Now, only one Devil Fruit remained on the table—the Mantis Fruit.
Teach picked it up, then casually tossed it toward Mostima.
Mostima caught it, blinking in surprise.
"This Devil Fruit is for you to distribute," Teach said with a grin.
"This… isn't good," Mostima murmured, clearly startled. "Such an excellent ability—shouldn't you keep it?"
But Teach had already handed away two incredible fruits. By now, the shock was wearing thin.
Even so, the crew couldn't help but marvel. In their eyes, the Mantis Fruit was already a top-tier Zoan, the kind of treasure they would never have dreamed of touching. Yet in Teach's hands, it was just another piece on the board.
To Teach, only Mythical Zoans, Ancient Zoans, or rare anomalies like Voss's fruit were worth true attention. His eyes were fixed mostly on Paramecia types. Logias were far too rare, and Paramecias—though unpredictable—held boundless potential once mastered.
After all, the Tremor-Tremor Fruit of Whitebeard, the Float-Float Fruit of Golden Lion, and the Soul-Soul Fruit of Big Mom were each valued at over three billion berries on the black market—even though their users were still alive.
"What's not good about it?" Teach chuckled. "Roger's about to be executed, and I'll see it with my own eyes in East Blue. For the next few years, I might not return. I'll be searching the Four Seas and the Grand Line for powerful companions. When the time comes, we'll storm straight into the New World at full force."
His confidence lit up the room.
"Your strength still needs to improve. I don't know yet who should eat this fruit, so I'll leave it to you to distribute."
Mostima hesitated only briefly before nodding. He turned to the four main cadres, Hadena, Hademan, Abby, and Shook.
Hademan was the first to speak. He shook his head firmly. "Pass. I want a strength-type fruit. Something beastly."
Hadena followed in the same vein. "Same. I rely on physical power."
Their fighting styles were built for raw strength. The mantis, while powerful, wasn't the kind of enhancement they sought.
That left Shook. But he, too, shook his head. "I'm a navigator, not a frontline fighter. Giving this to me would be a waste."
All eyes shifted to Abby.
The young man stiffened in shock. He hadn't expected this. In his mind, the Mantis Fruit should've gone to Hadena or Hademan.
Mostima clapped him on the shoulder, jolting him back to reality. "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and thank Boss Teach." He smiled encouragingly.
The decision was made.
Mostima had faith in Abby. While he wasn't yet as strong as the Hadena brothers, he carried enormous potential. In just two years, Abby had awakened two forms of Haki and had begun training in Armament Haki. That kind of growth was frighteningly fast. With the Mantis Fruit, he would become unstoppable, likely surpassing even the brothers in short time.
Abby's heart pounded as he picked up the fruit. His hands trembled uncontrollably. He took a single bite, gagged at the bitter taste, then swallowed.
In an instant, his body warped. Before everyone's eyes, he transformed into a giant praying mantis.
He stood nearly two meters tall, his body sharp and angular, forelimbs transformed into scythe-like blades. Despite his smaller size, the deadly speed and precision of a mantis were his true weapons. Size would only slow him down.
The crew nodded in approval. Abby's excitement burned in his glowing eyes.
With the fruit distributed, the discussion turned to the future.
"How do we develop from here?" Mostima asked, looking toward Teach.
Teach leaned over the large map of the New World spread across the table. Notes and markers covered it—evidence of Mostima's thorough preparation.
"I'm going to the first half of the Grand Line to witness Roger's execution," Teach said, smiling faintly. "It'll take a few years to gather companions. But our long-term plan starts now. We need a kingdom, a base of operations, our headquarters. Mostima, do you have recommendations?"
Mostima nodded. He hadn't expected Teach to leave so soon, but it was logical. At sixteen, Teach still had time to grow. They had already waited two years—what were a few more?
"What kind of country do you want?" Mostima asked carefully.
"A rich one. Vast, populous. I don't want to waste time building from scratch. I'll take something ready-made, Zehahaha!"
Teach's words reflected the rising pirate trend. Kaido had set the precedent: seize a kingdom, claim its resources, and rule.
Already, the phrase "Want to get rich overnight? Rob a country. Want to expand your power quickly? Rob a country." had spread like wildfire across the seas. Dozens of weak nations had been ravaged.
But Teach wasn't after scraps. He wanted a prize that mattered.
Mostima's eyes narrowed. "If that's the case, I see only three real candidates: the Christie Kingdom, the Durandom Kingdom, and the Ceti Kingdom."
"What are their characteristics?" Teach asked.
"The Ceti Kingdom is a militarized state. Its people are born fighters, its arenas famed across the seas. Not a World Government member, but too strong to attack easily. Conquering it would cost us dearly."
Teach shook his head immediately. Too much trouble for too little reward.
"The Durandom Kingdom," Mostima continued, "is a World Government member. Its former king died, leaving the throne to the eldest prince. But power fractured—the Second Prince, the Grand General, and an Earl each carved out their own territories. Four factions in constant low-level war for five years now.
The only thing holding it together is the Heavenly Tribute they pay to the World Government. Without it, the kingdom would've already split apart. It's fragile, but manageable. Restoring its economy might take a couple of years."
Teach listened carefully, then asked, "And the Christie Kingdom?"
Mostima smiled faintly. "Christie is on Saint Louis Island—a super-large island, mostly spring climate, beautiful year-round. The Christie Kingdom holds sixty percent of the island. The rest is divided among three smaller kingdoms. Decades ago, the World Government interfered, splitting Christie apart to weaken it.
Still, Christie is rich, powerful, and stable. Wars are rare, the land is fertile, and its rulers are competent. The three smaller kingdoms are allied, but cracks are forming. Christie bides its time, perhaps wary of the World Government."
Teach's grin widened. "Then that's the one. Keep watch on Saint Louis Island until I return."
His decision was absolute. Wealth, beauty, power—perfect for a capital. And if the World Government tried to interfere? Let them try. The New World was already slipping from Marine hands.
Teach leaned back, satisfied. "This time, I'll only take Pito with me."
His hand ruffled her short white hair, fingers brushing over the soft cat ears hidden beneath her hat. He smirked. He didn't know why, but he liked it—it was strangely comforting.
Mobius spoke up next. "Alright. I'll return to Seth Island first, join the local guard for training. At eighteen, I'll set sail to form my own crew. When you reach the New World, Boss, we'll meet you at Sabaody or join under your flag directly."
Voss added quietly, "I'll go with Mobius. I'll become an assassin—it suits me better."
Teach nodded approvingly. Voss was calm, mature, sharp. In truth, he trusted Voss's judgment even more than Mobius's. Together, they'd be formidable.
Ares, however, frowned. "Am I not going with you, Teach?"
Teach smiled at him. "Your strength needs constant training and combat. If you follow me now, your growth will slow. Besides, your appearance is too eye-catching. I'm not ready to draw Marine attention yet. Mostima, forge him special armor when the time comes."
Mostima nodded. Ares grunted in understanding, falling silent.
"Ares, stay here with Mostima," Teach finished. "I trust your strength. Train hard. Next time I return, I expect you to be even stronger."