Just as King Luffy's crew was getting ready to make a big move and head to Alabasta to beat Crocodile into the ground,
Crocodile was also waiting for Straw Hat Luffy to arrive, so she could wipe out Princess Vivi along with those brats who did not know their place.
Austin, caught between the two sides, was instead clutching a newspaper as he headed in another direction.
Its contents were none other than the latest discovery by the news-delivering seagulls: Blackbeard Teach's whereabouts.
"We agreed that I'd give you the Dark-Dark Fruit when the time came. Were you really that impatient?"
Looking at the arrogant, laughing black fatty in the intelligence report, Austin narrowed his eyes.
He had roughly figured out the situation.
It was nothing more than him having stayed away from the sea for too long, then handing the fruit to Jinbe and asking him to pass it on to Ace.
He had wanted to see whether Teach would be unable to restrain himself after the Dark-Dark Fruit found its way into the Whitebeard Pirates, despite Austin having already promised it to him.
At first, Teach definitely could endure it.
But as Austin continued to stay out of sight and their agreed time drew near, Teach ultimately chose to take it himself.
Even if stealing half of it got him discovered, even if he had to injure members of the Whitebeard Pirates, he would not hesitate.
"Well... I wouldn't say I'm angry. But life's been too boring lately. It might be fun to play with Teach for a while."
Austin really did not have anything in particular he wanted to do for the moment.
Even going to the places where those events would happen and following along the whole time would be boring. It would be better to