Looking at Ace, who was embedded in the ground unconscious, blue-white arcs of electricity still flickering over him as black smoke rose from his body, Teach felt a surge of panic.
"Ace, brother!"
He shouted himself hoarse, his voice filled with concern.
It was not because Teach had truly developed any brotherly affection for Ace. A man like him had always scoffed at so-called brotherhood and would never let useless emotions hinder his steps.
Teach was anxious because Ace's death would not only bring him no benefit, but would also drag him into even greater trouble:
If Ace died at the hands of CP0 agents, Whitebeard would surely fly into a rage, and Teach would have to exhaust himself putting on several emotionally draining crying performances.
And if Whitebeard became enraged, the Whitebeard Pirates would inevitably join the war against the World Government.
As Ace's good brother, who had watched him die right before his eyes, Teach would surely have to carry the banner of vengeance and charge at the very front.
Then what?
He, Blackbeard, would join the revolutionary united front because of the blood-deep hatred of losing his brother, bravely fighting the reactionary forces represented by the World Government to the bitter end?
Pah!
I'm a pirate!
Why the hell should I work for that Garen?!
"Ace, brother!"
To keep himself from sinking deeper into the abyss of being a good person, Teach hurried anxiously to Ace's side and carefully checked his condition.
Fortunately, Ace had merely been knocked unconscious by the repeated blows and electricity. Nothing serious had happened.
"Whew."
Teach let out a deep breath, and his mood immediately eased considerably.
Now that nosy Ace had passed out, those two CP0 agents would surely be eager to flee rather than continue fighting. At last, he could