One Piece: Navy Traitor, I Marry the Female Emperor To Rule the Sea

"Zehahaha..."

When Shiro stated his purpose, the imprisoned Blackbeard let out a cunning laugh once more. For Blackbeard, this was an opportunity. And all of this was seen clearly by Shiro, though he remained calm and took no action.

If Shiro couldn't handle even a nearly incapacitated Blackbeard, how could he ever stand against the World Government!?

However, as Blackbeard continued to laugh, the Hunter of Crescent Moon, Catarina Devon, locked up in the cell next to him, erupted in anger, hurling curses at Blackbeard. Naturally, Blackbeard dismissed her with a sneer, entirely unbothered.

Meanwhile, Magellan was puzzled. Could Blackbeard really steal other people's Devil Fruit abilities!? Did Shiro have his eyes on Catarina Devon's fruit!? But wasn't Shiro already a Devil Fruit user?

Despite his doubts, Magellan remained silent. After all, it wasn't his concern. No matter how wretched Blackbeard's fate became, it was well-deserved!

"State your terms, Shiro!" Blackbeard finally spoke up, his mouth twisted in an unnatural grin.

"You have no right to negotiate with me," Shiro replied, his tone cold and absolute. "However, if you agree to my conditions, I might give you a chance—a one-in-ten-thousand shot at survival."

Shiro's expression remained indifferent, his voice leaving no room for argument. He held all the power, and Blackbeard, now a condemned man, had no leverage to bargain.

Predictably, though Shiro's tone was icy and his demeanor domineering, Blackbeard's response was only a grimace. He didn't dare to utter a word, simply waiting for Shiro's next sentence.

"Of course, one-in-ten-thousand is still better than certain death, which is what awaits you if you don't agree. You know that, Blackbeard!" Shiro said flatly. "If you fulfill my request, I might hand you over to Whitebeard. Whether or not you survive the wrath of the Whitebeard Pirates will depend on your own abilities!"

"Damned Teach! Don't trust this guy!" Catarina Devon roared from her cell, her face contorted with rage.

"Whitebeard and his crew hate you so much, there's no way they'll let you live!"

Before she even finished speaking, she turned her ugly face toward Shiro.

"Shiro, you want my intelligence capabilities, don't you? If that's the case, you could just recruit me! I, Catarina Devon, am willing to join the Central Authority and go against the World Government, pushing your new order!"

"And I can satisfy all your demands! My transformative abilities are all-encompassing!" she declared with an air of passion and flattery.

But Shiro didn't even spare her a glance. He wasn't interested in entertaining her propositions.

"Zehahaha... Shiro, I... agree!" Blackbeard finally relented. He had no choice, given the current circumstances, he could only bet everything on this risky gamble. Just as Shiro had said, here, he had no chance at all.

Though Whitebeard and Ace harbored a deep hatred toward him, Blackbeard still clung to the hope that if he sincerely apologized to Whitebeard and showed remorse through his actions, he might have a slim chance of survival.

"Alright, then. Get ready!" Shiro nodded slightly and then left Impel Down, the Infinite Hell. As he left, a cold smile appeared on his lips, indicating his deep thoughts.

Blackbeard was indeed a calculating villain, quick to make decisions even in dire situations. Shiro knew Blackbeard must have his backup plans, but he didn't care, for he could guarantee that Blackbeard wouldn't survive for long.

Onboard the Moby Dick of the Whitebeard Pirates in the New World

At this moment, the weakened Whitebeard gulped down alcohol. Normally, Marco the Phoenix and Ace would have stopped him, but today, they stood still, their bodies tense.

This was because another Emperor, Red-Haired Shanks, was drinking with Whitebeard. The last time Shanks had come to the Moby Dick, it was to stop Whitebeard from pursuing Blackbeard. That incident led to the fierce Summit War.

Though the Whitebeard Pirates emerged victorious from the war, they suffered heavy losses. With Whitebeard no longer at his peak, their status as the strongest pirate crew was no longer unchallenged.

This time, Shanks had come again to warn Whitebeard.

"Whitebeard, Marshall D. Teach may be defeated, but the World Government won't let this go easily. The Central Authority has already become a significant threat to them. If your Whitebeard Pirates ally with the Central Authority, the World Government will certainly act with full force against you."

"Zehahaha, Red-Haired kid, are you speaking on behalf of the World Government now?" Whitebeard laughed, his eyes gleaming sharply.

"I'm serious, Whitebeard," Shanks continued.

"The World Government always seeks balance. The Celestial Dragons won't allow any single force to grow too powerful. Whether it's pirates, the Revolutionary Army, nations, or even the Navy, they all remain under the World Government's control."

"The Celestial Dragons use these forces to maintain the balance of the seas, collecting tribute to support their lavish lifestyles. But now, the emergence of the Central Authority has upset that balance. A great battle is inevitable."

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The fanfic is finished on p@treon/tambeerg