Chapter 87: The Strongest Man at Sea vs. The Evil Generation

Chapter 87: The Strongest Man at Sea vs. The Evil Generation

Blackbeard's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Hehehe, Whitebeard's chest is pierced, his heart must be shattered. He's done for."

"Let's move, boys! The Shock Fruit is ours for the taking!"

With a wicked grin, Blackbeard charged towards the fallen Whitebeard, followed closely by Van Augur, Shiryu of the Rain, and the rest of his crew.

The notion that a person can only eat one Devil Fruit was deeply ingrained, leaving no one suspecting Blackbeard's unique ability to consume another.

As long as their captain, Blackbeard, acquired the Shock Fruit, even a powerhouse like Chiba would be no match for him.

In mere moments, Blackbeard and his crew reached the edge of the massive crater where Whitebeard lay.

From the high platform, Sengoku observed the unfolding scene, immediately recognizing Blackbeard's crew. "Blackbeard?" he muttered, his eyes narrowing as he spotted Shiryu of the Rain among them, alongside the notorious Impel Down escapees.

"What is Magellan doing, letting these criminals loose?" Sengoku fumed, glaring at Shiryu. "Shiryu, how did you escape Impel Down and align with Blackbeard?"

Shiryu, smoking a cigar, met Sengoku's gaze without responding, his hand resting on his sword.

His intention was clear: if Sengoku tried to interfere, he would fight back.

Sengoku's anger grew. "Shiryu, do you realize you're opposing the Marines and the World Government? Do you understand the consequences?"

Sengoku knew Shiryu's strength, rivaling Magellan's even without a Devil Fruit. With Marine's training and elixirs, Shiryu's power must have grown immensely.

Now, Shiryu likely possessed Admiral-level strength, far exceeding Sengoku's expectations.

Shiryu remained silent, exhaling smoke, while Blackbeard laughed maniacally, gazing down at Whitebeard's body.

"Is Blackbeard trying to save Whitebeard?" Sengoku speculated. "Impossible. Blackbeard betrayed Whitebeard by delivering Ace to us. He wouldn't save him."

But if not to save Whitebeard, why was Blackbeard here?

Sengoku couldn't decipher Blackbeard's intentions but decided to focus on eliminating the remaining Whitebeard Pirates for now.

Noticing Sengoku's inaction, Blackbeard's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Hehehe, they can't fathom my secret. This is my chance. The Shock Fruit is mine!"

Suddenly, he sensed someone watching. Turning, he met Chiba's gaze. A chill ran down his spine—Chiba was the one Marine he feared.

Not because of Chiba's strength, but his genius and understanding of Devil Fruits.

Blackbeard worried Chiba might have discovered his secret ability to consume multiple fruits during his examination.

If Chiba revealed this, the Admirals would converge on him, forcing him to flee and lose his chance at the Shock Fruit.

But to his relief, Chiba merely glanced his way before returning to his fight with Rayleigh.

Blackbeard's fear subsided, replaced by a cold, sharp determination. "Hehehe, he doesn't know. This is my chance."

Blackbeard leapt into the pit, rushing towards Whitebeard.

"The Shock Fruit is mine, hehehe," Blackbeard thought, his heart racing with excitement.

His meticulous planning had led to this moment—handing Ace to the Marines, ensuring Whitebeard would come to rescue him, all part of his grand design.

"Hehehe, my Shock Fruit," Blackbeard cackled, closing in on Whitebeard.

From a distance, Chiba's Observation Haki detected Whitebeard's tenacious vitality. Though mortally wounded, he wasn't finished yet.

In the pit, Blackbeard reached for Whitebeard. "Your power is mine," he sneered.

But Whitebeard's eyes snapped open. "Teach?"

Blackbeard froze, cold sweat beading on his forehead. Despite his fruit's advantage, Whitebeard's sheer power was intimidating.

He considered retreat but steeled himself—this was his best shot at the Shock Fruit. The risk was worth it.

Blackbeard lunged, but Whitebeard rolled aside, grabbing Cong Yunqie and standing once more, blood seeping from his chest.

Whitebeard eyed Blackbeard warily, sensing an inexplicable danger.

"Hehehe, Dad, I'm here to save you," Blackbeard mocked, leaping at Whitebeard.

Whitebeard struck, his fist cracking the air like a spider web.

"Dark Water," Blackbeard countered, neutralizing the Shock Fruit's power.

Whitebeard realized how Ace had fallen prey—his abilities neutralized and his Haki lacking.

Clutching Cong Yunqie, Whitebeard summoned a massive energy sphere on the blade, slashing at Blackbeard.

Blackbeard paled. "This old man still has such strength?"

He defended with Dark Water, offsetting the Shock Fruit, though visibly strained. Yet, he felt invigorated—his fruit had stopped Whitebeard's devastating power.

"Hey hehe," Blackbeard chuckled. Chiba's past research had inadvertently aided his fruit's evolution, allowing him to withstand Whitebeard's assault.

"Hehehe, Chiba, once I have the Shock Fruit, I'll capture you as my scientist," Blackbeard mused.

Whitebeard evaded, leaping from the pit to the shore.

"Father!" Ace shouted, energized by Whitebeard's survival.

Spotting Blackbeard attacking his father, Ace roared, "Teach!"

Engulfed in flames, Ace surged with power, startling Blackbeard.

Blackbeard, aware of Ace's newfound strength, worried if Shiryu could hold him back. If not, he'd have to flee.

As Ace charged, Kizaru intervened with a flash of light. "Yo, scary," he quipped, forcing Ace back with Bachi Qiong Gouyu.

Marco pulled Ace back, cautioning him against rash actions.

Relieved, Blackbeard grinned. "Hehehe, even Marine helps me. Luck is on my side."

He intensified his assault, driving Whitebeard back with each blow. His final strike left a deep dent in Whitebeard's chest.

Ecstatic, Blackbeard was caught off guard when Whitebeard grabbed him, dispelling the Dark Fruit's power with his Haki and preparing a powerful counterattack.

"Father, I'm your favorite son," Blackbeard pleaded, feigning innocence to distract Whitebeard.

But Whitebeard hesitated only briefly, unleashing the Shock Fruit's might. Blackbeard, bleeding, endured the blow, his Dark Fruit and strong physique saving him.

Whitebeard kicked Blackbeard away, then focused his energy into Cong Yunqie, preparing a final, decisive strike.

"Tiki, I'll turn you into mincemeat," Whitebeard vowed, launching his attack.

"Hey hehe, useless," Blackbeard mocked, countering with Dark Water.

The Shock Fruit's power dissipated, Cong Yunqie slicing through Blackbeard's defenses, severing four fingers.

Reeling, Blackbeard dodged a fatal blow, though his chest was gashed deeply.

Furious, Blackbeard activated his fruit, creating a black hole beneath Whitebeard, who plunged into it.

Seconds later, a second black hole opened in the sky, dropping Whitebeard to the ground, his fate uncertain.

"Doctor, doctor!" Blackbeard cried, enduring the agony of his fruit as Doc Q hurried over, administering an elixir and tending his wounds.

Staggering to Whitebeard, Blackbeard kicked him spitefully. "This old man's tougher than I thought. He needs to die."

But as he spoke, Whitebeard's eyes opened. "Teach!"

Whitebeard grabbed Blackbeard, slamming him into the ground, dazing him.

A shot rang out, Van Augur's bullet striking Whitebeard's brow, embedding but not penetrating.

Simultaneously, Shiryu of the Rain struck, a thin line of blood appearing on Whitebeard's neck.

"Ku, Nu, Ya, Lu," Whitebeard growled, fists clenching as Shock Fruit energy gathered once more.

Van Augur, Shiryu, and Buggy were stunned. "He's still alive?!"

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.