Stirring in the World

When Cifer reappeared, all his companions stood behind him.

The scene before them was one of islanders singing and dancing with members of the Whitebeard Pirates.

Some of the older commoners even took a liking to the scrap metal that Whitebeard had brought and came to ask Cifer if they could buy it.

"If you like something, just take it and trade it with the Whitebeard Pirates yourself."

That pile of stuff was junk to him, and he didn't want it in the first place, but since the common people liked it, Cifer couldn't be bothered to care.

"This is... Whitebeard?"

Kuma saw Whitebeard again after a long time since the God Valley Incident.

However, the way he was drinking with Uzi now, with a pineapple-headed guy pulling him along, was a bit different from the image of the World's Strongest Man that I remembered.

"Long time no see, Brother Long Ears!"

Ace and Thatch were enjoying their meat when Enel suddenly snatched the skewers from their faces and cheered loudly.

"You annoying brat, stay away from the God."

Enel calmly sat down, his hands transforming into lightning as he moved among the food, seemingly to retaliate against Ace's way of addressing him.

"So many foods I've never seen before!"

Chopper and Bonney also rushed into the crowd and started fighting with the Whitebeard Pirates.

"Come on, I'm quite formidable!"

He somehow found a table, grabbed a few dice, and joined the gambling men under Whitebeard's command.

"The so-called Great Pirate is actually just a human with strength."

Instead of eating, Lucci tore off a small piece of meat and fed it to Hadley on his shoulder.

"It's been so long since I've experienced such a lively atmosphere!"

"Thirty Rounds - Slow-Blooming Flower!"

Robin uses her power to grow dozens of arms from the ground, and the beams of light emitted from her fingertips slow down people's movements.

A small amount of food was pushed away from the crowd and brought to her.

"This is delicious, Cifer, you should try some too."

After trying a dish she had never seen before, Robin covered her mouth, her eyes seemingly shining. She then picked up a piece with her chopsticks and handed it to Cifer, who bowed his head slightly.

"Damn it~ I'm doing it too!"

Nolan gently raised her finger, and some food and drinks floated up into the air, slowly drifting to her and Cifer's front.

"That... is Shiki's ability!"

Uzi caught a glimpse of this scene out of the corner of his eye and couldn't help but rub his eyes; he was unaware of Nolan's abilities.

After all, among all the members of Las Noches, only Cifer and Enel had their bounties described in detail.

"That old guy is dead. He was killed by those brats, Cifer."

Whitebeard felt no emotion whatsoever at his death.

Although they were once members of the Rocks Pirates, Shiki never liked his way of doing things.

He picked up the wine bowl in front of him, which was almost bigger than a normal person's, and took another big gulp.

He wouldn't waste such a good opportunity, and only during banquets could he drink to his heart's content, even though there was always a resentful aura behind him.

"Really? But that guy committed so many evil deeds, it's no big deal that he's dead."

Uzi was only taken aback for a moment before clinking glasses and drinking heartily again.

The banquet began near dusk and lasted until late at night.

After the commoners had eaten and drunk their fill, they went home to sleep. The members of the Whitebeard Pirates either fell asleep immediately or went back to their ship to rest.

The architects, including Uzi, fell into a deep sleep after drinking heavily due to their exhaustion from the past few days.

Only Cifer and his men, along with Whitebeard and a few of his subordinates, remained around the campfire.

"Just say what you want to say. Or do you really just want to throw a banquet for me?"

Cifer sat opposite the Whitebeard and spoke casually.

He didn't think the other person was as boring as he was.

"Cifer, don't you know?"

Ace spoke first, his tone tinged with doubt.

"How am I supposed to know if you don't tell me?"

Blackbeard is still alive!

As he uttered those words, Ace's face was filled with solemnity, visible even through the firelight.

"What did you say?"

Cifer's vertical pupils also contracted at this moment.

He personally killed Blackbeard; even without releasing his Resurrección, Blackbeard wouldn't have survived.

Under the Cero, he should have been reduced to ashes!

"Really..."

Seeing Cifer's reaction, Whitebeard knew that he was clearly unaware of the situation.

"Look at this! This is the latest news; I think you haven't seen it yet."

Marco stepped out at the opportune moment, and from somewhere produced a newspaper, which he handed to Cifer.

Cifer reached out and took it. Just as he said, he hadn't been paying much attention to the news lately because of the construction of Las Noches and his companions' training.

"'Blackbeard' Marshall D. Teach attacks Impel Down Impel Down, one of the three major institutions of the World Government!"

"A large number of prisoners escaped from the Impel Down. Given the heinous nature of their actions, Bounty 1.789 billion Belly is offered!"

On the front page of the newspaper, Blackbeard's arrogant smile made Cifer somewhat displeased.

He was the first person I wanted to kill but couldn't, and I don't know how he managed to hide it from me.

Moreover, the fall of Impel Down will inevitably have a certain impact on the sea.

A murderous intent emanated from Cifer's emerald green pupils.

"This is really strange. I clearly saw Cifer's attack hit him, and then he completely disappeared..."

Ace said this, something he had said countless times since seeing the newspaper.

"Marco, is there anything different about Blackbeard's body?"

After thinking for a moment, Cifer spoke.

"He is indeed an anomaly!"

Marco's expression also turned serious.

"Normally, it's impossible for a person to have more than one heart at the same time, but he has two, or even three!"

Marco is not only the First Division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, but also the ship's doctor.

He was certain that Blackbeard wasn't like this when he first joined them!

During one of his treatments, he noticed something amiss, but Blackbeard simply brushed it off by saying he didn't know either.

Everyone has their own secrets, and at the time Marco still considered him one of his own, so he didn't interfere much.

"Multiple personalities, multiple hearts... and the Dark-Dark Fruit... Could it be Devil Fruit Awakening? But that shouldn't be possible..."

Even from God's perspective, Cifer couldn't know exactly how he managed to escape that Cero.

As darkness is the opposite of the sun, it is indeed not so easily annihilated.

"Be careful, he might turn on your companions."

The Whitebeard spoke up to offer a reminder.

He didn't think Blackbeard could stand up to Cifer, but that man was cunning and treacherous, and wouldn't choose the most foolish direct confrontation.

"There's nothing to be afraid of. Although I don't know how he survived, since I was able to kill him the first time, I don't mind killing him again!"

Cifer has made its decision.

Next time I encounter him, I'll kill him slowly, and I'll see for myself how his extraordinary physical structure managed to save him.