Teach grinned at Stephanie. "Haha, why does that matter? You don't have a Devil Fruit, but the guy behind you is an ability user, isn't he?"
He leaned back comfortably. "As long as I prove my value, the World Government will always need my intelligence. What I've told you so far can serve as my stepping stone. Just don't get too close too quickly. Everything has to be gradual."
Stephanie's eyes widened. He was aiming at the World Government itself. If any force possessed the largest number of Devil Fruits, it was undoubtedly them. Even those two weak intelligence agents they encountered earlier had abilities.
"Besides, it isn't free," Teach added. "It's a transaction. I can always trade with Berry."
Stephanie slumped in defeat. "Alright, you win. But you have to prove your strength and raise your standing in the World Government's eyes. Otherwise, everything you're talking about will never happen."
Teach laughed confidently. "Don't worry. You experienced it firsthand. Even if an Admiral shows up, I'm confident I can escape."
Escape, not win. After this period of intense training, Teach had stepped closer to the world's top fighting tier, but he had not yet reached Admiral level. He needed more time.
Based on his estimates, he needed another two years. His growth was rapid, but the gap between Vice Admiral and Admiral was still large. Admiral-level strength had no clear standard. You either reached it or you didn't. There were no bottlenecks, only a wall of raw power. And Teach had seen enough monsters on the seas to understand what that meant.
Two years. Not long, not short.
By now, the auction had officially begun. Items were carried up one after another beneath the flashing lights.
"Tell me," Teach said calmly, "who are all these factions?"
Most of the attendees came from underground organizations or pirate groups. The place was loud, chaotic, and very alive. Some items for sale were provided by lesser dark forces.
But the majority came from a single source.
"The Dark Council," Stephanie said.
Teach raised an eyebrow.
"The Dark Council is the collective body of West Blue's underworld. There's no chairman. It's more of a loose alliance that maintains communication between various groups and strengthens the influence of the dark world."
"There isn't much authoritative power in the organization itself. Members constantly change. But when the interests of the entire underworld are threatened, the Dark Council shows real authority. Its main function is to stabilize the West Blue's underground world, adding a little order to all the chaos."
Teach nodded slowly. It was like the underworld's version of the United Nations. Symbolic power outweighed actual control.
"What departments does this Dark Council have?" he asked.
Stephanie smiled dryly. "It doesn't really have departments. There's an annual gathering. Certain roles exist, but they're not formal. These forces are afraid that making them official would create a monster capable of ruling the entire underworld. Nobody wants that."
Teach exhaled with understanding. "So the Dark Council gives them benefits, but they still fear what it could become."
"It was founded by West Blue's dark forces as a central hub. It survived all these years because it served a purpose."
Teach understood the logic. To manage the West Blue's underworld, someone had set basic rules to keep everything from collapsing into total anarchy. They were barely followed, but they helped maintain a level of stability. Thanks to the Dark Council, West Blue's underworld had become frighteningly strong, sometimes even unified.
Meanwhile, Marines in West Blue seemed more like decoration.
Technically, the Four Seas were under Marine suppression, but in practice, it was often a joke. The East Blue used to serve as the symbol of Marine stability, the peaceful face of their authority. Until Teach ruined it.
Destruction was always easier than protection. Under Teach's influence, the East Blue fell into chaos. Weak Marine presence allowed pirates to flourish and multiply.
Even now, Marine Headquarters had dispatched another Vice Admiral to restore order. It would take a long time. Possibly years. Even if the Marines shifted their focus from the New World to the Four Seas and the Grand Line.
Teach took a sip of wine. "If the Dark Council had real structure, wouldn't it be even more beneficial?"
"The benefits would be huge," Stephanie admitted. "But the issue is not unwillingness. It's inability."
"Why?"
"There needs to be someone strong enough to suppress everything. Someone the entire underworld has to acknowledge."
She crossed her legs, her silver heels reflecting the auction hall's lights. Her pale calves were framed cleanly as she tucked a strand of blue hair behind her ear.
"The West Blue is the birthplace of the Mafia. Their influence outstrips every other force. Because of that, the Five Mafia Families became official representatives of the Dark Council."
"Other forces stay hidden behind the scenes," she added. "Their prestige is lower."
"But the West Blue's underworld is huge. None of them obey each other. How could they fully unite?"
She leaned in slightly. "My job is to monitor these people."
She continued, "Compare that to the South Blue. That sea has already been unified under one king. A mysterious man named Kukulkan Coatl. Mythical Zoan. Snake Snake Fruit, Nue form. Wherever he goes, drought follows. It's said he controls the power of the sun."
Teach's eyes sharpened.
"The World Government tried to eliminate him several times. They failed. His power, his speed, his vitality, everything is terrifying. According to internal data, he had strength close to an Admiral. That was four years ago. Now? Unknown."
"Coatl unified the entire South Blue's underworld without anyone noticing. By the time CP learned of it, it was too late. With one order, he could plunge the entire South Blue into chaos."
She moved on.
"As for the North Blue, constant wars have shaped it. A new king is rising. Someone called Joker. He supplies weapons to every faction, increasing conflict by several times. His influence reaches beyond the North Blue into other seas and even the Grand Line."
Teach chuckled inwardly. Joker was Doflamingo. They just didn't know it.
Stephanie continued, "There is also the head of the Donquixote Family, rising quickly in the underworld. He has repeatedly escaped Marine Vice Admiral Tsuru. Strong, crafty, and only getting stronger. He also has the qualifications to become the King of the North Blue."
She knew Doflamingo's identity, but even she was wary. A fallen Celestial Dragon was still dangerous, especially one with kingly potential. A Celestial Dragon had even ordered CP not to touch him. That alone told Teach everything.
Then came the East Blue.
"That sea has only a few minor dark forces. The Marines maintain a tight grip. The profits are low. Even if someone strong appeared, the Marines would crush them. And it's the home of Garp."
No wonder the East Blue became the weakest sea. Garp had cleaned it repeatedly, tossing strong pirates into Impel Down. Peace bred weakness. Weakness bred peace.
Anyone bold enough to challenge the East Blue faced Garp.
And Garp was in peak form. His mastery of Life Return kept him from weakening with age. He remained as monstrous as ever.
Stephanie shifted her position. "So, are you interested in the West Blue?"
Teach nodded with a small smile. "After your explanation, I see the picture clearly. Controlling the West Blue's underworld would bring me money, connections, and intelligence."
"What do you plan to do?" she asked.
Teach raised his wine glass. "I'll take on a new identity. When the Dark Council meets, I'll appear, suppress every faction, and establish real structure. Once they taste the benefits, as long as I don't die, the Dark Council will never fall apart."
Stephanie frowned. "There will be resistance."
"That's the point," Teach said with a wide grin. "Kill a few as an example. Their industries won't vanish. Someone will replace them."
Stephanie remembered, belatedly, that Teach was not just cunning. He was a decisive pirate, one who had repeatedly provoked the Marines. She had personally witnessed his terrifying strength.
"What about your identity? You can't use your real face. And you won't stay here forever."
"That doesn't matter. Identities change. Eventually, they will guess. But by then, my influence will be solidified and my strength will have grown even more. Do you think they'll dare rebel?"
Stephanie sighed. "Fine. You've already made up your mind."
Since she was now tied to Teach, she had no room to resist. He knew her intelligence networks, and he knew her sister's. Unless Teach was killed by the Marines or a New World emperor, she had no choice but to cooperate.
"The Dark Council changes its meeting place every year. This year it will be held on Sin Island, three months from now. I'll notify you when the time comes."
Teach smiled. "Sin Island. That infamous criminal haven?"
The former kingdom had been destroyed by pirates. It evolved into a place ruled entirely by lawlessness and murder.
"Those villains don't scare you?" he asked.
"Why would they?" Stephanie laughed softly. "We are the embodiment of sin. And if something unexpected does happen, wouldn't you be the one causing it?"
Teach had just decided to take control of the Dark Council. If anyone should fear chaos, it was him.
Stephanie's eyes glimmered. She enjoyed the thrill of it, already imagining the storm Teach would bring to the West Blue.