"Teach, are you alright?"
Monica rushed forward, steadying him. Teach had just pushed himself up from the rubble, swaying but on his feet, one hand braced against a wall.
"Zehahaha! How could I be in trouble?" He wiped the blood from his lip with his sleeve and grinned. "That was one hell of a punch."
His eyes flicked to Modie, the massive man who stood at the center of the room. That raw speed, that crushing strength wasn't something a fisherman or town guard could muster.
It was power fit for a pirate lord.
"Zehaha… Uncle Modie, your greetings are unique. Thanks for holding back."
"Hmph! Freeloading brat. Stop hanging around my Monica and get out." Modie's fist tightened as if daring Teach to press further.
But Teach just chuckled. "Don't say that. I brought gifts this time."
Ignoring the older man's glare, Teach ducked outside and dragged back two heavy bags. A rich herbal scent filled the room as he set them down.
"These herbs are from the mountains. I'll leave them here as they'll be more useful in your hands."
Monica opened the bags, her eyes widening. She recognized the roots and leaves immediately; rare medicinal herbs, some decades old. They still carried the scent of damp earth, the kind of plants that only grew deep in predator-filled forests.
"These… these are worth a fortune," she whispered.
Teach waved off her shock. "Zehahaha! Worthless if they just sit in the dirt. I can't wait much longer. It's about time I set sail. Thank you for everything these past few years."
His laughter echoed as he turned and strode away. Whitebeard's crew had been spotted in these waters. Soon they would dock on Arkas, and when they did, his long wait would end.
Teach wasn't heartless. Before leaving, he wanted to say goodbye to those who mattered.
Behind him, Modie's glare softened. He didn't speak, but his clenched jaw eased as he watched Teach's retreating figure.
....
Blazing Flame Dojo – Inner Room.
Inside the quiet dojo, Hael sat across from Teach, the steam of his tea curling into the summer air. After a long silence, he opened his eyes.
"Have you decided?" the old swordsman asked, his tone serious.
Teach nodded. "Yes. I'm going to board Whitebeard's ship—the Moby Dick."
Hael studied him, then exhaled slowly. A faint smile tugged at his lips. "A man's ambition should never be caged. You've learned everything I can give you. The rest of the path is yours to carve."
Rising, Hael walked to the wall. His hands lifted a long sword from its mount. The blade was deep red, etched with flame-like waves.
Teach's eyes widened. He'd seen this sword countless times, but always from a distance. Even through its sheath, heat radiated faintly from it.
"Sensei…"
"Take it," Hael said firmly. "My grandfather was a great swordsman. To match his Flame Flow Style, he forged this blade from ore brought from Wano, crafted by their finest smiths. Its name is Purgatory."
Teach froze. A famous blade, his teacher's heirloom. "But..."
"I know what you're going to say." Hael cut him off. "It's wasted here, gathering dust. You may not be a pure swordsman, but this sword will shine in your hands. And if not… then one day, find someone worthy of it."
For once, Teach didn't laugh. He dropped to his knees, bowing deeply. "I swear I'll make the name of Purgatory ring across the seas. I'll see it shine with its true brilliance."
Hael's smile was tinged with pride. "Then take it. And remember, if you achieve nothing, don't bother coming back."
Teach strapped the sword to his back. His steps leaving the dojo were heavy, but steady. Who knew how long it would be before he set foot here again—five years, ten, maybe never.
Arkas Town.
"Yo, Teach! You've gotten stronger!"
"Uncle Tom! Looking good yourself. Planning another child with Aunt Mary? I brought a tiger's… ah, never mind. Save it for wine, eh?"
"Teach! Looking handsome these days! Want me to introduce you to my daughter?"
"Aunt Kari, no, no... I'm still too young!" Teach laughed, jogging past. Still, the thought of Kari's daughter flashed in his mind. She really was beautiful.
The townsfolk greeted him warmly. He was a local celebrity; the boy who braved the mountains, hunted beasts twice his size, and drove out thugs from the alleys. A disciple of Hael, strong enough to hold his own against grown men.
But today, he wasn't lingering.
Teach returned home, a modest house perched on a hill. Sliding his bed aside, he lifted a wooden panel, revealing the cellar beneath. Inside sat a chest filled with the treasures he'd gathered.
A Devil Fruit encyclopedia, incomplete but precious, its pages burned into his memory, especially the image of the Dark-Dark Fruit.
The sword Thunder Fang, taken when he stole the Lightning Flow manual.
The sword Dragon Abyss, salvaged from ruins. Its dark blue blade gleamed even after centuries, its purple hilt studded with jewels fit for kings.
And a Devil Fruit—a rare Ancient Zoan, the Night-Blood Bat. But Teach had no intention of eating it. Until he found the fruit, he would touch no others.
The ruins of Arkas held more treasures, but he'd left them behind. To take them was to invite greed and disaster.
Akas was no grand kingdom, just a town of a hundred thousand souls, isolated, simple, hardened by the chaos of the New World. It had no mines, no riches to attract attention... only men like Modie who lived quietly in the shadows.
At last, the horizon shifted.
"Zehahaha… I've waited so long."
From his telescope, Teach saw it; the massive silhouette of a ship shaped like a whale, its sails emblazoned with a skull and crescent mustache. The Moby Dick.
One of the greatest pirate crews in history—the Whitebeard Pirates—had arrived.
Teach slung his swords across his back: Purgatory, Thunder Fang, and Dragon Abyss, the latter taller than he was. A heavy bundle of clothes and supplies rested on his shoulders. He had packed everything. It was time.
"Teach… you're leaving?"
Monica sat by her doorstep. She had been waiting, but the sight of him packed and ready still hit her like a punch.
"Zehahaha! My chance is here. I have to go. But I promise, when I become a great pirate, I'll come back."
Her lips curved in a trembling smile. "Then… I'll wait for you." She stood and wrapped her arms around him, holding tight. She knew she had fallen for him, and letting go felt like tearing her heart.
Teach pulled away and ran toward the port.
"You're not going to see him off?" A deep voice came from behind.
Monica turned. Her father stood there, hands folded, watching Teach's fading figure.
"I… I should," she whispered.
"I approve of that boy," Modie said quietly. "See him one last time. Who knows when he'll return."
Teach's lungs burned as he sprinted down the main road. The Moby Dick loomed larger and larger, a titan of timber and steel.
By the time he reached the port, Whitebeard's crew was already disembarking, hauling supplies. Teach spotted them instantly, towering Whitebeard himself, with golden hair and his signature crescent mustache. Marco beside him. Kozuki Oden walking with his blades.
The legends of his past life were here, in the flesh.
And Teach—laughing, grinning, hungry—ran straight toward them.