Faced with Whitebeard's pursuit, Blackbeard successfully escaped from the New World and began recruiting, forming his own pirate crew.
As an ambitious man, he had been lurking in the Whitebeard Pirates for decades, betting his youth on that ship, only revealing his ambition with the appearance of the Dark-Dark Fruit.
To achieve his goals, having his own team was essential, so during his escape, he started seeking subordinates worth recruiting.
Laffitte, Van Augur, Jesus Burgess, and Doc Q were the first recruits he gathered along the way.
Although his ambition was evident at this time, his target was not the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Currently, the Straw Hat had just arrived at Whiskey Peak, and the Seven Warlords were complete, giving him no chance to join.
Without special circumstances, the World Government would not easily replace the Seven Warlords, or else it would be like slapping its own face. Gaining a seat by defeating another Warlord wasn't easy.
So Blackbeard hadn't thought about capturing a qualified wanted criminal to give to the World Government in exchange for a position among the Seven Warlords; he was genuinely recruiting Drake.
As an ambitious man, achieving his goals required manpower, and quality officers were what he desperately needed, in a way similar to Rocks.
No matter what purpose his subordinates had, as long as they were willing to join him, he dared to recruit them. Though such a pirate crew lacked cohesion, it could gather significant force quickly.
As for Whitebeard's Quake-Quake Fruit... he could endure for decades for the Dark-Dark Fruit, so he wouldn't mind waiting a few more years for a better opportunity. He had no intention of confronting Whitebeard directly; otherwise, he wouldn't have chosen to escape the New World.
Recruiting Drake was a spur-of-the-moment decision; he hadn't expected to encounter a New World great pirate's officer here.
The famous officers under the Four Emperors were strong, naturally falling within Blackbeard's recruitment targets. Though the Blackbeard Pirates were low in overall attractiveness, Blackbeard's aesthetic judgment was normal.
Both Drake and Kikunojo were above his aesthetic line.
The scar on Drake's face didn't ruin his inherent beauty, whereas Kikunojo... unless he told others himself, no one would think he's a man, and even seeing him, they might not accept this fact.
"Recruit me? You sure are bold. No wonder you dared to kill a comrade on Whitebeard's ship. It seems you don't find this banner intimidating either."
Drake didn't intend to threaten the other with the Hundred Beasts' flag. Since this guy dared to kill another Whitebeard captain on the main ship, it showed he held no ordinary pirate's reverence for the Sea Emperor.
His audacity to provoke different Sea Emperors reminded Drake of a warrior from a few years ago, whose name wasn't remembered but whose feats remain legendary.
"Times are progressing; this is a new era. This sea needs new blood; those old guys should have ended long ago!"
"Sounds like you're asking for death. I have no interest at all, and you're just too ugly. I refuse to work with someone like you."
If someone had spoken to her like this before she joined the Hundred Beasts, it would've piqued Drake's interest, especially if the captain was a bit more handsome.
She didn't mind joining others or whether the new captain was good or evil, as long as there was something worth following.
The end of prosperity is always lonely, but Drake found pleasure in such loneliness.
Bravely forging ahead, overcoming obstacles, plundering, and then prospering.
Though she loved wealth, she didn't hoard it, freely spending her money, which defined her lifestyle as part of the Eternal Moonlight Clan.
Powerful enemies are indeed terrifying, but defeating them provides enjoyment. Failure might lead to death, but such a death would be a perfect finale.
Of course, besides the timing not being right, appearance was also a big issue.
She had a thing for looks, and Blackbeard's face blocked any chance of connection between them.
"Hahaha, Captain, she says you're ugly."
"Thinking it over, it doesn't seem like she's wrong?"
Burgess and Laffitte didn't refute Drake for Blackbeard and seemed to agree, prompting Blackbeard to loudly rebuke them:
"Enough, you guys! Have you forgotten who your captain is?!"
After silencing his crew, he looked back at Drake.
"Such a shame, I don't like that personality. It seems we're not meant to be."
"Not necessarily. I remember Whitebeard placed a fairly high bounty on you, and since I owe quite a bit recently, using you for cash would be a good choice."
"You're quite fiery, lady. I came with sincere intentions to recruit, and you want my life?"
"Is your recruitment about pointing a gun at someone's head from the shadows?"
As she spoke, a sphere formed from electricity appeared in Drake's hand, which she tossed at a nearby building. Meanwhile, a gunshot rang from afar.
Upon spotting Blackbeard, she had already used her ability, and with X-ray Vision, she saw her surroundings clearly, including Van Augur hidden in the distance.
She didn't underestimate this guy who dared act on Whitebeard's ship, never believing he was there for casual conversation.
Boom!
A building exploded under Drake's attack, sending a figure flying out. After rolling awkwardly, he aimed his gun at Drake again.
"Pretty accurate. I could feel your sincerity."
Though she dodged, Drake's ribbon was grazed by the bullet and snapped, letting her pink hair fall behind her, replacing her original face with a lion-like appearance.
"Thief hahaha, indeed a keen reaction. Since you reject recruitment, I'll just take something else, the Phantom Beast ability is mine!"
Since spotting Drake, he didn't plan to let her leave—either she joined him or he'd seize her ability, hence placing Van Augur in hiding.
He would stop at nothing and having backup plans was typical, though Drake discovering Van Augur wasn't expected.
That distance should be beyond normal Observation Haki detection, attributing it to Drake's inherent ability, heightening his interest in her powers.