"The Navy is here! Everyone, get ready!"The watchman shouted from the crow's nest, one foot perched on the mast, telescope in hand. The sea breeze whipped at his coat as he scanned the horizon. Down below, the deck was already stirring with tension.
Boom... boom... boom.
Pirates lined up along the railings on both sides of the Moby Dick, a force of hardened men ready for war. And at their front, like a mountain moving toward the storm, strode Whitebeard. His colossal frame cast a looming shadow across the deck as he walked forward, step by deliberate step, brandishing his massive naginata—Murakumogiri, the Supreme Grade blade. His white cloak, emblazoned with the sigil of the Whitebeard Pirates, billowed behind him like a war banner.
"Gurararara!" Whitebeard's voice thundered across the ship. "Feels like I've been still too long. My bones are rusting. Let's stretch a bit—and teach these Navy brats a lesson."
Cries rose from every corner of the ship.
"Target the Navy warship!""About time!""The Whitebeard Pirates don't fear the Navy!""Let them remember who they're messing with!"
The crew surged with battle spirit. Even Teach—two years a member of Whitebeard's family—was sharpening his twin claws of Purgatory, the blades catching slivers of sun as he flexed his fingers with practiced calm.
Two years had passed since Teach joined the Whitebeard Pirates. What he once imagined would be a drifting, idle life at sea turned out to be anything but. The days were filled with drink, laughter, and camaraderie—and every night, training and battle.
He sparred with Vista, traded sword techniques with Kozuki Oden, and dueled against crewmates without ego or restraint. With their guidance, Teach mastered both the one-sword and two-sword styles, eventually forging a swordsmanship style all his own.
His physical strength, too, grew at a monstrous rate. The Whitebeard Pirates had a myriad of training methods, from traditional drills to mimicking Navy techniques. Teach favored Shigan—the deadly finger-piercing strike—and Geppo, the air-jump maneuver he practiced relentlessly, honing finger strength and aerial mobility alike.
Without a personal instructor, Teach crafted his own path to power. He mimicked styles, broke down movements, and refined his body through brutal combat. Boxing, clawing, kicking—every part of his body was weaponized. Over time, his claw-based fighting became lethal and distinct.
And when not training, he explored the vast sea. Strange islands, strange cultures. He carried a notebook, logging every mystery and oddity he saw. A pirate, yes—but also a student of the world.
Whitebeard's influence expanded rapidly. The crew snowballed in size. Challenges came from everywhere—cocky rookies, pirate captains testing the old man's might, and even Royal-class pirates with something to prove. Every encounter meant a battle. Every battle, a lesson.
Even the Navy refused to let them rest. Teach had seen it all—fleets led by legends like Garp or Sengoku. He'd glimpsed the future Admirals: Kuzan, Sakazuki, and Borsalino, each blazing like rising stars across the battlefield, wielding the terrifying powers of Logia-type Devil Fruits.
Titch watched them from afar. Not yet strong enough to fight, but studying them, learning.
And through it all, he trained. Tirelessly. He didn't sleep—his extraordinary spirit made sleep unnecessary. While others dozed, he meditated, sparred in silence, or dove into the deep ocean to withstand crushing pressure. His body adapted. Hardened.
Monsters aren't born—they're forged.
Kaido became what he is through death-defying madness. Big Mom? A born beast, sure—but Teach knew he'd have to train even harder to stand among them. He wasn't a natural monster.
Not yet.
"The Whitebeard Pirates are approaching fast!"Onboard the Navy warship, an ensign's voice trembled as he turned to his superior."Vice Admiral Thomson, sir! What are your orders?"
Thomson exhaled, cigarette burning low, his gaze cold and calculating."Retreat," he said sharply. "Call for reinforcements from surrounding fleets—immediately. We can't take Whitebeard head-on."
He knew the legends were true. The Gura Gura no Mi—the Earthquake Fruit—had given Whitebeard the power to destroy the world. And now he was hailed as the Strongest Man Alive.
"Aye, Vice Admiral!" the ensign saluted and ran off.
Thomson muttered under his breath, "Damn it. I only wanted to scare them—not end up being chased." Still, he clenched his jaw and prepared to fight. He had no choice.
Back aboard the Moby Dick:
"Pops! They're trying to escape!" a pirate shouted.
"Gurararara!" Whitebeard's laughter shook the air. "Prey that's been marked doesn't get to run."He slammed the butt of Murakumogiri onto the deck. A deep CRACK followed, and the sea surged.
The Moby Dick surged forward unnaturally fast. Titch's eyes lit up.
He's using the Earthquake Fruit... underwater.The sea roared. Massive swells surged behind the Moby Dick, like invisible hands pushing the ship forward. It was like riding a tsunami.
On the fleeing Navy ship:
"Why aren't we moving faster?!""The current—! The ocean current's reversed!""How are they moving faster than us?!"
"Silence!" Thomson barked. "It's Whitebeard's power! If we can't outrun him, we will hold the line. We stand for justice! Prepare for battle!"
The sailors steeled themselves. They knew what was coming.
At Navy HQ
"WHAT? Whitebeard's crew has engaged Vice Admiral Thomson?!"
CRACK!Marshal Kong slammed his palm into the desk, splintering it. "Who's closest?"
"Vice Admirals Tosa and Gion—both en route. 15 and 20 minutes away, respectively."
"Send reinforcements. Tell the G1 branch that the Warlord Sengoku is to move now. Whitebeard's power has grown too quickly. This is our chance."
Three pirates dominated the New World:—The Flying Pirates of Golden Lion—The Whitebeard Pirates, feared for their devastating captain—Roger's Crew, elite and deadly
All three were now legends. The Navy needed a win. And this might be it.
"All hands to battle stations!"Sengoku rose, justice cloak fluttering. Vice Admiral Tsuru followed close behind.
Aboard the flagship, the three Logia prodigies stood ready.Borsalino (Kizaru) adjusted his yellow-striped coat. "Yoyoyo… fighting Whitebeard? Terrifying."
Sakazuki (Akainu) scowled. "Pirates shouldn't exist. This time, we wipe them out."
"Aw, don't be so grumpy," Kizaru grinned lazily. Kuzan (Aokiji) said nothing, staring ahead, cool and silent.
Three minutes later—
The Moby Dick had reached the Navy ship. Pirates leaped aboard with roars and blades flashing. Bista clashed with a naval swordsman. Blood sprayed into the sea.
"Whitebeard..." Thomson stared at the massive figure on the bow. His back drenched in sweat. He couldn't retreat now.
"I'll handle this," said a calm voice.
Kozuki Oden stepped forward, drawing Enma and Ame-no-Habakiri. He landed gracefully in front of Thomson, smiling politely.
A samurai from Wano... Thomson's heart sank.
Behind him, Oden's retainers eadied their weapons with savage glee.
Teach moved like a shadow through the chaos. His claws tore through seamen like paper. He entered the ship's heart—the captain's quarters.
He'd done this before.
His haki—sharp and penetrating—scanned every corner. There.
Behind a steel panel, a false deck. He peeled it back and found a trove:—Two Devil Fruits—A full Navy Rokushiki manual—Extensive notes—And a secret technique: Life Return
A grin split his face. Jackpot.
He pocketed everything. Then—
Voices.
A Navy communications officer huddled in a corner, whispering into a Den Den Mushi:
"We can't hold out… Lieutenant General Tosa and Gion are en route… Warlord Sengoku is coming. We'll crush Whitebeard… for justice."
"For justice!" the officer shouted, reloading his rifle, hope burning in his eyes.
SWISH—The world turned white.
He never saw Teach coming.
"Hope won't be keeping you alive," Titch muttered, stepping over the corpse.
He glanced back at the ship, the sea already glowing on the horizon. A great battle loomed, one that could change everything.
If they didn't prepare... Whitebeard's crew might not survive what came next.