Chapter 46: Sorry, Ace

"For the arms situation, we'll discuss it after the coming major event concludes."

"That conversation serves no purpose right now."

Yami turned around to face Doflamingo, who towered nearly half a body height above him.

Yami’s words carried direct authority. There was no room for negotiation.

Doflamingo possessed formidable power, and his subordinates commanded considerable strength as well.

Yami was preparing to replace Kaido as Doflamingo's new partner, positioning himself as the Shichibukai's primary ally in their operations.

However, this matter would naturally have to wait until after the War at Marineford.

Now wasn't the time to reveal too much strength or expose excessive information about his capabilities.

Converting Doflamingo to his cause would definitely require substantial effort, but he lacked the energy to pursue such a thing at this moment.

"Hah? That won’t do… I want to have words with you, right now."

But Doflamingo wasn't someone who accepted dismissal gracefully.

He couldn't tolerate such words that felt almost like mockery directed at him.

The atmosphere suddenly grew heavy, while the surrounding space became oppressive, as Doflamingo released his aura to intimidate Yami.

The World Government personnel standing nearby all panicked, looking at Doflamingo with visible trepidation.

However, Doflamingo wasn't arrogant enough to unleash his Conqueror's Haki in this location.

Such an action would undoubtedly constitute provocation against the true rulers of this world.

"Is that all you've got?"

Yami closed his eyes briefly, then opened them to reveal the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Simultaneously, he used his left eye's technique directly on Doflamingo: [Purgatory].

After his bloodline awakening, he had gained the ability to freely control the environment within his pupil technique.

He could even create a complete set of eight different hells, though doing so proved extremely chakra-intensive.

Since this served merely as a warning, Yami only employed the hell of endless flames, allowing Doflamingo to experience the sensation of being consumed by a boundless sea of fire.

Doflamingo's expression froze momentarily, but his face immediately contorted with panic as he stared at Yami in shock.

‘0.3 seconds!’

‘My current power only achieves this effect.’

‘But Doflamingo's reaction provides an adequate benchmark for judging the others' resistance.’

Yami observed Doflamingo's condition and calculated how long his opponents could withstand the pupil technique.

Doflamingo possessed Conqueror's Haki, and his Observation Haki was equally strong, making him extremely difficult to control through illusion-based abilities.

These individuals resembled Might Guy with the Eight Gates opened, brimming with energy.

Standard genjutsu proved completely ineffective.

Without his specialized technique, Doflamingo would only experience mild discomfort rather than falling victim to any illusion.

"Let's discuss this after the major event."

Yami repeated his statement.

But this time, after delivering those words, he turned and walked away.

Doflamingo watched Yami's retreating form and refrained from calling out again.

He had been trapped in the sea of fire for what felt like a day before realizing something was wrong and finding a method to break free from the illusion.

The sensation of being burned by those flames had felt utterly real to his senses.

"Did you let that brat escape?"

"You're completely useless…"

Gecko Moria finally caught up, having moved slowly through the corridors.

When he didn't see Yami anywhere, only Doflamingo standing motionless in the middle of the hallway, he spoke with harsh sarcasm.

"Be careful with that guy…"

"He'll actually kill you If he wants to!"

Doflamingo regarded Gecko Moria with cold indifference, then spoke with certainty.

Then he resumed his arrogant stride and departed the area.

"What…!"

"I won't be defeated by some kid a second time, that's absolutely impossible."

Gecko Moria continued his shouting.

His recent loss to a young kid made him feel he had been stripped of all dignity, and he regarded it as something that wouldn’t be repeated.

But no one paid attention to his outburst.

He remained alone, seething with rage in the empty corridor.

****

‘If I handle this mission personally, the completion rate exceeds eighty-five percent. That is, unless the plot changes due to my actions since arriving in this world… that remaining fifteen percent represents pure uncertainty.’

After attending the Shichibukai Conference, Yami had developed a comprehensive understanding of the upcoming War at Marineford.

At the very least, Luffy wouldn't be executed alongside Ace, dramatically reducing the possibility of the Revolutionary Army's involvement.

Similarly, Luffy had been sent to Impel Down by Yami himself rather than infiltrating alongside Hancock as in the original timeline.

The question remained whether he could rely on the opportunity Yami had provided to escape from Impel Down and lead some reinforcements to Marineford, potentially increasing the Whitebeard Pirates' combat strength.

Moreover, Luffy's appearance had played a crucial role in undermining Garp's fighting spirit.

The navy hero couldn't bear the possibility of losing both grandsons simultaneously.

This factor would prove vital if Yami intended to assist the Whitebeard Pirates.

‘If we engage Blackbeard, he currently has some subordinates plus himself. How many additional fighters he can recruit from Impel Down remains uncertain due to my capture of Luffy, creating another variable in the equation.’

‘Blackbeard's current strength definitely doesn't match that of the Four Emperors. Ace only lost because he didn't understand the Dark Fruit's power. Otherwise, Ace wouldn't have been captured so easily.’

‘Relying on the Dark Fruit, Blackbeard's peak strength probably reaches first commander level. His current capabilities basically match those of elite Shichibukai. The real trouble lies in dealing with all the prisoners he'll release from Impel Down!’

Returning to the clan territory, Yami systematically listed the enemies both sides would need to confront.

Simultaneously, he marked the influence of uncertain factors on his strategic calculations.

‘If we fight Blackbeard, the Whitebeard Pirates will likely remain spectators. If the Navy chooses to focus on Whitebeard instead, no one may be available to provide assistance. Dealing with an elite crew's combat power won't prove easy.’

‘Rescuing Ace and helping the Whitebeard Pirates means fighting alongside a Yonko crew, but the Navy will probably present greater challenges. It's possible that freeing Garp and Sengoku would mean facing five admiral-level opponents simultaneously. Whitebeard might not be able to withstand such pressure, forcing me to intervene directly. Without Haki to counter three Logia admirals, I'll have to endure a loss.’

‘Adding the Uchiha clan's combat power to assist would simplify either scenario. Whether helping the Whitebeard Pirates escape or intercepting the Blackbeard group, incorporating our strength could rapidly reduce the mission's difficulty.’

‘But the cost would be measured in my people's lives…’

Yami studied his final analysis with a deepening frown.

The weight of leadership pressed heavily upon his shoulders as he contemplated the impossible choice before him.

‘Personal feelings matter, but my people's lives matter more. I'm sorry, Ace.’

Yami made his decision without hesitation, choosing to abandon the mission of rescuing Ace.

This task would actually prove simpler to execute in practice, but the price would be paid in the blood of numerous clan members.

When these people had fled to this world alongside him, he had accepted the responsibility of protecting them.

Like Whitebeard, he refused to abandon his family.

Therefore, he chose to target the Blackbeard Pirates instead.

He would destroy them completely.