THE STRONGEST CREATURE OF THE BEAST PIRATES

First, because of this war, the Navy will be too preoccupied with the battle to handle internal affairs. They'll have little time to manage the situation in the city, making it much easier for Blackbeard to infiltrate the sixth floor of Impel Down to recruit dangerous criminals.

Second, Blackbeard had spent decades in Whitebeard pirates and had witnessed Whitebeard's Gura Gura no Mi countless times. The power of that Devil Fruit had always been something he long coveted. Combined with his unique constitution, which allows him to wield the power of two Devil Fruits, Blackbeard saw the potential to claim Whitebeard's ability for himself.

After gathering formidable criminals from Impel Down as his subordinates, Blackbeard devised a plan to surprise Whitebeard. He knew Whitebeard's health had deteriorated significantly, and while there was still some risk, he believed the chances of a successful raid were high.

Initially hesitant, Blackbeard's hesitation faded when he realized that fate had favored him. Whitebeard's decision to engage in a war with the Navy meant his health was even weaker than before, making him vulnerable. Blackbeard couldn't believe how perfectly things were aligning in his favor.

Entering Impel Down and emerging from the chaos caused by the Straw Hat Pirates and their rebellion, Blackbeard was fortunate. Magellan's initial counterattack was thwarted by Shiliew of the Rain, who rescued Blackbeard and his crew. Fate seemed to continue smiling upon him.

With his newly recruited crew—Shiliew of the Rain, Avalo Pizarro, Vasco Shot, Catarina Devon, and Sanjuan Wolf—Blackbeard's strength had grown exponentially. His team was now stronger than ever, positioning him to take full advantage of the war.

With this powerful crew, Blackbeard was confident that once both the Whitebeard Pirates and the Navy were weakened, he would rise as the true victor. The era of Blackbeard had finally arrived!

"Hahaha!" Blackbeard laughed maniacally. "Finally, it's my turn to shine! You'll all see—the era of Whitebeard is over! The age of Blackbeard begins now!"

When Blackbeard and his crew arrived at the rear of Marineford, they were surprised by the devastation caused by the war, but Blackbeard welcomed it with open arms. The more destruction, the more opportunities for him to seize.

"Finally, it's my time to shine!" Blackbeard declared, laughing arrogantly as he led his crew forward.

Burgess, walking slightly behind, grinned. "Captain, after this war, you'll become a Four Emperor, right?"

"Of course," Lafitte said, tipping his hat. "The era of Whitebeard is over. Who else could challenge our captain for the throne of the Four Emperors?"

Shiliew of the Rain, however, cautioned, "Don't underestimate the Navy too much. You've underestimated Magellan before."

Before Shiliew could finish, he felt an intense pressure, like a beast closing in on him.

"Careful—!" Shiliew tried to warn.

In an instant, a flash of lightning surged past him.

"Who the hell kicked me?!" Blackbeard's voice echoed as he was sent flying into the air.

The Blackbeard crew froze, their shocked expressions reflecting their disbelief.

Lafitte's eyes widened in alarm. "Captain, watch out for your eyes!"

Blackbeard looked up, just as a massive iron fist crashed down upon him.

"Hey, what's going on—?! Bastard!" Blackbeard shouted as the fist slammed into his face, knocking him to the ground.

Boom! The impact caused the ground to shake violently.

Blackbeard rolled in pain, clutching his face. "It hurts! It hurts so much!"

The sailors in Marineford turned their attention to the commotion.

"Someone came in from behind! Is it another pirate?!"

"Vice Admiral Garp is there!"

"Who's that rolling on the ground? Isn't that Blackbeard, Marshall D. Teach?"

"He's no longer a Shichibukai. He betrayed the Navy!"

"The bastard Blackbeard! Sarge and Ace's revenge will be ours!"

Blackbeard struggled to his feet, his face contorted in rage. Through gritted teeth, he hissed, "Luffy… No… Alastor?! Thunder Calamity Alastor of the Beast Pirates?!"

Alastor stood there, smiling innocently, with a mouthful of white teeth showing. "We meet again, Blackbeard. What do you think of this greeting?"

Blackbeard's pupils shrank, his hatred burning. "Why attack me?! I don't recall offending you!"

Alastor chuckled. "You've always had a habit of underestimating people, haven't you? Well, now it's time to pay the price."

Blackbeard could be certain that he held no personal grievances with Alastor, and he couldn't fathom why he was suddenly being attacked.

Alastor responded with a slight smile. "See if you're upset."

That response only made Blackbeard's face darken further.

After a moment, Blackbeard laughed bitterly and released a surge of dark mist from his palm. "He really is just as crazy and unreasonable as the rumors say. But you're too arrogant if you think you can stand against me!"

"Dark Cave Road!"

Blackbeard pressed his right hand into the ground, causing endless darkness to surge outward like a wave, quickly spreading towards Alastor's feet.

Blackbeard was someone who wouldn't let go of a grudge. After suffering such a humiliating defeat at the hands of Alastor, he was determined to seek revenge. To back down now would be to lose face.

However, Alastor wasn't interested in fighting Blackbeard. His goal was simply to divert trouble, and with Garp still raging nearby, he glanced towards the vice admiral who was still consumed by his anger. Let those two fight among themselves while he made his escape.

A surge of lightning crackled across Alastor's body, and he was about to vanish from the battlefield.

"Stop him, Burgess!" Blackbeard roared.

Burgess, one of Blackbeard's crew, was the closest to Alastor. With a ferocious expression, he charged at the young pirate.

But before Burgess could reach Alastor, his path was suddenly blocked by a graceful, elegant foot.

"Aromatic Feet!"

It was Boa Hancock, the Pirate Empress, who had been keeping a watchful eye on Alastor. With a swift kick, she sent Burgess flying, leaving his arm petrified and cracked.

Blackbeard's expression darkened further as he turned toward the Empress. "Pirate Empress Boa Hancock, why did you attack my subordinate?"

Hancock looked at Blackbeard with disdain. "Didn't I already say? He was blocking my way."

Blackbeard's mouth twitched. "Another unreasonable person… great."

"Damn it! I'm not some weakling to be trampled on!" Blackbeard growled, extending his darkness toward Hancock.

Simultaneously, the rest of the Blackbeard crew sprang into action, preparing to attack both Alastor and Hancock. But their movements were still too slow.

In the blink of an eye, Alastor's explosive Thunder Step had vanished, creating enough space for Hancock to escape safely.

Afterward, as Blackbeard and his crew dealt with Hancock, Alastor saw the conflict between Garp and Blackbeard intensifying. His presence had truly disrupted the balance of the battle, and now Garp's fury was entirely focused on Blackbeard.

Alastor couldn't help but smile at the turn of events. "Thanks, Sengoku," he thought, retreating toward his submarine.

Sengoku, seething with frustration, had prepared a surprise attack of his own. A golden light descended from the sky as he launched a powerful shockwave towards Alastor.

The impact sent Alastor reeling, spitting out blood as he was severely injured.

Alastor grumbled internally, "The Navy admiral, a legendary figure, sneaking up on a 20-year-old like me? What happened to honor?"

Despite his injury, Alastor quickly shifted his position using the shockwave to retreat back to his submarine, vowing to heal and return stronger.

Sengoku watched as Alastor disappeared with an uneasy feeling, pondering if his actions had inadvertently aided the young pirate.

Back inside the submarine, Alastor sat in front of the screen showing the chaos unfolding at Marineford, preparing to recover and bide his time.

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