Because of Uchiha Sasuke, Uchiha Itachi had visited the Whitebeard Pirates numerous times, gaining recognition from the Whitebeard Pirates for being Sasuke's brother.
Although Uchiha Itachi was part of the Akatsuki, technically making him their enemy, his politeness and status made it hard for the Whitebeard Pirates to dislike him.
These pirates could never imagine...
Why Uchiha Itachi, who was polite to everyone, would have Uchiha Sasuke as his sharp-tongued little brother...
Every member of the Whitebeard Pirates hoped that Uchiha Itachi would join them and properly discipline Uchiha Sasuke, making their unruly brother a bit more obedient.
Unfortunately...
Uchiha Itachi couldn't leave the Akatsuki.
However, when Uchiha Itachi first visited the Whitebeard Pirates, he mentioned that the leader of the Akatsuki required him to find the Dark-Dark Fruit before he would be allowed to leave the Akatsuki.
During that time, the entire Whitebeard Pirates considered helping to find this unknown fruit, but Uchiha Itachi turned down the offer, believing it was his own destiny to pursue it.
Later on...
The Whitebeard Pirates gradually forgot about the matter.
Only when Uchiha Itachi visited did they occasionally remember that Sasuke's brother was still searching for the Dark-Dark Fruit to gain his freedom.
On the Moby Dick.
Everyone's gaze involuntarily fell on Sasuke.
As long as Uchiha Itachi obtained this fruit, the Uchiha brothers could reunite. They all could see Sasuke's respect for his brother!
But...
According to the rules of the Whitebeard Pirates or the rules of pirates, the ownership of this Devil Fruit actually belonged to Saki.
So...
How would this fruit be dealt with?
Will Saki choose to eat it himself? Or will he decide to give the Dark-Dark Fruit to Uchiha Sasuke to exchange it for his brother's freedom?
Marshall D. Teach's expression was particularly tense, most worried that Saki might give Sasuke the Devil Fruit, as he was not confident in stealing the fruit from Sasuke.
Moreover...
Being an old hand on Whitebeard's ship, Marshall D. Teach knew Saki's character very well, that guy was a complete good-natured person!
Sure enough.
Saki raised the fruit in his hand slightly, smiling as he said: "Hey, Sasuke, when Mr. Itachi arrives, give him this fruit..."
Just as he said this, Saki was about to put the Dark-Dark Fruit back into the small wooden box, with a slight smile at the corners of his mouth: "It looks like we can finally have someone on board who can handle Sasuke!"
Clearly, Saki intended to give the Dark-Dark Fruit to Uchiha Sasuke, allowing Uchiha Itachi to gain freedom and join the Whitebeard Pirates, reuniting the brothers.
"No."
Uchiha Sasuke frowned, suddenly speaking to Saki: "Hey, Saki, eat it, don't let it fall into the hands of the Akatsuki!"
"What?"
Saki's gaze was somewhat surprised.
The pirates on the Moby Dick couldn't help but look at Uchiha Sasuke. They had long hoped for Uchiha Itachi to join the Whitebeard Pirates!
"Eh?"
Ace's face even showed some confusion: "Sasuke?"
"Eat it."
Uchiha Sasuke looked at Saki, speaking in a deep voice: "This fruit was specifically named by that person for my brother to collect. A Devil Fruit he specifically wants must be extraordinary. Quickly eat it, Saki!"
"Hey, hey, hey, what kind of joke is this?"
Saki's face was full of confusion, shaking his head: "It's just a Devil Fruit; can it be more important than having Mr. Itachi join us?"
"I'm serious."
Uchiha Sasuke's expression became slightly serious: "Quickly eat it. This fruit gives me a bad premonition. If that person gets it, he might have a huge conspiracy!"
Uehara Naraku specifically wanted this Devil Fruit, which must have strong powers and strange abilities for him to remember it.
However...
Uchiha Sasuke recalled that when his brother came to visit, he would always unconsciously smile whenever mentioning the Dark-Dark Fruit.
At that time, Uchiha Itachi...
Was definitely controlled by Uehara Naraku!
Why did that guy repeatedly mention the Dark-Dark Fruit to the Whitebeard Pirates? Did he really foresee that it would certainly appear among the Whitebeard Pirates?
As for being granted freedom in exchange for the Dark-Dark Fruit, Uchiha Sasuke didn't believe even a punctuation mark of it!
Uehara Naraku was not trustworthy at all...
This whole affair definitely had a conspiracy behind it!
This was based on Uchiha Sasuke's intuition and his understanding of Uehara Naraku, demanding that the Dark-Dark Fruit had to be dealt with immediately!
This Devil Fruit...
Is definitely a disaster!
Unfortunately, Uchiha Sasuke doesn't really know what Uehara Naraku's scheme is; he can only guess that maybe Uehara Naraku truly wants this Fruit?
Probably not...
That guy's power is so strong that he doesn't need the flawed ability of a Devil Fruit, not to mention if Uehara Naraku wanted a Devil Fruit, with Akatsuki's overwhelming power, he'd likely have found one long ago!
"Forget it!"
Saki chuckled and shook his head, putting the Fruit away: "I'm a chef, I won't eat a Devil Fruit... I'd rather let Mr. Itachi take it! Speaking of which, I remember Mr. Itachi's cooking skills are quite good..."
Thanks to the Sharingan's ability to copy and observe...
Uchiha Itachi's cooking skills are indeed impressive, not much worse than this head chef of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Saki was determined not to eat this Devil Fruit.
Though Devil Fruits do grant strange powers, to everyone in the Whitebeard Pirates, family is what they truly value.
Family...
Is the truly priceless treasure.
Reuniting Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke has been the dream of the entire Whitebeard Pirates from top to bottom for years.
Moreover...
Uchiha Sasuke has saved Saki several times!
"Hey, Saki..."
Uchiha Sasuke frowned, just as he was about to say more, Ace walked over and patted Sasuke's shoulder: "Sasuke, don't waste Saki's goodwill!"
"Yeah, it's rare for Saki to be so generous!"
"Hahaha... Otherwise, let's cook for our chef today! Let's have a feast for our chef's generosity!"
"You guys forget it!"
Saki showed no sign of reluctance; he only laughed loudly and continued: "I am the chef of the Moby Dick, let's first have a grand feast to celebrate Mr. Itachi joining the Pirate Gang!"
The whole Moby Dick turned into a sea of joy.
Uchiha Sasuke watched Saki holding the wooden box walking to his side. He looked down at the wooden box in Saki's hand and said in a low voice, "Saki, don't rush to give it to me, you should consider eating it instead! I don't want the Dark-Dark Fruit to fall into Akatsuki's hands..."
This gesture fell into Saki's eyes, making him believe Uchiha Sasuke might feel that the Akatsuki obtaining the Dark-Dark Fruit would be a threat to their Whitebeard Pirates.
"Sasuke."
Saki smiled slightly: "No matter what happens, for the Whitebeard Pirates, the most important thing is family... Don't forget we bear the name of the old man, how could we block the family's return for a Devil Fruit!"
"Saki!"
Uchiha Sasuke's expression turned unpleasant; he shook his head and resolutely spoke: "It's not that I worry about Akatsuki getting stronger with the Dark-Dark Fruit, I'm just worried that person has a scheme..."
"No matter what scheme he has..."
Saki put his hand on Sasuke's shoulder, smiling as he spoke: "It's more important for Mr. Itachi to gain freedom and to join our Pirate Gang!"
Saki, this guy, truly is a good-hearted person...
Uchiha Sasuke felt a little sad for these inexperienced pirate fools, who didn't know Uchiha Itachi could never escape Uehara Naraku's control...
Even if Uchiha Itachi leaves Akatsuki, that must be fake, an act with Uehara Naraku controlling from behind!
No...
Uchiha Sasuke suddenly thought of a possibility!
Perhaps Uehara Naraku has already noticed his bond with the Whitebeard Pirates, fearing he won't provide information to Akatsuki as unreservedly as before.
If so...
Uehara Naraku might very well want to use the name of the Dark-Dark Fruit to arrange the Reanimated Uchiha Itachi to join the Whitebeard Pirates!
"Alright, Sasuke."
Saki chuckled as he reached out and ruffled Sasuke's hair, speaking in persuasion: "Besides, I never planned to eat this Fruit..."
"No."
Uchiha Sasuke couldn't resist shaking his head, speaking solemnly: "Eat the Fruit first! I need to really think it over..."
At this moment, Uchiha Sasuke couldn't help but think of Hatake Kakashi, Uchiha Itachi, Yakushi Kabuto, and other smart people. If it were them, surely they could figure out some of Uehara Naraku's schemes.
"Thief hahaha..."
Marshall D. Teach suddenly poked his head from behind Sasuke, looked at the box in Saki's hand, and laughed: "Captain Saki, Sasuke is determined, you guys are dragging out this long, I'm getting hungry to death!"
Saying this, Marshall D. Teach continued with a laugh: "How about this, Captain Saki keeps the Devil Fruit stored, and when Mr. Itachi comes to the Whitebeard Pirates later, let Mr. Itachi decide this matter!"
"Seems feasible."
Saki reached out and tapped Sasuke's forehead, laughing as he said: "I'll keep it for now, and give it to Mr. Itachi when he comes. Hey, Sasuke, remember, on this ship, nothing is more important than family..."