NOVEL NEXT Chapter 33: Chapter 33: You Really Know How to Talk, Teach!
Whitebeard's hometown—Sphinx.
The remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates were stationed here, dedicated to protecting their late captain's homeland.
"Captain Marco, you need to see today's newspaper!"
A crew member rushed toward Marco, his face pale with urgency. Without hesitation, he shoved the newspaper into the hands of the first division commander, Phoenix Marco, who had taken over as the de facto leader of the Whitebeard Pirates.
The war had left their ranks in shambles—Ace of the Fire Fist, the second division commander, was gone. Diamond Jozu, the third division commander, had been gravely injured, and Thatch, the fourth division commander, was dead. Among the remaining members, Marco was the only one with the seniority and strength to lead.
"A newspaper?" Marco muttered, brows furrowing as he unfolded the paper. His expression darkened the moment his eyes landed on the headline.
"Marine Traitor Lucas: Bounty of 2 Billion Berries!"
"He possesses a great secret. His known abilities include the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, the Float-Float Fruit, and the legendary swordsmanship of Pirate King Roger."
"This individual is highly dangerous, with combat power comparable to the Four Emperors. Whether dead or alive, he is worth an enormous sum from the World Government."
Marco's fingers tightened around the edges of the paper. "The World Government is joking, right? No… that's not it. The bounty system isn't something they mess around with. But… how is this possible?"
The Whitebeard Pirates around him listened in stunned silence.
"Dad's Tremor-Tremor Fruit power… wasn't that stolen by that bastard Teach? How could it appear on someone else?"
"And if this bounty is accurate, that means there's now a second dual-fruit user in the world?"
A heavy silence filled the room. Marco exhaled slowly, his mind racing with possibilities and implications.
Meanwhile, just beyond the waters surrounding Sphinx Island, a fleet flying the infamous three-skull Jolly Roger approached. The vessels of this fleet were unlike conventional pirate ships—they looked more like enormous rafts haphazardly pieced together with massive wooden planks. This bizarre design reflected the crude aesthetic of their captain, Blackbeard—Marshall D. Teach.
In Blackbeard Pirates second ship, the infamous Shiryu of the Rain sat calmly, wiping down his treasured sword Raiu as he spoke.
"Captain Teach, have you read today's newspaper? If this report is accurate, there's another dual-fruit user out there with the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit."
Beside him, Avalo Pizarro laughed with amusement. "I recall that there was a gap between Whitebeard's death and the moment you stole the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, right? Maybe part of its power was lost during that time and re-manifested as a new Devil Fruit."
"Weihahaha! If that's the case, then that explains why you still haven't awakened its full potential!" The drunken Big Vasco Shot, his voice thick with intoxication.
Blackbeard's lips curled into a grin. "Zehahaha! If that's true, then it's actually great news. All I need to do is kill that so-called 'Marine Traitor' Lucas and take the Tremor-Tremor Fruit from him! Then, I'll finally be able to push my own ability to its awakened state."
The fighting champion, Jesus Burgess, let out a booming laugh. "Uiihahaha! Captain Teach, that guy won't be easy to deal with. The World Government labeled him as someone with strength equal to the Four Emperors."
Sniper Van Augur adjusted his scope and scoffed, "Comparable to the Four Emperors? That's what the World Government claims, but who knows if it's actually true? If becoming an Emperor was so easy, there wouldn't only be four of them."
Burgess, unwilling to back down, retorted, "But Lucas is different! He's got Whitebeard's and Golden Lion's abilities—plus, he wields the swordsmanship of the Pirate King himself! How do you think he managed to escape from Marineford? That kind of feat isn't possible for someone who's weak."
Teach chuckled and waved his hands. "Alright, alright! Quit your bickering! Even if he really has the strength of a Four Emperor, so what? At the end of the day, he's still just one man. But I've got a crew full of powerful and reliable mates—like all of you."
Hearing this, Avalo Pizarro smirked. "You really know how to talk, Teach!"
Vasco Shot burst out laughing. "Exactly! We're not afraid of a single Four Emperor! Whitebeard was the strongest man in the world, and we still managed to kill him together, right?"
Burgess nodded enthusiastically. "That's right! And if you think about it, this Lucas guy is a walking treasure trove for us! He's got the Tremor-Tremor Fruit that Captain Teach wants, and he also has the Float-Float Fruit—Golden Lion's legendary power."
Van Augur narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. "The Float-Float Fruit… If I had that power, I could hover midair and snipe targets from any angle. The ability to remotely control objects I touch—it seems like an ideal fit for me."
Burgess frowned. "Hey, hey, the power of a Devil Fruit should be earned through strength! What's the point of thinking about who it matches? Whoever takes it, keeps it!"
Van Augur shot Burgess a disinterested glance and sighed, unwilling to waste words on an idiot.
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