The tremor quickly subsided, but the people inside the command post remained stunned.
Only Lindbergh's expression turned serious.
In the next instant, he dashed out of the room. Kildeo and the others immediately followed behind him.
The moment they stepped outside, a soldier came running toward them in panic.
"Officers, we are under attack by pirates!"
At the mention of pirates, several cadres darkened. Gambo clenched his teeth.
"The Navy has not even shown up yet, and these pirates are already trying to seize territory? Do they really think the Revolutionary Army is finished?"
Others echoed his anger, vowing to make the intruders pay.
Kildeo, however, remained composed.
"Wait. This is not ordinary. That tremor just now, it must have been caused by one of them."
The reporting soldier wiped sweat from his forehead.
"That is correct. Their leader is a large, dark-skinned man. Our men were knocked down before they could even approach him. He attacked from a distance. It is very likely a Devil Fruit ability."
Lindbergh narrowed his eyes.
"A Devil Fruit that can create earthquakes… could it be the Tremor Tremor Fruit?"
The others were startled.
"Whitebeard? Did he escape?"
But the thought quickly fell apart.
This was the Grand Line. Anyone with even a little experience would recognize Whitebeard immediately. His crescent-shaped mustache and towering build were unmistakable.
Moreover, Dragon had mentioned forming an alliance with the Whitebeard Pirates before everything happened. After the recent events, there was no one in the Revolutionary Army who did not know Whitebeard.
The soldier shook his head firmly.
"It is not Whitebeard. I am certain."
The Navy's official report about the Cake Island incident had confirmed the deaths of Charlotte Linlin and Dragon, yet it made no mention of Whitebeard. That alone suggested he was still alive.
A cold light flashed in Lindbergh's eyes.
"No matter who it is, we will see for ourselves."
On the shore, a group of Revolutionary Army soldiers led by the Fish Man Hark had surrounded a group of intruders.
The ground nearby was fractured with deep cracks, and several watchtowers had already collapsed.
Hark's forehead was covered in sweat as he stared at the man at the center.
That single casual strike earlier had caused such destruction. If the enemy had intended to kill, none of them would still be standing.
From within the encircled group came a loud, unrestrained laugh.
"Zehahaha!"
The voice was unmistakable.
Marshall D. Teach, Blackbeard.
Around him stood his original crew, Jesus Burgess, Van Augur, Laffitte, and the others. Beside them was Charlotte Chiffon, whom he had taken from Cake Island.
Teach looked at Hark and laughed.
"Hey, has the one in charge not shown up yet? Do not keep me waiting too long. Zehahaha!"
Having obtained the Tremor Tremor Fruit and gathered his crew, Teach was brimming with confidence. He was nothing like the man who once stayed hidden on Whitebeard's ship.
Chiffon handed him a cherry pie. He grabbed it and began eating without a care, completely ignoring the soldiers surrounding him.
Hark endured in silence until footsteps sounded behind him.
He turned and saw Lindbergh and the others approaching. Relief flashed across his face.
Van Augur adjusted his monocle and spoke calmly.
"Boss, they are here."
Teach swallowed the last bite of pie. Chiffon carefully wiped the crumbs from the corner of his mouth with a white handkerchief.
He patted her hand, then looked toward Lindbergh and the approaching group.
"I see. That furry one must be Lindbergh, the Southern Army commander. A Mink Tribe member, huh? I wonder how you compare to Inuarashi and Nekomamushi back then."
At the mention of those two, Teach could not help but recall the scene from over twenty years ago, when both had been killed by Lloyd.
That moment had left a deep impression on him. It was the first time he had witnessed the Whitebeard Pirates suffer such a devastating loss.
And above all, the one he could not forget was Lloyd.
A trace of unease flickered across Teach's face.
Chiffon noticed immediately.
"Husband, you do not look well. Are you feeling unwell?"
She turned toward the ship doctor.
"Doc Q, come take a look."
Doc Q slowly approached on his frail horse, looking as though he might fall off at any moment.
Teach raised a hand to stop them.
"It is nothing. I just remembered someone."
He clicked his tongue softly.
"How can a monster like that even exist in this world?"
Laffitte tilted his head slightly.
"Boss, are you referring to Admiral Black Dragon?"
Teach snorted.
"Who else could it be?"
While they spoke, Lindbergh had already reached the front.
He stepped ahead of Hark and the others, studying Teach carefully before speaking.
"You are Teach, the second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates?"
Teach grinned, crossing his arms.
"That is not wrong, but let me correct you. Former commander. Now, you should call me Blackbeard. Zehahaha!"
Lindbergh raised an eyebrow.
"Former commander? So you left the Whitebeard Pirates and started your own crew? Has Whitebeard died from his injuries?"
Teach burst into louder laughter.
"Zehahaha! The old man?"
A strange expression flashed across his face.
He raised his fist.
Before the stunned eyes of Lindbergh and the others, a ring of translucent energy spread outward from it.
The air itself seemed to distort.
Teach watched their shocked reactions with satisfaction. Then he let the power fade and patted his round stomach with a grin.
"The old man is doing just fine. Do not go spreading nonsense."
===
Get access to the entire catalog on Patreon, where all chapters are conveniently organized into collections.
If you prefer not to pay for a monthly membership, this is a more affordable option that gives you access to the content you want.
(Buying the collection gives you access to all chapters in it.)
Search for "_Zeph" on P@treon to get started.