"When did the Xuanwu Navy acquire such a force?"
"They actually possess experts who can instantly kill Great Admiral level fighters, and their speed is so great that they haven't been detected."
"It must be a Devil Fruit user."
"Qing Jiao's strength is immense, with both Armament and Conqueror's Haki being powerful. Yet, even such a strong individual had no chance to retaliate."
"The strength displayed by this Xuanwu Navy is simply too terrifying."
...
Marco held the newspaper, his expression grave.
In less than a year, the Xuanwu Navy had already demonstrated formidable power.
With this power, they had unified the East Blue and were now encroaching upon the West Blue, South Blue, and North Blue.
Once the Four Seas were unified, the Xuanwu Navy's might would inevitably advance towards the Grand Line.
At that time, their Whitebeard Pirates would undoubtedly clash with the Xuanwu Navy.
In fact, it might not even take that long.
Besides the Grand Line, they also had individual territories in the West Blue and South Blue.
If they were to ask for their father's help, would the Whitebeard Pirates intervene?
"Father!" Marco called out to Whitebeard, who had closed his eyes, seemingly resting but actually deep in thought.
Whitebeard opened his eyes and looked calmly at Marco, asking, "What is it, Marco?"
Marco hesitated slightly, but under the gazes of Jozu and the others, he said, "Father, the justice of the Xuanwu Navy is indeed admirable."
"However, their actions are also squeezing our living space."
"The islands we protect will eventually become territories of the Xuanwu Navy."
While the Whitebeard Pirates offered protection to various islands, these protected islands would reciprocate with gifts.
These gifts were essentially protection fees.
However, compared to the greed and exploitation of other pirate factions, the Whitebeard Pirates' protection fees were more casual.
There were no forceful demands; as long as the offering was sincere and not excessive, it was acceptable.
Because of this, the islands protected by the Whitebeard Pirates were relatively harmonious and their inhabitants lived in peace.
"There's still plenty of time."
"Instead of thinking about these things, it's better to consider how to become stronger and protect our family well."
Whitebeard waved his large hand, slapped the armrest of his chair, and chuckled, "Bring the sake."
In a corner of the pirate ship, a somewhat dark-skinned, plump man with two thick gold chains around his neck, giving him the appearance of a newly rich person, looked towards Satchi with an inexplicable glint in his eyes upon hearing that Father was about to host another banquet.
He was Marshall D. Teach, twenty years old, a pirate with grand ambitions.
Currently, he appeared rather unremarkable.
But after this night, he would become renowned throughout the Grand Line.
Satchi was assassinated by Blackbeard, and then he defected from the Whitebeard Pirates overnight.
Along with him, Teach took the Logia-type Yami Yami no Mi, which he had obtained the day before.
Whitebeard Edward Newgate was deeply saddened and filled with hatred upon learning that his son, Teach, had killed Satchi.
Thus, the Whitebeard Pirates placed a bounty on Marshall D. Teach and vowed to kill the unfilial son themselves.
Hiding on an island, Marshall D. Teach looked at the black Devil Fruit in the box and laughed heartily with excitement.
"Ywahahahaha!"
"Yami Yami no Mi, the fruit of my dreams, I finally have you."
"Throughout the sea, the name of Blackbeard will be known, and everyone will be struck with awe."
To find the Devil Fruit of his dreams, he had memorized the appearance of every fruit in the Devil Fruit Compendium.
He set his sights on the Yami Yami no Mi. After much comparison and planning, he ultimately chose to hide within the Whitebeard Pirates.
This was because the Whitebeard Pirates possessed sufficient strength, and the environment here was also very suitable for him to conceal himself.
Of course, he hadn't held much hope initially. It was too difficult to find a specific Devil Fruit in such a vast sea. He had even considered staying with the Whitebeard Pirates for his entire life if he couldn't find the Yami Yami no Mi.
Teach also held great admiration for Whitebeard's strength.
However, this admiration was conditional upon him not yet possessing the Yami Yami no Mi.
Food Island.
Having exchanged his transformation technique, Bennidict, now disguised as an ordinary person, looked at the newspaper article about Blackbeard and was completely stunned.
Was the flapping of these wings happening too quickly?
Did the Yami Yami no Mi appear that soon?
And Blackbeard obtained the Yami Yami no Mi by killing Satchi.
The course of history had been accelerated.
Would Blackbeard's crew members also be gathering around him?
Rubbing his chin, Bennidict became somewhat uncertain.
"Yohoho, the food here is truly amazing."
"Captain, I suggest you taste it seriously instead of just staring at the newspaper."
"Delicious food that has cooled down loses its true flavor."
Brook was excitedly eating the food with large mouthfuls, considering Bennidict's dazing at the newspaper a waste.
"I wholeheartedly agree!"
"And there's also deep-sea tuna, wow, this raw fish is incredibly delicious."
"I've never eaten such exquisite fish before."
Beside him, the little loli Perona, without her ghost makeup from Thriller Bark, looked clean and neat, her face devoid of any cosmetics, appearing pure and adorable.
However, her little round face was now even more adorably puffy from being stuffed with food.
Hearing this, Bennidict smiled, put down the newspaper, and joined them in enjoying the meal.
He had come to Food Island because he wanted to see how Tengu Seifuu was managing it.
Secondly, he had never been to this place for its food, so he was also very much looking forward to it.
Most importantly, someone had arranged to meet him here.
"A set meal, please. The young gentleman next to me is treating."
A figure sat down next to Bennidict and then said to the chef who was preparing the food.
Hearing this, Bennidict turned to look at the middle-aged man with glasses beside him, squinted, and said, "Hey, are you out of your mind? Why should I treat you to a meal?"
Brook and Perona, upon hearing Bennidict's words, also looked over.
"Uncle, who are you?"
"Eating here isn't cheap. Why should we treat you?"
Perona stood on her chair, staring at the man with glasses, hands on her hips, and said indignantly.
"Yohoho, are you trying to dine and dash?" Brook said with a grin.
As Brook's voice echoed, two special forces members, disguised as waiters, walked over and looked at the man with glasses. Their smiles seemed amiable, but they were actually seeking an explanation.
Rayleigh the Poneglyph King looked at the two waiters, his face darkened, and his cheeks twitched slightly.
"Stingy person, drinking cold water..."
"What a fine disguise, but your aura won't change."
"Little brat."