"The era is changing again… The Marines have now entered Akainu's era."
Red-Haired Shanks felt uneasy.
Not because he feared Akainu's strength.
But because he feared Akainu's nature.
"Whatever, Kuke is still around. Akainu won't be able to stir up much trouble." Shanks turned his thoughts around.
As long as Kuke stood among the pirates.
There was nothing to fear.
And so, the drinking and feasting continued.
"Hahaha! That mad dog Akainu, now that he's Fleet Admiral, won't he overestimate himself and try to bite Kuke? That would be quite the spectacle!"
Kaido of the Beasts sat in his stronghold.
Gloating.
Akainu?
Not even worth a second thought.
If he had the guts to enter the New World, Kaido would personally show him its brutality.
Whitebeard Pirates.
"Oh?"
Whitebeard was equally indifferent.
To him, these younger Marines like Akainu were never worth much concern.
And with the Sun and Moon Pirates around.
The changes in Marine Headquarters were even less of a worry.
Thus, the state of the world remained unchanged.
The monstrous pirates continued eating and drinking without a care.
Meanwhile, those lower in the ranks were gripped with fear and uncertainty.
…
At the same time.
In the quiet, unremarkable Foosha Village of the East Blue.
A straw-hat-wearing boy.
Set off on his journey.
"The sea, here I come! Ace, Sabo, wait for me! I'm going to be the Pirate King!"
A rather foolish-looking boy raised both hands and let out an overly dramatic roar toward the vast ocean.
Luffy had set sail.
Elsewhere in the East Blue.
Sanji was still working as a chef at the Baratie.
A certain bounty hunter was still lost.
Nami had spent years traveling nearly every corner of the East Blue.
She had mapped the entire region.
"Now my navigation skills will definitely be useful to Kuke."
Nami looked at the countless maps filling her room.
She finally gathered the courage and made her decision.
After bidding farewell to her mother and sister.
Nami, too, set out on her journey.
"The Grand Line is far away and extremely dangerous. It's best if I borrow someone else's strength to get there."
The ever-clever Nami began thinking of ways to do just that.
In the North Blue, West Blue, and South Blue.
Many new faces were also setting out to sea.
All chasing their dreams.
Struggling and striving toward the Grand Line.
…
In the New World.
The Four Emperors still reigned supreme, unshaken by any force.
Within Whitebeard's vast territory.
An unexpected guest arrived.
"Damn, there've been way too many pirates coming to the New World lately! And now someone even wants to meet Pops?"
Thatch, the Fourth Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, grumbled in annoyance.
"This can't be helped. Pirates from the first half of the Grand Line can't survive there. When they reach the New World, they all want to make a name for themselves. So, they set their sights on Pops. And not just Pops—Shanks and Kaido have had their share of visitors too."
Blackbeard sat on the deck, gnawing on a massive chunk of meat, his face showing nothing but harmless amusement.
Their mission today.
Was to deal with a group of pirates who had come seeking an audience with Whitebeard.
Whitebeard's crew.
Every single one of them was a monster.
With Thatch leading the charge, the enemy was swiftly dealt with.
Then came the looting.
"Is this a Devil Fruit?"
Thatch had little interest in riches, but in one of the chests, he discovered a fruit with a unique pattern.
Any pirate with even a bit of knowledge.
Could tell at a glance that this was a Devil Fruit—one of the greatest treasures of the sea.
"Commander Thatch, are you going to become a Devil Fruit user?"
"I wonder what ability this fruit holds? Will it be strong?"
"Is it a Logia? A Paramecia? Or maybe a Zoan?"
His crewmates curiously examined the dark purple fruit in Thatch's hand.
But none of them could identify it.
Even if one had studied Devil Fruit encyclopedias.
No one memorized every single fruit's name and appearance.
Normally, one would obtain the fruit first and then compare it with the reference books.
To determine its name and abilities.
"I'll think about whether to eat it after confirming its power."
Thatch didn't rush to eat the Devil Fruit.
Given his status.
Eating a useless fruit would be worse than not eating one at all.
Nearby, Blackbeard's pupils shrank.
His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the Dark-Dark Fruit in Thatch's hands.
An uncontrollable, burning greed surged through him.
"It actually appeared…"
The Dark-Dark Fruit—the power he had been waiting for.
The key to all his ambitions and dreams.
He had waited years for this moment.
Blackbeard cast a subtle glance at Thatch.
Thatch was completely oblivious.
He had no idea that his own crewmate was now emanating a silent, murderous intent.
Blackbeard couldn't wait any longer.
As soon as Thatch was away from prying eyes.
Blackbeard crept up behind him, blade in hand.
To eliminate any risks.
To prevent Thatch from suddenly eating the Dark-Dark Fruit.
Blackbeard decided to take a gamble.
As long as he got his hands on the Dark-Dark Fruit, anything was worth it.
"You can only blame yourself… for getting your hands on the Devil Fruit I desire most."
Blackbeard raised his blade.
And plunged it into Thatch's back.
Thatch had no chance to react—his chest was pierced through.
"W-Why…?"
Thatch turned, his face filled with disbelief as he stared at the twisted, savage grin on Blackbeard's face.
"Don't blame me. The Dark-Dark Fruit belongs to me."
Blackbeard twisted the blade.
Completely destroying Thatch's heart.
Thatch couldn't even call out to warn his crewmates before he collapsed, dead.
It wouldn't be long before his body was discovered.
Blackbeard warily glanced at the other crewmates in the distance.
If they found him now, he would be done for.
…
And Whitebeard himself wasn't far away.
Thinking of that, Blackbeard moved even faster.
He immediately reached for the chest beside Thatch.
He had seen it with his own eyes—Thatch had placed the Dark-Dark Fruit in that chest.
And never took it out again.
The Dark-Dark Fruit was inside.
Blackbeard opened the chest.
Breathing heavily, eyes bloodshot, his hand reached in.
But inside…
Nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
The Dark-Dark Fruit was gone.
Blackbeard was stunned.
His bloodshot eyes bulged as if they were about to pop out of his skull.
Clenching his teeth until they nearly shattered, his expression twisted like a mad beast.
"Where is my Dark-Dark Fruit?!!"
His mind spiraled into chaos.
He had seen Thatch place the fruit in the chest.
From start to finish, his eyes had never left it.
There was no way anything unexpected could have happened.
Yet now, it was gone.
Blackbeard couldn't comprehend it.
Nor could he accept it.
He had killed Thatch.
Committed the most unforgivable crime in the Whitebeard Pirates.
All for the Dark-Dark Fruit.
And yet… it was gone.
How?
He didn't know.
Blackbeard opened his mouth and let out a guttural, beast-like growl.
Damn it. Damn it!
Where did my Dark-Dark Fruit go?!
"What's that noise?"
Somewhere nearby, other crew members sensed something was wrong and began heading toward his location.
The sound of footsteps.
Sent chills down Blackbeard's spine.
"This is bad."
His expression changed drastically.
Damn it, who took my Dark-Dark Fruit?!
Blackbeard clenched his teeth in fury, veins bulging with rage.
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DONT FORGET POWER STONE
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