July, Sea Era 1505.
Three months had passed since Teach subdued the three wild beasts.
He had not made them eat the Human-Human Fruits right after subduing them.
Hearts were hard to read. Once they ate the Human-Human Fruits, they would, in a sense, be human.
Their ways of thinking and living would simply need time to adjust.
Besides, Teach needed to guard against other factions poaching them.
If their origins came to light, someone might set their sights on them.
Especially Kaido of the Beasts Pirates.
With its current strength, the Black Emperor Pirates had no great advantage against the Beasts Pirates.
They had submitted to Teach because of his strength, and they could just as easily betray him for someone stronger.
Some might say wild beasts thought simply, but Teach did not believe that would keep them loyal.
Strength was everything.
With that in mind, Teach had not rushed to let the three wild beasts eat Devil Fruits.
Instead, he had members of the Black Emperor Pirates spend time with them. Once the beasts grew used to life in the crew, he would let them eat the Human-Human Fruits.
By then, the risk of the three betraying him would be as low as possible.
In Teach's eyes, the Black Emperor Pirates were still too weak. Many of its officers were young and needed more time to grow.
After all, monsters like Teach, who reached the pinnacle of the seas at such a young age, were rare exceptions.
The other members did not have his extraordinary talent or advantages.
As he developed the Munch-Munch Fruit's power, he used every means to devour different substances and continually strengthen his body.
After obtaining the Yamata no Orochi Fruit, his vitality and physique had become even more terrifying.
His strength had improved