Depart, Target is the Blackbeard Pirates

Ace on the other end of the Den Den Mushi said, "Mr. Buggy, just tell us—what kind of cooperation are you proposing?"

Buggy spoke unhurriedly. "Kill Marshall D. Teach and destroy the Blackbeard Pirates."

"What?!"

Several startled cries came from the other end of the Den Den Mushi. Though Buggy could not see them, he could still sense the commotion his words had caused.

Ace stared gravely at the Den Den Mushi. "What do you stand to gain from this, Mr. Buggy?"

Buggy said, "My objective is simple. Blackbeard's territory goes to me, while his head goes to you."

"Blackbeard's territory was originally ours anyway. Why should we give it to him?"

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

"That's right! Kill that heartless bastard Blackbeard and avenge Pops and Thatch!"

"If Teach knew his head was worth an entire territory, he'd probably be thrilled!"

Most of the Whitebeard Pirates were inclined toward killing Blackbeard and did not place much importance on the territory he had seized. Buggy listened calmly without rushing to speak.

On the other end, Marco gestured to calm everyone down before turning to Ace. "Ace, you decide."

Ace froze, then slowly lowered his head. Though Teach had been the chief culprit behind the Marineford War, he himself had been the fuse that lit it.

If he had not gone after Teach, there would have been no public execution. Pops and his companions would not have risked their lives to save him, and they would not have died at Marineford...

After the war ended, he had constantly blamed himself for his recklessness. Sometimes, when he woke in the middle of the night, he would walk into Whitebeard's room and stare blankly at the empty bed until dawn.

Later, Marco proposed that Ace lead the