On an unfamiliar pirate ship, Thatch led the Fourth Division of the Whitebeard Pirates in effortlessly wiping out the enemy crew.
Their opponents were far too weak, so the Second Division hadn't even deployed their full strength—only the seemingly harmless Teach had come along to assist.
Once the last enemy fell, Thatch dashed into the enemy's cargo hold, his eyes scanning greedily over crates and boxes. But he wasn't looking for treasure.
He was hunting for a Devil Fruit.
Ignoring the gold and Berries piled high, he scoured every corner until—at last—he found one.
It was a dark purple fruit shaped like a spiked pineapple, its surface swirling with a strange black mist.
Thatch's eyes lit up instantly.
It was common knowledge that most Logia-type Devil Fruits resembled pineapples. And Logias were, without question, among the strongest Devil Fruits in existence.
Apart from a few exceptions like the Smoke-Smoke Fruit, every Logia granted immense power.
Even the Navy's three legendary Admirals—Aokiji, Kizaru, Akainu—are Logia users. The power gap between Logia users and normal fighters was massive.
To Thatch, this fruit was nothing short of destiny.
He couldn't help himself—his joy erupted as a loud cheer.
"I found one! A powerful Devil Fruit!"
Crew members rushed over, their curiosity piqued. They gathered around, excited but respectful. No one reached for the fruit. None, except for Teach, whose eyes locked onto it like a predator.
His breathing quickened.
He recognized it instantly.
The Dark-Dark Fruit.
Its twisted design and aura of malevolence were unmistakable. He had memorized its appearance years ago—etched it into his soul. And now, it was here. In front of him.
It was fate.
Teach's hands twitched with restraint. His eyes didn't blink. His entire body screamed for him to snatch it—but he didn't. Not yet.
Thatch, oblivious to the fire burning in Teach, grinned and raised the fruit high. "This could be a Logia! If it is, my strength's going to skyrocket!"
He brought it closer to his mouth.
Panic exploded inside Teach. His heart slammed against his ribs.
No. Not like this. Not after everything.
Desperation burst from his throat.
"Wait!!!"
Everyone turned to look at Teach, stunned by the sudden outburst. Thatch paused, fruit inches from his mouth.
"Huh? What's wrong, Teach?"
Teach scrambled to keep his calm. "Captain Thatch... I just think... something this important should be discussed with Pops first. Maybe we wait until we're back?"
Thatch laughed. "You're way too cautious. From the look of this thing, it's gotta be a Logia. And Logias are never bad!"
He opened his mouth wide again.
He's going to eat it!
Teach's eyes narrowed. He had no other choice.
Forgive me, Thatch… but this is my fate!
Slash!
A spray of blood burst into the air. Thatch stumbled back, clutching his neck.
The fruit fell from his hands into Teach's.
In his other hand, a bloodied dagger gleamed in the dim light.
Without hesitation, Teach shoved the fruit into his mouth and swallowed it whole.
Its bitter taste barely registered—he didn't care.
All that mattered was the power. His power.
For a moment, he stood completely still.
The crew around him stood frozen in horror.
Thatch collapsed to his knees, eyes wide, gurgling silently. He tried to speak—tried to ask why?—but his throat was too torn.
He looked at Teach one last time before falling flat on his back, his gaze fixed on the sky.
His eyes did not close.
The others broke from their trance and rushed to Thatch's side. But it was too late.
Thatch was dead.
Killed by Teach.
"Teach! What the hell is wrong with you?!"
"You killed Captain Thatch!"
Swords and rifles were drawn. Every face was seething with rage.
Teach stood still—until he began to laugh.
"Zehahahahaha! It really was the Dark-Dark Fruit! It chose me!"
They didn't wait. Every crewmember lunged toward him, ready to avenge their captain.
But their bodies stopped mid-charge.
The deck beneath them had turned into a swirling black vortex, sucking them downward with immense gravitational force.
Panic took over.
"What's happening?!"
"Why can't we move?!"
"Teach!!"
Teach sneered, spreading his arms as shadows crawled up the deck.
"You fools. This is the power of the Dark-Dark Fruit—the most vile of all Devil Fruits!"
One by one, the pirates were pulled waist-deep into the abyss. Some screamed. Others cried.
"You've lost your mind!" someone shouted. "The entire Whitebeard Pirates will hunt you down for this!"
"Whitebeard?" Teach scoffed.
"Old man's done for. He had to team up with Red-Hair because of that Purple Kirin freak. He's not the same."
"You bastard!!"
Before the man could finish, he vanished into the shadows.
Teach's eyes gleamed. His hand pressed against the ground.
"Black Hole!"
The darkness surged. The pull became violent. The remaining crew screamed one final time before they were dragged beneath the abyss.
And then—silence.
Only Teach remained standing on the deck, surrounded by emptiness and shadow.
Not a trace of the Fourth Division was left.
He raised a clenched fist to the sky, his face twisted with ecstasy.
"Zehahahahaha! Just wait! One day… this sea will belong to me, Blackbeard!"
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