The group arrived at the prison aboard the Our Lady of Mourning.
The core officers stood outside the cell, quietly watching Teach inside.
The air was somewhat damp, and darkness was inevitable in a prison.
Since the Black Emperor Pirates had been founded, the cells aboard the Our Lady of Mourning had never held a guest. They had always been little more than symbolic fixtures.
"Who would've thought the captain would be the first person locked in a cell?"
Amid the tense, thrilling atmosphere, Hallorant spoke up with a teasing remark.
It eased the tension a little.
Everyone was eager, silently watching to see what Teach would do next.
Meanwhile, Teach held an exceptionally sharp knife, carefully wiping it with a damp cloth.
Faint, unnerving sounds filled the air.
Although he could have finished everything in one step, Teach did not want to make it that simple. Life needed a sense of ceremony, and this was no exception.
Teach had actually experimented with stealing Devil Fruits long ago.
Only he and Lubbock had been present then.
Now, what mattered more was winning the complete loyalty of his core members, so naturally, he needed to give them a proper demonstration.
Although they had already heard about it from Teach and Lubbock, seeing was believing, wasn't it?
Even Lubbock and Teach felt a little excited and nervous.
Unlike ordinary Devil Fruits, the Munch-Munch Fruit was a crucial component that would determine the heights Teach could reach in the future.
There was no room for even the slightest mistake.
As several core members watched, they also kept an eye on reports from outside. Farther out, numerous members of the Black Emperor Pirates stood on high alert.
Their captain was doing something important.
They constantly monitored the surrounding sea.
Before Teach, the two princes