"Hahahaha! Those three cowards are out!"
The pirates outside the tavern burst into laughter, sneering as Nami dragged Luffy and Zoro through the doors.
"Look at them! Beaten and tossed out like trash!"
"They didn't even fight back. Some crew they are!"
Among the gathering crowd, several pirates shifted uneasily. A dozen of them, weapons in hand, exchanged hesitant glances. They had come hoping to join the Straw Hat Pirates—but now, seeing that the ones inside had been the Bellamy Pirates, they hesitated.
If they stepped in and offended Bellamy while failing to join the Straw Hats, their lives on this island would be ruined. Everyone knew Hyena Bellamy was infamous for holding grudges.
Still, watching Luffy and Zoro stumble, bloodied but unbowed, shame gnawed at the bystanders.
"Damn it! We missed the chance…" one muttered bitterly.
None of them dared to move. They could only watch as Nami stubbornly pulled her captain and swordsman toward the docks.
The street buzzed with ridicule. People pointed, laughing openly as the battered trio passed.
Nami bit her lip hard, holding back tears, her grip firm as she dragged her crewmates.
Then—
"Sky Island truly exists."
The deep voice cut through the mockery.
Nami froze and looked toward the source. Sitting calmly on the street, grinning through missing teeth, was Blackbeard Teach.
"Ah, woo…"
He took a large bite of cherry pie and chuckled.
"This pie really is the best."
Nami let go of Luffy and Zoro, and they dropped heavily to the ground. Her eyes narrowed.
"You're the one who argued with Luffy in the tavern earlier."
Teach chewed noisily, then laughed with his booming voice.
"What's wrong? You didn't like that fight? They clearly won!"
Luffy raised his head, staring at Teach. Memories of faces and words flickered in his mind.
"Do you want to surpass us?"
"The next time we meet, it will be at the top of the pirate world!"
Slowly, he stood, dusted himself off, and settled the Straw Hat on his head. His calm gaze met Teach's.
Zoro straightened as well, brushing dirt from his shoulders, unfazed by his wounds.
Teach grinned wider, his tone admiring.
"Your companions are formidable, Straw Hat. Not just because of bounties—but because of spirit."
He wasn't impressed by their silence in the tavern, nor their injuries. What struck him was their calm, unwavering eyes—eyes that didn't bend, no matter the humiliation.
Like an eagle mocked by sparrows, only to spread its wings and soar high beyond reach.
Teach's grin showed genuine admiration.
"What a crew… but I can see already, you're not the type to be recruited."
Still, his thoughts wandered to his dream, and he let out his booming, wild laugh.
"Zehahahahaha! The so-called 'new era' they talk about? Nonsense! Who says the era of dreaming is over?!"
Passersby scoffed.
"That drunk's spouting nonsense again."
"Hah, idiot."
"What dreams? He's just a washed-up pirate."
But Teach only threw his head back and laughed louder.
"Zehahahaha! People's dreams will never end!"
The street shook with his voice.
Luffy watched silently. Teach seemed to be speaking to him, yet more to himself, clinging fiercely to conviction.
"I'm right, aren't I?!" Teach roared, eyes burning.
The crowd jeered.
"Pfft! Look at him, so worked up!"
"Must've fried his brain on booze!"
Yet Teach ignored them, leaning toward Luffy with his twisted grin.
"Enduring mockery isn't pleasant, is it? Zehahahahaha!"
Inside the tavern, Bellamy scoffed at the noise outside.
"Drunken idiots, shouting like fools. Useless relics abandoned by the new era."
His men cackled in agreement.
But outside, Teach's laughter only grew.
"As long as your goal is clear, who cares about mockery! Zehahahahaha!"
He turned back toward Luffy.
"Right, Straw Hat? Fighting doesn't always mean fists."
Zoro glanced at Luffy and said simply, "Let's go."
"Zehahaha! Did I disturb you?" Teach called out, still smiling. "Straw Hat, I hope you reach your dream… and that Sky Island too!"
Without answering, Luffy turned and walked away. Zoro followed. The two groups passed each other, moving in opposite directions.
Teach's grin lingered as he watched them go.
What bold, fascinating men… but I've already chosen one of you as my prey.
For his dream, there could only be blood.
"Hmm?"
As he walked, Teach noticed a weak horse trembling outside another tavern, its tongue lolling. The animal looked half-dead— unmistakably Stronger, belonging to Doc Q.
"Zehahahahaha! Doc Q actually drinking?" Teach chuckled in surprise. "This I've got to see."
He shoved the door open.
"Big! Big! Big!"
"Small! Small! Small!"
"Big! Drink, you lost again!"
The tavern roared with noise. Teach pushed through the crowd, hearing the booming voice of Burgess.
And then—he saw him.
Amid the pile of bottles, surrounded by Fishmen opponents on one side and Doc Q, Burgess, and Van Auger on the other, sat a man with shoulder-length black hair, sharp eyes, and an easy smile.
Shirogai.
Teach's grin faltered, then spread into a wide, vicious laugh.
"Zehahahahaha! Plunderer, Yamikuro… a Supernova with a bounty of one hundred million Berries."
One of his chosen hunting targets—sitting right in front of him.
Perfect.
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