Three days earlier and on an island close to Water 7, Blackbeard receives the news of the Straw Hats' devastation of Enies Lobby and decides to pursue them. However, his plans are interrupted by Ace, who has come to avenge Blackbeard's murder of a crewmate. Teach claims that he had no other choice, for the man he killed possessed the devil fruit he wanted, which he had been searching for his entire life. He then asks Ace to join him; however, Ace refuses. They start fighting and Blackbeard reveals his newfound power, the power of darkness. The island is devastated and Ace defeated.