Teach stared at Shanks and Ace, his face rigid with tension.
Why didn't he want Ace to use his ability to help attract the Devil Fruit? As Ace had said, all Teach had to do was not eat the fruit once it was brought forth. Yet, Teach had a gut feeling that Ace might actually help him achieve his deepest, most cherished desire—obtaining the most malevolent power in history, the Dark-Dark Fruit. That was why, just a moment ago, his emotions had briefly spiraled out of control.
The Dark-Dark Fruit was Teach's greatest obsession. For over 20 years, he had bided his time aboard Whitebeard's ship, playing the role of an obedient subordinate, hiding his ambitions, all in pursuit of this fruit. And now, the opportunity was within reach.
But why didn't he want Ace to assist him? Teach's heart burned with longing—so much so that it had nearly broken his restraint—but he couldn't allow Ace to attract the fruit. Everyone present was a top-tier figure in this vast sea, and they, too, had likely studied the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia. If the Dark-Dark Fruit appeared, he wouldn't be the only one who could recognize its ominous power. The legendary, most dangerous of all Devil Fruits would be known to them as well.
Shanks, who was aware of some of his secrets, would never allow him to claim the fruit. And Ace—Ace filled him with an overwhelming sense of dread. Even though they had never met before, Ace's presence was suffocating. Teach was still just a low-ranking member of the Whitebeard Pirates, practically unknown, while Ace had risen to unparalleled heights after the great "Flame Emperor" incident.
In this era, Ace stood above the Four Emperors, a man whose mere name could command respect. The Entei Pirates, under Ace's command, were beginning to rival the once-dominant Rocks Pirates. Only the sheer number of powerful figures on the seas kept the Entei Pirates from complete dominance. Though the Four Emperors together could still challenge Ace's forces, no single pirate group could compare. Not even the Rocks Pirates of the old era—with legends like Golden Lion, Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Kaido—could match Ace's unity.
The Rocks Pirates had once gathered immense power, but they were pirates united only by interest, often turning on one another. That betrayal was ultimately their downfall in the fateful battle at the Valley of the Gods. But Ace was different. His crew followed him with absolute loyalty, more tightly bonded than even Shanks' Red-Hair Pirates.
Ace's Entei fleet was a deadly weapon, a sword that could cut through anything in their path. His leadership and strength had already been proven. His power surpassed that of the Four Emperors, and he was now recognized as the strongest man in the world—his conqueror haki unrivaled.
It terrified Teach that someone of such immense power would suddenly take notice of him, a relative nobody. Teach wasn't stupid. He knew that men like Ace and Shanks possessed knowledge of the world's deepest secrets. When Ace offered to help him attract a Devil Fruit, Teach felt a chill. Could Ace possibly know his greatest secret?
It seemed impossible. He had never met Ace before, and only Shanks and a few others, like Buggy, had any inkling of Teach's true nature. Marco and a handful of others aboard Whitebeard's ship had noticed that Teach never slept, but no one knew the truth of his abnormal body.
Teach's secret was buried deep—so deep that even someone with extraordinary observation haki couldn't sense it. And yet, Ace seemed to see through him more clearly than anyone, even more so than Shanks. Though Teach wasn't sure how much Ace knew, one thing was certain: Ace had set his sights on him.
To be targeted by a man who ruled this era was a suffocating experience, even for someone as bold as Teach. And if Ace's goal was really the Dark-Dark Fruit—if he used his power to draw it in—Teach knew things could take a catastrophic turn.
If Ace, the Emperor of Fire, and the red-haired Shanks sought to claim the Dark-Dark Fruit, even with Whitebeard's protection, Teach wouldn't be safe. The final outcome? The Dark-Dark Fruit would likely end up in the hands of Entei, Portgas D. Ace.
Did that mean Teach would never be able to obtain the Dark-Dark Fruit for himself? The sudden realization sent a cold sweat trickling uncontrollably down his forehead.
"Teach, what are you hiding...?" Whitebeard's gaze locked onto Teach's frozen expression and the sweat streaming down his face. His eyes narrowed slightly.
Though Whitebeard loved his sons, it didn't mean he was a fool. He knew each of them well. Teach might usually appear laid-back and optimistic, but arrogance and recklessness were his greatest weaknesses.
Whitebeard, however, treated his sons like family. Even with their flaws, he was willing to forgive them. But this time, something was different.
Teach was clearly hiding a significant secret—one that Ace and Shanks were already aware of, but Whitebeard himself had no clue about. The weight of this secret was enough to make Teach lose control of his emotions.
"..."
Teach clenched his teeth as he met Whitebeard's eyes.
He had joined the Whitebeard Pirates, the strongest crew led by the man who was once considered the world's mightiest, all in pursuit of the Dark-Dark Fruit. While the Roger Pirates were strong, Roger's goal had always been to become Pirate King, not to build power like Whitebeard did. With the Whitebeard Pirates, Teach believed he had the highest chance of finding the Devil Fruit he coveted.
But after so many years, his hope had dwindled. The vast sea made finding a specific Devil Fruit seem nearly impossible. He had even resigned himself to staying with the Whitebeard Pirates for the rest of his life if the Dark-Dark Fruit never appeared.
Whitebeard's piercing gaze made Teach hesitate. Searching for the Dark-Dark Fruit alone seemed hopeless. If he lost Whitebeard's trust now, his last safe haven would vanish. Maybe it was better to take a risk.
Perhaps Portgas D. Ace could really help him attract the Dark-Dark Fruit! If it appeared, Teach would seize the chance—he would use all his strength to eat the fruit before anyone else could. After all, the fruit would be drawn to him, not Ace. He might just be the first to reach it.
If he succeeded in claiming the Dark-Dark Fruit, Whitebeard would protect him. As long as he didn't commit any unforgivable acts, Whitebeard would still see him as his son. But if he failed, and Ace captured the fruit, his chance would be gone forever. Still, he would remain with the Whitebeard Pirates—where the odds of finding the Dark-Dark Fruit alone were almost nonexistent.
Twenty long years had passed, and he hadn't even glimpsed the fruit. Now, with an opportunity before him, how could he hesitate any longer?
"Alright, Mr. Ace, I'll leave it to you," Teach said, forcing a smile and speaking earnestly.
"It's no trouble," Ace replied, a slight smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"Buzz!"
A mysterious ripple of energy enveloped Teach. With his current power, Ace's control over the Realm of Comprehension—or, more specifically, his ability to influence the "imagination of Nika"—had reached a new height. Ace didn't need to enhance Teach's own strength. All he had to do was amplify Teach's desire for the fruit, drawing the corresponding Devil Fruit to him.
Ace wasn't one to deceive his enemies. The hunt for the Dark-Dark Fruit had begun!
"This... this is..." Teach stared in astonishment at the light surrounding him.
"This is getting interesting," Ace remarked, a grin breaking across his face as he watched Teach.