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...
Arton's torrent of darkness plunged into the black haze Teach had released and vanished from sight, right before Arton and Nico Robin.
"Huh. I don't really care if he lives or dies, but that escape method's pretty novel," Arton mused. "So the Dark-Dark Fruit can swallow its own user too? …Will he pop out somewhere nearby?"
He glanced over the spot where Blackbeard disappeared, scanned the surrounding sea, and even stretched his Observation Haki outward. But his Haki was still only beginner level; the range was limited, and he sensed no trace of Teach resurfacing.
"Runs fast," he shrugged. "Whatever. We'll meet again."
Light washed over him; a moment later, under Robin's close gaze, Nojiko appeared at Arton's side as the fusion ended. Arton projected blades underfoot as flying footholds and slipped an arm around the slightly drained Nojiko to support her.
"Hello, Miss Nojiko," Nico Robin said with a gentle smile.
She knew earning a place on Arton's crew meant winning over his crewmates too. Their approval could be the key to staying aboard—and to receiving a template. With that, Arton would be even less likely to send her away, and she'd have chances to pursue the Poneglyphs.
If Arton knew about the sky island's stone, he likely knew of others as well; a man like him wouldn't have only scraps of that history.
"Hello, Miss Nico Robin," Nojiko replied warmly. A likely future comrade was nothing to resist.
"Sorry, Captain," Nojiko looked up, a touch apologetic. "I can't maintain that form for long."
"It's fine. That's Mirajane's peak mode—the ultimate take-over born from many demon souls. Even Mirajane herself wouldn't hold it for long," Arton said, smiling. "The fact you let me access it at all is already amazing."
When she'd first gained the Mirajane template, Arton couldn't touch that apex form at all. Reaching it now was real progress—he'd originally intended to stop at the Satan Soul stage.
"You've worked hard. Let's head back. Rest up after."
He shut off the diary's recording, took Robin with one hand and Nojiko with the other, and, feet stepping on flying projected swords, sped back toward the Sylvan.
Chapter 350: The Residual Energy — Teach in Agony
Aboard the Sylvan, Uta and the others saw Arton shut off the recording system and immediately began preparing to welcome him back. They were already mentally prepared for Robin's arrival and felt little resistance toward it.
Ain, however, couldn't hide her displeasure.
After all, with Robin's arrival… there was one more person competing for character templates.
Even so, no matter how she felt, she couldn't object to Arton's decisions.
Meanwhile, across the sea, the diary copy holders reacted differently to the broadcast's end.
Smoothie: "That Mirajane template is really impressive. Even if he only showed one attack, it's clearly powerful."
Kujaku: "Just entering that final form was enough to evaporate part of the ocean—that's terrifying power."
Kalifa: "So that last form was created by devouring countless demons? I wonder whose power is stronger—Mirajane's or Harribel's."
Black Maria: "That Blackbeard fool might've escaped, but Arton's final blow must've hurt him badly."
Gion: "Another extremely strong template. Once Nojiko fully grows, her strength could rival a Marine Admiral."
Doll: "Then the Marines might've underestimated her bounty."
Whitey Bay: "Damn it, that Blackbeard actually ran off. Never thought he'd be this slippery."
Makino: "If Arton had gone all out, maybe he could've finished him. But for Arton to use his full strength… I guess you'd have to become one of his own first."
Paula: "Whew, no matter how many times I see it, Arton's character templates are terrifying."
Mikita: "It just makes me want to join his crew even more."
Vivi: "If Nico Robin can really become his crewmate, then maybe… I'll finally get to board his ship too."
Hands clasped before her chest, Vivi looked out across the distant sea, eyes full of hope.
…
Far away, in waters opposite the Sylvan's route, a black vortex suddenly opened.
With a violent splash, a small boat shot out of it, carrying several tall figures. If Arton were here, he would've recognized them instantly—the Blackbeard Pirates.
But compared to earlier, they were in utter disarray.
Blackbeard himself was covered in wounds, blood streaming down his body.
"Ahhh! It hurts! Damn it—why does it hurt this much?!"
The boat hit the water, rocking violently before stabilizing. Then Blackbeard collapsed, clutching his injuries and groaning in pain.
"Captain! Are you alright?!" Doc Q hurried over, eyes full of concern.
"Damn it—it hurts like hell! Why's that Arton's darkness so pure?! Why can't my darkness beat his?!"
"Don't worry, Captain. I'll treat you," Doc Q said, kneeling and opening his medical case.
Blackbeard's Yami-Yami no Mi gave his body regenerative potential—but at a cost: every bit of recovery doubled the pain he felt. Doc Q thought this trait would make treatment easier, but when he began, he realized just how difficult Arton's wounds were to heal.
"What's wrong, Doc Q?" Laffitte asked, noticing his grim expression.
"These injuries should've been simple to fix," Doc Q frowned. "But there's an energy roaming inside the captain's body. It's not lethal, but it keeps interfering with his regeneration."
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