Chapter 35

"Hello, my dear walking 15 billion berries," the dragon's voice thundered, echoing across the vast Dressrosa.

"Black Dragon!"

Blackbeard's face was contorted with fear, his traumatic defeat from their previous encounter still haunting him. But he was quick to regain his confidence, recalling that he possessed the soul of Rocks within him.

"Don't get cocky. Last time, you only won because I didn't go all out. It might not be the same this time!"

"Yes," the Black Dragon replied slowly, its voice dripping with sarcasm. "So, why didn't you give it your all last time? Were you afraid of revealing yourself to me?"

Rocks' soul that was currently residing in Blackbeard's body was puzzled by the dragon's tone. None of the formidable adversaries he had faced in his era had been named Black Dragon. His rivals included figures like Garp, Sengoku, Xilan, and Roger. Golden Lion and Whitebeard were still on his side back then, and Big Mom hadn't yet become a significant force. Kaido was merely a low-ranking crew member in comparison.

"Old man, lend me your strength!" Blackbeard implored. Rocks, despite his confusion, was willing to assist. He saw potential in Blackbeard as a rising star and wanted to help him find a suitable vessel for his resurrection.

"Take it, Teach!"

The majestic power of the soul transformed into pure energy, coursing through Blackbeard's body, infusing him with incredible strength.

Blackbeard unleashed a series of thunderous explosions as a pillar of dark light soared into the sky, radiating a destructive aura. Even the Black Dragon chose to retreat temporarily in the face of such power.

"No wonder Whitebeard lost. This isn't just about being several times stronger," the Black Dragon commented with a rare seriousness.

Dressrosa was now shrouded in a dark mist, transforming the entire island into a massive black void, where the black fog devoured everything in its path.

"But..."

"Who do you think I am?!" He roared defiantly. The Black Dragon opened its maw wide, revealing its menacing fangs as dark energy coalesced within.

"Roar of the Black Dragon!"

Terrifying dark energy, more potent than Blackbeard's, surged forward, causing the entire sky to quiver.

Without hesitation, Blackbeard condensed an enormous ball of dark energy between his fingers, its front as hard as steel.

Rumble, rumble, rumble!

As the two unprecedented forces collided, the sky erupted into chaos, and a colossal fireball with a diameter of over ten kilometers burned in the air.

Swish!

The Black Dragon paid no heed to the fiery inferno that raged around it. In an instant, it descended from the flames and positioned itself above Blackbeard's head, sweeping down with its raised claws.

Pooh!

Despite being covered in Armament Haki, Blackbeard's skin was torn apart, and his entire body was nearly shredded.

"Wow, ah, ah!"

Blackbeard's agonized screams pierced the air. The Dark Fruit's power may be formidable, but it brought with it the double torment of excruciating pain.

"Take this!" Blackbeard, regardless of the searing pain coursing through his body, leaped high into the air, delivering a powerful punch to the Black Dragon's head.

Boom... crack!

His fist, a combination of entangled darkness and Armament Haki, crushed the dragon's scales and tough hide.

For a moment, the Black Dragon's pupils flickered with a mix of anger and surprise. It had not felt this way in years. It had been hurt in battle and found it invigorating.

Enraged, it opened its gaping maw wide, lunging at Blackbeard as if intending to consume him whole.

"This lunatic!" Blackbeard's legs gave out in fear, and he retreated hastily, putting hundreds of meters between himself and the charging behemoth.

"Can I escape from here?"

The Black Dragon's massive wings churned the air, whipping up a typhoon-like storm. Its colossal body closed in on Blackbeard, its gaping maw ready to swallow him whole.

Pooh!

"Waaaah!"

Hysterical screams rang out as Blackbeard's body was once again ensnared in the Black Dragon's clutches. Its steel-like fangs pierced deeply into his flesh, crushing even his bones.

"It hurts, it hurts, it hurts like hell! Stop it please!"

In his agony, Blackbeard's struggles grew even more frenzied. He unleashed torrents of darkness-infused attacks upon the Black Dragon's body, desperately hoping to free himself from the relentless jaws that held him captive. His mind was consumed with confusion, unable to comprehend how this creature's fighting abilities could surpass even his own formidable Dark Fruit powers.

"I was wrong, please let me go!" Blackbeard's voice cracked with desperation, his pleas for mercy growing increasingly desperate. He knew that if this continued, he would be torn apart and devoured, piece by excruciating piece.

Desperation drove him to offer a substantial bribe once more. "You just mentioned I'm worth 15 billion Berries, right? If you spare me, I'll give you 30 billion Berries!"

But the Black Dragon remained resolute, showing no inclination to release its prey. It sneered at Blackbeard's feeble attempt to buy his life. After all, who would believe that the destitute Blackbeard, who could barely afford a seaworthy vessel, could offer such a staggering sum?

"That's it."

The black dragon's powerful jaws clamped down with ferocity, sinking its teeth into Blackbeard's flesh, locking onto him like a vise. Then, with a sudden, savage jerk—

Rip!

Blackbeard was torn asunder in an instant, his body cleaved in two from the right shoulder down to his abdomen.

Within the dragon's mouth, a gruesome scene unfolded - a grotesque collage of putrid flesh and shattered organs, could be vaguely seen.

Title: Triumph Over Darkness: Blackbeard's Defeat

—

If you want to read the next 15 chapters right away, visit my Patreon. 

Link: Patreon.com/penfu

1st tier: 5 chaps ahead 2.50€

2nd tier: 10 chaps ahead 5€

3rd tier: 15 chaps ahead 10€

PS. Please comment and donate your Power Stones.