In the Grand Line, within Shuigu Town, the Blackbeard Pirates stood gathered in a wide circle.
At the center lay a dense black sphere, shrouded in swirling darkness. The mist coiled and twisted like living smoke, radiating a suffocating aura that made even seasoned pirates tense. Every pair of eyes was fixed on it, anticipation heavy in the air.
Gradually, the black mist began to recede.
More than ten seconds passed before the darkness fully dispersed, revealing two figures within. Marshall D. Teach stood upright, breathing heavily yet grinning, while Patrick Redfield, known as Count Red, lay motionless on the ground.
The crew stared at Teach, their expressions tight with expectation.
Shiryu was the first to speak. "Teach, did it succeed?"
Teach threw his head back and burst into manic laughter. "Zehahahahaha!"
As his laughter echoed through the town, his body began to change. Muscles shifted, bones cracked, and in an instant he transformed into the Human Beast Form of the Vampire Fruit. A terrifying aura erupted from him, surging outward like a storm.
Behind him, the power of the Shadow Shadow Fruit manifested as a cloak of writhing black shadow, fluttering like a living cape. The darkness of the Dark Dark Fruit clung to it, continuously emitting thick black mist. From his back sprouted a pair of enormous bat wings, completing the image of a ruler born from the abyss.
Teach clenched his fists, feeling the explosive growth of his power.
"I got it," he roared, voice trembling with triumph. "I got everything!"
"The Dark Dark Fruit, the Shadow Shadow Fruit, and now the Vampire Fruit."
"With the power of these three Devil Fruits, I am the strongest in the World!"
Shiryu's lips curled into a cold smile. "It seems our half year of hiding has finally paid off."
Jesus Burgess raised his arms excitedly. "Wehahahaha! Captain, let's head back to the New World now! With your current strength, Kaido and Phoenix Marco are nothing but trash in front of you!"
As one of Teach's earliest followers, Burgess had witnessed his captain's steady rise. From obscurity to Emperor, from two Devil Fruits to three, it felt like destiny unfolding before his eyes.
The former members of the Donquixote Family exchanged eager glances. They had served Donquixote Doflamingo for thirty years, only for him to remain a Shichibukai under the World Government. Yet in less than half a year under Teach, they had seen something unprecedented.
A man wielding three Devil Fruits, and possessing Conqueror's Haki.
With only two Devil Fruits, Teach had already defeated Patrick Redfield, a monster from the previous era. Now, having taken the Mythical Zoan Vampire Fruit as well, it was not hard to imagine him crushing the Four Emperors and dominating the New World.
Teach gradually retracted his wings, though the shadow behind him still writhed restlessly.
"It is indeed time to return," he said, though his expression turned calculating. "If it were only Marco, two Devil Fruits would have been enough."
"However, the Phoenix Pirates, the Beasts Pirates, and the Big Mom Pirates have formed an alliance. We cannot afford to be careless."
Shiryu dismissed the concern with a slight shrug. "The so called Three Emperors Alliance exists for profit. Once we defeat the Phoenix Pirates, we can replace them and ally with the Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates ourselves."
Teach considered this, then nodded slowly.
"First, we gather all the gold. With enough Berries, we will build a proper naval fleet. After that, we return to the New World."
His reasoning was simple. The Dark Dark Fruit had been his for less than a year. The Shadow Shadow Fruit for less than half a year. The Vampire Fruit for less than half an hour.
Before facing Marco in a decisive battle, he needed time to fully adapt to his powers.
At that moment, a ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds and fell directly onto Teach's body.
He flinched instinctively.
Though the sunlight was mild, almost gentle, it felt unbearably harsh against his transformed body. A sharp heat prickled against his skin.
Shiryu noticed immediately. "It seems this Devil Fruit fears sunlight, Teach."
"Indeed," Teach replied, narrowing his eyes at the beam of light.
He deliberately extended his palm into the sunlight. A sizzling sensation spread across his skin, like being scorched by flame. He withdrew his hand slowly, still grinning.
"It feels like being burned. Painful, but tolerable."
He let out a thoughtful chuckle.
"This Vampire Fruit is different from ordinary Devil Fruits. Most only fear seawater and Seastone. I did not expect this one to fear sunlight as well. A significant weakness."
Then his grin widened.
"Fortunately, it is daytime. If it were night, defeating Redfield might not have been so easy."
At the mention of Redfield, Shiryu's expression grew solemn. In a true one on one duel, he knew he would not have stood a chance. Yet through strategy and coordination, they had prevailed.
Shiryu glanced at Redfield's lifeless body.
"This corpse would make an excellent zombie. If we can find a powerful shadow to place within him, he would become a formidable asset."
"Zehahahahaha, that is true," Teach replied.
Then Shiryu said something unexpected.
"Use my shadow."
Teach paused, momentarily stunned, before laughing loudly. "That is not funny, partner. I would never sacrifice my comrades."
"I am only lending it temporarily," Shiryu said calmly. "Redfield was a legendary swordsman. An ordinary shadow would not sustain his swordsmanship. Once you find a stronger swordsman's shadow, you can return mine."
His eyes held unwavering confidence.
"I trust that you would never betray me, Teach."
Teach's laughter echoed once more across Shuigu Town.
"Zehahahahaha! What nonsense are you saying?"
"You are my partner."