New World, aboard the Moby Dick.
A young man wearing a cowboy hat, freckles scattered across his face, stood by the ship's rail, trembling with barely contained anger. If it weren't for the firm grip of a man with a pineapple-shaped hairstyle holding him back, he would have leapt into the sea already.
"Marco, don't stop me!" he barked, turning to the man holding his arm.
The man with the pineapple-style hair was Marco, First Division Commander and ship's doctor of the Whitebeard Pirates. Marco's grip tightened, refusing to let go. "Ace, don't be reckless! Hear what Whitebeard has to say first."
The freckled young man was naturally Ace, Second Division Commander and Rolan's disciple. His jaw tightened.
Ace's gaze shifted toward Whitebeard, who stood nearby. "Whitebeard, I have to go. Thatch cannot have died in vain."
Ace's resolve was unshakable. He pursued Teach because Teach had murdered the Fourth Division Commander and stolen the Dark-Dark Fruit, and as a commander, Ace bore responsibility for such a failure.
The incident had unfolded just after a banquet the night before. Thatch had proudly displayed the Dark-Dark Fruit, showing it to the entire crew:
"Whitebeard, Mirasan, we got a trophy from our last raid. You'll be pleased to see it."
Thatch staggered back to his cabin after presenting the fruit. Most of the crew, familiar with Devil Fruit encyclopedias, knew what it was — a Logia-type fruit, and one of the most dangerous. Excitement rippled through the ship.
"This… isn't this the Logia-type Dark-Dark Fruit?" one sailor whispered.
"It's said to be the most vicious Logia Devil Fruit in existence!" another exclaimed.
Ace stepped forward, slinging an arm around Thatch's shoulder. "Your luck is ridiculous, Thatch. Last time I only got two Zoan fruits."
Thatch laughed heartily. "Hahaha, Captain Ace, you're strong. Next time, you'll get an even better Devil Fruit than this."
Ace pouted, feigning disinterest. "Luck isn't mine to command. Devil Fruits choose their owner by fate."
Their camaraderie was unmatched; the Second and Fourth Divisions had formed a deep bond over countless shared missions. But while Thatch was showing off the fruit, no one noticed the shadowed eyes watching from a corner.
"Zehahahaha, finally," whispered a tall man. Marshall D. Teach.
Teach had joined the Whitebeard Pirates for this very fruit. Now, it was within his reach. Carefully, he waited, ensuring no one's attention strayed to him. He suppressed his excitement; the moment to strike had to be perfect.
Raising his cup with a feigned smile, Teach approached Thatch. "Captain Thatch, congratulations on acquiring such a powerful Devil Fruit. I drink to your success."
"Hahaha, thank you, Teach, and thank you, everyone," Thatch responded, tilting his head, completely unaware of the danger.
The banquet continued, joyous and loud. Drinks flowed, laughter echoed across the deck. Then, suddenly, Thatch stumbled while clinking glasses with Ace.
"Hahaha, Thatch, you can't hold your liquor!" Ace chuckled, face flushed with amusement.
As the banquet wound down, most crew members were either passed out or snoring. Even Whitebeard leaned back, dozing with snot bubbles escaping his nose.
"Captain Thatch? Captain Thatch?" Teach's voice was soft as he gently patted the drunken man's shoulder. "I'll take you back."
Thatch barely stirred. Teach guided him toward the cabin, cautious as always. No one watched. Everyone else was incapacitated by drink. Teach's heart pounded as he glanced at the Dark-Dark Fruit clutched tightly in Thatch's arms.
He drew a dagger from behind his back, its blade gleaming coldly in the moonlight.
"Zehahaha, Captain Thatch, you can't blame me. You only have yourself to blame for this fruit," Teach muttered.
Before Thatch could comprehend, the dagger pierced his chest. Pain and shock widened his eyes.
"Teach? You!!" he gasped.
Teach covered Thatch's mouth, muffling any cries. Slowly, Thatch's trembling body went limp. Teach twisted the dagger 720 degrees, ensuring the man's death. Only then did he snatch the fruit and bite into it.
"Sigh, Marco, let Ace go," came Whitebeard's voice, calm yet commanding.
"Whitebeard!" Marco's eyes widened in disbelief. Teach had always been quiet, keeping his presence minimal, but now he wielded a terrifying aura. He had obtained the Dark-Dark Fruit, making him nearly untouchable to ordinary men. Marco could not risk Ace being harmed.
"It's fine. Let Ace go," Whitebeard said with a wave.
Marco reluctantly released Ace's arm. Ace leapt onto a small yacht, vanishing into the distance, his resolve blazing as he pursued Teach.