"Isn't there any way?" Blackbeard suddenly grabbed Doc Q's wrist. The pain made his whole arm tense until even Doc Q winced slightly.
"Captain, can't your darkness swallow the energy Arton left inside you?" Doc Q asked.
"Damn it—if I could, I would've already done it!" Blackbeard barked. "Arton's dark energy is too pure. My own darkness can't devour it. All I can do is keep using my power to cancel it out."
He was both furious and shocked. His Yami-Yami no Mi couldn't suppress Arton's power during the fight—and now, after taking that hit, even healing himself was nearly impossible. It was as if Arton's energy had become a venom clinging to his bones, preventing any recovery.
Doc Q frowned. "Then there's no helping it. That energy is inside your body—I can't remove it quickly. The most I can do is reduce the pain. Should I give you a shot of anesthetic?"
"Damn it, no! If I fall asleep, I can't fight off Arton's energy." Blackbeard gritted his teeth, trembling. "That bastard—pray we never meet again. If we do, I'll make him pay!"
"Pff!"
At that moment, Van Augur coughed up a mouthful of blood and staggered before collapsing. Laffitte quickly caught him.
"Van Augur, what's wrong?"
"The… power Arton threw at me…" Van Augur didn't finish—he passed out cold.
"Damn it, Arton! Doc Q, forget me—treat Van Augur first!" Blackbeard shouted.
He already knew Arton had tossed part of his attack toward Van Augur. As the one clashing directly with Arton's darkness, Blackbeard had tried to intercept it, but even giving his all, he couldn't neutralize it completely.
A remnant still seeped into Van Augur's body—small in quantity, yet enough to seriously wound him, whose endurance hadn't reached true veteran level.
And not just Van Augur—none of the Blackbeard Pirates had escaped unscathed. Arton's Mirajane form had unleashed her ultimate strength.
If this were to be described in Heroic Spirit terms, then that blow was a Noble Phantasm—a weapon of mass destruction, specifically one that countered Blackbeard's darkness.
In such circumstances, it would almost be disrespectful to Arton and Nojiko's outburst if any member of the crew came out unharmed.
"I understand," Doc Q said, pushing through his own injuries to start treating Van Augur. The others sat cross-legged, resting in exhaustion.
None of them noticed that high above them, a massive bird hovered in the sky, snapping photos with a camera.
"As expected… big news always waits in the first half of the Grand Line," the bird chuckled—Big News Morgans himself.
Because Arton's group had gone dark after entering the Grand Line, Morgans' subordinates had failed to gather any updates. So, he'd personally flown out to investigate.
And, to his delight, he'd stumbled upon the Blackbeard Pirates themselves—
and from their conversation, it was clear: they had just been defeated by Arton.
Chapter 352: I Hope Captain Arton Takes Me In"
"Was that Nojiko's power…? Arton used her strength. Interesting."
"To leave Blackbeard's crew that battered… looks like Nojiko's bounty will climb." Morgans muttered to himself. Blackbeard might still be obscure to ordinary folks, but the Big News king could pick up whispers—like Teach betraying the Whitebeard Pirates.
"But just knowing Blackbeard's side isn't enough. If I can find Arton and interview him myself… that would be perfect. I might land news that shocks the entire world." He gazed toward the distant sea.
Right now the whole world is obsessed with Arton—curious about everything. His ability and behavior are both unusual: ability, as in the Flameblade Pirates' rumored all-Mythical Zoan lineup; behavior, as in killing a Celestial Dragon and openly vowing revenge on another.
If Morgans could pry out inside info straight from Arton's mouth, the world would go crazy.
With that, he beat his wings hard and flew in the direction Arton's group was likely headed.
"Please… let me meet that Arton," he murmured.
…
Aboard the Sylvan.
"Welcome back, Arton." Nami walked up with a smile and took a slightly drained Nojiko from Arton's arms. "Looks like you did pretty well—picked up a beauty for free."
"You must be thrilled." Karina's eyes swept over Nico Robin, then she smiled at Arton.
"Well, can't complain." Arton chuckled, gesturing to the woman beside him. "This is Nico Robin. An archaeologist. Since we've run into her, I figured I'd fish her onto our ship for now. Besides, I don't want Blackbeard getting her."
"I see—Blackbeard, huh. Arton, did you take him out?" Uta asked, curious. The recording hadn't shown his death, so she wanted the result—especially since that man scarred her adoptive father, Shanks.
"He ran. But he shouldn't be feeling great. Nojiko's darkness is purer than his. Before he slipped away, I planted that darkness on him precisely. He's probably writhing on his deck right now." Arton grinned.
"That's wonderful." Uta's lips curled up, satisfied. Even if Blackbeard didn't die, making him suffer was plenty.
"Speaking of which, you're pretty calm, Robin. Nothing you want to say?" Arton turned to her, curious. "That talk about joining me—was that just a pretext?"
As Arton spoke, everyone on deck looked Robin's way—Ain most of all, staring daggers at this brand-new rival for templates.
"If Arton-san is willing to take me in, I would, of course, like to join." Nico Robin smiled.
"Is that so? But aren't you working under Crocodile right now?" Arton asked, studying her expression closely.
...
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