Their Respective Stances

Several days later, an enormous raft carrying the Blackbeard Pirates slowly passed through Enies Lobby's front gate and arrived inside the courthouse on the main island.

When Teach saw the Marine high-end combat power led by Marine Admirals Akainu and Kizaru on the shore, he immediately burst into laughter. "Zehahahaha! This is quite the grand scene. Good thing I've already become one of the Seven Warlords, or I'd have been scared into turning around and running."

"Where is Portgas D. Ace?"

Akainu clearly had no interest in wasting words on a pirate. He bluntly demanded an answer while sweeping his disgusted gaze over the Blackbeard Pirates' still-small number of members.

"Here! From now on, he's yours."

Without another word, Teach immediately threw the battered Fire Fist Ace over.

The elite Marine soldiers who had been waiting nearby immediately rushed forward to confirm his identity. They then placed Seastone shackles specially made for Logia Devil Fruit users on him. Escorted by Admirals the entire way, he was taken through the Gate of Justice toward Marine Headquarters or Impel Down prison.

Watching the Marines take Ace, that hot potato, off his hands, Teach's eyes finally flashed with satisfaction. He then said to his subordinates without looking back, "Let's go! Our deal with the World Government is complete. Next, before the great war breaks out, we need to strengthen ourselves as quickly as possible and find more powerful companions. Only then can we rise amid the chaos engulfing the world and seize the greatest benefits."

"Oh? Captain, you wouldn't be planning to..."

Jesus Burgess had clearly sensed something. He bared his teeth in an excited grin.

"Zehahahaha! That's right! Exactly that! Obtaining the title of Seven Warlord was meant to numb the Marines as much as possible. Then, while they're fully focused on