In this case, they had a clearer understanding of the sea, and of how times make heroes. If you wanted to succeed, you had to seize the moment—especially when your strength wasn't enough.
"I don't have any plans to leave the Whitebeard Pirates for now," Teach said calmly, sharing his thoughts. "I need to keep growing stronger. When the time comes, I'll head out, gather my own crew, and then enter the New World."
"Haha, you say you still need to improve, but the best way to grow stronger is to get out there and fight," Mostima replied, a burning eagerness showing in his eyes. How had those monsters become so powerful?
Teach nodded, appreciating the question. If Mostima wanted to grow stronger quickly, he needed to understand the path.
"Physique. Haki. Swordsmanship. Devil Fruits," Teach said. "Physique is the foundation. You might not rely on it in every fight, but without strength and stamina, you'll never become a monster—never become truly strong."
"Haki is essential. Without strong Haki, you can't keep up at the top. There are three kinds of Haki: Observation, Armament, and Conqueror's. Armament depends on physical strength and mental will. Observation needs talent and constant training—you can even glimpse into the future with enough mastery."
"Swordsmanship depends on talent. You're a swordsman, Mostima. Kendo is your path—you can't abandon it. Train your body while cultivating Armament and Observation Haki. But for rapid improvement, you might need a Devil Fruit."
"A Devil Fruit?" Mostima echoed, intrigued. He had considered it, but wasn't sure how it fit with swordsmanship.
"Haha! Golden Lion Shiki is a Devil Fruit user and still one of the strongest swordsmen. He merged his Devil Fruit powers with his swordsmanship and created a unique, devastating style. The key is to find a power that fits you. They're not mutually exclusive."
Teach's words lit up something in Mostima's mind. It was like clouds parting after a storm. He had limits in physical strength—so why not compensate with the power of a Devil Fruit?
"Devil Fruits are rare. Where would I even find one that suits me?" Mostima asked.
Teach grinned and reached into his coat. From within the inner lining, he pulled out a silver-white Devil Fruit and placed it in front of Mostima.
"The Feather-Feather Fruit. A Paramecia-type. I think it suits you. Do you want to eat it?"
Teach always carried his Devil Fruits with him. When traveling alone, he couldn't risk leaving them behind. He wore a specially designed coat with a hollow inner lining to store them. That's why Teach always looked a bit broader than he actually was.
Now, with the Thorn Fruit already gifted, he had three left—one was the Bounce-Bounce Fruit, which he already had plans for. The other two were Zoan-type fruits looted from the marine warship, waiting for the right users.
"A Devil Fruit..." Hardman gasped involuntarily upon seeing Teach pull it out, covering his mouth a second later.
"Well? Do you want it? I see a lot of potential in you, but how you develop it is up to you," Teach said.
Mostima was stunned. He didn't expect Teach to casually offer up such a treasure, but considering Teach's background with the Whitebeard Pirates, it made sense.
He stared at the Feather Fruit. It didn't sound particularly powerful—but neither did many other fruits at first glance. Could he really blend this with his swordsmanship? He began to envision it.
His eyes gradually lit up.
Without hesitation, Mostima reached out, picked up the Feather Fruit, and took a bite.
It tasted... vile. Despite being mentally prepared, the taste was beyond horrible. His face twisted in disgust before quickly regaining composure.
Teach sighed, seeing how small the bite was.
Mostima gave him a knowing look, understanding Teach's thought process instantly. Then he closed his eyes, quietly feeling the power awakening inside him.
Moments later, he opened them again, surprised.
"I feel... lighter."
"That's the fruit's influence," Teach nodded. "Your body now carries feather-like properties. Your speed should increase drastically."
"You should be able to grow feathers from your body—or even create them out of nothing. If you learn to harden them like steel, you can use them offensively, defensively, or even create new forms of physical techniques. Combine that with your swordsmanship, and you'll create your own style."
A smile formed in Mostima's eyes. Feathers sprouted from his arms and shoulders, drifting in the air around him. They slowly gathered behind him, forming two wide wings. With a single flap, he lifted from the ground, hovering.
"He's flying! Boss is flying!" Hardman shouted.
But it lasted only a few seconds. Mostima couldn't stabilize, and the wings collapsed midair. He crashed back down.
"Ability development takes time and stamina. Start simple. Learn to control each feather—that'll train your Haki too," Teach advised. "The broader your Observation Haki, the wider your control over the feathers."
Mostima, now more comfortable with the feathers, practiced slowly. Teach watched approvingly.
"You're leaving?" Mostima asked.
"Yeah. Can't stay too long."
"Then let's have a match before you go. My crew needs to see your strength to be convinced."
Teach grinned. "You're confident, huh? Thief hahaha!"
As he laughed, his eyes sharpened. A wave of invisible pressure radiated from him. The ground trembled, cracks forming beneath his feet. A table nearby shattered under the pressure.
Mostima, Hardman, and Hardnor felt it most intensely. Their knees buckled, their bodies struggling under the overwhelming weight of his presence.
After ten seconds, Teach retracted the aura.
Mostima was shaken. He had felt this force before—from afar—and now, up close, it was unmistakable.
"You... you have Conqueror's Haki!" he exclaimed.
"Thief haha. Since you believe in me, let me give you some reassurance," Teach smiled.
Even Hardman and Hardnor were stunned. "The Haki of a king..."
It was a rare trait, a symbol of innate talent and willpower. While not all who possess it become great, those who stand at the top almost always have it.
In the clearing behind the base—the usual training ground—the entire Shiratori Pirates crew had gathered to witness the duel.
Mostima stood opposite Teach in the center, both holding their blades.
Teach held his famous blade, Thunder Fang. "You go first, Mostima."
Mostima nodded, analyzing Teach's stance. No visible flaws. He had to act first.
He lunged, swinging his blade. "Sky Sever!"
His figure vanished, reappearing in front of Teach with a silent, slicing arc of wind.
But Teach didn't move. He raised Thunder Fang.
"Thunder Slash!"
A flash of lightning burst from the sword. With one swing, he cleaved Mostima's attack cleanly in two. The slash split the earth behind him.
Mostima, unfazed, darted forward. He aimed for close combat now. Their swords clashed—fast, precise, relentless. Mostima's new speed gave him an edge, but Teach blocked every strike effortlessly.
Teach began attacking, raising the tempo. The air crackled with lightning and fire.
"Dual Blade Style—Burst!"
Mostima saw the fire and lightning forming a deadly attack. He slashed forward, unleashing a giant bird-shaped wind slash.
"White Bird Style: Dapeng Wings!"
The giant bird slash collided with Teach's Burst. A massive explosion rocked the area. Mostima barely dodged the shockwave.
The battle raged on. Teach steadily overpowered Mostima, exposing his weaknesses, pressuring him to improve. Lightning burns and scorch marks marred Mostima's outfit, but Teach held back—this wasn't a duel to the death.
After ten minutes, Mostima was exhausted. Teach barely looked winded.
It was clear who the stronger man was. The Shiratori crew watched in awe. Mostima had improved, but Teach stood on another level.
As Teach prepared to leave, the five key members of the island watched him disappear over the sea.
"Not saying goodbye, Loya?" Doyle teased.
"Hmph!" Loya crossed her arms. "I'm not a kid anymore. Next time, I'll surprise him."
"Let's work hard," Mostima said. "Teach won't stand still. If we don't grow, we'll get left behind—or worse."
"Yeah! Next time, I'll show him!" Hardman grinned, clutching a copy of the Navy's Six Powers training guide. He tucked it away like a treasure.
Mostima and Hardnor laughed.
Out on the open sea, Teach stood at the bow of his ship, one foot on a barrel, his coat billowing behind him. A grin stretched across his face as he gazed into the horizon, already thinking about the future.
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