The two groups encountered each other at the stairwell, and the Blackbeard Pirates were visibly stunned when they saw Aether and his allies.
Even Marshall D. Teach was taken aback. Although he had anticipated chaos within Impel Down, the lineup before him far exceeded expectations.
Aether, whose na had recently spread across the seas, stood alongside four already well-known powerhouses. None of them were easy opponents.
Despite his arrogance, Blackbeard was cautious by nature. With a single glance, he understood that a direct clash would not favor his side.
The mont Monkey D. Luffy saw Blackbeard, his anger flared instantly, and he moved to attack.
Aether stopped him with a firm grip.
Facing Blackbeard alone, Luffy would not stand a chance.
A faint killing intent flickered within Aether's calm eyes.
Among all the dangerous figures on the sea, Blackbeard was one of the few Aether truly regarded with caution, not because of his strength, but because of his nature.
For over twenty years, he had hidden within the Whitebeard Pirates, pretending loyalty while waiting for the right mont. If the Dark-Dark Fruit had not appeared in the hands of Thatch, he would have continued playing the role of a devoted subordinate.
When the opportunity ca, he acted without hesitation.
He killed Thatch, soone he had shared a close bond with, then turned his sches toward both the Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates. The events leading to the Marineford War were largely set in motion by him, after he handed over Portgas D. Ace.
A man like this, if allowed to grow to the level of the Four Emperors, would beco a serious threat.
Because of this, Aether made his decision.
If Blackbeard could be eliminated here, it would prevent future trouble.
Standing face to face, Blackbeard suddenly laughed loudly, as if nothing was wrong.
"Zehahaha! Aether, let's cooperate. There's no need to let small conflicts ruin our plans. You want to escape, and I have my own objectives. If we work together, Impel Down will fall into our hands."
His tone was persuasive, and to soone unfamiliar with him, it might have sounded reasonable.
But Aether saw through it instantly.
The subtle movent of Blackbeard stepping backward to create distance revealed his true intention.
He was wary.
Aether played along calmly.
"We need to discuss this. Wait a mont."
He gestured to the others and spoke in a low voice.
"Keep them here. Blackbeard will beco a major problem. After this, he will head to Marineford and stand against us. By then, he will not be alone. He will recruit dangerous criminals from Level Six."
"I agree."
Jinbe and Emporio Ivankov were the first to respond.
If a battle was inevitable, it was better to fight now while the enemy was still limited in strength.
Crocodile frowned slightly. He disliked unnecessary complications. However, with Aether, Jinbe, Ivankov, and Byrnndi World in agreent, he reluctantly accepted.
Their shift in attitude did not escape Blackbeard.
Without hesitation, he turned and ran.
"Run!"
The five mbers of the Blackbeard Pirates fled down the passage, but their speeds differed, and the gap between them quickly widened.
Aether and his group imdiately gave chase.
The first to be caught was Jesus Burgess, who lagged behind.
Realizing escape was impossible, Burgess roared and prepared to fight desperately.
Before he could finish speaking, Crocodile appeared beside him and grabbed his arm.
The moisture in his body was drained instantly.
His arm shriveled like that of a corpse.
Fear flashed across Burgess's face.
Aether arrived the next mont.
His fist, coated in Armant Haki, struck directly through Burgess's chest, shattering his heart.
Burgess collapsed without another word.
The man who would grow stronger in the future was still far too weak now.
The group did not pause.
The next target was Doc Q, who rode slowly on his horse.
Under the combined pressure of multiple powerful fighters, he was quickly overwheld and killed, his frail body unable to resist.
These two deaths bought ti for the remaining enemies.
Marshall D. Teach, Van Augur, and Laffitte had already escaped far into the passage.
Continuing the pursuit would only waste ti.
Emporio Ivankov spoke up.
"We should leave quickly. Magellan hasn't appeared yet."
The group agreed.
They moved swiftly, passing through the third level and heading toward the second.
anwhile, the escaping trio slowed down.
Because Blackbeard's decision had led to the deaths of their companions, dissatisfaction began to surface.
"Captain, why did we retreat? We could have fought them."
Hearing this, Blackbeard's expression darkened.
"Fools. Those four alone are comparable to the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and Aether's strength is unknown. Fighting them would only bring losses. As for Burgess and the other one, they were too slow."
He paused, then continued coldly.
"What matters now is reaching Level Six and recruiting new crew mbers."
To him, companions were expendable.
As long as stronger subordinates could be gained, losses did not matter.
The three steadied themselves and turned toward the deeper levels once more.
However, before they could proceed, footsteps echoed ahead.
A towering figure blocked their path.
Magellan.
After releasing Shiryu from Level Six, he had rushed upward, missing the earlier battle. But upon seeing the devastation on the fourth level, his anger had reached its peak.
The prison had been overrun.
His subordinates were injured everywhere.
The first enemies he encountered were the unfortunate remnants of the Blackbeard Pirates.
Blackbeard forced a grin and stepped forward.
"Wahahaha! Warden Magellan, I've long admired your reputation. You must be pursuing Aether and the others. They have already moved to the third level. As one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, I am willing to assist you."
Magellan did not respond.
His anger did not require words.
Moreover, Blackbeard's presence here instead of at Marineford made his intentions obvious.
Without hesitation, Magellan attacked.
"Poison Dragon."
A massive dragon of venom surged forward, filling the corridor with overwhelming pressure.
At such close range, there was no ti to react.
The Poison Dragon swallowed Blackbeard and his two companions completely, engulfing them in toxic liquid.
When the attack subsided, their bodies were covered in venom.
Pain spread rapidly through them as the poison took effect.
They collapsed to the ground, writhing in agony.
Magellan walked past them without a second glance.
Anyone struck directly by his poison without an antidote was as good as dead.
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