Uchiha's personal opinion

The naval officers immediately accepted the order and left.

Meanwhile, Ace, who was frantically blasting fish, also spotted eight naval warships appearing on the horizon!

"hateful!"

Ace was so angry he was about to grind his teeth to powder.

His men had already dropped no fewer than five hundred delayed-explosive shells into the sea, but they still hadn't managed to force the sinking Marshall D. Teach out of the water. Instead, they had used up almost half of the ship's ammunition reserves.

The arrival of the navy now means that the mission to capture the traitor has completely failed!

Because with his five pirate ships plus Thatch's flagship, they were no match for eight naval warships.

Moreover, through the telescope, Ace was shocked to discover that standing at the bow of a warship in the center was none other than Admiral Akainu of the Marine Headquarters!

So, if we don't leave now, when will we?

Ace gritted his teeth and made a wise choice—

"Turn the sails around and head back immediately!"

At the same time, he took out a Den Den Mushi to notify his crewmates in the Whitebeard Pirates, but suddenly found that the Den Den Mushi had no signal at all!

This means that the navy was definitely prepared, which is why they specially prepared horned Den Den Mushi to block the Den Den Mushi communication signals in the area!

"They've come with ill intentions..."

Ace put away the Den Den Mushi with a grim face and began to be on high alert.

……

"Get a few men out here and make this filthy bastard come out."

After arriving at the area where the naval transport ship was located, Sakazuki first used his Observation Haki to sense the presence of Marshall on the seabed, and then spoke to his subordinates.

He has eaten a Devil Fruit, so he is not suitable for going into the sea.

As for Ace, who was currently fleeing, he didn't care, because that was Kizaru's mission.

Chapter 549 Greed, Anger, Ignorance, Pride, and Doubt

"Our Navy also needs its own Four Emperors!"

This is a statement that Sengoku, as the Fleet Admiral of the Navy Headquarters, emphasized when planning this special operation that used the Dark-Dark Fruit as bait.

This statement greatly shocked the naval radicals, including Sakazuki, who felt that Sengoku, who had always been perceived as a moderate, was far too extreme!

The Four Emperors represent entities that are completely opposed to the Navy and even the World Government! This is entirely different from the Seven Warlords of the Sea, who have the World Government's backing and can rob people with a license!

There was a reason why the Warring States period made such a statement.

In this major crisis of the Four Emperors forming an alliance to besiege the Navy, the ambiguous attitude shown by the World Government, especially the Five Elders, is truly intriguing.

The Navy's shipbuilding and training requirements were significantly reduced, the proposal to recruit the Seven Warlords of the Sea was rejected, and even the World Military Draft was only reluctantly agreed to after the Navy suffered heavy losses. Moreover, during the implementation process, Sengoku was shocked to find that the World Government's branches in various places seemed to be completely indifferent to this, and this attitude was not as simple as ordinary passive resistance.

In particular, Sengoku learned that his old friend and retired Admiral Zephyr had been ordered to form a secret fleet equipped with various new warships—while his own navy was still using old-fashioned warships and the heavy artillery he had managed to capture. Moreover, after the attack on Water 7 in the South China Sea, Zephyr's secret fleet was secretly ordered by the Five Elders to go into battle and was given the authority to temporarily deploy naval branches to participate in the battle. More importantly, this matter was not discussed with Sengoku, who was the Fleet Admiral of the Navy Headquarters. Therefore, Sengoku felt even more uneasy.

As the world's shipbuilding center, the South China Sea, especially Water Seven, is of paramount importance. The navy's warships were also ordered from Water Seven. Now that Zephyr's secret fleet has set out to guard the South China Sea, it has made Sengoku think about all sorts of things.

That's the navy's most important source of warship replenishment!

Although the navy is quite large and powerful, it has suffered repeated defeats in several battles in the East China Sea, resulting in significant losses of its active warships. It is now in dire need of replenishment. Moreover, the important city of Water Seven also has a naval branch. For both public and private reasons, Zephyr should not be allowed to lead the so-called 'new navy' into battle!

At first, he simply thought that the Celestial Dragons, led by the Five Elders, were used to a life of luxury and debauchery, and therefore unwilling to spend too much money and resources to strengthen the Navy; but now it seems that the Five Elders have other plans.

To put it bluntly, the Five Elders probably think the Navy is disobedient and are planning to get another obedient dog!

As for the Navy now, it's just the right time to fight the Four Emperors to the death!

Even so, Sengoku couldn't understand why the Five Elders were so ordinary and confident. Did they really think they could remain as stable as an upside-down mountain when attacked from both sides by the 'remnants of the Great Kingdom' and the Four Emperors?

Even the magnetic field of Reverse Mountain is malfunctioning as the calm zone gradually disappears, and it is feared that even the Holy Land of Mary Geoise will no longer be able to live in peace!

As for Sakazuki and the others, although they were deeply surprised by Sengoku's outrageous theories, they eventually accepted this special plan after listening to Sengoku's analysis.

"...You've finally decided to come out?"

Sakazuki, standing at the bow of the ship, looked down at Marshall D. Teach, who was emerging from the sea surrounded by a group of naval officers.

By this time, Marshall D. Teach was already covered in wounds from Ace's relentless bombardment. Although he was not in mortal danger, he had no chance to fight back when surrounded by more than a dozen naval officers specializing in Haki.

Even though he was dragged onto the deck in a disheveled state by the naval officers, even though his clothes were tattered and his head was bleeding and he was in no shape whatsoever, Marshall D. Teach still held his head high, his hair blown out like it had been chewed by a dog, trying to show the arrogant demeanor of a strong man.

Of course, if Marshall D. Teach hadn't been gripping the box containing the Devil Fruit so tightly, with his knuckles turning white from tension and the wooden box bearing deep scratches, his performance would have been even more convincing.

'A vulgar person who, even in dire straits, doesn't forget to put on airs... But if such a petty person were to gain power overnight, he would probably be more arrogant than anyone else...'

With an arrogant expression, Sakazuki looked down at the pretentious Marshall D. Teach, silently evaluating his character and personality.

"Your Excellency, the esteemed Admiral Sakazuki, I am Blackbeard Marshall D. Teach, and I salute you..."

Marshall D. Teach, feeling quite uncomfortable under Sakazuki's imposing aura, swallowed hard, used his hands to break free from the naval officers' hold, and bowed to Sakazuki in salute.

Sakazuki, who had immediately frowned upon hearing the word 'red,' nodded slightly, and his brows relaxed.

But he still didn't speak, only observing Marshall D. Teach with the same scrutinizing gaze one would use to study an oddball.

"Thank you for disregarding past grievances and lending me a helping hand..."

Marshall D. Teach stammered, his choice of words rather affected, trying to make himself sound cultured.

Sakazuki twitched his lips, making a classic forced, insincere smile.

Marshall D. Teach breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this.

I guess I won't die...

But even his own treasure might not be safe...

Thinking of this, Marshall D. Teach couldn't help but tighten his grip on the Devil Fruit box.

But then he felt that this was somewhat inappropriate, so he loosened his grip.

Sakazuki saw all of this.

'Inconsistent words and deeds, wavering and indecisive...'

Sakazuki's opinion of Marshall D. Teach has dropped even further.

"...Your nickname is Blackbeard?"

After a long pause, Marshall D. Teach finally spoke slowly.

"It's just a nickname, I wouldn't dare offend the ears of a great general..."

Marshall D. Teach immediately bowed and said, his words and actions perfectly demonstrating what it means to be flexible and adaptable.

"You dare call yourself Blackbeard?"

Sakazuki snorted coldly and dismissively retorted, "Whitebeard Edward Newgate may be a heinous pirate leader, but his strength is undeniable. What gives you the right to add 'beard' to your nickname? Are you trying to take his place?"

Marshall D. Teach was given a severe dressing-down, leaving him momentarily speechless and unsure how to respond.

"Judging from your skin tone, I think 'dark-skinned' would be a more appropriate term. What do you think?"

Sakazuki ignored Marshall D. Teach's changing expression and continued slowly, "After all, you are far inferior to Whitebeard in both strength and ability. Using a lowly name is just right for you!"

Marshall D. Teach was furious but dared not speak out.

"What? You're not convinced?"

Sakazuki snorted again, sending shivers down Marshall D. Teach's spine.

"Thank you so much, General, for bestowing upon me this name!"

Then came the act of bowing deeply in reverence.

But he still held the Devil Fruit box tightly in his hand.

"Give my things back..."

Sakazuki still has no intention of letting this sycophant go.

"what……"

Marshall D. Titchett was taken aback.

He then realized that what Sakazuki wanted was the Dark-Dark Fruit, which he cherished as his life!

"This is me..."

But before he could finish speaking, Sakazuki's outstretched left hand transformed into molten lava and pointed directly at Marshall D. Teach's head.

"Returning it to its rightful owner is the right thing to do, please keep it..."

Marshall D. Teach immediately and respectfully presented the Devil Fruit box with both hands.

"very good!"

A satisfied smile appeared on Sakazuki's face.

Marshall D. Teach, who had been trembling with fear, could finally breathe a sigh of relief, but then an uncontrollable surge of resentment welled up inside him, causing his body to tremble again.

"This is an extremely rare Logia-type Devil Fruit..."

Sakazuki opened the box, glanced inside, and casually weighed the Devil Fruit in his hand.

The frivolousness of their actions even made Marshall D. Teach, who was watching, feel a little uneasy.

But that's life. What you cherish as your livelihood is nothing more than a plaything that others can easily obtain and summon at will.

Thinking of this, Marshall D. Teach couldn't help but feel a little downcast, and the resentment and anger in his heart quickly subsided.

"You really want it... don't you?"

"Sakazuki said slowly."

"You mean..."

Marshall D. Teach's hope was rekindled.

But not many, since very few high-ranking naval officers would trade with pirates in the past, especially now that he's just a pushover.

"If you become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, then this Devil Fruit will be a reward from the Navy!"

Sakassky deliberately emphasized the pronunciation of the word 'reward'.