chapter 3 reward

 Laffite's Perspective

I was heading towards a Marine outpost since the captain didn't want to go to Water Seven. Arriving on an island called Galor, I made my way to their Marine base, which was led by Rear Admiral Kibin. I didn't need to talk to the insects of the Marine branch and went directly to the highest aura in the base. Although weak, it was the best I had found.

A man focused on his papers didn't even notice my arrival. So weak that I could kill him and find another one. No, I had to complete my mission. I struck my cane on the floor, and instinctively, he grabbed his sword and took a defensive stance.

Kibin: "Who are you and what are you doing here? How did you infiltrate a Marine base?"

"My name is Laffite. I am a pirate, and before you do something you'll regret, call Sengoku and tell him that the Blackbeard Pirates have captured a pirate with a bounty of 550 million berries and want to negotiate the position of Shichibukai."

Kibin: "Nice try, but in this part of the sea, no pirate has such a huge bounty."

"Instead of thinking, you should make the call."

Though nervous and angry at the unknown pirate, Kibin had some logic in him. He grabbed his transponder snail and dialed the number that connected him to the main Marine base.

Purpurpur purpurpur gatha

"Relay station here, state your identity."

Kibin: "This is Rear Admiral Kibin of the 72nd branch. I need to speak to the Fleet Admiral, it's urgent."

Agent: "I will connect you."

Five minutes later.

Sengoku: "This is Fleet Admiral Sengoku, what is the emergency?"

Kibin: "This is Rear Admiral Kibin. I have a pirate in front of me who claims to have captured a pirate worth 550 million. He doesn't seem to be joking and says you've already discussed it."

Sengoku: "Put him on speaker."

Kibin: "It's done, sir."

Sengoku: "Who are you?"

"Don't you remember me? We met at the Shichibukai meeting. I'm Laffite from the Blackbeard Pirates."

Sengoku: "I see. So, you say you've captured someone with a 550 million bounty? That's hard to believe. Unknown pirates capturing a pirate with a bounty like that in the New World. Who is it?"

"The pirate's name is Portgas D. Ace, captain of the second division of Emperor Whitebeard himself."

Sengoku: "..."

Sengoku: "Is this a joke?"

"Not at all. My captain will arrive on the island soon. At that time, we can have one of your soldiers verify."

Sengoku: "The body will be verified by Rear Admiral Kibin. So, it's the Shichibukai title you want? Once the body is verified, I'll announce whether or not we grant you the Shichibukai title. Until then, you remain wanted pirates. Rear Admiral Kibin, inform me directly once the person is confirmed. Gatcha." (He hangs up.)

Kibin wanted to ask Laffite when they would arrive, but before he could say anything, there was nothing in front of him. A second of inattention could bring death, a reminder of what could happen to him. The chill that ran down his spine reminded him of his weakness in front of this pirate. "And I still have to meet his captain," Kibin thought.

End of Perspective

Two days later, they arrived on Galor Island. The Rear Admiral checked the prisoner several times, who was inert on the ground but alive. He had been injected with something by Doc Q because he screamed too much.

Informed by the Rear Admiral that it was indeed real, Sengoku had already discussed it with the elders, who found the offer ideal and agreed to make Teach a Shichibukai. Ace was the perfect tool to trigger a war with Whitebeard, who was aging and already near death's door. Killing him would boost the prestige of the government and the Marines, showing that no pirate was beyond their reach. They had already shown this with the Shichibukai. The timing was perfect.

Sengoku arranged the exchange at Marineford.

A week passed, and some high-ranking Marines learned about the arrival of a group of pirates at Marineford for an exchange: a major pirate for the position of Shichibukai.

Upon arrival at the exchange site, Teach noticed many Vice Admirals and Admiral Kizaru, along with Sengoku to finalize the exchange. Teach dragged Ace with a seastone net. He hadn't put him to sleep so he could witness the horror of his fate.

Teach: "Zehahahaha! I kept my promise. Here's your pirate."

Sengoku: "I now declare you a Shichibukai. I suppose you already know your rights," said Sengoku as he tossed him the Den Den Mushi. "The transponder snail I give you is for emergencies. I've rarely had to use it. You can leave Marineford immediately."

Teach: "Well, I expected at least some coffee or rum, Zehahahaha," said Blackbeard as he left.

Quest successful, reward available.

Teach jumped onto his ship: "Laffite, let's take off!"

Laffite: "Okay, Captain."

Teach went to his cabin: "Time to claim the reward." His body absorbed the fat from his belly as nutrients and dispersed it to his legs and arms. His nose shrank, and he felt the urge to expel all the excess from his body. He hurried to the bathroom. Fortunately, his cabin had a private bathroom.

Two hours later, when Teach came out, it was a shock for the crew.

Burgess: "Captain, you've changed."

Teach: "What? I just lost a bit of weight. Let's continue; we're almost at Barkling Island. We'll stay there until the Marines call me. I'll assign you some small missions," Teach said.

Two weeks passed, and the news of a new Shichibukai was everywhere in the newspapers. But what really made headlines was Ace's imprisonment at the burning point, captain of Whitebeard's second division. Anyone with a bit of sense could guess who was responsible. Some also understood that a war was approaching. The sea, which was calm, would soon stir and blood would flow.

During this time, Teach spent his days fighting his crew to train them while improving his Devil Fruit. He made sure to hit them with simple armament to avoid causing any damage that would take time to heal. The first to notice the huge change in their captain were Augur and Laffite. They quickly understood that the pain they used to endure had either disappeared or that they could endure it. They stopped dodging even the simplest blows, enduring what distracted them less, allowing them to fight the madman he is.

Doc Q also noticed but made no comment. The stronger their captain, the better it was, and seriously, none of them would seek to uncover their captain's secrets. Burgess didn't care either. He kept coming back for more each time Teach sent him flying into the decor.