【Chapter 12】：Entertain Me to Your Heart's Content!
Seemingly influenced by the old crone's heart-wrenching wails, the crowd of people tied up by the Marine soldiers also erupted into a torrent of curses.
"Damn it, I just wanted to hide out on this island to escape a frickin' storm!"
"You trash Marines, let me go this instant!"
"I'm begging you, please don't kill me!"
"Wihahahaha, Auger, looks like we're done for! Talk about a bummer, man. We just set sail and already ran into this kinda monster! All we wanted was to dodge a storm, but instead we got caught up in this mess. Our luck seriously blows chunks!"
"If fate has brought us here, then let us submit to destiny."
"Icarium, I can't die yet! Waaaaah————"
"Don't worry, Princess Vivi, I swear I'll get you out of here! (whispers)"
Every single sound from the plaza below reached Teach's ears, causing his expression to turn somewhat peculiar.
Burgess, Van Auger, Icarium, and even Princess Vivi were all in this place.
He never imagined that Asuka Island would gather so many familiar faces.
The kicker was, two of them were members of the Blackbeard Pirates in his past life.
One was Jesus Burgess, the Captain of the First Ship who ate the Strength-Strength Fruit in his past life, and the other was Van Auger, the Captain of the Third Ship who ate the Teleport-Teleport Fruit.
After sensing their presence through Observation Haki, Teach couldn't help but nod in satisfaction. Their strength was quite decent.
Moreover, with his knowledge of the plot from his past life, the fact that they could become Yonko Commanders in the Blackbeard Pirates proved their potential was impressive.
Now that he had encountered them, he might as well take them under his command.
As for Princess Vivi————
She wouldn't want Alabasta to be destroyed by Crocodile, right?
Although running into these few acquaintances was an unexpected change of plans, it was also a pleasant surprise.
Just as he was pondering adjustments to his future plans, he suddenly heard the Marine Vice Admiral on the altar let out an utterly deranged laugh:
"Wuhahahaha————
That's right! That's right!
Just like that!
Cower in fear! Wail in despair! Seethe with rage! Struggle in futility!
The more terrified you are, the more excited I become!
Behold, this is the power of invincibility!"
Swoosh————
As he swung the Seven-Star Sword towards the forest behind the altar, a hundred-meter long streak of green sword light instantly swept forth!
Boom boom boom————
In the blink of an eye, the sword qi carved out a trench hundreds of meters long in the forest!
The surrounding trees were reduced to countless chunks of earth, stone, and wood!
The might of a single slash was truly horrifying!
Seeing this, Teach couldn't help but inwardly sigh. The fully awakened Seven-Star Sword was indeed far more powerful than the one from the movie in his memories.
A mere Swordmaster-level Marine Vice Admiral borrowing its power was already approaching the realm of Supreme Grade Swordsmen.
When he looked towards the figure standing tall atop the altar, his brows furrowed. It was time to make his move.
The Marine Vice Admiral on the altar had been completely overtaken by the eerie power of the Seven-Star Sword. His entire being seemed to be enveloped in a layer of red, giving off an uncanny and inexplicable aura.
Seeing this scene, everyone in the plaza below turned deathly pale, their expressions one of utter despair.
There was no way out. The might of that single slash was so terrifying that they couldn't even begin to fathom how to survive against such a monster.
But at that moment, an incomparably arrogant laugh rang out above their heads.
"That's what you call invincible? What a bunch of frogs in a well on this paradise island."
"But whatever. The power of that sword of yours is indeed not bad. I'll be taking it!"
"Hahahaha————"
Swoosh!
Almost simultaneously, everyone in the plaza instinctively looked up, and then they saw that imposing figure with arms crossed, standing in the air.
On this silent night.
At the moment when everyone on Asuka Island had fallen into despair, they finally caught a glimmer of hope.
Although this imposing man was a complete stranger to them, just the fact that he could stand in midair was not something an ordinary person could achieve!
Especially that massive black disc rising with black mist behind him, which was even more bizarre and mysterious.
"Who goes there!?"
Without a doubt, Teach's outrageously arrogant words instantly drew the attention of the Marine Vice Admiral on the altar. He quickly spotted Teach standing smugly in the sky and sneered:
"Just a mere Devil Fruit user with the ability to fly, yet you dare act so presumptuous before this god? Die! Demon Slash! Hahahaha————"
Swoosh!
As he spoke, the Marine Vice Admiral unhesitatingly slashed down at Teach in the sky.
Shhhwick————
In the next instant, another hundred-meter long dark green slash hurtled towards Teach in the sky.
Having anticipated this, Teach had already raised his right hand shrouded in black mist. A mass of black mist dozens of meters wide spewed forth from his palm, rapidly expanding to block the incoming attack.
Splat————
The next second, that hundred-meter long sword qi vanished without a trace as it plunged into the darkness.
"What!? Impossible!"
Even the Marine Vice Admiral was startled by Teach's ability, but his shock was quickly replaced by manic frenzy. Gripping the Seven-Star Sword with both hands, he slashed down at Teach again and again.
Swoosh swoosh swoosh————
Subsequently, over a dozen dark green flying slashes surged towards Teach.
But this time, Teach didn't even need to use his Dark-Dark Fruit ability. He simply utilized Observation Haki to effortlessly evade the dozen or so flying slashes. The corners of his mouth then curled up slightly as he slowly spoke:
"Not bad in terms of power, but too bad it's not your own strength. With just this level of ability, there's no way you can touch even a hair on my head."
"If you have any other abilities, bring them all out."
"Entertain me to your heart's content, you pitiful weakling!"
As Teach's words fell, the entire plaza was plunged into a deathly silence. Even the frenzied Marine Vice Admiral couldn't help but fall into a momentary daze.
The crowd of bound people in the plaza below all gaped in shock, their eyes bulging out. They wore expressions of utter disbelief.
This... this was too freakin' arrogant and over-the-top!