Depart, Target is the Blackbeard Pirates

Ace, speaking from the other end of the Den Den Mushi, said, "Mr. Buggy, just say it straight, what kind of cooperation?"

Buggy calmly stated, "Kill Marshall Teach and destroy the Blackbeard Pirates."

"What!"

Several screams came from the other end of the Den Den Mushi. Although Buggy couldn't see them, he could feel the commotion his words had caused.

Ace stared at the Den Den Mushi with a serious expression. "What good will this do for Mr. Buggy?"

Buggy said, "My goal is simple: Blackbeard's territory is mine, and his head is yours."

"Blackbeard's territory used to be ours, why should we give it to him?"

"If we can kill Blackbeard... what do those territories matter!"

"That's right, kill that heartless Blackbeard and avenge Pops and Thatch!"

"That bastard Teach would be ecstatic if he knew his head was worth a territory!"

Most of the Whitebeard Pirates' voices were in favor of killing Blackbeard, and they didn't seem to care much about the territory that Blackbeard had taken. Buggy listened calmly, without rushing to speak.

On the other side, Marco gestured to reassure everyone, then looked at Ace: "Ace, you decide."

Ace was stunned for a moment, then lowered his head. Although Teach was the culprit of the Marineford War, he was the one who started it.

If he hadn't gone to capture Teach, the public execution wouldn't have happened, and his Pops and friends wouldn't have risked their lives to save him, ultimately not dying in Marineford...

After the war ended, he kept blaming himself for his recklessness. Occasionally, he would wake up in the middle of the night and go to Whitebeard's room, staring blankly at the empty bed until dawn.

Later, Marco suggested that Ace lead the Whitebeard Pirates, and none of the captains objected; the suggestion was unanimously approved.

Ace knew everyone was trying to comfort him and lessen his guilt and remorse. But Marco said, "Ace, although you are Gol D. Roger's bloodline, your personality is like your Pops's. You yearn for a close-knit family and possess a strong belief in protecting them. If I had to choose between the title of Pirate King and your family, you would undoubtedly choose the latter. Everyone has witnessed your character, and your choice comes from the bottom of their hearts. You are younger than all of us and have more potential. We all hope that you can lead the Whitebeard Pirates and shoulder the future. If your Pops were still alive, he would definitely agree with our decision."

Since then, with the help of his companions, Ace has handled all the big and small matters of the Whitebeard Pirates, growing and transforming step by step. He never backed down in his battles against the Blackbeard Pirates. It was precisely because of the correct decisions he made that the Whitebeard Pirates are still able to retain half of their territory, instead of completely declining and disappearing as they did in the original story.

Ace pondered for a moment, then finally raised his head and said, "Perhaps I am not qualified to pursue Teach's betrayal and rebellion against Pops... but what Teach did to his comrades is something none of us can forgive. Only by Teach's head can Thatch's wronged soul find peace. So if we cooperate to kill Teach and destroy the Blackbeard Pirates, then we will not fight with Mr. Buggy for his territory."

Marco and the others looked at Ace, a slight SMILE appearing on their lips. "Ace..."

Ace added, "Furthermore, if it's Mr. Buggy, who values loyalty and righteousness, I think he's absolutely trustworthy."

Buggy said, "So... our alliance is complete."

"Yes, if you don't mind communicating via Den Den Mushi, we can discuss the next steps now."

"Of course, no problem. I've already placed white Den Den Mushi here, as long as there aren't any outsiders eavesdropping on you..." Buggy finished speaking, then added, "Oh... can that Crocodile guy be trusted?"

"I have no problems on my end either. I'll fax you a map of the island the Blackbeard Pirates have occupied... and information about the planned attack time..."

Ace methodically revealed useful intelligence to Buggy, Buggy calmly organized the information and arranged and negotiated the actions of both sides.

After the call ended, Buggy began to gather all the remaining forces on the island, consisting of six people: himself, Cabaji, Mohji, Shuma, Mikuru, and Kaya, who were traveling on the Big Top.

The first pirate crew, led by Jody Lane, consisted of 640 members; the third pirate crew, led by Moses August, consisted of 370 members.

The fourth ship, led by Tink, had a crew of 1,200; the fifth ship, led by Jass, had a crew of 1,400; and the sixth ship, led by Daoer, had a crew of 880.

There was the Sun Pirates, led by Aladine, with 320 members; and the Hawkins Pirates, led by Hawkins, with 100 members.

Among them are four Archangel, humanoid weapons created by Nilek using ores and rare metals, whose strength far surpasses that of the Pacifista who appeared in the Marineford War a year ago; Weevil, a high-ranking combatant eager to kill Blackbeard immediately; and the Mink Musketeer Squad personally led by Inuarashi, who will also come to help.

As for Lilina, Nilek, and the second ship's captain Louis Carl, they remained on the Festival Island as reserves in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

Buggy used almost all of his resources, employing overwhelming force to suppress the Blackbeard Pirates, determined to completely crush them!

If I don't take action now to expand and consolidate my power, by the time the World Government realizes the danger I'm in, Kaido and Big Mom react and take action, and countless pirates flood into the New World, my actions and the development of my power will definitely be suppressed and hindered, and I may never have another opportunity like this.

At the port, pirates were constantly unloading large quantities of supplies, including food, drinks, spears, crab shields, guns, and cannonballs, from the warehouses onto their ships.

Buggy didn't expect to get away with attacking Blackbeard; he just wanted to keep it a secret for as long as possible, so that no one would know his purpose in gathering his forces before the attack was launched.

Once everything was complete, Buggy Grand Fleet departed from the Festival Island in a grand procession, heading towards Blackbeard's territory.

Ripples spread out to both sides as the fleet sailed, and the sunlight made the shimmering waves dance on the sea. The pirate captains and officers standing on the decks gazed at the distant horizon, some frowning, some SMILE, and some deep in thought; the helmsmen controlled the direction, closely following the lead Big Top.

Everyone knew that an unprecedented battle was about to begin!