The group pushed deeper into the fruit forest when the sound of rustling leaves and sharp chatter echoed from the trees. Something was coming.... many somethings.
Teach soon spotted them; a troop of golden-furred monkeys, the dominant species of the island. Their sharp eyes locked onto the fruits in Teach's hands, and angry screeches followed.
They pointed, jabbered, and advanced with bristling hostility.
Through his Observation Haki, Teach caught their meaning; all fruit on the island belonged to the King. Anyone who stole it had to face judgment.
So that must be the Monkey King, Teach thought. He had sensed a powerful presence here earlier when he'd scanned the island. But there was also something else the monkeys had mentioned, something about 'Miracle Water.'
The monkeys moved in, some wielding crude wooden clubs. Mobius shifted his stance, ready for a fight, but Teach stopped him with a hand on his arm.
"No need to resist," Teach said with a grin. "Let's see where this leads. Might be interesting."
The monkeys paused when the group offered no struggle. One of them even strutted up with a smug look, as if to say, Smart monkeys know their place, which nearly made Mobius snap.
Still, they followed.
The deeper they went, the more monkeys they saw, busy with some kind of event. Monkeys carried piles of fruit up the mountain, chattering with excitement. Finally, they arrived at a clearing before a vast cave.
A massive golden-furred monkey lounged on a boulder outside. At least five meters tall, broad-chested, and rippling with power, it sprawled like a king. Two female monkeys lay in its arms, while others fanned it with banana leaves and fed it peeled fruit. The Monkey King's life was the pinnacle of monkey luxury.
It stirred lazily when Teach's group appeared, its eyes narrowing in confusion. A leader from the escort stepped forward, screeching its report; these strange, hairless monkeys had stolen fruit on this sacred day. They demanded judgment.
The surrounding crowd erupted into fury, screeching and spitting curses. To them, Teach and his companions weren't humans, just hairless, freakish monkeys.
The Monkey King rose, towering over the crowd. With a single raised hand, silence fell. It chattered slowly, ruling that the strangers might not know their customs.
Today was a day of joy. Better to forgive, and let them share in the celebration.
The crowd cheered. A leader relayed the decree to Teach's group; they had been spared, but next time there would be no mercy. All fruit harvested on this day must be given to the King, who used it to brew the Miracle Water.
Mobius frowned, turning to Teach. "Boss, what're they saying? I can't make sense of it."
"They think we're monkeys," Teach said, still grinning. "Let's just watch. I want to see what this 'Miracle Water' is all about."
Soon, all the fruits were piled into a massive stone basin filled with mountain spring water. The air grew thick with anticipation as the monkeys formed a reverent circle around the pool.
The Monkey King raised its arms, releasing a strange green energy. A hush fell over the troop. Some even wept with awe. The power flowed from the King's body into the pool. Fruit dissolved instantly, the water shifting into a shimmering green-blue as fermentation happened in moments rather than years.
Mobius's jaw dropped. "Boss that's…!"
"Yeah," Teach muttered. "He's a Devil Fruit user. Let's see just what kind."
The transformation ended with the Monkey King carefully sealing some of the finest brew into its personal jar. The rich fragrance of wine rolled through the clearing, intoxicating even before a drop was drunk.
"Authentic monkey wine," Teach thought. He had heard of it in his old world, but never expected to taste it here.
The King shouted, and chaos erupted. The troop charged the pool, scooping the miraculous brew into their crude bowls, laughing and shrieking with joy.
Teach smiled at his crew. "Come on. This is top-tier stuff. Let's not miss out."
But instead of joining the mob, Teach walked calmly toward the Monkey King. He set down two fine bowls from his pack and pulled out a bottle of rum. The King tilted its head curiously, sensing at once that this alcohol was different.
Teach poured the golden liquid. The rich, mellow aroma wafted through the air.
The Monkey King's eyes lit up, it was hooked.
"Zehahaha!" Teach lifted his bowl. "My favorite rum. Let's share a drink."
The Monkey King mimicked him clumsily, lifting the delicate bowl in its massive hands. They clinked bowls, then drank deep.
One sip was enough, the King's eyes shone brighter. It downed the rest in one gulp and hungrily eyed the bottle. Teach chuckled, pulling out two more. With a flick of his thumbs, the corks popped.
The King fumbled, cracked one bottle, but saved every drop with its ability. Rum floated in the air like liquid jewels before pouring into its massive wooden bowl.
Satisfied, it drank heartily.
Then, with a proud smile, the Monkey King unveiled its own treasure, the Monkey King Wine. Even Teach, no stranger to spirits, felt his breath catch at the divine aroma.
They toasted again. The Monkey King laughed, imitating Teach's gestures, even carefully returning spilled drops into Teach's cup with its power.
For a moment, man and beast drank as equals.
Teach felt the wine's miracle coursing through him. His strength swelled, his body fortified as if months of training had been condensed into moments. No wonder the Monkey King's frame had grown so immense, it had been drinking this power its whole life.
Teach lowered his cup, smiling. "What a fine wine. Truly worthy of its name. My thanks. Marshall D. Teach, that's me." He extended a hand.
The Monkey King hesitated, then clasped it, grinning wide.
Teach thought a moment, then said, "You deserve a name, don't you? How about… Kakarot?"
The Monkey King's chest swelled with pride. It thumped itself in delight.
Later, at the shore, Teach loaded crates of rum from his ship and gifted them to Kakarot. In return, the Monkey King filled his empty bottles with both monkey wine and half a jar of the precious King's brew.
As the ship pulled away, Teach called back, "I'll return with more fine wine. But beware.. humans aren't as friendly as me. Some will kill for your treasure."
Kakarot thumped his chest again, roaring defiance. But as Teach watched, he knew the warning had sunk deep.