Chapter 1336: Stalemate?
Chapter 1336: Stalemate?
Boom!!!
Marshall D. Teach had no time to think further as Kuro's fist slammed into his abdomen, triggering a violent dry-heave that bent him double. At the moment of impact, six ribbons erupted from Kuro's body, tearing through the black serpent's bite before lashing toward Marshall D. Teach in a coordinated strike.
Hiss! Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!!!
The ribbons' lethal force tore gaping wounds through Blackbeard's jet-black form, mingling with the shockwave of dark energy erupting from his body.
Boom!!!
A violent shockwave radiated from Marshall D. Teach, shattering the ground beneath them. Kuro staggered as the earth beneath his feet cracked into multiple segments, seawater surging through the fissures. He furrowed his brow, twisting his body mid-air to deliver a powerful kick that sent Blackbeard flying backward.
The battlefield disintegrated beneath their feet, reducing the ground to delicate fragments that crumbled into powder. Seawater surged upward, transforming the plaza's center into a churning saltwater lake. The Quake-Quake Fruit's destructive power and the Dark-Dark Fruit's devouring force reduced their surroundings to ash.
Kuro's eyes darkened. The attack's devastation stemmed primarily from the 'black serpent' technique. Had he not used the Wu Sheng Kong Sha to block its bite earlier, the damage would've been catastrophic. Even now, his body bore visible wounds where the serpent had struck. Yet his enhanced physical constitution rapidly regenerated the damage.
"Thankfully the Old Man perfected the Black Tortoise Mystic Art's reinforcement of my physical resilience", Kuro mused. "Otherwise, I'd be in serious trouble."
He wasn't merely a Devil Fruit user—he mastered swordsmanship and mystic arts. The Dominant Body Black Tortoise Body technique from the Four Divine Beasts Mystic Art didn't just boost his physical constitution; it solidified his defenses. While each strike still forced him to expend energy, the reinforced resilience never faded.
Though Marshall D. Teach's ability nullified Devil Fruit powers, Kuro's physical fortification from the Four Divine Beasts Mystic Art remained intact. This resilience gave him confidence despite the physical strain. Compared to his previous vulnerability to Seastone, seawater, and Teach's ability, this enhanced durability was worth any effort.
He'd never allow such a weakness to be exploited again. From the moment he understood his Devil Fruit's limitations, he'd worked to overcome them. After all, Devil Fruit users faced numerous threats in the Grand Line—Seastone, seawater, and abilities like Teach's. But with his reinforced physical resilience, even while using Immovable with Blade Fusion, his body ranked among the Grand Line's elite. Compared to Teach, this resilience made him a nightmare opponent in close combat.
Kuro's gaze sharpened as he observed Marshall D. Teach in the distance. The Blackbeard pirate's condition was far worse—lying prone with deep depressions marring his smoke-covered body. Though his form bore no visible blood, a large pool stained the ground beneath him.
Almost...
If Teach had delayed his defense even a moment longer, the Dark-Dark Fruit's power alone wouldn't have stopped Kuro's attack.
Crackling lightning erupted around Kuro, darkening the sky once more.
"Heat Breath!"
He unleashed a torrent of searing breath at the fallen Teach. The sky rumbled with muffled thunder as the attack surged forward, accompanied by a barrage of lightning.
For an opponent like Teach, Kuro would seize every opportunity to strike—until his enemy lay dead.
But as the attack neared, the black serpents guarding Teach coiled upward, forming a blooming flower-like barrier around him. The serpents' heads extended outward, biting through the incoming lightning and flame energy.
"You..." Kuro narrowed his eyes, his voice cold. "Are you going to play turtle forever, Marshall D. Teach?"
The flower-shaped barrier remained still before Teach's panting laughter echoed out: "Heh... Hahaha! Almost got me there! That ribbon technique really was terrifying. But the Old Man won't fall for tricks twice! Just need to be careful now. I'll stop those ribbons next time—no more chances for you!"
He raised a finger, pointing at Kuro with a growl: "Kuro! I'll kill you and take your ability for myself!"
"Pirates always lead with boasts", Kuro replied, flexing his fingers. "Once I peel your skin off, you won't be saying such foolishness."
"Then come get me, Evil laugh!" Marshall D. Teach grinned broadly.
Though they spoke boldly, neither moved. The moment had passed.
Teach's current defensive posture made breaking through the black serpents' protection too costly. Attempting it would likely result in failure. Likewise, Teach couldn't threaten him directly.
In terms of combat prowess, Kuro had already determined Teach couldn't match him. But against an opponent who wouldn't die easily, brute force alone wouldn't decide the battle.
At their level, without a decisive opening, victory wouldn't come quickly.
But letting Teach escape was absolutely out of the question!
This confrontation would end here and now!
"Evil laugh..." Teach's grin widened. "You can't beat me, Kuro. I still have 'backup'—but you've none left."
Kuro's eyes narrowed, instinctively glancing toward the Straw Hat Pirates' position.
Luffy's crew surrounded their captain. That Reindeer was healing him?
Waiting for Luffy to awaken?
The battlefield had reached a stalemate, with the only breakthrough point being that boy. Once Luffy regained consciousness, he'd surely come after Kuro to rescue Shanks. But Kuro's strategic objective was clear—no pirate who came here would leave alive.
Which meant Luffy would inevitably clash with him again, this time with Marshall D. Teach as an ally.
"You've figured it out, haven't you!" Teach laughed confidently. "You have no chance. Your final strength is tied up at Impel Down suppressing pirates. It took the Old Man great effort to cause chaos there—just for this moment. Unless you want to humiliate yourself before the world!"
"You've made grand claims already, and this battle's being broadcast live. The Old Man doesn't even need victory—just needs to escape with Luffy. The Navy's prestige will crumble, and the New World's balance will shift completely."
"One Piece can wait. The Old Man doesn't even care about it. Breaking the current order is enough. When that happens, the Old Man's era will arrive! Blackbeard's Laugh! Evil laugh!!"
That was Teach's scheme. He didn't need victory—only to ruin Kuro's reputation. If the world saw that even the mighty Kuro couldn't stop pirates, their power would seem unstoppable. The world would fear pirates once more.
When chaos returned to the seas, Marshall D. Teach would seize that moment to fulfill his ambitions—becoming the true ruler of the Grand Line as the One Piece!
(End of Chapter)
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