The morning sun painted the sea in golden hues as the waves gently lapped against the hulls of the retreating marine ships. The air was still, yet tension lingered like smoke after a fire. The once turbulent waters near Amazon Lily had quieted down, but the scars of the previous battle were fresh in the minds of all who survived.
Among the ships pulling away from the island was a vessel led by Captain Coby. His face was grim, his body still aching from the clash with the pirates of the Voidreign. The sight of Jessie's overwhelming power had struck a deep chord within him. It wasn't just fear—it was respect, awe, and a realization of how large the gap still was between him and those who had carved their names into history.
He stood at the bow, arms crossed, the wind tugging at his coat. Behind him, his subordinates tended to the wounded and patched up the damaged parts of the ship. Despite the somber mood, there was a quiet relief among the marines. Jessie, the force they feared might be a new tyrant, had not pursued them. His very presence had been a deterrent, yet he had shown no intention of mass destruction.
Still, Coby couldn't shake the weight in his chest.
> "Jessie could've ended us… but he didn't. Why?"
> "What does he see in the world that we don't?"
He closed his eyes, letting the wind rush past him. As a marine, he had always believed in justice, in the protection of the weak. But this new generation of pirates—Voidreign, the Straw Hats, even some of the Revolutionary forces—were challenging the very structure of the world.
And now, Coby found himself questioning more than ever: Who really protects the people?
---
Far beyond the horizon, hiding beneath the waves and behind rocky outcrops, lay a shadow—a predator lurking in silence.
The Blackbeard Pirates.
They had been watching the events at Amazon Lily from a distance, biding their time. Their ship, the Saber of Xebec, crept quietly behind the marine fleet, cloaked by the mist and hidden from den-den mushi detection. Their goal wasn't war. Not this time. It was *opportunity*.
"Ze ha ha ha ha!! The marines think they're safe... but we're just getting started!" roared **Marshall D. Teach**, known across the seas as Blackbeard.
He stood tall at the deck of his ship, an ominous grin plastered across his bearded face. His dark eyes sparkled with malice as he peered through a spyglass toward the rear of the marine fleet. His crewmates—each one infamous in their own right—were brimming with anticipation.
"Teach," growled Shiryu of the Rain, leaning against the railing, "We striking now?"
Blackbeard nodded. "Of course. The brat Coby's worth his weight in gold. And if we grab him… we'll make the Navy dance."
The plan was simple: strike hard, strike fast. Their target was Coby. Not just because he was a promising Marine, but because he had value. Political value. Strategic value. And for Blackbeard… bargaining chips were just as valuable as ancient weapons.
---
The trap was sprung just as Coby's ship drifted away from the protective presence of the other vessels.
With a thunderous crack, cannonballs tore through the rear sails. Smoke erupted into the sky as explosions rocked the ship. Panic broke out immediately among the marines. Screams filled the air as fire spread across the deck.
"AMBUSH!!" shouted one of the soldiers. "We're under attack!!"
Coby spun around, drawing his sword, eyes blazing. But his heart skipped a beat when he saw the black flag—the unmistakable Jolly Roger of the Blackbeard Pirates.
"Damn it… Blackbeard!" he snarled.
The attackers descended like hawks. Van Augur sniped from afar with deadly precision, picking off marines one by one. Laffitte flew above the chaos with his wings, orchestrating the attack with eerie glee. Doc Q's twisted laugh echoed through the smoke as his disease-spreading horse trampled over fleeing soldiers. Jesus Burgess landed with the force of a meteor, shattering the ship's deck beneath his feet.
Coby fought back with everything he had. His haki-enhanced strikes cut down several attackers, and his voice rang loud as he commanded the remaining marines.
"Hold the line! Protect the wounded! Evacuate the rear—now!!"
But it was a losing battle.
Blackbeard himself landed on the deck with a quake-inducing stomp. His dark powers—those stolen from Whitebeard and his own dark-dark fruit—warped the battlefield. Tendrils of darkness coiled around the ship like living snakes, swallowing light and life.
"ZE HA HA HA! So we meet again, Hero Coby!" Blackbeard grinned, spreading his arms. "I've been waiting for this."
Coby gritted his teeth and lunged forward, striking at Blackbeard with a roar. But the attack was absorbed by the void of darkness. With a flick of his wrist, Blackbeard retaliated, slamming Coby into the mast with a crushing wave of gravity-infused force.
"Gaaah!!" Coby coughed blood, barely able to stand.
The remaining marines tried to shield him, but they were overwhelmed. One by one, they fell to the superior firepower of the Blackbeard crew. The element of surprise had sealed their fate.
Coby, despite his bravery, could do nothing more.
Everything faded into black.
---
By the time the smoke cleared, the marine ship was little more than a shattered hull. The sea around it was stained with blood and burning debris. The Blackbeard Pirates, having accomplished their mission, were already retreating into the horizon.
Their prize?
Captain Coby—captured.
"Let's get outta here before the Navy realizes what happened," said Shiryu, wiping blood off his blade.
Blackbeard laughed, slinging the unconscious Coby over his shoulder. "Oh, they'll find out soon enough. And when they do… they'll come crawling. Just the way I like it."
---
Back at Marine Headquarters, the news of the attack arrived hours later—delivered by the few surviving marines who had managed to escape in lifeboats or by swimming to allied ships. Their faces were pale, their voices trembling as they gave their report.
Vice Admirals, Rear Admirals, and even Fleet Admiral Sakazuki himself gathered in the war room. The energy in the room was electric—charged with anger, grief, and dread.
The full scope of the report was staggering.
- A surprise attack by Blackbeard's crew.
- Dozens of marines dead.
- Captain Coby—captured.
- Jessie and the Voidreign Crew
- Amazon Lily was now in a fragile state of peace, but the balance of power had been shaken.
Sakazuki slammed his fist on the table, cracking the surface.
"DAMN THAT BLACKBEARD!!"
He turned to the gathered officers. "Assemble every available Admiral. Every unit with mobility. This cannot go unanswered."