#7 The Perfect Plan

Blackbeard, who was struggling with how to handle the Gura Gura no Mi, suddenly brightened up and turned to Carlo.

"Uh… no."

Obviously, if Carlo was a Devil Fruit user, he wouldn't be in such a sorry state.

"Great, that's fantastic! Hahaha, I knew such a powerful fruit wouldn't go to waste!"

Hearing Carlo's confirmation, Blackbeard burst out laughing. After a while, he continued, "How about you take that old man's power, Carlo?"

"What do you think, Carlo? I'll help you steal it, and you can eat it!"

"The fruit that's said to be able to destroy the world, it's perfect for someone with your Conqueror's Haki! Only you eating it wouldn't feel like a waste!"

Blackbeard was surprisingly generous. Once he set his sights on the Munch-Munch Fruit, he immediately wanted to give the Quake Fruit to Carlo!

This was Blackbeard's strength—using benefits to bind people to him. He was very generous with his subordinates, never stingy.

Otherwise, how could he have risen to the rank of one of the Four Emperors in the original story?

How could he bind people with huge ambitions and ruthless instincts to his chariot?

"The Gura Gura no Mi, huh?"

Hearing this, Carlo didn't show much reaction on the surface, but inside he was restless. After all, this was the terrifying power that could tear apart the sea, the sky, and the earth!

Saying he didn't want it would be a lie, and a pretty big one!

"It's not a bad idea. It's a remarkable fruit, and it would be a shame to waste it."

"Since you insist, Teach, I guess I'll take it."

No matter how excited he was inside, Carlo kept his cool on the outside, pretending to reluctantly accept the offer.

It was as if the fruit should feel honored to be with him—truly the master of putting on a show!

Blackbeard, too busy being excited, didn't notice Carlo's act.

Once Carlo agreed, Blackbeard entered a self-congratulatory mode.

"A Conqueror's Haki wielder with the Gura Gura no Mi—haha, my vice-captain will be unbeatable!"

"Shanks can't compare! My second-in-command will outshine him!"

"So what if I don't have Conqueror's Haki? My vice Captain does!"

Blackbeard seemed to have a deep-seated grudge against Shanks, imagining scenarios where he would come out on top...

Carlo couldn't help but feel speechless watching Blackbeard.

Carlo thought, 'Isn't this me? Why are you taking all the credit?

Besides, we haven't even gotten the fruit yet! What's the point of celebrating so soon?'

"Blackbeard, where are we heading? We're not going back to the New World, are we?"

Unable to take it anymore, Carlo interrupted, bringing Blackbeard out of his daydream.

"Uh…"

"No need to go back, Ace will come here eventually!"

"I think the person chasing me is him. In the New World, someone almost caught up to me once."

"That time, we weren't far apart. Although I couldn't see who it was, I felt the same intense aura as his!"

"And with Ace's personality, knowing that I killed Thatch, he won't let it go. Haha!"

"We'll wait here for him to walk into our trap. If he doesn't come, we can head back to the New World later!"

Blackbeard's intelligence suddenly shone through, making a well-thought-out plan. Carlo couldn't help but agree.

Although Carlo knew from his omniscient perspective that Ace was indeed the one chasing Blackbeard, he couldn't reveal that. It would be too suspicious.

However, if Blackbeard didn't know, it would cause trouble. If they went back to the New World, the plan to capture Ace would be ruined...

That would be a disaster!

Now that Blackbeard figured it out himself, everything was perfect.

They could wait here for Ace to walk into their trap, making the plan foolproof without taking any risks!

"Let's head to the Sabaody Archipelago first. Being in this part of the Grand Line, we can't miss it."

"As the most bustling place in the first half of the Grand Line, it's full of opportunities, haha!"

"We might even find some pirates who meet the criteria for the Warlords of the Sea, and take their heads."

"That way, even if we don't catch Ace, we can still recruit some strong allies from Impel Down."

"Either way, we can't lose!"

After accepting Carlo's plan, Blackbeard thought quickly, considering all possibilities and finding solutions for any gaps.

It's clear that his success wasn't accidental—he had what it took to reach the top!

Hearing this, Carlo nodded in agreement.

He didn't oppose Blackbeard's plan, as he had no other plans before Ace arrived.

It might be a good idea to follow Blackbeard and see how he rose to power. Carlo didn't know all the details!

He knew that if he didn't interfere, Blackbeard's current path would likely lead to the events that were meant to happen in the original story.

So, their small shabby raft set off towards the Sabaody Archipelago.

The deserted island they were on wasn't far from the Red Line.

Sabaody Archipelago is where the first half of the Grand Line connects with the New World, right next to the Red Line!

So, even without a navigator, they could just follow the Red Line in one direction.

Both Blackbeard and Carlo's body's original memories had some basic navigation skills, so they didn't worry about getting lost.

Twelve days later—

As the most bustling archipelago in the first half of the Grand Line, each Groove here had its own characteristics.

Groove 1-29 were full of slave auctions and lawless areas, making them the most chaotic part of the archipelago.

This was also where most pirates gathered, traveling through here to reach the New World.

Because of the sensitive nature of the slave auctions, it was the most crowded place on the archipelago!

"Teach, you're really broke!"

"Arguing over the price of two bottles of rum? That's just sad!"

On Groove 1, in a busy street, Carlo and Blackbeard sat at a street-side table, chugging down rum.

"Hehe, can't help it, we're on a tight budget!"

Hearing Blackbeard's usual excuse, Carlo rolled his eyes.

Before Carlo could continue his rant, Blackbeard beat him to it, laughing: "Carlo, I know you have money, so you'll cover the drinks from now on!"

"Buying drinks for your captain is no problem, right? Haha!"

"Me? I'm broke!"

Seeing Blackbeard's smug smile, Carlo felt exasperated, realizing he'd been played.

"Pathetic humans, your supreme god is here! Kneel down or face death!"

As Blackbeard and Carlo bantered, a loud voice from the street entrance drew everyone's attention...