"We're almost there. I can't believe how fast time flies," Teach muttered as he disembarked, eyes sweeping over the bustling port of the Kingdom of Canifor.
This place was famous across the New World, a land of swords and steel, where countless dojos dotted the streets and the weakest dojo master was still a seasoned sword master.
The nation stood proudly neutral, far from the World Government's reach, and was considered a holy land of swordsmanship. Even its royal family was renowned for their blades. The current monarch himself was a Grand Sword Master, making Canifor one of the few places pirates and Marines alike dared not provoke.
For Teach, this was his final stop before Wano Country. Five days had passed since leaving the Kingdom of Chaos, and his blood stirred with anticipation. Soon, he would set foot in Wano.
Inside a seaside inn, he pulled out an Eternal Pose, the needle pointing firmly toward Wano, a gift from Kozuki Oden. His fingers tightened on it, then moved to a Den Den Mushi designed specifically to reach Pops.
On the Moby Dick, Whitebeard lounged with his sake as the crew passed the time in card games, sparring, and idle chatter. The Den Den Mushi rang. Pops lifted it, and the snail instantly shifted into Teach's likeness.
"Pops, it's me," came the familiar rough voice.
The deck erupted in motion. Pirates crowded closer, excitement flashing in their eyes. Kozuki Oden practically tore through the lower deck, sending men stumbling as he barreled forward.
"Teach! How is it? Have you reached Wano yet? What's happening there? Did you deliver the letter?" Oden fired off questions in one breath, his voice trembling with eagerness.
But Teach's silence stretched. A weight settled in Oden's chest.
"I've reached Wano," Teach said at last, his tone grave. "But the situation is… not what you told me."
"What do you mean?" Oden's excitement faltered.
"Do you know someone called Kurozumi Orochi?"
Oden frowned, searching his memory. Izou stepped forward, brow furrowed. "Lord Oden, Orochi was an attendant of Shimotsuki Yasuie of Hakumai. A petty, forgettable man."
"Yes… that's him," Oden muttered. "Unpleasant fellow, but hardly important."
Teach's voice hardened. "He's the acting shogun now. Your father is said to be gravely ill, unable to rule. Orochi was named your stand-in… recommended by you. The word is, he's your most trusted man. That you called him a younger brother."
The Moby Dick fell silent.
"That's impossible!" Oden's face darkened, veins bulging on his forehead. "I'd never..."
Teach cut in. "I looked into it. Orochi's rise began the moment you left. Your father handed him full authority. But I suspect your father's illness isn't natural. More likely poison. And what you saw before leaving Wano… may not have been your real father."
Oden's heart lurched. "What do you mean?"
"Devil Fruits," Teach answered bluntly. "Two people are always near Orochi. Kurozumi Higurashi and Kurozumi Semimaru. Both from outside. Pops should know their names."
The crew turned as one toward Whitebeard. Pops' laugh rumbled like thunder. "Gurararara! Been years since I heard of those two. Back in my Rocks days… Higurashi had the Mane Mane fruit. She can copy anyone, voice, face, even expressions. Semimaru wielded the Bari Bari fruit, absolute defense. With them, Orochi could deceive the entire country."
Realization spread like wildfire across the deck.
"Oden," Teach's voice pressed through the snail, "if you wait too long, Orochi won't just be acting shogun. He'll be the shogun. And by then, Wano may already be lost."
Oden's fists shook. Tears welled, but his jaw locked tight. He turned to Whitebeard.
Pops drained his bottle and laughed loud enough to shake the ship. "Pirates! Enough rest. We're setting sail again. First stop, Wano Country!"
The crew roared in approval, weapons raised, voices echoing across the sea.
Oden's shoulders trembled. "Big Brother… everyone…" His tears finally spilled. He didn't need to ask. Their course was already set.
"In that case, I'll wait for you in Wano," Teach said. The line clicked dead.
He slipped the Den Den Mushi away and looked out over the sparkling sea. His solo voyage was almost over. Soon, he'd rejoin the Moby Dick, though his heart knew his path would one day diverge. Still, Wano called. And beyond Oden and loyalty, another prize gleamed in his mind; Seastone.
Wano held the world's largest mine. Eighty percent of the world's supply, forged only by Wano's artisans. The profits Teach envisioned made even his grin stretch wide.
"Boss Teach!" Mobius's voice carried from outside. Teach blinked, noticing commotion. He patted Peto's head, smirking. "Let's go see what kind of trouble they've stirred up."
Outside, Mobius and Voss clashed with two young swordsmen. Blades rang sharp and fast, the strangers pressing hard, their skill undeniable.
"Hey! Why are you blocking us? I don't want to fight!" Mobius parried, exasperated. The strangers had ambushed them fresh from shopping, demanding a duel.
"As swordsmen, how can you refuse another's challenge?" one of the boys declared, eyes blazing.
"I already said, I'm not a swordsman!" Mobius shot back, his patience fraying. His snake-hand lashed out, arms elongating unnaturally. One swordsman faltered at the bizarre sight, and in a blink, Mobius had his arm pinned and his own blade pressed to his neck.
"Jedi!" the other boy shouted, only to eat a brutal kick from Voss. His sword clattered to the ground, and a short blade was suddenly at his throat.
The fight was over before it began. Bound to a tree, their swords confiscated, the two youths glared with indignation.
"You're despicable! That's not how a swordsman fights!" Jedi snarled, his pride bleeding more than his body.
"Idiot," Mobius muttered. "I told you, we're not swordsmen. You challenged the wrong people. If we hadn't held back, you'd both be corpses already."
He dusted off his hands, motioning to Voss. "Come on. Teach says too much time with idiots makes you one too."
The boys' faces flushed with shame and fury. "That doesn't count! Fight us again!" Jedi roared, breaking free of the ropes and scrambling for his sword.
Mobius's eyes narrowed, his killing intent brushing the air. "A rematch? Fine. But this time, it's life or death. Still want to play swordsman?"