laughed heartily, "Zehahaha! Ace, why don't you come down and have a drink?"
"You should save that drink to have with Thatch instead," Ace's voice was cold, and his hands were already engulfed in raging flames.
"Don't say that, Ace," Teach said nonchalantly, taking a bite of meat. "Why don't you consider joining us? Aren't we the same kind of people?!"
"Shut up!" Ace roared. "I only have one mission here, and that is to bring you, the traitor who murdered a comrade, back to atone at Thatch's grave!"
The smile on Teach's face slowly faded. He casually threw the gnawed lamb leg bone to Lafitte beside him, then grinned and said, "I originally intended to invite you to join, but now circumstances have changed."
His eyes became gloomy and fanatical.
"The Young Master of the Nerona Family from the Holy Land has made a deal with me. The object of the deal is—" Teach extended a thick finger, pointing it remotely at Ace, "—to capture you alive and hand you over to the Marine!"
"Just you?"
"Fire Fist!"
Ace roared as he leaped down from the mountain pass, transforming into a burning fireball, heading straight for Teach.
"Zehahahahaha! Excellent!"
Teach advanced instead of retreating, spreading his arms, "Dark Water!"
Black gravity erupted from his palm, like an invisible vortex, instantly pulling Ace down from mid-air.
"What!?"
Ace felt his body sink, and his Devil Fruit ability seemed to freeze for a moment. In that instant, Teach's fist, as big as a cooking pot, had already slammed into his abdomen.
"Ugh!"
Intense pain struck, Ace spat out a mouthful of blood, and his body flew backward.
He quickly regained his balance, his hands turning into flames, and countless fire bullets rained down on Teach.
"It's useless! Before my darkness, all your abilities are mere decorations!"
Teach laughed, and black mist surged from his body, swallowing all the fire bullets.
"Great Flame Commandment: Flame Emperor!"
Ace gathered all his power into his right fist, creating a massive fireball comparable to the sun, and pushed it fiercely towards Teach.
"Dark Hole!"
The ground beneath Teach's feet turned into a bottomless darkness, swallowing the giant fireball along with everything around it. The next second, he emerged from Ace's shadow, grabbing Ace by the neck.
"It's over, Ace!"
Black mist instantly enveloped Ace, completely extinguishing the flames on his body.
"Thud."
Ace fell to his knees powerlessly.
Seizing this opportunity, Lafitte and Burgess immediately stepped forward, securing him tightly with the Sea Stone handcuffs they had already prepared.
"Zehahahahaha!"
Teach looked at the subdued Ace, letting out a deafening, Maniacal laughter.
"I never expected the process to be so smooth!"
He walked in front of Ace, looking down at his former comrade, his eyes filled with triumph and ambition, "Ace! Whitebeard's era is over! Next, it's my Blackbeard Era!"
"And you, 'Fire Fist' Ace, will become my stepping stone to replace Whitebeard as the strongest!"
"Zehahaha~"