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"It's really a Devil Fruit!"
"Captain Thatch, you've got some incredible luck!"
"Must've been from those dark forces. No wonder that crew came to our territory with it."
"I just wonder what kind of fruit it is."
The surrounding members of the Whitebeard Pirates were astonished at the sight of the Devil Fruit. Their expressions showed no jealousy, only admiration and curiosity as they looked at Thatch.
Whether their true feelings matched their outward reactions was unclear, but it was undeniable that the Whitebeard Pirates had one of the most harmonious relationships among pirate crews. While Devil Fruits were undeniably valuable, the crew's respect for the rules and hierarchy made it unlikely anyone would challenge Thatch's right to the fruit—unless, of course, he himself decided not to keep it.
"Fools," said Marco, waving a dismissive hand. "There are countless Devil Fruits out there. You really think anyone knows the abilities of all of them? Just check the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia."
Unlike the fruits themselves, which were rare treasures, the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia was far easier to come by, especially with the resources of the Whitebeard Pirates. Auction houses often had copies for sale, and the crew's long-standing connections made obtaining one trivial.
Ace grinned mischievously. "Who cares what it does? Wouldn't it be more fun to just eat it and find out?"
Thatch shot him a look, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, sure, if you want me to risk becoming a landlubber without knowing what the power does. Pass."
"Got it!" one of the crewmates called out, holding up the book. He flipped through the pages before his expression froze, becoming almost unreadable. Turning to Thatch, he said slowly, "Captain Thatch… this fruit in your hand looks like a Logia fruit."
The words sent a ripple of excitement through the crew. They crowded closer, peering over the book and comparing the description to the fruit in Thatch's hands. Sure enough, the image in the encyclopedia matched perfectly: the Dark-Dark Fruit.
The realization hit like a tidal wave.
"It's really a Logia fruit!"
"Captain Thatch, you're going to be a monster with this kind of power!"
"A Logia fruit, no less. The power of darkness… Eat it, Thatch, let's see what it can do!"
Even Ace's eyes lit up with curiosity. "What do you think, Thatch? Gonna eat it?"
Thatch hesitated, a rare look of indecision crossing his face. Unlike many others, he had no blind ambition to seize power without thought. He was a pirate at heart but valued the freedom of the seas too much to rush into anything, especially something as life-altering as a Devil Fruit.
"I'm going to think about it," Thatch finally said, his voice steady but thoughtful. "Unlike the rest of you, I don't want to end up stuck on land if it comes to that."
This response surprised the crew. Most pirates wouldn't hesitate for a second to claim the power of a Logia, especially one as revered as the Dark-Dark Fruit.
"You already know what it does! What's there to think about?" one of the crewmates asked incredulously.
Thatch shrugged, carefully placing the fruit back into its box. "What's the rush? The fruit isn't going anywhere."
Seeing Thatch carefully re-secure the Devil Fruit in its box, the other captains exchanged glances but said no more. Respect for personal decisions was a cornerstone of their crew, and no one was going to push Thatch further.
But then Whitebeard, who had been silently observing, spoke:
"Our Whitebeard Pirates have rules. Whoever finds a Devil Fruit has the right to decide what to do with it." His deep, commanding voice carried across the deck. "Thatch, take your time to think about it. We're a family. Whether you choose to eat it or not, no one will hold it against you."
"Yeah, don't worry, old man," Marco chimed in with a reassuring grin. "There aren't any idiots on this ship who'd cause trouble over it."
Marco knew exactly what his father meant. The allure of a Logia Fruit, especially one as rare and powerful as the Dark-Dark Fruit, could tempt even the most loyal crew members into betrayal. Whitebeard's words were a reminder of their ironclad laws, ensuring that any budding greed or ambitions were buried before they could take root.
For some, those words served as a sobering reality check. Quiet murmurs ceased, and the tension eased as the crew, reminded of their bond and the ship's laws, dispersed.
As the spoils were fully cataloged, the pirates who had gathered to watch returned to their quarters for the night.
But one man lingered.
In the dim light of the Moby Dick, Teach remained behind, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on the box containing the Dark-Dark Fruit as Thatch carried it to his room.
From the moment Thatch had revealed the fruit, Teach's demeanor had shifted. His usual carefree facade was gone, replaced by a sharp, predatory glint in his eyes.
He hadn't needed to consult the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia—he had known instantly. He knew the Dark-Dark Fruit, knew it intimately, for it was the very reason he had joined the Whitebeard Pirates so many years ago.
This fruit was his dream, the culmination of decades of patience, scheming, and sacrifice. He had waited nearly thirty years, endured hardship, and hibernated within Whitebeard's crew all for this moment.
For a long time, Teach had resigned himself to the possibility that fate would not grant him this opportunity. If the fruit had never appeared, he had even considered abandoning the crew in the coming years to forge his own path toward domination. Though it would have been a lesser version of his grand vision, he would have still made his mark on the seas.
But now—now, fate had smiled upon him. When he was on the verge of giving up, the fruit of his dreams had appeared.
Even better, Thatch hadn't eaten it immediately.
"This is destiny," Teach murmured to himself, a wicked grin creeping across his face. His shoulders shook with suppressed laughter. "Zehahahaha… It's no wonder, Thatch."
Under the cover of darkness, Teach armed himself with a weapon and crept through the silent halls of the Moby Dick. His movements were careful, deliberate, his steps muffled by years of experience.
On Whitebeard's ship, the familial bond was strong. The crew trusted one another implicitly, so much so that few even bothered to use Observation Haki to monitor their crewmates. This trust provided the perfect cover for Teach's treachery.
Slipping into Thatch's quarters, Teach found the captain of the 4th Division asleep, the box containing the Dark-Dark Fruit resting on a nearby table.
What followed was swift, silent, and brutal.
The brief struggle ended with Thatch lying motionless on the floor, a weapon plunged through his heart. Blood pooled rapidly beneath him, staining the deck in a dark crimson that glistened faintly in the moonlight.