Chapter 488

Doberman echoed in a deep voice, his expression solemn. "The situation at sea is currently turbulent, especially with the Uchiha Clan's warships heading towards Sabaody. We must act with extreme caution. We must strictly adhere to the order to observe, avoid provocation and conflict, stabilize the situation, and prioritize completing our own combat readiness deployments."

The lieutenant Vice Admiral all nodded in agreement, each already clearly understanding the core tasks of this expedition.

Without any unnecessary delays, the entire fleet, with Akainu's deep command to set sail, simultaneously hoisted its sails. The roar of its engines shook the sea, breaking through the vast waves, carrying tens of thousands of elite troops, and sailed at full speed towards the Sabaody Archipelago.

White naval flags fluttered in the sea breeze as a massive fleet carved long white trails across the azure waters, its imposing presence signaling the beginning of a new round of comprehensive naval sweep.

At the same time, in the distant New World Ocean, on a nameless, uninhabited desert island.

A dull, deafening roar erupted, and a violent tremor swept across the entire beach. A disheveled, burly figure crashed heavily onto the rough sand like a kite with a broken string, sending up clouds of dust and pebbles.

Marshall D. Teach, the once mighty warlord who reigned supreme on this sea and ascended to the throne of the Four Emperors, has now completely lost all his strength, lying stiffly on the cold, desolate beach, no longer displaying any of his former domineering and arrogant demeanor.

His body was covered in gruesome, black wounds. His tattered clothes were soaked in dark red blood. Wounds of varying depths covered his body, with flesh turned outwards and tendons and bones faintly visible. Countless fine bloodstains slid down his skin, accumulating into a small, glaring pool of blood on the sand beneath him.

His signature thick beard was disheveled and stained with blood. His once sharp and sinister eyes were now bloodshot, dull and cloudy. His heavy breathing aggravated his wounds, each breath accompanied by a tearing pain. His chest heaved violently, as if he would lose all life at any moment.

This deserted island is desolate and lifeless, devoid of human habitation or life. Only howling winds and surging waves repeatedly wash over the shore, vividly highlighting the despair and loneliness of the place.

On the vast deserted island, only Blackbeard survived. The once mighty Blackbeard Pirates, which had swept across the Four Blues, were completely wiped out and vanished into the ocean. Only he managed to escape with his life, ending up in this desperate and lonely situation.

In his extreme weakness, endless emotions surged through Blackbeard's mind like a tidal wave. The fear etched into his bones, the overwhelming hatred burning through his internal organs, and the stubborn refusal to accept defeat intertwined and tormented his remaining consciousness.

His shattered vision slowly blurred, and the hellish scenes of the Deserted Island Battle uncontrollably flooded into his mind, replaying over and over again, becoming the most indelible nightmare of his life.

He remembered that all-consuming battle, in which the Blackbeard Pirates fought with all their might, but were utterly defeated by the elite Uchiha Clan.

The clan's Yashiro powerhouse possessed unparalleled combat strength, unleashing a relentless barrage of attacks that crushed the entire battlefield, causing countless crew members to fall one after another, their blood staining the battlefield.

In order to gain a sliver of hope, he had exhausted all his skills and exerted all his strength to attack frantically, barely managing to force back the berserk Yashiro and temporarily escape the inevitable annihilation.

Before he could even catch his breath, a terrifying pressure powerful enough to shake the heavens and earth suddenly descended.

That crimson Susanoo appeared, its entire body crimson, exuding a terrifying aura. Its indestructible frame was wrapped in a sharp edge that could burn the heavens and destroy the earth, and it slashed out with a sword!

At that moment, the shadow of death completely enveloped his entire body, and the biting cold penetrated his flesh and bones, making his very soul tremble.

To this day, he still vividly remembers the terrifying power of that sword light; its residual force alone tore through the sky and crushed the earth, and its extreme killing power nearly severed his entire left arm.

If he hadn't instinctively dodged to the side, he would have already met a tragic end, with his limbs severed and his body left no trace.

Even though he managed to dodge, his left arm was still severely injured, with broken meridians and fractured bones, completely losing his ability to fight. The excruciating pain spread throughout his body, almost shattering his will.

In dire straits, Blackbeard, who is known for his selfishness, ruthlessness, and unscrupulousness, made the cruelest and most life-saving choice.

Without hesitation, he reached out and grabbed Avaro Pizarro, who was too caught to react in time, and hurled this key crew member and capable subordinate of his towards the pursuing Yashiro and the Red Susanoo!

Using his comrades as shields and his trusted confidants as bait, he seized the brief moment when the Uchiha warriors were blocked, used his last bit of strength to turn and flee, breaking through the battlefield blockade without regard for anything, and finally escaped that hellish battlefield in a sorry state.

He survived.

The price, however, was the complete annihilation of the entire Blackbeard Pirates. All the officers and crew members perished on that deserted island, leaving only him to eke out a living through despicable and cruel means.

"Ugh--!!!"

A low, suppressed growl squeezed out of Blackbeard's hoarse throat, faint yet filled with extreme resentment.

Excruciating pain swept through his body, fear took root deep in his soul, but what drove him most mad was the deep-seated resentment that ran through his bones.

He endured for decades, lay low for half his life, seized the Dark-Dark Fruit, hunted the Titan Giant Fruit, and gradually rose to the position of one of the Four Emperors. He plotted and schemed countless times, and was about to control the entire sea, but overnight, all his ambitions and plans were completely crushed by the suddenly rising Uchiha Clan.

Power, followers, foundation, grand plans... all vanished like bubbles.

The icy sea breeze lashed against his battered body, stealing away his last remaining warmth and life force.

Blackbeard lay stiffly amidst the pool of blood and gravel, his turbid eyes fixed on the gray sky. There were no tears in his eyes, only overwhelming hatred, an inescapable fear, and a stubborn determination to never admit defeat.

He lost, utterly and completely. His entire pirate crew was wiped out, he himself was critically injured and on the verge of death, and he was stranded on a deserted island in despair.

But he did not die completely.

As long as there is a breath left, this overwhelming hatred and humiliation will never dissipate.

On the boundless sea, the naval fleet braved the wind and waves, rushing to the front lines, and steadily advancing the grand plan of clearing out the entire region;

On a desolate island, a defeated warlord ekes out a living, burdened by deep-seated hatred and endless fear, silently lying dormant in dire straits.

One in the light, one in the shadows; one righteous, one evil—two threads of destiny run parallel in silence. As the Uchiha warship steadily sails toward Sabaody, the turbulent changes across the entire sea are quietly brewing.