Chapter 432: A Person

The North Sea, Lubnil Province waters.

Three days have passed since Blackbeard challenged Admiral Kizaru; all personnel involved in the North Sea Wu Dou Tournament have departed.

The top ten winners of the North Sea Tournament have already sailed with the Navy and United Kingdom fleet to the Sacred Land, Sky City, for the Four Seas Finals.

Only the Queen, belonging to Blackbeard's Club, remains moored near Lubnil Province waters.

On the Queen's deck, Lu Bianyi grips a roasted lamb leg, devouring meat and gulping wine.

Lafitte, however, wears a look of worry: "Could Little Black Fatty have been killed by Kizaru's punch? If so, how will I explain this to the Captain?"

Blackbeard must not die now—at least not until I've gotten the Dark-Dark Fruit.

Perhaps precisely because Lafitte showed such worry, he spent even more to hire divers to scour the sea for Blackbeard, causing the hidden Blackbeard beneath the waves to lower his guard.

Forget it—the idea to challenge Kizaru was reckless, but Lafitte's intentions were good; he only wanted the Black Crew to grow stronger and reclaim its glory.

Blackbeard surfaced again.

Seeing this, Lafitte burst into tears of joy, leaping and flying as he hauled Blackbeard onto the deck.

"Captain, this is wonderful."

"I'm so glad you're safe."

Lafitte was truly moved—genuinely, from the depths of his heart, thrilled that Blackbeard was alive.

If Blackbeard had died now, where would I find the Dark-Dark Fruit? How could I earn great merit and return to the Sacred Land to be promoted and grow rich?

Seeing Lafitte's tear-filled eyes, the last flicker of Blackbeard's anger vanished.

"Not a bad idea—just don't come up with another one."

Because of Lafitte's "brilliant" idea, Blackbeard had been half-killed by Kizaru.

Though I've successfully awakened my Ancient Giant bloodline and can transform my body at will, those holes Kizaru punched in me still hurt like hell!

"Heh." Lafitte let out two nervous laughs.

"Captain, while you were underwater, someone contacted us and gave us the rendezvous point with the Rose Alliance. Do you need another day to rest?"

"No." Blackbeard waved his hand dismissively.

"Just a few bruises—

What's this, really? The Black Crew is in its growth phase; time waits for no one. The sooner we get the money, the sooner we recruit new hands."

"Captain!!!"

At that moment, Lafitte truly wanted to hug the ugly, fat Blackbeard—because suddenly, the ugly, chubby Blackbeard radiated the aura of a warlord.

"I'll take the helm—you rest."

In truth, Blackbeard had only stayed underwater for a day and a half; the rest of the time, he'd hidden beneath the waves, spying to see which of his two crewmen was more loyal.

The result proved—

Lafitte was utterly devoted: he'd paced in panic, and upon seeing Blackbeard return alive, he'd nearly burst into tears.

In contrast, Lu Bianyi just kept eating and drinking.

Half a day later, the former Donquixote Family stronghold.

Seeing Blackbeard unharmed, the North Sea Rose Alliance representative stared at him as if he were a monster.

"Mr. Tichi? You're really alright?"

He had been present that day when Blackbeard was beaten by Admiral Kizaru—he'd been certain Blackbeard was dead.

Yet, only three days later, Blackbeard appeared before the Rose Alliance as if nothing had happened, hopping around lively and well.

Blackbeard declared with grandeur:

"Just an Admiral? He barely scratched me. What could possibly happen to me?"

Hearing this, the representative raised his thumb.

"You're the best. Given your crew's strength, the North Sea Noble Alliance is willing to sponsor one hundred billion Berries and three Devil Fruits. We hope Mr. Tichi never forgets his original purpose and grows stronger quickly."

Blackbeard immediately bowed with clasped fists.

"Blackbeard will not disappoint you all."

Altogether, two hundred ten billion Berries—and seven Devil Fruits, counting the Mantis Fruit Lu Bianyi ate. These remnants of the old era were truly filthy rich!

After a lavish feast, the three of them set sail again, heading straight for the South Sea.

"Captain, why are we going to the South Sea?"

"To recruit."

Blackbeard continued explaining:

"After the Navy's global conscription in recent years and this year's first Wu Dou Tournament, the West Sea and North Sea have almost no decent talent left.

The East Sea is Bai Mao's territory.

I've heard the South Sea has many arms dealers. We're not short on money now—let's go to the South Sea and bring them under our command."

"I see." Lafitte nodded.

Then, taking advantage of a stop to resupply, he faxed the Black Crew's whereabouts and all news about the West Sea and North Sea old nobles back to the Sacred Land.

Lafitte had originally thought he'd finish his undercover mission in three to five years, return to the Sacred Land with the Dark-Dark Fruit, and get promoted with a raise.

Yet, he ended up undercover for eight years.

For a full eight years, the Queen had roamed the four seas; the number of pirates on the ocean dwindled day by day, yet Blackbeard still hadn't found the Dark-Dark Fruit.

Eight years later, Kutzek Island, South Sea.

Blackbeard's Club.

"Captain! Captain Blackbeard!"

A red-haired boy, about fifteen or sixteen, ran while waving a newspaper in his hand.

"Captain, the King of the World is getting married."

Hearing this, Blackbeard, who had spent eight years gathering a batch of talented interns, immediately wore an expression of surprise and confusion.

"Marriage?!"

Is Bai Mao getting married?

"Kid brat, he... marrying whom?!"

Fifteen-year-old Kid immediately grinned, mimicking Blackbeard's smile.

"A woman named Yamato; the newspaper says she is the former Emperor Kaido's daughter and the former king of the Kingdom of Dressrosa."

"Kaido's daughter?!"

Blackbeard finally understood why the former Emperor Kaido, who had been at odds with the Morning Star Group, followed Bai Mao to storm Mary Geoise, overthrow the World Government, and then lead the Beasts Pirates to join the United Kingdom.

It turned out to be because of this.

Hmph, you Bai Mao are nothing special after all.

"Captain, when do we set sail to rebel? You promised me before; you would take me to sea to rebel when I turned seventeen."

Blackbeard glanced at Kid.

"Then have you turned seventeen yet?"

"I am fifteen this year, almost sixteen."

"Wait a bit longer," Blackbeard waved his hand, then turned back to his room without looking to continue sowing seeds.

Since obtaining 21 billion Berries and six Devil Fruits eight years ago, Blackbeard first absorbed the South Sea arms dealers, then spent eight years traversing almost every corner of the Four Seas.

For eight years, Blackbeard dared not do a single bad thing, disguising himself as a law-abiding merchant of the United Kingdom.

And he continued to fleece the old nobility.

Although fleecing the sheep was satisfying, he still could not find the whereabouts of the Dark-Dark Fruit.

With no choice, Blackbeard had to find a woman in the South Sea to marry, attempting to first leave an heir for the Davey clan.

But never in a million years did he expect that after sowing seeds for a few months, there was not a single sign of movement.

According to the ship's doctor, it was highly likely that his body had integrated too many genetic factors, causing mutations that made conceiving offspring more difficult.

Blackbeard was truly exhausted.

For these eight years, if Lafitte had not constantly encouraged him to keep moving forward and chase his dream, perhaps Blackbeard would have given up long ago.

Eight years; how many eight years does a life have?

From setting sail to becoming the King of the World, Bai Mao used only seven years.

But by sheer bad luck, he could not find the Dark-Dark Fruit.

Watching Bai Mao about to start a family, Blackbeard was truly preparing to give up.

However, just as Blackbeard took off his pants to prepare for sowing seeds, Lafitte's angry voice rang out.

"Captain, didn't you say—

A person's dream never ends; none of us have given up, so why should you give up?"