The moonlight was bright.
Night had fallen over the sea.
The Whitebeard Pirates held a grand banquet to celebrate their victory and the acquisition of the Dark-Dark Fruit, dragging on until late into the night.
The entire Moby Dick was filled with pirates in a drunken stupor.
Even Marco and the other captains who had recently returned joined in on the celebration upon hearing about the Dark-Dark Fruit, drinking a few glasses. Even Whitebeard put down his juice and was exceptionally allowed to have a few bowls of sake.
Unfortunately…
Uchiha Sasuke still refused to drink alcohol.
Even though he was over the age of twenty, an age where one could drink in the Ninja World, he continued to insist on drinking his juice.
Uchiha Sasuke stood at the ship's bow of the Moby Dick, slowly sipping his juice, when he heard the sound of footsteps beside him.
"Is it Teach?"
Uchiha Sasuke still gazed at the moonlight reflected on the sea, speaking softly: "Why don't you take a rest tonight? I'll keep watch for you…"
"Zehahaha, it's fine…"
Marshall D. Teach walked up to Sasuke's side, revealing a simple and honest smile: "Sasuke's had a tough fight today... Anyway, I don't need to sleep at night. I've been keeping watch on the Moby Dick for over twenty years!"
Marshall D. Teach never needed to sleep.
This was no secret within the Whitebeard Pirates.
For over two decades, Marshall D. Teach had diligently kept watch on the Moby Dick, earning him a good reputation among the Whitebeard Pirates, and even Whitebeard praised him without reservation.
In reality…
Marshall D. Teach was afraid of revealing his true intentions in his sleep, which might arouse the suspicions of the Whitebeard Pirates.
This guy was cautious to the extreme.
"Zehahaha…"
Marshall D. Teach glanced at Uchiha Sasuke, and with a curious expression, said, "Is it because we found the Dark-Dark Fruit today, and Itachi-san will soon be reunited with us, that Sasuke can't sleep tonight?"
"No…"
Uchiha Sasuke shook his head, slowly tightening his grip on his juice cup, whispering, "I just can't fathom why that person wants the Dark-Dark Fruit…
That person never does anything in vain. Everything he does is to benefit himself. The unfortunate thing is, I don't think he needs the power of the Dark-Dark Fruit, so what's he going to do with it?"
"Who knows…"
Marshall D. Teach scratched his head, took a bite of his cherry pie, and said with a laugh, "Maybe he's just curious!"
"There's certainly that possibility…"
Uchiha Sasuke nodded, his brow furrowed slightly: "That guy seems to have a peculiar collecting obsession, always gathering strange and unusual items…"
Uehara Naraku certainly had a strong fondness for collecting.
But the things he collected were often terrifying, like the former four Kage of Konoha, the Seven-swords Ninja of the Hidden Mist, the Three Great Admirals of the Navy Headquarters, or Uchiha Itachi, Uchiha Obito, and Uchiha Madara from the Uchiha Clan…
Uchiha Sasuke vaguely felt that if his life ended, Uehara Naraku would probably reanimate him, turning him into another piece of his collection…
The troublesome part is…
Even if Uchiha Sasuke's body were cremated after his death, it might not help, as Uehara Naraku might have already collected enough materials.
It's truly an unfathomable obsession.
Marshall D. Teach nodded along with Uchiha Sasuke's words and then said with a laugh, "Anyway, no matter what, Saki will surely trade the Dark-Dark Fruit for Itachi-san, and soon we'll have a new member in our 2nd Squad!"
"I'll stop him."
Uchiha Sasuke furrowed his brow and then sighed, "Forget it, I'd better get some rest. Teach, I'll leave it to you."
"Zehahaha, no problem at all!"
Marshall D. Teach shook his head and laughed, "Sasuke, get some rest early! Seeing everyone so happy, maybe we'll continue the banquet tomorrow!"
"…"
Uchiha Sasuke seemed at a loss for words.
However, Uchiha Sasuke didn't curse and call anyone an idiot this time, as he usually did. He quietly went back to his room to rest.
After Uchiha Sasuke left.
Marshall D. Teach clenched his fist, a ferocious look flashing in his eyes as his smile was almost unable to be contained: "The Dark-Dark Fruit… The leader of the Akatsuki wants the Dark-Dark Fruit; of course, it's for the power of the Dark-Dark Fruit!"
That's only natural!
The Dark-Dark Fruit is the most malevolent fruit in this world!
Marshall D. Teach had hidden within the Whitebeard Pirates for so many years, all for the power of the Dark-Dark Fruit. His admiration and obsession for the Dark-Dark Fruit were beyond imagination!
Marshall D. Teach fully understood the desire the leader of the Akatsuki had for the Dark-Dark Fruit, because he felt the same way!
The night grew later and later.
The moonlight still fell upon the Moby Dick.
Marshall D. Teach's figure appeared at the door to Saki's room, a hideous smile on his face, and a dark shadow at his feet.
Teach cautiously walked in, looking up to see the Dark-Dark Fruit on the table, clearly showing that the 4th Squad's captain had great trust in his companion.