Mock Town, Meeting Blackbeard!

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Brontes made it to Jaya Island, landing his warship at the shore.

He looked out at Mock Town, now a hangout for pirates. Even though there were high bounties on pirates there, it wasn't as profitable as other places.

Despite being a pirate hot spot, there were strong people in charge of things. Naturally, who would want to set up a resort in a place full of pirates? The secret owner of the resort turned out to be none other than Doflamingo, one of the Seven Shichibukai.

Doflamingo was involved in various businesses, excelling in pirate commerce.

He dealt with slave trading, weapon transactions, and even managed resorts like this one.

As Doflamingo earned more money, he increased his influence while also showing respect to the World Nobles.

Though Doflamingo despised the World Nobles, his role as a Shichibukai meant he had to pay tribute to them and the World Government.

Brontes had come to see the first appearance of Blackbeard, Marshall D. Teach, and later planned to head to Skypiea using an airship.

Before leaving Mariejois, Brontes had heard news from the New World that caused quite a stir.

Members of the Whitebeard Pirates were killed by one of their own, who took a Logia devil fruit before fleeing to the New World.

Initially, such disputes among pirate crews were common, but this incident stood out because the one killed was not just any crew member but Whitebeard Pirates' fourth division captain, Thatch.

The culprit behind Thatch's death was Teach, sparking interest from the Five Elders due to Teach's surname.

More information from the New World revealed that the Whitebeard Pirates' second division captain, Portgas D. Ace, left the crew to pursue Teach.

Ace's decision was influenced by his close bond with Thatch and his respect for Whitebeard as a father, considering Teach's actions to be against Whitebeard's principles.

Brontes remembered that Luffy had first encountered Blackbeard in Mock Town.

Thus, his decision to stop here was also to meet Blackbeard, the future Yonko who would shake the seas in the years to come.

...

Upon reaching the twon, Brontes quickly spotted Blackbeard.

It appeared that the Blackbeard Pirates were preparing for something big, possibly to meet the Five Elders in Mariejois.

Following the Alabasta incident that led to Crocodile's defeat by Luffy, there was an urgent need to fill Crocodile's position.

Approaching a restaurant with his head covered in a hoodie, Brontes entered and immediately noticed a tall figure seated at the bar.

Brontes, with his head covered by a hoodie, walked into a nearby restaurant and immediately noticed a tall figure chilling at the bar. Sitting down close by, Brontes asked the bartender for a bottle of rum.

The bartender glanced at Brontes, took in his cloak, but didn't say anything. He just served Brontes a glass of rum with a couple of ice cubes.

"Marshall D. Teach." Brontes said after having a sip of his drink.

The guy next to Brontes, who was enjoying a cherry pie, turned to him and asked in a curious voice: "Who are you? I don't think we have met before."

"Zehahaha! That's strange. I don't even have a wanted poster out. So how did you know me?" Blackbeard laughed loudly and asked.

"That's not important." Brontes replied calmly, taking another sip.

Blackbeard was intrigued, then asked: "Not many recognize me. Are you a pirate? If you are, what's your bounty?"

Brontes didn't give him a straight answer. Instead, he said with sneer: "So, you're gunning for Crocodile's position to be one of the Shichibukai?"

Blackbeard's whole demeanor changed instantly, he was already getting ready to act against Brontes.

"Easy there. I'm just talking. And hey, being a Shichibukai isn't just about having a high bounty. Reputation is key. You gotta be intimidate enough to make other pirates think twice about crossing you to become one of the Seven Shichibukai." Brontes explained with a smirk.

As the overseer of the Seven Shichibukai System, Brontes knew that becoming one of them required more than just strength. Reputation was just as important. Without enough fame, even a high bounty wouldn't cut it.

"Who are you?" Blackbeard asked, his eyes filled with killing intent.

"Haha! If you can beat me, you might as well become a Yonko right away,m" Brontes laughed, then he took off his cloak. The whole tavern fell silent.

Gulp!

Blackbeard's eyes widened, sweat forming on his skin, his hands freezing in place.

"Zehahaha!"

Blackbeard suddenly burst into boisterous laughter, the sound filling the bar, though the other pirates around looked annoyed.

Ignoring their glares, Blackbeard's laughter grew louder and louder.

"Zehahaha! Zehahaha!"

Finally, one of the pirates couldn't take it anymore and approached him with a knife.

Mock Town, known as a sanctuary for pirates, was under Donquixote Doflamingo's control, with over ninety percent of its population being pirates. The loud laughter disturbed the peace they enjoyed.

"Hey, what's so funny, big guy? Your noise is ruining our good time." Three pirates with knifes confronted Blackbeard, glaring at him angrily.

"Zehahaha!"

Blackbeard continued laughing, his shirt soaked in sweat, using his laughter to hide his inner unease.

Seeing Brontes, Blackbeard felt a fear akin to facing Whitebeard. Despite his remarkable powers, standing before Brontes made him just as afraid. It would be odd if he could stay calm in such a tense situation.

Using laughter to mask his unease inadvertently upset the pirates in the tavern. More than three individuals stood behind Blackbeard.

"Didn't you hear me, fatty? Then die!" A pirate struck a knife at Blackbeard's back, feeling ignored and angry.

"Dang!"

However, the knife clashed against Blackbeard's back without harming him, as if the knife hit an iron shield.

Turning around, Blackbeard looked towered over the pirates, his presence instilled fear in them, causing them to instinctively step back.

"We... We... Sorry..."

The terrified pirates stuttered, unable to speak normally due to overwhelming fear.

Blackbeard slowly raised his hand, pushing down on the pirate's head behind him, who couldn't resist.

"Boom!"

The ground cracked as the pirate's head hit it, causing him to bleed from the nose, convulsing in pain.

"Boom! Boom!"

Before the other pirates could react, Blackbeard attacked, subduing them one by one, the sound of splintering wood filling the bar as blood stained the floor.

Collecting himself, Blackbeard looked at Brontes, gasping for breath: "Fleet-Admiral Ragnarok, does my strength meet the requirements to be one of the Seven Shichibukai? I know you oversee them. Just give me the seat, and I will do anything necessary."

Blackbeard believed Brontes was there to recruit him into the Seven Shichibukai System.

"You want me to help you to secure Crocodile's position?" Brontes chuckled.

"F... Fleet-Admiral... Ragnarok...!" The bar owner, shocked by the conversation, finally snapped out of his trance.

Recognizing who Brontes was, the bar owner was too terrified to move.

Ignoring the bar owner's fear, Blackbeard nodded at Brontes: "Yes, I aim to be a Shichibukai. By betraying Whitebeard, I know he won't forgive me. Becoming a Shichibukai will let me join forces with the Marines to stand against the Whitebeard Pirates."

"Using the Marines' and Shichibukai's reputation to fend off Whitebeard is a good strategy. However, you might be overestimating your own strength." Brontes said calmly, observing Blackbeard with interest.

"Zehahaha! I'll take down a major pirate, build my reputation, and show I'm worthy of joining the Shichibukai." Blackbeard proclaimed confidently amid hearty laughter.

"Very well, I'll give you a shot. Try to attack me. Let's see if you have what it takes. The current Shichibukai have faced me in battle, and based on their strength, I've invited them in. If you want to join them, I'll test you the same way." Brontes said with a faint smile.

"Hehe! I'm not that reckless. Fleet-Admiral Ragnarok, if I attack you, can I back out? I truly desire to be a Shichibukaim" Blackbeard shook his head and said.

"You've been hiding within Whitebeard's crew for two decades. Your silent presence has indeed made me interested. I think you're trying to hide your strength." Brontes chuckled and said.

"This..." Blackbeard was taken aback by Brontes's knowledge of his time with the Whitebeard Pirates.

"ZliZli!"

"If you won't make a move, then I will." Brontes raised a finger, crackling with lightning, causing the bar's light bulbs to flicker from the electricity disturbance.

The flickering bulbs reflected Blackbeard's shifting emotions as he focused, his expression turning serious as he lowered his head.

"Tang! ZliZli!"

With a snap, a bolt of lightning shot out. Blackbeard swiftly dodged, but Brontes was quick, already above him, raising his foot high.

"Hah!" Blackbeard crossed his arms over his head in defense.

"Boom! Rumble!"

A lightning bolt struck, shattering the bar's defenses, hitting Blackbeard's arm directly.

"Bang! Boom!"

Blackbeard crumpled, falling to his knees. The thunderous explosion and the lightning's impact destroyed everything in the bar, sending everyone flying from the force.

The bar lay in ruins, with only two figures left standing. Brontes's foot rested on Blackbeard's arm, while Blackbeard knelt, his hands supporting Brontes's leg.

"Pfft!" Blackbeard coughed up blood, his eyes filled with fury as he glared at Brontes.

"If this is all you've got, then you won't stand a chance at being a Shichibukai." Brontes remarked plainly.