It took two months for Teach's ship to sail from the New World through the first half of the Grand Line and finally reach the East Blue. In that time, his crew had grown from two members to seven.
With less than a month until Gol D. Roger's execution, Teach stood at the bow, the salty breeze brushing against his beard as he gazed across the endless horizon. The world felt as though it were trembling, on the edge of something vast and unstoppable.
"Augur, we're close to your hometown, right?" Wallace asked, leaning casually against the railing beside him. The two got along well; their banter made the long journey easier.
"Yes. The Kingdom of Kuroy," Augur replied, his tone calm as he looked up at the sky. "But it's not peaceful. The Kingdom of Kuroy's been locked in a long war with the neighboring Kingdom of Nolan over a gold mine at their border. The big battles are rare, but the skirmishes never stop. The whole country's been in chaos for years. Many people left to become pirates."
He said it without much emotion. He'd long grown detached from that place. The only ones he still wanted to see were his family and the younger brother he'd never met.
"War breeds chaos, chaos breeds pirates, and pirates bring more war. A perfect circle," Teach said with a low chuckle. "People call the East Blue the calmest sea, but that's just because the Marines are good at sweeping things under the rug. Even here, the peace is only skin-deep."
Wallace raised a brow. "Still, this is Marine Hero Garp's sea, right? No wonder it's cleaner than most."
Teach laughed. "Exactly. Garp's caught most of the strong pirates around here. Funny, isn't it? The so-called weakest sea gave birth to both the Hero of the Marines and the Pirate King."
As they drew closer, the coastline of Kuroy came into view, its port bustling with ships of every kind. Merchant vessels, fishing boats, even a few pirate ships with their flags conveniently taken down. The guards looked the other way. As long as no one caused trouble, they didn't care. Pirates spent money, and that money fed the kingdom's economy.
The eastern side of Kuroy, where the main port was, was lively and prosperous. The western side, closer to the border war, was barren and worn thin by years of conflict.
Augur's hometown, Mark Town, sat between the two, an unremarkable little place that had grown unexpectedly wealthy thanks to the war. As Teach's crew arrived, they were surprised to learn that Augur's father was the town's mayor and even held the title of baron.
"Wait, you're a noble?" Wallace asked, half in disbelief.
Augur scratched his head awkwardly. "Barely. My father earned his title through military merit. He used to be a sniper. During the war, he killed a key Nolan officer and turned the tide of a battle. After that, he was knighted and made mayor of Mark Town."
Augur's family had been sharpshooters for generations. His father, Terry, was a strict man who demanded perfection. Augur had shown incredible talent from a young age, so much that even Terry couldn't match him in raw skill. After reaching a plateau in his training, Augur left home at sixteen to find a new path.
Three years had passed since then.
When they entered Mark Town, Augur's steps slowed. The streets were familiar, but changed. He had changed too—taller now, more mature, his face sharper. No one recognized him as the young noble who once lived there.
They reached a villa built into the side of a hill. Gunfire echoed faintly from the backyard. The guards at the gate froze as they saw him.
"Y-Young Master Augur?!" one blurted, rubbing his eyes.
Augur smiled faintly. "Long time no see, Uncle Aili, Uncle Melo."
The guards, once his father's comrades-in-arms, quickly recovered and opened the gate. "Come in, Young Master. The Baron and Madam will be thrilled to see you."
Teach and his crew followed Augur through the garden, guided by the sound of gunshots. In the backyard, a woman and a young boy were practicing. The woman's hands were firm, her posture disciplined. The boy couldn't have been more than three, yet he gripped a pistol with perfect balance.
Teach's brow lifted. "What a sharp presence for a child that young… huh?! The talent runs deep."
At the mention of him, the boy turned, his eyes sharp and steady. His mother spun around too, startled by the sight of strangers. She instinctively drew her pistol, aiming squarely at Teach—until her gaze landed on Augur.
Her eyes widened. "Augur? Is that you?"
Augur smiled softly. "I'm home, Mom."
Tears welled in Lindsay's eyes as she holstered her weapon. Mother and son embraced, a moment three years overdue. Teach and his crew quietly slipped back to the main hall, leaving them to their reunion.
Inside, the crew settled in comfortably. Wallace perched on the armrest of a sofa, chewing an apple. Baccarat elegantly sipped wine. Nelson inspected the ornate decor with open curiosity. Gar, the Mink warrior, stood guard behind Teach, arms crossed.
Teach leaned back with a relaxed grin.
Before long, footsteps echoed through the hall—Augur's father, Baron Terry, had arrived. His eyes immediately locked on Teach, and his instincts flared. The pirate captain's presence was like a storm held at bay. Behind him stood warriors just as dangerous. Yet there was no malice—only power.
"Welcome," Terry said at last, his tone calm but firm. "You and your men are guests here. Please make yourselves at home."
Teach smiled. "We appreciate your hospitality, Baron. We'll only be here until Roger's execution passes."
That night, the mayor's villa was alive with laughter, food, and the clinking of glasses. Augur's family sat together again, the kid proudly holding the famed rifle Thousand Commander, a parting gift from his older brother.
And as the feast carried on late into the night, Teach sat quietly by the window, eyes turned toward the dark horizon.
The world was shifting. Roger's death would shake the seas and soon, the era of the man who waited in darkness would begin.