Bang!
Teach's right hand almost uncontrollably reached out, grabbing that purple Devil Fruit, ready to send it to his mouth.
Too bad.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
A hand, even faster, firmly grasped his wrist, no matter how hard Teach tried, he couldn't advance an inch further.
Who dares stop me!
Teach instantly looked up, his face twisted, eyes bloodshot!
But seeing Shano's bewildered expression, he suddenly felt chilled, as if splashed with cold water, instantly sobering up, letting go of his right hand.
No.
Can't snatch by force.
What was I thinking.
This guy in front of me, he's the terrifying monster who defeated Netherworld King Rayleigh and repeatedly embarrassed the Grand Admiral of the Navy...
"Teach?!"
Marco's stunned voice came, "What's wrong with you, what are you doing?"
"Thief hahaha! Sorry, sorry!"
Cold sweat dripped from Teach's forehead, but he quickly squeezed out a smile, scratching his head:
"Excuse me, Shano, Captain, I... I don't know why, seeing this fruit, I felt like there was some kind of resonance in my blood, especially wanting to eat it, my heart was also pounding like crazy! Thief hahaha!"
He laughed, looking as simple and honest as ever, with just the right amount of confusion and embarrassment...
Perfectly masking the almost uncontrollable anger in his eyes.
Damn it!
Why, why is this fruit in this kid's hands!
And why is it on Fishman Island, ten thousand meters deep undersea; after breaking ties, it's hard to escape!
Marco and Namur, those troublesome guys, are here too...
"Resonance?"
Marco was taken aback, stroking his chin in deep thought.
Neptune thoughtfully spoke:
"I've heard that sometimes, a Devil Fruit chooses the person destined for it, could it be that Teach is naturally in sync with this Devil Fruit?"
How didn't I notice you were so perceptive before, old man? Teach glanced at Neptune.
"Indeed, there are such rumors, no wonder Teach suddenly lost his composure."
Litter Brother Ma realized, turning to look at Shano, "Brother, what's this Devil Fruit called?"
"That, I'm not sure."
Shano shook his head, pointing to the cactus-like fruit on the table:
"I just wanted to bring this out, Crocodile's Sand-Sand Fruit, as for the other two, I recently confiscated them from the World Government's people, haven't figured out the types yet, you White Team folks are well-informed, I was hoping to ask you."
He smiled at Teach: "Teach, do you recognize them?"
"Thief hahaha..." Teach chuckled dryly, shaking his head like a rattle, "You've overestimated me, I can't even read, have no such ability."
Marco and Namur racked their brains for a long time, shaking their heads as well, this wasn't their area of expertise.
But that didn't matter.
What mattered was that Teach set his eyes on this fruit, a destined pairing, wasn't it?
"It's quite impolite to ask this, but... Brother Shano, I have an awkward request..."
Marco adjusted his glasses, speaking gently: "About this Devil Fruit, could you consider selling it to Teach, name a price, but I didn't bring enough money on this trip, I'll have to wait until we return..."
"What's this! Talking about money is too vulgar."
Shano laughed, casually tossing the fruit to Marco, "I'm not short of such things anyway, just gifting it to you, catch it!"
Whoosh!
Teach restrained his impulse to snatch it, his gaze following the fruit's trajectory, fixing on Marco.
Marco instinctively reached out to catch the fruit, momentarily stunned.
"Dad didn't misjudge you, you really have a bold and straightforward nature!"
Marco grinned, "I can't speak for Dad, but I speak for myself; from now on, I owe you one, if you need anything, just come to me!"
Meanwhile, Marco handed the fruit directly to Teach.
"Here, Teach, take it, if you can't wait, just eat it now."
"But my suggestion is, better to wait until we're back on the ship, ask Dad what it is, then it's not too late to eat it, Dad will definitely recognize it!"
"Captain Marco..."
Teach, moved to tears, took the fruit with trembling hands, voice choked up:
"I'll eat it now, there's no need to bother Dad with this... Captain, you've been so kind to me! I... I don't know how to repay you!"
"What nonsense, Teach!"
Marco forcefully slapped his shoulder, laughing heartily, "We're partners, your matter is my matter!"
Shano stood by, amusedly watching all this.
His earlier words were heartfelt, this fruit was meant for waste utilization, just giving it and enjoying the fun, receiving Marco's favor, was an unexpected joy.
Speaking of which.
He was once troubled by a question.
Which is when Blackbeard robbed the fruit, why he had to kill Saki.
They were partners for so many years, Blackbeard could have openly expressed his interest in that fruit, Saki likely wouldn't hesitate a bit, directly handing it over.
Now it seems.
"Tsk, in the end, it's still about being insufficiently powerful..."
Shano mused, his gaze sweeping over to Teach's seemingly simple and honest face.