Chapter 14: Joining of Mostima (1)

Teach looked at Mostima with a smile. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Marshall D. Teach, currently a member of the second division of the Whitebeard Pirates."

"Really?" Mostima's eyes lit up, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before he composed himself. "You should know me, but I'll still introduce myself. I am Kanis Mostima, a swordsman, and the captain of the Shiratori Pirate Group."

The others present were momentarily stunned. "A member of the Whitebeard Pirates?!" "The Whitebeard?" Hardman's eyebrows furrowed, beads of cold sweat forming as his hands trembled. "Is every member of the Whitebeard Pirates this formidable?"

"This is scary! It's terrifying! He's actually a member of the Whitebeard Pirates." Even Hardnor, who was usually composed, couldn't maintain his calm and lost control momentarily.

This sea area was close to the territory of the Whitebeard Pirates. The reputation of Whitebeard alone was enough to strike fear in the hearts of many. Even without witnessing Whitebeard's might firsthand, the tales of his terrifying feats were widespread. When he fights, Islands would be demolished, and what remained yesterday could be razed to the ground today.

"Why did a member of the Whitebeard Pirates come here? Could it be that they have taken an interest in us and want us to become an affiliated Pirate Group?"

"Is it because Whitebeard has taken a interest in Captain and wants to adopt him? That would be something!" Some pirates held biased views and were ignorant of the true circumstances.

"Let's go inside and talk. Teach, today you're our guest, the first pirate from another group to set foot in our HQ," Mostima's excited voice came from the front, causing his usually well-maintained facade to fall. The momentary slip destroyed the carefully crafted image of the calm swordsman that he had portrayed. Teach noticed it, though Mostima quickly recovered his composure.

Teach smiled and confidently walked forward, led by Mostima.

"Everyone, return to your posts. I have something to discuss with our guest," Mostima said, realizing that some matters were not suitable for public disclosure. As soon as Mostima's words were uttered, the pirates dispersed, obeying the order without hesitation.

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They entered a spacious meeting room, which doubled as an art room. The interior was wide and bright, with sunlight streaming in through arched windows positioned along the walls. There were a total of 36 arched windows, three floors from top to bottom, with twelve windows on each floor. Three windows adorned each side of the room on every level.

A small table occupied the center, surrounded by sofas on each side, indicating a readiness for prolonged discussions. Positioned at the four corners of the room were statues, each about three meters tall. One depicted a gladiator with a pointed helmet and armored attire, symbolizing indomitability. Another statue represented a scholar dressed in splendid robes, holding a book, symbolizing wisdom. One was a noble figure with golden eagle-like wings spread behind her back embodied victory, while an ordinary swordsman in another corner represented the unwavering dedication to his path.

These statues served as symbols of the values The Pirate Group represented—indomitability, wisdom, victory, and unwavering commitment.

As Teach took in the scene, he noticed scrolls hanging on the walls, showcasing simple ink strokes, oil paintings, and colorful artworks. There were sculptures, ceramics, and flowers as well, though Teach didn't possess much understanding or appreciation for such things.

Taking their seats on the sofas, Teach and Mostima faced each other, with Hardnor and Hardman standing behind Mostima. The others were kept outside, stationed in various corners of the territory, seemingly tasked with preventing unwanted intrusions.

Teach remained silent, observing Mostima's somewhat agitated expression. "I embarked on this journey with confidence, but I've come to realize that only monsters can contend with monsters. And that monster, I must admit, is a height that I might never reach haha.." Mostima laughed at himself.

"Captain!"This was the first time Mostima openly acknowledged his shortcomings, Hardnor couldn't help but exclaim, his fists clenched in frustration. They had always believed that Mostima had the potential to reach that height. In their eyes, Mostima seemed flawless. His aptitude was exceptional, and his strength had improved rapidly. It was as if he were perfect, with only time standing in his way.

However, Mostima was acutely aware of his own limitations. His physicality—his physique, strength, and defense—was his flaw. No matter how hard he trained day and night, there was a ceiling he couldn't surpass. His upper limit was fixed at a certain level, unable to reach the heights of those monstrous individuals. Such a level of physicality and strength required a combination of innate talent and relentless training, elements he couldn't replicate.

Mostima knew that it would the impossible to achieve his goals alone. Though he did have his own advantages, particularly his remarkable aptitude in kendo. He was confident that he could become an exceptional swordsman and a formidable force in the sea.

"So, I've been waiting, waiting for a new monster to emerge. And it's you, Teach. I've want to follow you and reach the pinnacle together," Mostima's eyes gleamed brightly, reflecting both determination and hope. He saw Teach as someone possessing immense strength and talent. Despite Teach appearing as an adult, Mostima could sense a hint of immaturity in his expression, so he knew this wasn't Teach's peak or prime.

During their previous conflict, Mostima was observing Teach intensely. He disregarded the Mad Knife Pirates, whom Mostima considered weak. Mostima admired Teach's broad-mindedness, knowing that he wouldn't bully the weak without reason, just like he didn't previously. And Teach's infectious smile and inherent charm were also reasons why Mostima wanted to follow him.

"Haha, I appreciate your faith in me, Mostima," Teach listened quietly to Mostima's words. Mostima, with his combination of strength and wisdom, was someone who caught his attention as well. However, he couldn't directly take Mostima on board due to his current affiliation with the Whitebeard Pirates.

"But though I'm a member of the Whitebeard Pirates. I don't want to be with them forever," Teach smiled, crossing his arms over his chest, though his gaze remained fixed on Mostima. If the reason why they wanted to join him was because of his connection with the Whitebeard Pirates then he wanted to let them know this important piece of information.

"Teach, a man like you won't be content staying under someone else's command for long," Mostima said earnestly, his conviction clear. "I can sense the immense ambition within you, even if it hasn't fully manifested yet." Mostima and Teach locked eyes, and Teach fell silent as he listened.

Mostima knew he was right.

As Teach gazed at Mostima, his eyes started to shine, a smile forming on his face. Hardman and Hardnor felt their hearts race, witnessing a change in Teach before their eyes. They couldn't pinpoint the exact nature of the transformation, but it was undeniably more terrifying. While they had a certain understanding of Teach's strength, what they now felt was an oppressive aura that overwhelmed them. "hahahaha..." Teach's eyes were filled with ambition and strength. His smile was more arrogant than before, exuding an even stronger aura of power. It was mesmerizing.

Under this overwhelming sense of oppression, Teach's stature suddenly seemed to grow taller. His powerful aura left a profound impact on them.

"Fascinating, absolutely fascinating, Mostima," Teach said with a smile, unable to contain his excitement. Teach hadn't anticipated such a development—someone asking to join his future crew. He hadn't set sail yet, and his pirate group hadn't been established. Although he imagined a future where his dominance would attract countless pirates wanting to join him with a mere wave of his hand, he didn't expect such an occurrence to happen so soon.

"You've chosen me, and I'm certain you won't regret it," Teach replied, a smile spreading across his face as he rose from the sofa. "Yes, I've made up my mind,… Captain," Mostima smiled and addressed Teach as "Captain." This gesture revealed his unwavering determination.

Hardman and Hardnor remained silent, recognizing that there was no room for their intervention. They trusted Mostima's decision-making, as he had never faltered before. This time would be no different.

Meanwhile, Teach was slowing shaping into someone else He seemed like two different people—an amalgamation of his previous self and the one he was becoming. The former existed within the Whitebeard Pirates, hidden away, while the latter was his true self.

"Haha, I accept," Teach said, spreading his arms wide. There was no doubt in Mostima's sincerity. Teach could feel it, despite not being adept at reading expressions, nonetheless, his visionary abilities allowed him make educated guesses about other's thoughts and feelings.

Teach after all had gained significant experience over the course of two years, and he felt a sense of joy knowing that someone was willing to follow him. Mostima, in Teach's eyes, had great potential to become a powerful swordsman despite his young age.

Teach was ready to discuss matters concerning their future endeavors. "Do you know how the landscape of this era has taken shape. It's dominated by three legendary pirates: Roger, Shiki the Golden Lion, and Whitebeard," Teach said, referring to the Roger Pirates, the Golden Lion Pirates, and the Whitebeard Pirates.

"With absolute power and prestige, all other forces have to fear these three," Teach explained, his eyes filled with determination. That was his goal.

Mostima and the others listened attentively. These were things they didn't fully understand. Being confined to this particular sea area, their knowledge was limited compared to Teach's. They had heard of powerful pirate groups and renowned pirates, but they had not witnessed them firsthand.

"The Roger Pirates have the smallest number of members, but each one is among the elite. They consist of only two dozen or fewer individuals. Yet they can rival any other two legendary pirate groups, even in battles against the Marine Headquarters. The Roger Pirates are the only pirate group who even possess two top-tier combatants, that are powerful like, Whitebeard, and Shiki. It takes two or even three admirals working together to face them," Teach explained.

"Then, who is the other member of the Roger Pirates other than Roger himself?" Hardnor asked. Teach nodded and replied, "Slivers Rayleigh, also known as the Dark King. It is said that he possesses terrifying power no weaker than Roger's. He is also the first mate of Roger. " Teach had gathered these information from some of the older individuals on his ship. Teach couldn't help but think, 'Roger, you're already dead and gone.'

"Next is the Golden Lion Pirates, led by Captain Shiki the Golden Lion. He possesses the Float-Float Fruit ability and is known as the 'Flying Pirate.' They are the most dominant force in the New World, with numerous powerful individuals, numerous affiliated pirate groups, and grand ambitions. They are also expanding at an alarming rate," Teach continued.

"As for the Whitebeard Pirates, they are renowned for their unity and exceptional power. Their captain, my father, possesses the Tremor-Tremor Fruit ability, granting him the power to shake the world. He is known as the strongest man in the world," Teach said, mentioning his father with pride.

"If nothing unexpected happens, this pattern cannot be maintained forever. Just like Big Mom, Kaido is biding his time, secretly amassing power, waiting for the right moment to rise," Teach concluded, leaving a impact on their minds. "But don't worry, this pattern will not last long."

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Note:Today, I uploaded two chapters instead of the usual one because I won't have the opportunity to upload tomorrow. Due to my flight tomorrow, and the settling down process so I may not be able to upload on the 16th either.

As a result, the upload schedule might vary depending on your location, as the country I'm traveling to is 18 hours ahead of my current location.

I was originally gonna do 3 chapters… but then have to work on chapters for a different fanfic as well, and who knows might upload on the 16th actually.

Peace! And hopefully/pray my plane doesn't crush!