The sea breeze around Hachinosu carried the scent of gunpowder. Teach's eyes greedily swept over every corner of the island.
His deepest ambitions surged forth like a volcanic eruption. 'This is where Father once ruled the seas! This should be my territory!'
Ochoku's camp was located on the high ground on the island's western side, surrounded by armed pirate lackeys.
"Halt! Who are you?" A pirate with a face full of knife scars blocked Teach's path.
Teach showed his trademark simple smile. "I'm here on behalf of Captain Setsuna to deliver a message. I wish to see Ochoku-sama."
"Setsuna?" The scar-faced pirate naturally heard of that prominent figure. Hesitating a moment, he stepped aside. "You wouldn't dare lie to me. Follow me."
In the camp, Ochoku sat with crossed legs on a tiger-skin chair, smoking a premium cigar from the West Blue.
Hearing his subordinate's report, Ochoku barely lifted his eyelids. "So you're representing Setsu—"
But when he saw Teach's appearance, he was startled. "Captain Rocks... you're not dead?"
Teach was inwardly shocked but maintained his simple smile. "Ochoku-sama, what are you saying?"
Ochoku looked more closely, then sneered. "Just look somewhat similar. The demeanor is way off."
He pondered for a moment, then asked, "What's your name? Full name."
Teach grinned honestly. "I'm Teach. Marshall D. Teach."
Ochoku completely relaxed, scoffing. "Right. Captain Rocks was so domineering back then. Even if he had descendants, they couldn't be as wretched and ugly as you."
Teach pretended not to understand, but inwardly, he was cursing furiously.
"You, come here," Ochoku lazily beckoned.
Teach lowered his head, walking forward slowly, still wearing that harmless, simple smile.
Just as he reached Ochoku, Ochoku suddenly pressed his cigar against Teach's face, laughing uproariously.
"I've disliked this face for a long time! What gives him the right to look so high and mighty? Pity, though I used the World Government to kill him back then, I never got to torture him properly before he died."
'So it was him! He's the traitor from the Rocks Pirates! No wonder he looked so frightened seeing me.' Teach's heart burned with raging fury. The simple smile on his face almost faltered. "Ochoku-sama, what are you doing—"
Before he could finish, Ochoku punched him to the ground.
Ochoku rubbed his muddy shoe on Teach's face, sneering. "When talking to me like this, you need to look up. Understand?"
The surrounding pirates, though not understanding the situation, didn't mind laughing and humiliating this unlucky pirate.
Teach felt his lungs would explode with rage. But for the Yami Yami no Mi, for the dream he had planned for years, he forcibly endured.
"Ochoku-sama... I'm here on behalf of Captain Setsuna," Teach's voice squeezed out from under Ochoku's foot with difficulty.
Hearing this, Ochoku slightly lifted his foot, raising an eyebrow. "Oh? What message did he send?"
Teach suppressed his anger. "Captain asks you to give him some respect and stop the three-way battle."
Ochoku laughed upon hearing this. "A mere Warlord, the World Government's lapdog! Gained a bit of fame by luck and dares meddle in my affairs?!"
He kicked Teach away. "Scram back and tell your master, Hachinosu is my territory. Dare interfere again, I'll deal with him too!"
Teach clutched his chest, getting up, and walked out with head lowered, eyes filled with violent killing intent.
He had to leave quickly. Otherwise, he feared he couldn't restrain himself from going on a killing spree.
…
Three hours later, Teach arrived at Crocodile's temporary command post.
The atmosphere here was even more oppressive than Ochoku's camp. The air carried the dry scent of the desert.
Crocodile leaned on a leather sofa, his right golden hook glinting coldly under candlelight.
"That old man Whitebeard sure has broad reach now," Crocodile sneered upon hearing Teach's message, his eyes full of mockery.
Teach quickly waved his hands to explain. "Not Whitebeard. I was sent by Captain Setsuna."
Suddenly, Crocodile narrowed his eyes, leaning forward slightly. "I remember you. Twenty years ago, when I challenged Whitebeard, you were already on his ship."
Teach's heart tightened. He rubbed his hands, showing a flattered expression. "Hehehehe! I can't believe a big shot like you remembers a small fry like me. I only recently switched to Captain Setsuna's crew—"
Just then, Weevil, counting fingers beside Crocodile, suddenly flew into a rage. Grabbing his nearby naginata, he slashed down. "Traitor! You dare betray Dad! I'll kill you!"
'This damn monster, daring to call himself Oyaji's son!' Teach inwardly cursed frantically but put on a panicked expression. "Crocodile-sama! Help!"
However, Crocodile glanced at the furious Weevil and chose to remain silent.
He didn't want to fight a senseless madman over this.
Weevil's naginata whistled through the air with each slash, aiming for vital spots.
Teach could only roll away in a wretched manner. Finally, seizing an opportunity, he rushed out of the tent and plunged into the sea.
The icy seawater slightly cleared Teach's mind.
He surfaced, wiped his face, and, not even daring to retrieve his boat, gritted his teeth and swam towards the area where Zephyr's battleship was anchored.
…
Half a day later, Teach finally found Zephyr's battleship in a remote stretch of sea.
"Who goes there?" Marine soldiers aimed their guns at this sudden, strange appearance.
"I have urgent business to see Admiral Zephyr! Sent by Captain Setsuna!" Teach shouted, panting heavily.
He was soon taken before Zephyr by a Marine Captain.
Yet, before he could state his purpose, Zephyr spoke coldly. "You're from Whitebeard's ship, aren't you? He sent you?"
Teach was shocked, 'What's going on? Haven't I been keeping a low profile? How can both Crocodile and Zephyr recognize me at a glance?'
Before he could reply, Zephyr already threw a punch. "All pirates deserve to die!"
The mechanical arm smashed towards Teach's face with a whooshing sound.
"Wait! I've already switched to Captain Setsuna's crew!" Teach explained in panic.
This only made Zephyr's attacks more ferocious. "Warlords deserve to die even more!"
Each punch contained force sufficient to shatter mountains. The deck groaned under the heavy blows.
"Damn it!" Teach fled, sweating profusely. Against Weevil, he could exploit the other's mental shortcomings to find a chance to jump into the sea.
But facing Zephyr's storm-like onslaught, he didn't even have a chance to escape.
'I must reveal some strength!' Teach's eyes turned fierce. The moment the mechanical arm was about to strike him, he suddenly threw a punch to meet it.
As their fists collided, a shockwave rippled out violently.
Under the Marines' incredulous gazes, Zephyr staggered back several steps. Teach was sent flying by the heavy punch, using the momentum to plunge into the sea.
"This... this can't be?!" Ain stared at the sea in disbelief. "That pirate... blocked Sensei's punch?"
Binz wiped cold sweat from his forehead. "And he doesn't seem injured? Such a person... is just a nobody?"