The Whitebeard Pirates joked with Jozu, though many envied him for getting the Kira Kira no Mi. But none had ulterior motives; they were sincerely happy for him. The Whitebeard Pirates lived by their motto: once you're on the ship, you're family.
Hearing the surrounding noise, Jozu felt warmth in his heart. He sincerely said to Akira Stone, "Little Akira, thank you. I won't say anything extra. In the future, whatever happens, just say the word, and I'll follow you to the ends of the earth."
Akira Stone laughed, saying, "We're family. Family doesn't need thanks, right?"
Jozu was stunned, then felt even more touched. Whitebeard laughed, saying, "Little Akira is right. We're family. Family doesn't need formalities."
Time flew by. Half a year passed in the blink of an eye. In those six months, Akira Stone devoted himself to training. If there was one person on the Whitebeard Pirates who trained the hardest, it was Akira Stone.
The Whitebeard Pirates were shocked by Akira Stone's diligence. They couldn't imagine an eight-year-old child enduring loneliness, spending over half the day training his body and swordsmanship.
Akira Stone spent most of his time practicing swordsmanship. It was simple: basic techniques like slashing, thrusting, and drawing the sword.
Akira Stone trained day after day. Even Whitebeard was surprised. They didn't understand why Akira Stone was so diligent. Even if he wanted to become strong, he didn't need to be so crazy.
They didn't understand why Akira Stone was so diligent. He knew the future. The Great Pirate Era was coming soon. The seas would be more chaotic than ever. Countless geniuses would emerge, claiming their place on the vast ocean.
Nobody wanted to be left behind, especially Akira Stone. If he wanted a place in the future, he needed strength. He couldn't waste time, because nobody would give him time later.
Under Whitebeard's protection, Akira Stone could live comfortably for over twenty years, but that wasn't the life he wanted. He didn't want to be helpless against the Marines during the upcoming Marineford War. For the future, he had to start working hard now.
During those six months, one person's arrival made Akira Stone uneasy: Marshall D. Teach, the future captain of the infamous Blackbeard Pirates, Blackbeard.
Having watched One Piece, Akira Stone knew that Blackbeard, who had just joined the Whitebeard Pirates, would be the one to destroy the Whitebeard Pirates. Though he knew everything, he couldn't change Blackbeard joining the Whitebeard Pirates.
Whitebeard laughed, saying to Akira Stone, "Guhahaha, Little Akira, come here. Let me introduce you to a new member of our crew, Teach." Whitebeard called Akira Stone over, pointing to Teach.
Akira Stone looked at the twenty-something-year-old. He was slightly overweight, with some facial hair, and always smiling, looking like a harmless person. But Akira Stone knew what kind of chaos this man would cause in the future, what kind of rebellious things he would do. He had no good feelings towards him.
Blackbeard, or Teach, didn't know what Akira Stone thought of him. He was surprised to see a child on the Whitebeard Pirates' ship. Now, Whitebeard was introducing him to Akira Stone, showing how important the child was to Whitebeard.
Teach didn't dare to be careless around someone Whitebeard valued. He smiled, saying to Akira Stone, "Hello, Little Akira. I'm Marshall D. Teach. I'm glad to…"
"Don't call me Little Akira."
Before Teach could finish, Akira Stone interrupted rudely. He said seriously, "I'm Edward Akira Stone. You can call me Akira Stone, but don't call me Little Akira."
Interrupted by Akira Stone, Teach's expression became awkward. A sharp light flashed in his eyes, but he was a man of deep cunning. He quickly hid his emotions, but Akira Stone, who was watching him, saw everything.
Seeing the flash of cold light in Teach's eyes, Akira Stone knew he was right. Blackbeard was a hypocrite. Teach knew that Akira Stone had joined the Whitebeard Pirates earlier and was more valued. Offending Akira Stone wasn't smart.
"Hehe, okay, Akira Stone," Teach said, smiling.
Their conversation made the Whitebeard Pirates frown. They had been with Akira Stone for two years and knew he was cheerful and got along with everyone. They had never seen him angry with anyone. That was why they liked him.
But now, Akira Stone was treating a new member of their crew so coldly. They were confused. The Whitebeard Pirates had the best atmosphere of any pirate crew. They had good friendships. Once someone was approved by Whitebeard and joined the crew, they were family.
In their eyes, Akira Stone's cold treatment of a crewmate was bad. But they were closer to Akira Stone than the newly joined Teach, so they didn't say anything.
Others could pretend nothing had happened, but Whitebeard couldn't ignore it. He frowned, scolding Akira Stone, "Little Akira, is that how you treat family? Apologize to Teach."
Akira Stone looked at the unhappy Whitebeard. They stared at each other for a long time. Finally, Akira Stone reluctantly apologized to Blackbeard Teach: "Sorry, Teach."
The emotionless words made Whitebeard and the others confused and unhappy. They didn't understand why Akira Stone was acting so strangely. Teach was awkwardly stunned. He hadn't even had a chance to say anything before Akira Stone left.
Whitebeard looked at the embarrassed Teach, his expression changing. He smiled, saying, "Teach, don't mind him. He's always acting up. He might be fine tomorrow."
Teach smiled insincerely, saying, "It's okay, Pops. I don't mind. Maybe I did something wrong and Akira Stone misunderstood."
Whitebeard didn't say anything else, letting Teach get to know the other Whitebeard Pirates. Because of what had happened, the Whitebeard Pirates looked at Teach strangely.
Marco just briefly spoke to Blackbeard, then went to find Akira Stone. He found Akira Stone at the stern of the ship, sitting alone, looking lost in thought.
"Little Aki, what are you doing here?" Marco sat beside Akira Stone, asking.
Akira Stone didn't hide anything from Marco, saying, "I'm in a bad mood."
Marco asked, "Why are you in a bad mood? Is it because of Teach? You're acting strangely today. You shouldn't know him, but I feel like you don't like him."
Akira Stone nodded, saying, "I don't like him. I even hate him."
Marco was puzzled. He asked, surprised, "Why? You just met him. How can you feel that way? He seems easy to get along with."
"Hmph."
Akira Stone snorted unhappily, saying, "That's what you think. I just don't like him."
Marco asked, "I don't understand. Why don't you like him?"
Akira Stone said, "His eyes, Mangy Bird. You should know my senses are more sensitive than others. His eyes are full of ambition and desire. He's a restless man. I think he joined the Whitebeard Pirates for another purpose."
"Haha." Marco laughed, saying, "Little Aki, what are you thinking? Every pirate who joins the Whitebeard Pirates has ambition and desire. If they didn't want anything, would Pops even want them? Even if Teach is restless, what can he do with Pops and us around? You're worrying too much."
Akira Stone was speechless. Marco was right, but he didn't understand Akira Stone's thoughts. Others might have ambition, but Blackbeard was different. He would do rebellious things and put the Whitebeard Pirates in danger.
Akira Stone said, "You might be right, but I trust my feelings. That Marshall D. Teach isn't ordinary. He's a D."
"A D? What does that mean?" Marco asked, confused.
Akira Stone said, "The D clan is a legendary, powerful clan. I don't know the details, but according to my family records, everyone with D in their name is extraordinary. Teach's eyes are full of malice, so I don't like him. I think keeping him will only harm the Whitebeard Pirates."
Though Marco was surprised by Akira Stone's description, he still said, "I think you're worrying too much. With Pops and us around, what can he do?"
Marco's words made Akira Stone pause. He wasn't convinced by Marco, but he realized something. Blackbeard had rebellious intentions, but not now, twenty years later.
Without the Yami Yami no Mi, he might not rebel. Akira Stone wasn't sure, but he was certain that Blackbeard wouldn't defect within twenty years, as long as nothing unexpected happened.
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