Leno hadn't paid any attention to Hancock at all, so naturally he had no idea what kind of expression she was wearing right now.
But Domino, Robin, Kalifa, and the others saw Hancock's lovestruck gaze clearly.
Alarm bells rang in their hearts.
Danger level: maxed out!
This woman… was far too dangerous!
They had to admit—Hancock was stunning. If she really decided to use her charm on Leno…
What would they do?
They were already completely inseparable from him!
Just one step away from becoming "Leno-shaped"—and it wouldn't take long at this rate.
Hancock, ever sensitive to gazes—who could blame her, given how beautiful she was—quickly noticed the hostile looks.
She didn't care in the slightest.
If anything, the corner of her lips curved upward imperceptibly.
"Hmph. You think the likes of you are worthy of competing with me for Lord Leno?"
The proud and beautiful Snake Princess—
Why would she fear a few little rabbits?
Meanwhile, Whitebeard, who was still clashing fiercely with Garp, let out a booming laugh after seeing Leno punch Blackbeard into submission.
"Gurararara! Kid, well done!"
Watching Leno handle Blackbeard so cleanly only made him admire the boy more.
Seeing such an outstanding youngster—
That old urge rose uncontrollably again.
"Kid! Become my son!"
The entire Whitebeard Pirates were stunned.
"Nani?! Pops wants to take Leno as his son?!"
"Our family's getting a new member?!"
"Leno's strength really is impressive!"
The ordinary crew members were mostly excited.
But the division commanders—especially Ace—looked grim.
Ace stared at Leno, fists clenched.
He hadn't forgotten how Luffy had rushed in to save him—
Only to have one of his eyes ripped out by Leno.
"How could a bastard who blinded Luffy become my brother?!" he roared inwardly.
But now wasn't the time to object.
He swallowed his anger.
Nearly all the Whitebeard Pirates believed that being acknowledged as Whitebeard's son was the greatest honor imaginable.
They never even considered Leno's thoughts.
Nor did they believe he would refuse.
To become the son of the world's strongest man—what was there to hesitate about?
If he refused, what would that make them?
Men who liked being sons?
Leno's expression darkened instantly.
Become someone else's son?
He had no such hobby.
His eyes turned cold.
Without a word, he strode over to the still-writhing Blackbeard.
Before Blackbeard could react, Leno grabbed him by the back of the neck—
And hurled him straight toward Ace's position!
"Damn it. Let these self-righteous idiots bite each other."
After all—
The Whitebeard Pirates relied heavily on Devil Fruits, which Blackbeard countered.
And those without fruits weren't superior to him in pure physical combat.
Besides—
Blackbeard had a thick health bar.
Durable.
However—
To almost everyone watching—
It looked like Leno had accepted Whitebeard's offer.
Throwing Blackbeard toward them seemed like a goodwill gesture.
"Look! He tossed Blackbeard to Captain Ace!"
"He's showing sincerity!"
"He accepted Pops! That's a greeting gift!"
The Whitebeard Pirates nodded with expressions of "As expected" and "He knows what's good for him."
Even Whitebeard laughed louder.
This son—
He was claiming him no matter what.
Even if the Celestial Dragons showed up, it wouldn't matter!
Leno's face darkened even further.
What nonsense!
He threw Blackbeard over purely to let this scheming bastard cause trouble for them.
To make it clear—
Not everyone wanted to be Whitebeard's son.
And not everyone liked being someone's son.
Him?
Call Whitebeard father?
Why not just be the father himself?
Even Garp bought into the misunderstanding.
While trading blows with Whitebeard, he found time to shout mockingly:
"Leno, you brat! If I'd known you had a habit of casually recognizing fathers, you should've called me Dad back then! Hahaha!"
He took full advantage of the chance to ridicule Leno.
No need for courtesy anymore.
They'd long since torn off the mask.
However—
Domino, Robin, Kalifa, Perona, little Alice, and Shiki the Golden Lion all knew Leno's personality well.
He was arrogant to the bone.
A man like that would never bow to anyone.
If he could bow—
He would've remained a righteous Vice Admiral.
Not rotted in Impel Down.
They all watched quietly.
What exactly was Leno planning?
What would happen next?
Meanwhile—
Ace watched Blackbeard flying toward him, emotions swirling.
He didn't know how to face Leno—or Luffy.
But that could wait.
Right now—
Revenge.
Midair, Blackbeard flailed and screamed:
"Waaah! Help! Help!"
He was scared.
He was acting.
The moment he was thrown—
He saw the cold look in Leno's eyes.
And that faint, amused smile.
He knew Leno wasn't currying favor.
"This brat has a motive."
What motive?
Didn't matter.
If Leno wanted to use him—
He could use the situation too.
Blackbeard crashed to the ground and rolled several times.
Still howling dramatically:
"It hurts! It hurts! I'm dying!"
Ace, filled with hatred, was the first to rush forward.
The other commanders, seeing Blackbeard in such a sorry state, lowered their guard slightly—
But still followed.
Seeing him like this, satisfaction surged in Ace's heart.
He kicked Blackbeard hard.
"You bastard Teach! Finally fell into my hands!"
Thinking of the betrayal—
Of the brothers who had died—
Of the suffering caused—
His rage intensified.
Kick after kick.
Harder and harder.
The better Ace felt—
The louder Blackbeard wailed.
But Ace didn't see—
Beneath those shielding hands—
Blackbeard's eyes gleamed with calculation.
"That's it… angrier… just a bit more…"
It wasn't that Blackbeard enjoyed pain.
He was waiting.
Waiting for Ace to drop his guard completely.
He'd taken a heavy punch from Leno.
He wasn't in peak condition.
If he were—
He wouldn't need to act this hard.
Finally—
The opening came.
Ace launched another powerful kick—
But overextended.
Blackbeard's eyes flashed viciously.
"Black Vortex!!!"
His right hand shot out—
Dark gravity exploding from his palm—
Clamping onto Ace's ankle!
The overwhelming suction dragged Ace violently toward him.
"Nani?!"
Ace's face changed drastically.
Instinctively, he activated his Devil Fruit.
"Flame Commandment!"
But the moment the flames touched the darkness—
They were extinguished.
The Dark-Dark Fruit countered Devil Fruits.
Did you think that was a joke?
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