(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 Chapters edited /INeedRest)
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Despite his earlier criticism, Colt still held Vegapunk in high regard.
'A vice admiral's strength is quite impressive...'
In terms of strength, if an average Kage-level ninja were to face a Marine Vice Admiral, it would be hard to predict the outco.
On the seas, 90% of pirates would pale at the re ntion of a Marine Vice Admiral coming after them, avoiding direct confrontation at all costs.
These Vice Admirals were the backbone of the Marines.
This was the biggest difference between technology and personal training.
Once a technological breakthrough was achieved, as long as the raw materials were available, it could be mass-produced indefinitely.
If there were 10,000 Pacifistas of this caliber, even Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama would think twice before engaging.
Colt, recalling that many ninjas from Wanokuni had recently gone overseas, leaving the island short-handed, turned to Vegapunk.
"First, give a hundred. They'll be used to guard Wanokuni's mines."
"A hundred?!" Vegapunk's eyes widened, and he gasped for breath.
"Where am I supposed to get a hundred for you? Each Pacifista costs more than a warship!"
"Even the World Governnt isn't as greedy as you. Only forty have been produced so far!"
Colt narrowed his eyes at Vegapunk's dramatic display.
"Don't think I'm as clueless as those five idiots in the World Governnt."
"If a Pacifista costs even a third of a warship, I'll make Kabuto eat shit!"
"????"
Kabuto was dumbfounded.
How had this beco about him?
'If you're going to make bets, why drag into it? And why make it about eating shit?!!'
Vegapunk shot Colt a disdainful look, though inwardly, he felt a twinge of guilt.
'This kid isn't easy to fool'
The actual cost of a Pacifista wasn't as exorbitant as he'd claid, and the leftover funds had been diverted to other research projects.
But the problem was... he really didn't have any extras.
If even a few went missing, the World Governnt would notice imdiately.
"Fine, give two months, and I can give you fifty. That's the best I can do."
"There are only twenty units on Egghead Island now. CP0 took the other twenty earlier."
"The World Governnt has all the records."
"Huh?" Colt was surprised.
He hadn't been aware of this.
Currently, all intelligence was handled by Shikamaru, and Colt hadn't bothered to look into it.
"What do they need them for?"
"Who knows?" Vegapunk shrugged. "I never bother with such things."
"Um... I think I might know," A marine on their side, who had been silent until now, spoke up hesitantly.
Officially a Marine Vice Admiral, he was actually loyal only to Vegapunk and had now joined Colt's camp.
"I heard from the higher-ups that they were planning to capture soone, but they didn't specify who..."
Colt fell into thought upon hearing this.
****
Paradise, First Half of the Grand Line
Ace had left the Whitebeard Pirates and set out alone to hunt down Blackbeard.
In his mind, Blackbeard's strength wasn't anything special—just average by New World standards.
In past battles, Ace had even saved Teach twice.
So, Ace believed he'd quickly catch Teach and bring him before Whitebeard to face judgnt.
However, things didn't go as planned.
Teach's strength far exceeded Ace's expectations.
Near Fish-Man Island, Ace had caught up with Teach, and the two clashed.
Ace, who had underestimated Teach, paid dearly for it.
He hadn't expected Teach to have awakened Conqueror's Haki, let alone wield it so skillfully.
What's more, the Dark-Dark Fruit's ability he had gained after he stole the fruit, severely countered the Fla-Fla Fruit, rendering Ace's powers useless.
But Ace hadn't been slacking off these past few years.
Trained by Sasuke and blessed with talent, Ace's Haki mastery was exceptional.
Relying on sheer physical strength, Ace managed to corner Teach.
Unfortunately, Teach still escaped.
This chase led Ace to the first half of the Grand Line.
"Teach, I'll drag you back and let Pops deal with you himself!"
Ace stood at the bow of his ship, recalling the sorrowful look in Whitebeard's eyes when he learned of Teach's betrayal.
His anger burned hotter, and Ace clenched his fists.
He'd received news that Blackbeard had recently appeared near Mock Town and seed to be laying low.
This ti, he wouldn't let Teach escape.
Hard work paid off.
Two days later, Ace finally cornered Blackbeard on a small island fifty nautical miles west of Mock Town.
"Zehahahaha! Captain Ace, why are you chasing so hard? I'm your favorite crewmate!" Teach greeted Ace as if he hadn't betrayed the crew.
"You hurt our family! You have no right to call captain!" Ace's head was lowered, his hat obscuring his eyes, but the rage radiating from him was palpable.
Laffitte, the navigator Blackbeard had recruited, took a step back, the overwhelming pressure making it hard to breathe.
"Zehahahaha! Ace, as the son of the Pirate King, why are you still as naive as Whitebeard?"
Teach, hands on his hips, remained unfazed by Ace's anger.
Instead, he criticized Whitebeard:
"That kind of life, cozy and sheltered—I don't consider that piracy! A real pirate should be like : despicable, shaless, and ruthless!"
"Ace, join my crew. With you, , and Sasuke, we'll surpass even your dead father!"
Seeing Teach's unrepentant and even proud attitude, Ace lost all desire to talk.
"Enough talk. Today, I'm taking you back to the Whitebeard Pirates!"
Flas erupted from Ace's body, and his fists were coated in Armant Haki.
Teach's expression shifted slightly but quickly turned sly.
"Don't be so hasty, Captain Ace. I'm not your opponent today. Your opponent is soone else."
Ace frowned.
"What are you talking about?"
He didn't understand what Teach ant, because he couldn't see or sense anyone else.
"It's nothing," Blackbeard said, raising his hands and shouting.
"CP0! The son of the Pirate King, and the captain of the Whitebeard Pirates' Second Division, Portgas D. Ace, is here!"
"You should make your move now!"
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