Setting Out to Win Them Over: Light and Darkness, Fated Enemies

"Then, let me summarize again."

In a VIP room, sitting on either side were the Straw Hat crew, two Navy candidate Admiral, Koby, and Helmeppo.

"Hehehe, this is really good~~"

Although Koby's rank was only a 'mere' major Rear Admiral who had just been rapidly promoted, Helmeppo was even more pitiful as a colonel.

However, these two rising stars, proficient in the Six Powers and skilled in Two-Color Haki, would put most veteran vice Vice Admiral to shame. As Garp's direct disciples, the only obstacle to their promotions was their seniority. Therefore, this time:

"The Straw Hat crew and the Navy will team up to take down the Blackbeard Pirates. Afterwards, the credit will go to the Navy and the profits to the Straw Hat crew. Does everyone agree?"

"Luffy, let me play with you for a bit. Please~~"

·······

Are there no normal people among you pirates?

Faced with the strange looks from the Marines, Roman sighed, "They're both groups of problem children, who has the nerve to look down on whom?"

"We're in a meeting right now, so be serious!!"

Rubbing his temples and tapping the table, Roman, acting as the 'host,' glanced at Luffy and Chopper scrambling for the local-style golden toy, Usopp trying to appear calm but his eyes darting towards the door, and Zoro sitting upright with his sword in hand and eyes closed, actually fast asleep...

Oh well, I wasn't expecting them to offer any advice anyway.

"In short, our first priority is to rescue the imprisoned members of the Charlotte Family."

Although Whole Cake Island BIG MOM Pirates who came to its aid were ambushed, and even Big Mom herself was killed in battle, most of the Charlotte Family's executives did not die, but were captured.

This is intelligence from the Navy. The Blackbeard Pirates, which have only been around for two years, are quite powerful, but their foundation is clearly not as solid as those of the veteran Four Emperors. Their subordinates are all ambitious, and it wouldn't be surprising if they betrayed Blackbeard at any time.

Therefore, it's quite normal that a large number of personnel from the Navy's secret agency 'Sword' have infiltrated the organization. Blackbeard clearly doesn't have the time or manpower to investigate the internal situation, although he doesn't seem to have any intention of purging the organization, since even former Marine Admiral like Aokiji is not turned away.

"Aside from the young, incapable Charlotte Family children and relatives who escaped Whole Cake Island using Charlotte Brûlée's Mira Mira no Mi, most of the adult Charlotte Family members were killed or captured by the Blackbeard Pirates while covering their retreat..."

Pirates are human too, and so is the Charlotte Family. Many of their adult children have long since started their own families, with wives, children, and elderly parents. Under Blackbeard's overwhelming offensive, if it weren't for buying time to relocate these incapable relatives, Whole Cake Island, without Big Mom, would likely have already collapsed.

Of course, Charlotte Katakuri's ability to hold off several of the enemy's executives at crucial moments was also a vital factor.

As for the BIG MOM Pirates' officers who later returned to reinforce, they certainly couldn't escape before Big Mom fell. The Blackbeard Pirates, outnumbered and outmatched, waited for the opportune moment. They took down the other officers before ganging up on Big Mom, resulting in none of them escaping.

After taking over Whole Cake Island, the Blackbeard Pirates naturally transferred their forces there. After all:

The abundance of food on the ground is very attractive to most people, even pirates!

"This operation will be divided into two sides:"

"The Straw Hat crew will infiltrate and rescue the Charlotte Family's children. Once rescued, the Navy will immediately launch a surprise attack from the outside, wiping out the Blackbeard Pirates in one fell swoop—"

In this world, due to the vast disparity in individual strength, schemes are often easily disrupted by unexpected events, leading everyone to adopt a simpler and more ruthless approach to planning. In the previous life, such an elite squad infiltrating the enemy's base would essentially be a suicide mission, requiring a written will beforehand. However, if the entire Straw Hat crew were present:

I wouldn't dare say they could wipe out the Blackbeard Pirates, but holding out for an hour or two under siege shouldn't be a problem.

This timeframe was more than enough for the navy to trap them from the outside. As for the issue of trust:

"Luffy, it has always been my wish to fight alongside you!"

Koby was so excited, like a die-hard fan seeing their idol. In reality, Luffy was Coby's first friend and the benefactor who changed his life. Luffy was the most important character in Koby's heart!

"Don't worry, if Roman gets trapped in the Blackbeard Pirates, we'll probably get a double beating from Garp and Akainu Fleet Admiral when we get back."

The lewd "Chaton" Kake chuckled. As Garp's apprentice and Akainu's chosen successor, and also a highly regarded candidate Admiral among the Navy's high command, they would risk their lives to ensure Roman's safety! After all:

There are very few strong individuals on this high seas who are willing to consider the common people, especially one who can bring happiness to countless people. He's far superior to those old navy men who only know how to fight and kill.

"Okay, let's set off now—"

Upon hearing the word "departure, "Luffy instantly perked up, stood up, pointed to the sky, and shouted:

"Hehehe~~ Target: Whole Cake Island!!"

The Navy and pirates are on opposing sides, and their opponent is an ambitious Devil Fruit user...

Just like the God Valley back then.

Whole Cake Island, Whole Cake Chateau.

It has now become the base of the Blackbeard Pirates.

The underground prison, once used to hold various rare and exotic animals, now houses a group of the Charlotte Family's children. And in its deepest depths:

"Hahaha, I'm starting to admire you more and more—"

The tall, Blackbeard man sat Pang Lei, his increasingly massive body reaching the same height as the man in front of him, whose arms were bound by Seastone chains and suspended in mid-air.

"The scars you left on me with that chop..."

As he spoke, Blackbeard lifted the black captain's coat he was wearing, revealing a scar on his chest.

"Have you entered that field too?"

Conqueror's Haki Entwine!

Proof of strength.

While not all powerful individuals Conqueror's Haki Entwine, such as the Three Admirals who are Logia users, those who can Conqueror's Haki Entwine are undoubtedly powerful figures from the high seas. Therefore:

"Come aboard my ship, Katakuri!"

Standing before Blackbeard was Charlotte Katakuri, his arms slung in chains! After he injured Blackbeard, he was not only spared from being killed by Teach, but his wounds were even given basic first aid.

"I want to build a free world! I want everyone to be able to pursue their dreams! I want to change this stagnant and corrupt sea!!"

With a sinister air, Teach tilted his head back and took a large gulp of rum, then casually wiped his mouth with his sleeve, revealing his uneven teeth.

"I will destroy the shackles that the Celestial Dragons have placed on people, and I will pull that 'guy' down from his pedestal!"

In an instant, Blackbeard's ambition was laid bare.

"This is absolutely the best battle in the world, want to join in, Katakuri?"

"Under my command, I guarantee no one will laugh at your teeth! Eat whatever you want, sleep however you want. Everything is free~~ Hehehehe~~"

"Once this is done, I can return the Whole Cake Island to you; in fact, if you just nod your head, I can release all the Charlotte Family's executives right now, because I trust the promises of a man like you!"

Blackbeard laid out his terms, and now it was up to the other side:

"Teach, your ambition is indeed astonishing, and your will is unwavering."

Katakuri looked up and stared intently at the man before him, a figure wearing Straw Hat strangely overlapping with the man's.

"I've only ever seen that same light in that man... Unfortunately, you are a dark light, the unbridled revelry of evil; while he is a bright light, the joyous ending for all. I believe he will become the King of the Pirates, not you!"

"Tsk, Monkey D. Luffy?"

Blackbeard snorted unhappily. He had inexplicably disliked the man the moment he first saw him on Jaya Island.

However, the suited advisor next to the other man was quite to Teach's liking. What a pity...

"Hahaha, if it weren't for the person next to him giving him advice, that naive Straw Hat Kid would have been dead long ago! Oh well—"

Blackbeard stood up, no longer trying to persuade the other side to surrender.

"I heard your 'Observation Haki' allows you to see the future. Did you foresee a future that's detrimental to me? Hehehe~~"

"Who knows?"

Katakuri closed his eyes, and in the 'future' he saw, Blackbeard was forever shrouded in darkness! It was as if even fragments of time had been devoured by the Dark-Dark Fruit; he was truly a monster among monsters!

"Hahaha, let's wait and see!"

·······

"Admiral, has it failed again?"

Teach laughed heartily at the elegant 'Demon Security Officer' Lafitte leaning against the dungeon exit.

"Rejected again, but—"

"It seems Katakuri really did foresee our bleak 'future,' and firmly believes that the Straw Hat Kid will come and wipe us out!"

How do you know?

Faced with Lafitte's doubts, Teach narrowed his eyes, his originally dark, rough, and simple appearance revealing a glint of wisdom and cunning.

"Don't forget, the Straw Hat crew's cook Vinsmoke Sanji, is married to Charlotte Brulee. Everyone thinks the Straw Hat crew are ruthless and cunning, but we know very well that the one truly orchestrating everything is their strategist, that 'White Knight' kid. As for the rest..."

Loyal, naive, and impulsive, there's no reason for them to ignore their companion's "family"!

"Lafitte, gather all the officers. The Straw Hat crew should be on their way. We need to give them a huge surprise! I have a feeling that in my life, that Straw Hat Kid is more deadly than the God of the Celestial Dragons!"

Just you wait, old man with the Whitebeard.

What Joy Boy, what eight-hundred-year-old prophecy...

Me: Marshall D. Teach, I will use absolute power to break all of this!

Blackbeard stretched out his palm towards the sky, covering the dazzling sun. A jet-black light rose up, and then he clenched his fist!

Destiny must be in your own hands.