The moment he made that decision, Teach stuffed the remaining Cherry Pie into his mouth, grabbed a bottle of liquor, and headed toward the stern, where Whitebeard was.
If I'm going to leave, I need Pops to agree to it himself first.
Teach steadied his breathing and put an honest, good-natured smile back on his face, keeping every step steady.
I've waited more than twenty years. I just need to hold out a little longer.
Once I leave the Moby Dick, Ace won't have any say over me.
He crossed the deck, and several crew members along the way raised their cups and called out to him.
"Teach, why'd you stop eating?"
"There's still Roast Meat Captain Thatch made in the kitchen. Want another couple of plates?"
Teach patted his belly and laughed broadly.
"Wehahaha! Of course I do, but I've got to talk to Pops about something important first!"
A crew member hugging a barrel of liquor asked drunkenly, "Something important? Are you finally planning to propose to some girl?"
"Get lost!"
Teach shoved him aside with one hand and scolded him with a laugh. "I don't even have a wife! Who am I supposed to propose to?"
Laughter immediately erupted around them.
Teach laughed along a few times, but glanced behind him out of the corner of his eye.
Ace had stopped and was standing at the entrance to the cabins, watching him.
He's still keeping an eye on me, just as I thought.
Teach's heart sank, but then he raised his arm.
"Captain Ace, want to come see Pops with me?"
Ace made no attempt to avoid him and walked straight over.
"Sure."
"I'd like to hear just what this important business of yours is, too."
Teach's smile never changed, but he cursed inwardly.
*This brat is