"Such a tiny Alabasta, yet it suddenly gathered three Logia Devil Fruit users all at once—how lively~"
"You think so too, Seagull King?"
"Gaa— (They're all weak.)"
Hearing the Seagull King say that, Orin froze for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh.
"True. Whether it's smoke, flames, or sandstorms, they're all suppressed by storms."
Watching the group bicker and gradually run farther away, Orin couldn't be bothered to chase. Instead, he propped his head on one hand and just sat there blankly.
Kids fighting was the most boring thing ever. And Luffy of the Ace of the Sea moved at a snail's pace; Crocodile wouldn't get defeated for at least a week or two at this rate.
So boring…
Orin's mood began to sour, and the Seagull King beside him instantly puffed up all its feathers.
So scary!!!
Something even more terrifying than war had appeared!!!
Orin-sama was starting to get in a bad mood!!!
Terrified and trembling atop Orin's shoulder, the Seagull King dared not move. Thankfully, after a bit of thinking, Orin finally came up with something to do.
Teach really was more fast-paced.
"Seagull King, just fly high in the sky and follow them from afar. I'll rest for a bit."
"Gaa—"
…
...
On the other side of Paradise, on an unnamed island.
A lively atmosphere filled a bar. The sounds of tearing into meat and chugging beer echoed nonstop.
A few strange figures of various shapes and sizes sat at the bar's center table, eating and drinking heartily.
Sitting in the middle was a curly-haired black fat man.
"Zehehehehehe…"
"Looks like we'll need to move quickly!!!"
His massive body leaned against the chair's backrest. Stuffing cherry pie into his mouth with one hand, Blackbeard read the latest newspapers and intel.
"There's word going around the underworld… that man has returned!!!!"
A glint of gravity and viciousness flashed in his beady eyes, though he still continued laughing.
"If that man appears on this sea, it'll be troublesome to pursue our ambitions for the future. That monster…"
"That monster?"
Hades asked, seemingly puzzled.
"It's Black Gun. They say he's returned to this sea…"
Teach paused for a moment, but soon shifted the conversation.
Whether to reassure Hades or just to brag and boost morale, he immediately continued:
"But that guy belongs to the past—nothing to fear. The future belongs to the Blackbeard Pirates! Zehahahahaha!!!"
At the other side of the table, a big dumb-looking burly man flexed his biceps and echoed:
"Wi-hahahaha!!! Of course! After all, our Captain has that magical ability to steal other people's Devil Fruits!!"
Champion Jesus Burgess—loud, brainless, and undefeated in losing every fight he ever appeared in.
The Blackbeard Pirates' core lineup had now taken shape:
Captain Teach, Vice Captain Hades, and several crewmates.
In Teach's eyes, the others were acceptable, but the only one who could truly become a top-tier figure of the sea was his right-hand man, Hades.
And he had already conquered this man—who vowed only to serve the future King of the World—through both strength and charisma.
The other crew members, after witnessing Hades' bizarre abilities and terrifying strength, also fully acknowledged their often-spaced-out but calm vice captain.
"Now then, the first step to seizing this world is to hunt powerful Devil Fruits!!!"
Teach spread his hands confidently. The crew felt their hearts itch with excitement upon hearing his words.
"Captain! Which Devil Fruit do you want to hunt first?"
"Zehahaha… naturally, the one hailed as possessing the strongest destructive power—the Tremor-Tremor Fruit!!!"
"Whitebeard!!??"
Laffitte was stunned. He hadn't expected the filial Blackbeard to betray Whitebeard immediately after leaving the crew.
But it only lasted a moment. After all, none of them were good people.
Hearing this, none were shocked. Teach's promises were too grand.
A mere Yonko? They could become that in a few years.
"And you guys? Any abilities you want?"
After sharing his own goals and ambitions, Blackbeard didn't forget the men who had gathered around him for profit.
Although he had to be the first dual-fruit user to maintain his leadership over the crew, he would still strengthen his men afterward—they were his foundation for conquering the world.
"I've already eaten a Devil Fruit, so I'm not in a rush, Captain."
Laffitte spoke first. His fruit was mediocre, but barely adequate—enough to serve as navigator.
"I… anything related to medical ability is fine…"
Doc Q weakly muttered. His dream fruit was clearly the Op-Op Fruit, but he'd take something else if needed.
"Wi-hahahaha! I don't care, as long as it's strong!!!"
Burgess once again spoke with muscles instead of a brain.
Each person gave their thoughts, leaving only Van Augur and Hades silent.
Suddenly, Hades snapped out of his daze. His eyes cleared, and he instantly understood what had just been discussed.
Seeing Hades abruptly awaken from spacing out, no one was surprised—it happened frequently.
They turned toward Van Augur, who was just about to speak—
But Hades spoke first.
A smile spread across his face.
"Let me cut in for a moment… For a sniper, there's obviously only one fruit that fits best, right?!!"
Hearing Hades suddenly speak so clearly—and then say that—everyone's expression sharpened.
Could it be???
Even Van Augur's eyes gleamed with longing.
Hades spoke confidently:
"Didn't the Captain say it himself? That guy is a remnant of the old era. He won't be able to stop Captain from becoming the King of the World!!!"
"If we're going to steal, we steal the best. After Captain succeeds, let's make Orin's Warp-Warp Fruit our target. How about it?!!"
"After all, the Captain will be the unprecedented dual-fruit user!!!"
Hearing Hades say this, everyone agreed immediately.
They had never seen the legendary Black Gun, nor did they know how strong he truly was.
But no matter how strong, he couldn't possibly surpass their captain, who would wield the Dark-Dark Fruit and the Tremor-Tremor Fruit!!!
Only one person wasn't excited—Teach.
Hearing Hades put such a tall hat on him, his face was drenched in cold sweat—yet he still had to force a smile.
A smile that looked painfully strained.
"Zehahaha… Hades, it's still too early to fight Black Gun, zehahahaha…"