He had always respected them as well.
He could never believe that Teach would kill him over a Devil Fruit.
He was a swordsman himself; a Devil Fruit was hardly a necessity for him. If Teach wanted it, all he had to do was ask—he would not refuse.
But the one who had said it was Pops. Pops could never lie to him about something like this.
They had all seen how much Pops valued his bonds with others.
With lingering doubts, he continued the banquet with his companions. When it ended and he returned to his room, Teach really did come.
Inside the cabin, Thatch and Teach drank together. After they had drunk nearly enough, Teach seemed to have suddenly taken an interest and curiously asked Thatch:
"Captain Thatch, I heard you seized a Devil Fruit. Could you let me take a look?"
Though Thatch appeared completely drunk, he had kept Pops's words in mind and did not dare relax in the slightest. When Teach turned the topic to the Devil Fruit, his heart tightened slightly.
This was exactly like what Pops had said. Was he about to be ambushed next?
Thinking that, Thatch pretended not to care as he picked up the Devil Fruit from a nearby cabinet.
"Hahahaha, I never expected my luck to be this good this time. I actually got a Devil Fruit."
"But I don't know what kind of fruit it is yet. I was planning to look it up in the encyclopedia later."
"I hope it's a powerful Devil Fruit. Otherwise, as a swordsman, I really have no interest in eating it."
Thatch laughed as he poured liquor down his throat, his eyes fixed on Teach. Teach was already entranced by the Devil Fruit in Thatch's hand. The smile on his lips grew