Three days earlier before the Thousand Sunny's maiden voyage, on an island near 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. Ordering his men back after attempting to convince Ace to join his crew, Blackbeard justifies his actions because his crewmate eat a Devil Fruit whose powers he long sought for. Blackbeard then proceeds to destroy the village by revealing the power he have obtained from killing his friend: The Dark-Dark Fruit. Blackbeard than overwhelms Ace who making him another offer to join his crew. But Ace refuses and the two use their strongest attacks on each other. With the island is devastated and Ace defeated, the event would influence the changes that will come.