The desert seethed with billowing sand.
Beneath the somewhat sallow sky, two figures faced each other in a standoff.
"Ah~ Isn't this my most promising subordinate, Ace?" the rugged man with several missing teeth laughed. "What? Did you come all this way to follow me?"
"Teach!" Ace roared, his voice filled with pain and confusion. "Why did you do this?"
"You're not even calling me captain anymore? That's truly hurtful!" Teach said with a laugh.
"Answer my question!"
"Question? You mean the Dark Fruit, don't you?" Teach laughed wildly. "Isn't it obvious? The strongest power should naturally belong only to the strongest person, right?"
"So you killed Thatch?"
"Isn't that obvious?"
"So does that mean I was actually the one who got Thatch killed?" Ace growled painfully. "If I hadn't spread the news about Thatch obtaining the fruit, he wouldn't have died!"
"No, he still would have died!" Excitement flashed in Teach's eyes. "Even if he had eaten that fruit, I still could have obtained it!"
"What do you mean?"
"Will you follow me, Ace?" Teach extended his right hand in invitation. "I've already mastered the secret of Devil Fruits. Soon, I'll be able to usher in my own era!"
"No, your journey ends here!" Ace clenched his right fist. Flames surged out between his fingers.
Teach froze for a moment, then clutched his stomach and roared with laughter. "Zehahaha! I heard Old Man let you take over my position. Did that make you lose sight of your place?"
"Your strength is formidable. I know that very well!"
"Then how dare you chase after me alone?"
"I'm not alone. Marco and Jozu are here too. I've already notified them. As long as I hold you off for a while, you can wait to go back and face judgment!"
"Ace, I'm