The Whitebeard Pirates were undoubtedly the most powerful pirate crew in the world, their reputation unmatched.
However, they were also notorious for spending money like water.
Pirates had no i in saving for the future, they lived in the moment, spending everything they earned.
One day, they could loot a hundred million beri, and by the , it would be pletely gone.
After all, what was the point of saving?
Were they pnning to settle down, buy a house, and live a quiet life?
The Whitebeard Pirates were no different. As free-spirited adventurers, they had no cept of financial restraint—especially since Whitebeard himself secretly donated much of their wealth to those in need.
This presented a major problem for Marshall D. Teach.
The 1.2 billion price tag on the Dark-Dark Fruit was ughably out of reach for him.
After cheg his own savings, he realized he had barely more than 20 million berries not even enough to ehe Devil Fruit trade market, let alone bid for such a rare Logia.
But that was fine.
After all, pirates didn't buy things.
They stole them.
Teach abahe idea of purchasing the fruit almost instantly.
If he couldn't buy it, he'd just take it by force.
That was the pirate way.
Besides, he had the bag of the Whitebeard Pirates.
After solidifying his pn, Teach approached Marco, attempting to vince him to help steal the Dark-Dark Fruit.
For years, Teach had pyed the role of a simple, good-natured crewmate—harmless, unambitious, and loyal to the family.
He had never shown any real ambition, refusing the position of sed division ander multiple times despite being more than qualified.
But now, for the first time, he was showing desire.
Marco was intrigued.
Teach had always been id-back, why was he suddenly so excited?
Still, they were all brothers, and if Teach wanted help, Marco was more than happy to oblige.
A Devil Fruit was just a Devil Fruit.
Marself already possessed a Mythical Zoan, meaning he could another fruit anyway.
So if helping Teach steal one would make him happy, why not?
With no reason to refuse, Marco agreed, and the two set off.
---
Their destination was Versailles, a small pirate haven in the New World.
Pces like this were on, temporary safe zones for pirates to spend their loot before setting sail again.
tless isnds across the New World catered to pirates, booze, eai, and indulgen exge for their stolen riches.
And where pirates gathered, chaos followed.
And where chaos flourished, the underworld thrived.
Versailles was also home to a branch of Happy Street, a renowned pleasure district trolled by Queen Stussy.
Happy Street was far more than just a brothel, it was ae eai vehat doubled as an intelligence hub.
Pirates flocked to it, openly enjoying its many pleasures while unknowingly leaking valuable information in the process.
For those without deep secrets, there was no reason not to enjoy Happy Street.
After all, who wouldn't want to spend time with beautiful women and rex in luxury?
However, Happy Street wasn't just about physical pleasure—it was a high-eablishment catering to all forms of eai.
And tonight, within a private room on Happy Street, a crucial underworld deal was taking pce.
---
The Dark-Dark Fruit was currently in the hands of a middleman named Lensa, who was facilitating the sale.
If successful, he stood to profit 200 million berries, a massive sum for someone of his standing.
While 200 millio nothing to titans like Cudius, for an ordinary underworld dealer, it was a life-ging fortune.
That amount of money could buy a powerful warship or fund aire crew for years.
Lensa, like many small-time brokers, was not in the same league as Dofmingo.
He didn't have a powerful bag, nor did he trol a massive criminal empire.
For him, this deal was a golden opportunity.
And so, as he sat in his private box, he spoke to the man who currently possessed the Dark-Dark Fruit—Captain Daniel.
"Captain Daniel, it's time to hand over the fruit," Lensa urged, eyeing the small box Daniel held.
"Don't worry. The news is out, and some big names are ied. This deal will go smoothly."
Daniel hesitated, still clutg the box.
"A big name? Who?" he asked curiously.
Lensa grinned.
"You're in luck. One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea—Thor, Enel."
Daniel's eyes widened in shock.
"Lord Enel?!"
"That's right," Lensa firmed. "Master Enel has always been fasated by rare Devil Fruits. He doesn't care about money, he just enjoys colleg unique abilities.
"I've already made tact. He's on his way to Versailles."
---
In truth, many people had expressed i in the Dark-Dark Fruit.
Some had even offered as much as 1.5 billion berries for it.
After all, Logia-type fruits were highly sought after.
Whether it was the Marihe Warlords, or the Emperors, everyone valued a powerful Logia user.
But in the end, Lensa chose to sell the fruit to Enel.
Why?
First, Enel was incredibly strong.
Sed, he had a solid reputation.
He wasn't a deceitful pirate, he had done business in the underworld before and was known to honor deals.
But most importantly…
Lensa saportunity.
If he could establish a long-term retionship with Enel, he might be able to bee an exclusive supplier of rare Devil Fruits.
That could ge his entire life.
"If I earn Lord Enel's favor… I could joihunder Pirates as a member."
The thought aloed him.
---
At the same time, Tead Marco had arrived in Versailles.
"The sale is happening here, but I don't know the exact location," Teach admitted.
"No problem," he added, grinning. "Happy Street sells all sorts of information. We just have to pay."
His pn was simple, buy the Dark-Dark Fruit's exact location, then storm in and take it.
As for whoever else was involved in the deal?
It didn't matter.
If anyone had a problem, they could take it up with Whitebeard.
After all, who would dare challehe stro pirate alive?
Marco, however, raised an eyebrow.
"I don't have any moeach."
Teach gritted his teeth.
"I still have 20 million berries! That should be enough to buy some intel!"
Marco chuckled.
"That's your entire savings, isn't it? You must really want this fruit."
Teach smirked inwardly.
If only you knew, Marco.
For this fruit, I'd risk everything.
They entered Happy Street, and after some iation, purchased a single piece of intel, a portrait of Lensa, the middleman.
But not his location.
Teach frowned.
"What kind of crap is this? Versailles has thousands of people! How the hell are we supposed to find him?"
Marco, however, suddenly froze.
"I think I know why they didn't sell us his location."
Teach blinked.
"Why?"
Marco pointed ahead.
Teach followed his gaze—then looked down at the portrait in his hand.
Then, he grinned.
"Zehahahaha… No wohat bastard is right here."
