Teach Judgment

Morning and everyone gathered in the ship's deck after breakfast. All were in silence as in front of them were all the commanders standing firm beside their captain who's firmly sitting to his chair. Phoenix was with the commanders due to the insistent of everyone especially the people in the first division.

All were waiting until the men in sixth division arrived pulling the tied in chain traitor, Marchal D. Teach. Arriving in front of their father, they had pushed Teach to move forward then pushed him down to sit then backed away, end of chain still in hand in case he tried to escape.

For Teach, he can't help but glare the giant man, not caring about the furious look of the commanders and betrayals of other crews especially the second divisions.

"Teach" Whitebeard addressed the man, "Do you know the heaviness of your sin especially to your brothers?"

"Brothers? Zehahahaha what do you mean brothers, not ones I had seen any of you as my brothers!" Teach glared Whitebeard hatefully, "And you Whitebeard, you are a very huge failure. You have a power to make anyone kneel before you, you have many subordinates that you could order and most of all a title, Yonko and the strongest man in the world YET why do you not use this power? You can rule this whole world if you wish yet you did nothing and only talk about family which is full of bullshit and lies!"

"Teach hold your mouth at ones or I will never hesitate to cut your tongue!" Haruta shouted as she draws out her sword, not only her but the others as well except to the composed people, surprisingly one of them was Ace.

Teach kept laughing before turning to see the young teen. He narrowed his eyes while Phoenix stayed passive.

"You done well to expose my plan kid, still how did you know?" Teach questioned darkly. Phoenix merely shrug after seeing some of the commanders sharp look and protective eyes of first division.

"Marchal D. Teach." Whitebeard stood, taking his bisento to his side. "Rules of this family, if ever kill one of your brothers, only death is the punishment I accept." He gripped it tightly, heavy atmosphere surrounded everyone that they all immediately knew its haki. "For attempting to kill Thatch and becoming a traitor to our family, you will receive death as a price."

Teach began trembling in fear, knowing the chains were too tight for his own strength to break and the haki was making his legs jelly, escape was definitely not an option. When his eyes landed on Ace, he found a way of escape.

"Zehahahaha are you sure it's only me you should be disposing Whitebeard?" He challenged that questioned some of the crew while Ace and Phoenix felt they knew what's he planning to do. Teach glanced darkly to his ex-commander, "What do you think Commander Ace?"

Fire Fist glared darkly, that was enough for Whitebeard to get the point that Teach was actually trying to reveal Ace's secret.

"Zehahahaha so you haven't told anyone!? The fact that you are actually the-"

He was stopped when someone punched him hardly to his face. Everyone would have thought it was Ace but never thought it would be Phoenix. Teach slammed down the floor and before he knew it Phoenix had grabbed his collar and raised him up to have an eye to eye.

"Listen" Phoenix spoke deeply, "Each person had secret they rather keep upon themselves so no matter what kind of secret Ace held is his and his alone and no one else." He pushed him down with force. He began to speak softly, "Besides if this secret Ace held would actually cause harm not only to him but also those around him." He faced Whitebeard and smiled, "No family would ever turn back and leave him suffering, right?"

His word made everyone grin because he's right, no matter who they may be they will fight for the sake of their family. For Ace he felt disbelief and uncontrolled happiness, none of them show any sign of wanting what it is, he's him and that's enough for them to stand and never let him go. Suddenly an arm wrapped around him to see Thatch grinning, Ace can't help but smile back. Thatch was his best friend and seeing he didn't care that he hadn't reveal anything about this secret is very enough to assure him everything will be alright.

Teach who got his bearing glared the young teen who ruined everything. Before he could speak however a loud thud was heard. All eyes turn to Whitebeard who began approaching the traitor. Phoenix also took this cue to step back and for surprising and unknown reason, people in first division began moving forward and giving protective stance around him.

"Teach" Whitebeard raised his bisento warped in armament haki. Teach can't help but shrink in fear upon seeing Whitebeard's fury. For him the only reason he wanted one swift death was because his current sin was attempt murder to one of his brothers, the info Phoenix had given to them were future references if he succeeds but the current he didn't so there's no need to judge him from a sin he didn't made but he made a fatal mistake by trying to drag Ace as well but Phoenix had blocked it and made everyone feel closer to the family, especially to Ace and he will forever be grateful to that.

"Pay for your sin."

With that departing words, he had slashed Teach body with the power of his devil fruit that not only cut his body in haft but also flash some insides around the floor of deck. Some felt sick but none of them gave any fear or ill thinking toward their father. They all knew the heaviness of his sin and none of them felt bad about it, surprisingly the second divisions took it very well. The nearest member of first division had covered Phoenix eyes to avoid him from seeing a dreadful scene. They're pirates but they still have morals and they want to protect their youngest's innocent mind thank you very much.

Whitebeard stood firmly as he watched the body fallen in disgrace. He turned to his sons and daughters present and gave a soft gaze, "I apologize everyone for seeing this sight."

All shook their heads and began telling things to assure their father its fine because it's understandable. One of the eight division even yelled they will clean everything followed by some divisions as well. It made Whitebeard smile knowing none of them resent him for punishing Teach.

"Oyaji" He turn to see Ace approaching him. He took a sigh before speaking, "I don't know it's a good time but... I want to begin searching for my missing brother."

Whitebeard smiled softly toward his second commander and stroke his head, "You could but do you think you could heed my request?"

Whitebeard smiled softly toward his second commander and stroke his head, "You could but do you think you could heed my request?"

"I want you to bring Thatch and Izo with you, if it's okay for the two." As the names said, Thatch grinned happily while Izo smirked.

"Gladly Oyaji." Izo said while Thatch overjoyed, "Meeting Ace's brother excites me!"

Ace felt glad about it but turn to his adapted father, "Are you sure?"

Whitebeard nodded, "Whoever harms the family will deal all of us. Remember that Ace."

Ace smiled from his assurance.

Soon Teach's body was gone and everything were clean. Now they're about to say their temporary good bye to the three commanders. Before it happened, they had discussed about their absent division commanders until they had decided to have the twelfth commander handle the fourth division, fifth commander handle the second division and fourteenth commander handle the sixteenth division.

For the first division, the people in first division had insist for Phoenix to handle them ones again. Phoenix frown and gave his point he had no idea how to actually lead but Whitebeard himself had offered him to teach him so as the first division's wish, Phoenix immediately became first and quickest member to become a commander.

"Good luck on your travel!" Haruta shouted followed by Blamenco, "Don't forget to stock some food. You know how Ace does!"

"Shut up!" Ace's shout made them all laugh.

"Ace" Fire Fist turn to see Phoenix with paper in hand. He handed it over to him, "I wrote everything that could be helpful in case you forgot something. I hope it helps."

Ace took it and scan the content. It was Anna's letter for him, some future references and some note about Sabaody. Giving a quick read, he turned to Phoenix and nodded, "Thanks." He will make sure to keep them safe.

The three went to their small ship, Whitebeard flag waving proudly, Ace's striker on the side.

"See you guys!" Thatch yelled as he waved his hand.

All shouted their best luck as they watch them leave until they're out of sight.

Now gone, Phoenix turned to his captain and questioned. "The black thing wrapped around your blade to kill Teach, its armament haki?"

"Yes. Do you want to learn about haki?"

He nodded, "I knew lots in Observation Haki but not much in Armament Haki."

"I see. I will add that to your lesson. Let's go Marco."

Phoenix starting to get used being called Marco smiled, "Okay... Oyaji."