A Suffering Teach

On the Moby Dick, Marshall D1 Teach lay in his executive suite, half his body wrapped in bandages.

He looked up at the chandelier on the ceiling, his eyes utterly empty.

Beep beep~

The Big Bird Den Den Mushi) on Teach's bedside table kept ringing.

Teach mechanically picked up the Den Den Mushi, intending to use his left hand to poke at its Den Den Mushi to light up the screen.

After waiting for a long time, his left hand still didn't appear.

Only then did Teach realize that his left hand... was gone!

Teach had never been this heartbroken when he lost his left leg, his left ear, or had his teeth knocked out.

But his left hand was gone, and he was heartbroken.

His left hand represents his youth.

His left hand represents his growth.

His left hand accompanied Teach through countless lonely nights.

Having always maintained an honest and simple persona, he usually has to rely on his left hand.

But now, this left hand is gone.

The culprit is Kizaru.

However, Teach didn't hold a particular grudge against Kizaru.

After all, the other party was Marine Admiral, and he was a pirate. It was only natural for him to cut off his hand, so there was nothing to complain about.

Teach hates Destiny the most now.

That's right.

In the last two years, he has found his luck to be truly indescribable.

He wanted to remain silent, but instead, he was thrust into the eye of the storm.

He originally wanted to find the Dark-Dark Fruit and become the world's greatest, but he couldn't even keep his original limbs, and his current strength is not as good as before.

With a sigh, Teach had no choice but to place the Den Den Mushi on the bedside table and then swipe the screen with his right hand.

He noticed that the persistent ringing was actually a penguin icon wearing a red scarf.

Teach opened his QQ, where a QQ group called "Infinite Tsukuyomi Hardcore Players Chat Group" kept buzzing.

[Ordinary female genin from Konoha Village: Breaking news! The Infinite Tsukuyomi the Shining expansion is launching tonight! Anyone planning to team up with me to level up to nun?]

[Yamaburo, a pioneer in paperless office: What? It's confirmed to launch tonight? So fast? I have to work overtime tonight!]

[Kikyo is mine: Disdain. jpg, why don't you hold those meaningless year-end work summary meetings? Wouldn't that save us from having to work overtime?]

[Ice Age: Seconded.]

[Momonga is not Mole: I second that +1]

[Elegant Coffee: Second +1]

[Ordinary female genin from Konoha Village: Second +1]

[Paperless Office Pioneer Yamaburo: @Ordinary Female Genin of Konoha Village, I can forgive the others, but do you even have the nerve to second that? How long has it been since you attended a meeting? Also, everyone who spoke up above, come to my office after work!]

[I want to go home, this isn't the bus to kindergarten: So you guys are all in the same club? Are you all shills for the Big Bird Club?]

[Smoking Only the Backdoor: Dude, you're only just realizing they're all in cahoots? You're so slow on the uptake! By the way, why did you change your nickname? If it weren't for your profile picture still North Blue Girls, I wouldn't have recognized you.]

[I want to go home, this isn't the bus to kindergarten: Ugh, don't mention big breasts to me, I'm allergic to them now... Sigh, never mind, I need to cook, bye everyone, see you tonight~]

Seeing the lively chat history in the QQ group, Teach's mood improved slightly.

At least losing his left hand didn't prevent him from using the helmet-shaped Big Bird Game Den Den Mushi.

Teach glanced at the game Den Den Mushi at the foot of the bed and sighed, "The Ma Qiao brothers are certainly honest men..."

Seeing the Den Den Mushi Teach reminded Teach of how he was rescued by Ma Qiao after breaking his leg, and how he was escorted back from Water 7.

That period was also the lowest point in Teach's life.

Although Teach's life was like the Chinese stock market, with one trough after another, there is no doubt that during that time, "Infinite Tsukuyomi" was the best medicine to soothe Teach's soul.

"At night...?"

Teach glanced at the wall clock; there were still several hours until the start of "Infinite Tsukuyomi: The Shining."

He wondered if he should log into his account and collect some more medicinal herbs.

The characters Teach created in Infinite Tsukuyomi also fit his style.

Keep a low profile and be patient.

Currently, he is a junior apprentice medicine boy under Orochimaru.

But Teach has been secretly accumulating strength. Once he has extracted enough ninjutsu from Orochimaru, Teach will show him what a real Backstab is.

Just then, a disheveled man with Fire Pistol clanging at his waist slipped into Teach's room.

Teach squinted to make out who it was, then immediately put on an Exhaust but friendly expression. "So it's the Shigure, the Gangplank brothers!"

Although Gangplank had only been on board for a short time, he was highly regarded by his Pops.

Like Ace, he became a squad leader as a rookie.

Moreover, unlike Ace, he joined the group with his own investment, had a ship and influence, and his own combat strength was also quite impressive.

Normally, the Whitebeard Pirates wouldn't directly recruit someone like Gangplank, who already had his own crew, as a division commander.

The Whitebeard Pirates were an extremely powerful force.

In addition to the 16 core divisions and the special branch formed for Teach, there are 43 vassal pirate crews.

Little Oars Jr.., Epoida, Andre, Ilyun, Jinge...

Those names that resonate throughout the pirate world are merely captains of the Whitebeard Pirates.

While some of the vassal captains might call Whitebeard"Pops," they were not Whitebeard "sons."

Only true members of the Whitebeard Pirates would be called "foolish son" by Whitebeard.

However, Gangplank's situation was different.

His reputation is too good.

When the story of East Blue Shigure reached the Pops's ears, he accepted this man who wholeheartedly wanted to be his son.

Moreover, Gangplank was Supernovas from the East Blue in the same cohort as Ace, Shigure's ranking was far above Fire Fist's.

The level of this year's East Blue Supernovas is ridiculously high.

Legendary figures like Kenpachi Zaraki Eight-Sword Style) and Kuro the son of the Pirate King) may not have been seen by most, but Ace's skill level is undeniable.

And the strength that Gangplank displayed in several battles, as well as the strength shown by his subordinates Pyke, Gin, and others...

Okay, Gin is a bit of a disappointment, but the others all fit everyone's expectations of the East Blue Supernovas.

Although Gin's skills are lacking, he is a really good person.

In the Krieg Pirates, Gin's willingness to go to great lengths for his friends might not have been very beneficial, but in the Whitebeard Pirates, despite being weak, Gin became a respected brother to many.

In short, this crew, which originated from the Krieg Pirates, drifted all the way from the East Blue and eventually became a member of the Whitebeard family.

Teach was keen to cultivate a good relationship with this prominent figure in the Whitebeard Pirates, and Gangplank reciprocated with a "good-natured" smile, inquiring about Teach 'Teach health condition.

The two award-winning actors gave each other a performance, complimenting one another, and in the end, Teach didn't eat the orange rich in vitamin C that Gangplank offered him.

Finally, Gangplank said in a muffled voice, "Brother Teach, Pops wants to see you. Your health..."

"Cough cough cough..."

Teach coughed Exhaust twice. "Since it's Pops's order, health and such are not important."

With that, Teach, supported by Gangplank, limped out of the room.

As soon as he emerged from the cabin, the blinding sunlight nearly blew Teach's eyes, who was used to the darkness.

This wasn't just thanks to the sun; more importantly, it was due to that big, shiny guy standing in the sunlight.

Third Division Captain Diamond Jozu is practicing his Devil Fruit ability.

The dazzling sunlight, refracted by the diamond, became even more blinding.

Teach greeted Jozu, one of the elders, but noticed that Jozu was looking at him with a strange expression.

Could it be that my facade of being a nice guy has been seen through?

That shouldn't be the case.

Teach recalled his actions over the past two years.

They were constantly being beaten and never ate meat.

This person is even more honest than an honest person!

Completely bewildered, he followed Diamond Jozu to the deck of the Moby Dick.

On days other than rainy days, Pops Whitebeard would sit on the deck chair, receiving IV drips with the help of the nurses, while drinking heartily.

The same applies today.

Teach looked at the beautiful nurses in their short skirts and couldn't help but feel aroused.

This thing works better than my left hand!

However, thanks to years of disguise, Teach has long since mastered the art of stealing glances at beautiful women with a completely unfazed expression, even using only a fraction of his peripheral vision.

"Kuralalala~ Teach!"

"Yes, Pops!"

Teach withdrew his gaze from admiring the young lady and had to carefully deal with this old man who looked like he was about to enter his coffin.

Whitebeard summoned Teach, but instead of discussing business, he picked up his wine bowl and downed it in one gulp. "As expected of Scarf Kid's brew, it's absolutely delicious!"

"Pops, you'd better drink less!"

Marco, the captain of the first squadron and the ship's doctor, couldn't help but complain, "That's really something, Brother Ma Qiao. He knows your health condition, Pops, yet he still keeps sending people over with alcohol!"

"Kura la la la~"

Whitebeard ignored all advice, drank another large bowl of scarlet wine, wiped his mouth, and laughed, "Didn't Ma Qiao say this is Red Hair Medicinal Wine, which is good for my health... You see, I really do feel much better lately, and my old injuries have eased somewhat."

Marco rubbed his forehead. "What kind of alcohol doesn't harm the body? I'm a doctor, Pops..."

"Let's not talk about that anymore. As for drinking and stuff, I still trust Kaido."

Whitebeard, like a stubborn old man who refuses to seek medical help, listens to his drinking buddies instead of the doctor. "Although Kaido isn't a good person, his taste in alcohol is undeniable. After all, he was born in the Vodka Kingdom ~ hiccup"

Whitebeard let out a burp and suddenly asked:

"Do you remember the war the Beasts Pirates waged against Whitey Bay a while ago?"

"Of course I remember."

Marco nodded. "If we hadn't arrived in time, that Jack guy probably would have succeeded."

"Jack? Come to think of it, drinking with him before was quite nice..."

Whitebeard scratched his beard, and the image of the young man who had brought the ship to shore appeared before his eyes.

A year ago, Ma Qiao sent the legless Teach back to the Whitebeard Pirates, and Jack was one of the people who went with him.

He also attended the grand banquet hosted by the Whitebeard Pirates to welcome Ma Qiao.

However, on the high seas, enemies and friends alike are commonplace; yesterday's friends may drink and laugh together, while today they may be facing each other with swords drawn. There's nothing unusual about it.

Some time ago, Jack led ten warships to attack Whitey Bay's territory, but was eventually scared off by the arriving Moby Dick.

In a way, it could be said that Ma Qiao saved Jack's brother once.

If Ma Qiao hadn't taken him to the Whitebeard Pirates for a drink, allowing him to get up close to Whitebeard and his commanders, Jack would probably have been yelling something like, "He's just an old man with an IV drip! Get the ship docked!"

As for the Ice Witch Whitey Bay, she was one of the 43 pirate captains under the Whitebeard Grand Fleet.

While slightly weaker than the Whitebeard Pirates' commanders, they were by no means easy opponents.

Furthermore, given that she was under the protection of the Whitebeard Pirates, Jack's decision to attack her was inherently suspicious.

Marco, prompted by his Pops's suggestion, also began to wonder, "Could it be that Whitey Bay attacked the Beasts Pirates' and the World Government's arms transport ship?"

The fact that the Beasts Pirates have secret trade dealings with the World Government sounds like a fantasy to ordinary people, but if it were confirmed, it would cause a huge uproar.

However, among the high-ranking Whitebeard Pirates, who are also among the Four Emperors, this kind of thing is hardly a secret.

This was the only reason Marco could think of for Jack not to give his Pops face.

"Kura la la~ See for yourself!"

The Whitebeard burst into laughter, laughing so hard that tears streamed down his face.

He pulled a letter from his pocket and threw it in front of Marco.

Marco picked up the letter out of curiosity and immediately looked at it, his face turning completely blank.

It turns out this letter was written by Kaido to his Pops.

As old comrades who were on the same ship decades ago, Kaido and Whitebeard, if not exactly brothers, would at least be eager to eliminate each other.

Kaido hasn't written to his elder brother in a very, very long time.

This time, surprisingly, Kaido sent a letter.

And they were quite... friendly?

It turns out that the reason Jack attacked Whitey Bay was because Whitey Bay had attacked the Beasts Pirates' transport ship.

But the ship wasn't transporting weapons; it was carrying alcohol.

It's spirits purchased from the Big Bird Consortium!

Kaido stated that as long as the Whitebeard Pirates guaranteed the safety of the liquor trade route from Hodico Island to Onigashima, the Beasts Pirates were willing to pay the Whitebeard Pirates a certain amount of toll annually.

"Kura la la~"

Whitebeard downed another bowl of sake in one gulp. "See that? This is the kind of sake that can make Kaido pay protection money..."

"That's toll money... Pops..."

"I don't care, Kaido just paid me the money!"

The Whitebeard glared and puffed out his cheeks. "In short, this is enough to prove that Ma Qiao's wine is exceptionally good! Don't you think so, Teach?"