Brontes's Dilemma

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Blackbeard really wanted Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit as his second devil fruit, but he knew it was nearly impossible to kill Whitebeard.

Even with his own Dark-Dark Fruit powers. He wasn't confident at all about taking down Whitebeard.

Blackbeard spent more than twenty years with the Whitebeard Pirates just for a chance at getting a Devil Fruit.

He even called Whitebeard "Pops" for over two decades. Blackbeard's patience and plotting could almost match Shiki's.

Ever since he learned about the Dark-Dark Devil Fruit when he was young, Blackbeard began to make his plans.

First, he joined the Whitebeard Pirates and became like a son to Whitebeard. Even after Roger became the Pirate King, Whitebeard's crew remained the strongest in the seas.

Whitebeard's strength alone made his crew stand strong against the Marines and other powerful pirates.

By sticking with the Whitebeard Pirates, Blackbeard had a better shot at finding the Dark-Dark Fruit.

This was when Blackbeard took his goals to the extreme.

He patiently waited for the right time for the Dark-Dark Fruit to surface.

When he finally got hold of it, Blackbeard saw its power and set his sights on obtaining Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit with even greater ambitions.

Therefore, Blackbeard was always on the lookout for a chance to spark a war, utilizing powerful forces like the Marines or other Yonko to take down Whitebeard, allowing him to claim Whitebeard's fruit power for himself.

Blackbeard firmly believed that only the Marines had the capability to defeat Whitebeard.

The other Yonko were not up to the task, and without significant benefits, they wouldn't dare to face the strongest man in the world. So, the Marines remained his best option.

Seeing an open spot among the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Blackbeard viewed it as a golden opportunity to not only boost his reputation but also to plot against Whitebeard.

However, his scheme encountered an unexpected hurdle by Brontes's sudden arrival, a terrifying monster standing in his way.

"Two down!" Brontes said casually.

"Zehahaha! The battle has just begun." Blackbeard responded as black smoke billowed behind him, forming into a mass of darkness in his hands.

"Haha!" Brontes laughed before advancing.

"ZliZli!"

Despite sensing an emptiness below him, Brontes transformed into lightning without needing much support, charging directly towards Blackbeard.

"Dark Water!"

Blackbeard shouted inwardly, aiming his hand at Brontes, creating a swirling vortex of darkness imbued with gravitational force that pulled Brontes towards him.

Helplessly drawn into the vortex, Brontes was caught off guard and propelled towards Blackbeard's waiting arm.

"Got you!"

Blackbeard exclaimed triumphantly as Brontes was drawn closer.

Without hesitation, Blackbeard swiftly unsheathed a dagger enveloped in Armament Haki and aimed it directly at Brontes's heart.

Caught in this tense moment, Brontes sensed not only the hatred and disgust emanating from Blackbeard but also the genuine intent to end his life.

Understanding Blackbeard's true intentions, Brontes remained passive, offering no resistance as he was drawn into Blackbeard's grasp.

"Zehahaha! Today marks a historic event. 'The Legendary Pirate Blackbeard kills Fleet Admiral Ragnarok' will echo throughout the world! Zehahaha! Zehahaha!" Blackbeard laughed maniacally, driving the dagger into Brontes's chest.

"Ding!"

However, the triumphant expression on Blackbeard's face quickly faded, replaced by shock and disbelief.

"How... How is this possible?" Blackbeard stammered, staring at Brontes in horror.

Despite the dagger lodged in Brontes's chest, Blackbeard realized it had not pierced his heart.

"What's wrong? Did you think your Dark-Dark Fruit abilities alone could best me? You underestimate me, Blackbeard." Brontes said with a bright smile.

"W-What's wrong with your... body?" Blackbeard stammered, his expression filled with terror, as if he had seen a ghost.

Before Blackbeard could finish speaking, Brontes swiftly delivered a powerful punch to his face.

"Boom!"

Blackbeard was sent flying, skidding across the ground until he collided with a wall, coming to an abrupt stop.

"I find it quite challenging to battle a Dark-Dark Fruit user. My overall strength has notably decreased after losing my Devil Fruit abilities. What a troublesome power." Brontes muttered under his breath, dusting off his clothes.

"Ahh! Ahh!"

Meanwhile, Blackbeard, writhing in agony, couldn't hear Brontes's words as he clutched his face in pain.

The Dark-Dark Fruit's side effects were distinct from other Devil Fruits; while most could overlook secondary effects, this one had two significant drawbacks.

Undeniably potent, the Dark-Dark Fruit could negate other Devil Fruit powers and engulf darkness — a formidable ability.

However, it lacked certain advantages. Unlike typical Logia types, it couldn't convert into an element, leaving the user vulnerable like a Paramecia-Logia hybrid.

The second drawback was the heightened pain and damage the user endured.

While the physical form wasn't the issue, every blow sustained would inflict double the damage, possibly acting as a balance mechanism for such immense power.

Fortunately, the Rumble-Rumble Fruit didn't carry such vulnerabilities; even Luffy's rubber-like body wouldn't pose a challenge for Brontes now.

If Luffy were to confront Brontes at this moment, the intense heat of lightning could instantly vaporize him into a mass of black rubber.

The Dark-Dark Fruit was akin to a double-edged sword, a rare power that only someone as unique as Blackbeard could successfully wield.

His body, distinctively different, was a perfect match for the abilities granted by the Dark-Dark Fruit.

Despite Blackbeard's screams of agony, his body showed remarkable resilience. Before he acquired the Dark-Dark Fruit, he had already proven himself as a formidable pirate among the Whitebeard Pirates.

Brontes approached Blackbeard, finding the sight pathetic, and pondered his next move.

Should he end Blackbeard's life or spare him? The decision weighed heavily on Brontes, knowing that killing Blackbeard could jeopardize his larger plan.

Blackbeard's actions had set the stage for the Summit War at Marineford, playing a crucial role in the conflict that unfolded.

While Ace may have sparked the war, Blackbeard's involvement was the true catalyst for the events that transpired.

Moreover, Brontes understood that eliminating Blackbeard could alter the course of the future he foresaw.

Perhaps without Blackbeard's interference, Whitebeard could have met a peaceful end, and the fragile stability of the New World might not end because of Whitebeard's fall at the Summit War.

Having spent years in Mariejois, patiently biding his time, Brontes had been waiting for the opportune moment to set his intricate plan in motion, marking the initial step toward his ultimate goal.

Deciding whether to let Blackbeard go or eliminate him posed a significant dilemma for Brontes.

Allowing Blackbeard to escape would undoubtedly complicate matters in the future.

Even the smallest alteration in events could trigger unforeseen consequences, a risk Brontes was hesitant to take, especially concerning pivotal moments like the Summit War.

The choice to kill or spare Blackbeard opened up a cascade of potential outcomes and ramifications.

If Blackbeard were removed from the equation, how would that impact the Summit War at Marineford?

Lost in contemplation, Brontes found himself interrupted by Blackbeard's sudden attack.

"Black Hole!"

Transforming into a mass of darkness, Blackbeard lunged toward a white horse, enveloping both the horse and the three individuals mounted on it.

"Trying to escape?" Brontes exclaimed, caught off guard by Blackbeard's swift maneuver.

"ZliZli!"

"Thor's Spear!"

In an instant, a lightning spear appeared in Brontes's grasp, which he promptly hurled into the black void created by Blackbeard.

"Rumble!"

The lightning spear disappeared into the darkness, followed by a deafening explosion, indicating the impact of the attack.

However, Brontes had not aimed for Blackbeard but for one of his crew members concealed within the darkness.

Using his Observation Haki, Brontes wanted to pinpoint Blackbeard's location, but he found they have completely vanished.