The sea breeze of Hachinosu carried the scent of gunpowder as Teach greedily swept his gaze over every corner of the island.
The ambition buried deep within him erupted like a volcano. "This was the place Father once ruled the seas from. This should have been my territory!"
"Stop! Who are you?" A pirate with a face full of knife scars blocked Teach's path.
Teach flashed his signature foolish grin. "I'm here on behalf of Captain Chiaki Setsuna to deliver a message. I'd like to see Lord Ochoku."
"Chiaki Setsuna?" The scar-faced pirate had naturally heard of this rising big shot. After hesitating for a moment, he stepped aside. "I doubt you'd dare lie to me. Follow me."
Inside the camp, Ochoku sat cross-legged on a tiger-skin chair, an expensive cigar from the West Blue clenched between his teeth.
After hearing his subordinate's report, Ochoku reluctantly raised his eyes. "You're the representative of Chia—"
But the instant he saw Teach's face, his heart jolted. "Boss Rocks, you're not dead?"
Teach was inwardly alarmed, yet the foolish smile remained on his face. "Lord Ochoku, what are you talking about?"
Ochoku took another careful look, then suddenly snorted. "So you just look somewhat similar. Your bearing is far too different."
After thinking for a moment, he asked, "What's your name? Your full name."
Teach smiled guilelessly. "My name is Teach. Marshall D. Teach."
Ochoku finally relaxed and sneered. "That's right. Boss Rocks was so domineering back then. Even if he had descendants, they couldn't possibly look as lewd and ugly as you."
Teach pretended not to understand, though inwardly he was cursing madly.
"You, come here." Ochoku lazily beckoned.
Teach lowered his head and slowly walked forward, that harmless foolish grin still hanging on his face.
Just as he reached Ochoku, Ochoku