(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
(21 chapters of the new book are already released in p.atreon)
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(T/N: The reason I didn't post the past few days:
I have a medical condition, where my hands hurt like hell, more correctly, my fingers. This is a situation that sometimes happen to me: my fingers hurt a lot and any movement is restricted. I have to let it pass, because the doctors weren't able to give me any solution that works. I just learned to live with it.
I'm back now!
It still hurts, but I'm better, so more consistent updates incoming!)
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Hearing Whitebeard's roar, the members of the Whitebeard Pirates froze for a moment before erupting in rage.
"Teach! You bastard! How dare you show your face in front of us?!" Marco glared at Blackbeard, his eyes burning with fury, itching to strike.
"How can you betray your brothers? Your family?!" Foil Vista's eyes were red with fury.
The Whitebeard Pirates had already lost nearly half their forces, with several captains seriously injured.
They had fought side by side for years, only to watch their comrades fall one by one.
Their hatred for Teach who was the one that led to this, had reached its peak.
If he hadn't betrayed them and stolen the Dark-Dark Fruit, none of this would have happened.
Their suffering, their losses—it all traced back to this traitor.
Seeing Teach standing before them now, Whitebeard and his men were filled with a murderous intent.
"Sasuke, I'll leave that trash to you," Colt said casually, waving his hand as if swatting away a fly.
Teach had served his purpose.
He was of no further use.
Colt had no interest in seeing that clown any longer.
Without hesitation, Sasuke drew his Kusanagi sword and charged toward Blackbeard and his newly recruited crew.
If anyone held a grudge against Teach, Sasuke was among the most vengeful.
His hatred ran even deeper than that of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Teach was utterly shaken.
Before Colt arrived, he had been hiding, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
If he could kill Whitebeard and steal the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, his plan would be complete.
But everything had spiraled out of control.
Whitebeard's overwhelming power, Luffy's unexpected intrusion, and then Colt's arrival—one shocking twist after another left Blackbeard in utter disbelief.
For the first time, he felt fear.
The waters of this battle ran too deep.
Even with all his cunning and treachery, he realized he had no control over the situation.
He wanted to retreat.
But before he could act on the thought, Sasuke was already upon him.
"Sasuke, wait! Let's talk about this!" Blackbeard raised his hands, but it was useless.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Sasuke had no patience for words.
The Kusanagi sword slashed through the air, unleashing deadly waves of energy.
"Sasuke...?"
Ace stared at Sasuke in disbelief.
'Sasuke had been an undercover for Colt all along?!'
"Hey, don't blame him. I was the one who had him join the Whitebeard Pirates," Colt said with a smile.
"Besides, his bond with you all is real. It gave me pain so many times to deal with it,"
Ace clenched his fists, trembling with anger.
"You bastard!" he roared.
"Why do you keep manipulating people's lives?! Why are you targeting the Whitebeard Pirates?!"
Whitebeard's gaze darkened, a rare anger rising in his heart.
Until that last healing session, he had never even met Colt.
So why had this man been scheming against him for years?
They had no past grudges, and no recent conflicts.
Colt wanted to rule the world—fine. Whitebeard wouldn't interfere with that.
But Sasuke...
Sasuke had no reason to betray them.
The years they spent together, the bonds they formed—those emotions couldn't have been fake.
It was clear to both Whitebeard and Ace: the true villain here was Colt.
"You're looking at it the wrong way." Colt shook his head, his smile fading as the battle's wind ruffled his hair.
"I'm not manipulating anyone's life. I'm not targeting the Whitebeard Pirates specifically."
He raised a hand and pointed.
At Whitebeard.
At Shanks.
At Kaido.
"In my world, there is no place for pirates. In the new world I'm building, no ship can carry you!"
Shanks let out a bitter chuckle.
"Even me? I'm not like those regular pirates you know?"
Colt scoffed.
"And what exactly are you, then?"
"A thief who isn't a thief? A soldier who isn't a soldier? You act like you're carefree, wandering the seas without a care—but your methods only lead to more death…"
Shanks' expression stiffened. He had no rebuttal.
As one of the Four Emperors, he was quite different always attempting to keep the balance of the world, but indeed many deaths could not be prevented.
"You talk about maintaining balance in the seas, acting like you're above it all." Colt did not stop.
"When you can't rule everything with absolute strength, then you're only pretending to be something you're not!"
Colt's harsh words rang through the battlefield.
Colt exhaled, feeling refreshed after venting his frustrations.
On the other side, Shanks stood there in disbelief.
Never did he think he would roasted in front of the whole world.
(T/N: The author attempted to roast Shanks and say he is wrong, he also included Coby but his words were so trash I just rewrote this whole part and attempted to make it make sense, because I don't see what the author was talking about, why is he against anyone who Is doing the right thing? Recently there was Yamato, now Shanks and Coby? Lol.
For reference: he called Shanks a thief because Shanks denied being scum who loots and kill, but Colt said the red hair crew does, which is wrong as far as I know. Next is Coby, his act of stopping the war and stepping in between Shanks and Akainu was shat on and Colt said he should have let the Marines do their job, lol)
Kaido, watching Shanks' expression, burst into laughter.
"You finally got a taste of your own medicine, Red-Hair!"
Meanwhile, Fleet Admiral Kong saw an opportunity.
"Whitebeard, let's join forces," he called out.
"I can promise you—the Marines will never go after the Whitebeard Pirates again!"
At this moment, Kong was the happiest man alive.
Colt's actions had gone against both Whitebeard and Shanks.
If they joined forces, the Marine Headquarters would have a real chance at victory.
As for letting Whitebeard go afterward?
If they couldn't handle Colt today, the Marines might not even exist tomorrow. Whitebeard could be dealt with later.
Whitebeard took a deep breath, his expression complicated.
"I never thought the day would come when I'd cooperate with the Marines."
He turned to Kong and Sengoku.
"Fine. I accept your offer."
Whitebeard straightened his back, swung his weapon, and pointed it directly at Colt.
"No matter what your ambitions are—if you dare plot against my sons, if you dare scheme against the Whitebeard Pirates—then even if you were a god, you will pay the price!"
Shanks stepped forward beside Whitebeard, his Conqueror's Haki surging. The sheer pressure cracked the ground beneath them.
"Count me in. The balance of this sea cannot be broken just yet. Colt, get ready because my beliefs aren't so easily shaken up!"
"Good!"
"And me!"
Luffy adjusted his straw hat, determination blazing in his eyes.
"I won't let you hurt Ace! Colt, I'm going to beat you to a pulp!"
Kong grinned.
With the Whitebeard Pirates, the Red-Hair Pirates, and even the Straw Hats joining the fight, the Marine Headquarters now had an overwhelming advantage.
Even if the Admirals and the Warlords turned against them, they still had the upper hand.