One Piece: Blackbeard the Mad

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…

Walking aboard the infamous Moby Dick, Teech couldn't help look in awe at the sheer size and space. This was the first time he had been on a pirate ship or really any ship for that matter. 

"Amazing, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it is!"

Bringing his attention back to the other party, Teech reaches his hand out to introduce himself.

"Marshall D. Teech."

"Marco. So, if you don't mind me asking. What made you want to join a pirate crew?"

They began walking while talking.

"Who said I wanted to join a pirate crew?"

Looking back in confusion.

"You did!?"

"Ahh. I said I wanted to join your crew, not a pirate crew."

"What's the difference?"

"The difference is that I don't see you as pirates, but seekers."

"Seekers?"

Teech nods.

"The word 'pirate' is such a loose term in this world. Anytime someone does something the World Government doesn't like, they immediately brand them as 'pirates'."

"Honestly, the word had lost much of its value. Much like the word the World Government hides behind."

Coming to a stop in front of a door Marco looks at Teech.

"And what word is that?"

Teech adopted a mischievous smile.

"Only time will tell."

Marco rolled his eyes.

"Here this will be your new room. It's a bit bare, but I'll bring you some bedding later."

"Alright, thanks."

Marco nodded before taking his leave. 

Opening the door Teech smiled a little. 

Looking around the room, he found his eyes drawn to the only three pieces of furniture in the entire room. A wooden bed frame, a table and a chair.

"Wow. He wasn't kidding, when he said the room was 'bare'. Hahaha"

Closing the door behind him he walked towards the only usable furniture at the moment. Sitting down he was finally able to rest and fully absorb his day. No, his new life!

He pinched his own arm and wasn't disappointed when he felt the stinging pain.

"It really is real! I can't believe it!"

It was honestly extremely hard for him not to freak out, when face to face with Whitebeard. The man was like a literal Mountain in the form of a man. But, for some odd reason he found solace by talking with him. Although big and scary, he was gentle.

"How could Blackbeard betray such a man?"

A question that lingered and left a bad taste in his mouth. The kindness shown by Whitebeard practically made him a saint. 

Shaking his head opened a tiny drawer only to find a dusty looking book.

"What's this?"

Grabbing it, Teech began to inspect and clean the old torn up book. After brushing off the cover he finally saw the title, which made Teech's eyes practically shine.

"Devil Fruit Encyclopedia! Wait, this is an edition from almost 200 years ago! How the hell did it get here?!"

Opening it up he began to read its contents. It was at that moment Teech finally realized. This was how the original came to find out about the properties and potential of the Dark Dark Fruit. He must have studied it deeply.

"Wait. If the Dark Dark Fruit is in this one, then maybe!"

He quickly flipped through several pages before suddenly stopping, his hand resting on a particular image.

"Hito Hito no Mi: Model Nika!

Description: Unknown. Ha! I knew it would be here! Although it sucks that there is no description, at least the name is still there."

*Knock Knock*

"Yes."

Closing the book he put it back in the drawer.

"It's Marco. I have your bedding."

Opening the door he helped Marco place the bedding on the frame before leaving once more.

Lying down on the mattress, Teech thought about what he needed to do. He wasn't expecting to be so successful with joining Whitebeard. He was prepared for a hard life of working odd jobs or stealing to survive until he reached an age where he could defend himself or become strong enough to be a bounty hunter. The old Teech was already stealing so he was going to use his skills if needed.

But now with Whitebeard's help, he can skip the survival part. He was going to take advantage of this opportunity. He was going to take this new life in stride. Maybe even get a goal of his own. A dream!

The surrounding seemed to shift, signifying the undocking of the massive ship. 

*Jiggle*

Looking down he saw his stomach jiggle to the movements of the ship.

"Ugh!! If I'm going to have a dream, it's got to start with me losing this weight!"

…

…

Whitebeard was sitting on a chair on the deck of the Moby Dick. His naginata rested against his shoulder. On his other shoulder Marco made himself comfortable like the bird he is.

"Marco, where has that brat head off too this past week?"

"He's going back to his room to work out pops. I overheard him saying something about 'no pain no gain' or something like that."

"Hmm. How much has he rested?"

"I think I've only seen him sleep twice. Why?"

"I don't want him overworking himself. I think he may be trying a little too hard."

…

Back in his room, Teach was doing push up after push up. His arms shook in protest as he collapsed to the ground. Little did Whitebeard know, he wasn't just working out. He was practically destroying his body, but he was enjoying every second of it!

One might ask why he was working so hard? But to answer that question another was needed. Have you ever worked out with three hearts before? If you hadn't, you had to try it. The amount of blood coursing to his head gives him a small high almost every few seconds.

And once he rests his body recovers around 3 times faster than that of a normal person. Although he was chubby, Teech figured out why he never worked out. He simply didn't need to. His body was just really abnormal and his stamina was outrageous. Of course he wouldn't be like the original timeline Teech who never worked out and only searched for Devil Fruits. The reason was simple, he was going to learn Haki!

He was going to push this body until it couldn't be pushed anymore. 

*Thud*

Teech collapsed once more after attempting to do some calisthenic exercises. Breathing heavily, he smiled in delight.

"This is insane! With the amount of exercising I've been doing this past week, a normal person would have been placed in the hospital several times over."

*Knock Knock*

"Come in!"

Opening the door Marco found Teech lying in a pool of his own sweat. The sheer amount left him speechless, however, it didn't last long as a putrid smell was discovered.

"Ugh! Go take a bath! Your room stinks!"

"Hahaha!"

"I'm serious! Did something die here?"

"My bad habits!"

…

After taking a bath and letting his room air out a bit, Marco told him that Pops wanted to see him.

Agreeing he immediately made his way over to the front of the deck.

Seeing Whitebeard sitting on his chair, Teech approached.

"Pops. You wanted to see me?"

"Yes, I wanted to ask you to calm down your training a bit. After all, I don't want you hurting yourself."

"You don't have to worry, Pops. The amount I've been exercising is manageable for me."

"I see… anyway I was also going to ask if you wanted to watch us engage in battle? As an apprentice I want you to get a good understanding of how dangerous it is. We are going to be entering unclaimed waters soon. Meaning we could be engaged by pirates and even marines."

Excitement flashed in Teech's eyes, which didn't go unnoticed by Whitebeard.

"I don't want you engaging if you don't have to. Understand?"

Although reluctant, Teech agreed to not engage. However, that didn't mean he wouldn't put himself in a situation where he needed to act. 

'Hehe. Loophole.'He thought.

*Growl*

"Gurarara! It seems I've kept you from a meal. Go ahead!"

Teech turned red in embarrassment before scurrying away towards the cafeteria.

There he saw the man who helped kick off the start of his antagonist story. 

A lengthy man with brown pompadour styled hair. A scar running from his left temple down to his cheek. A light blue outfit along with a yellow foulard. 

"Thatch! Can I have some food?!"

"Brat, you almost eat as much as Pops! You went through enough food to feed at least 5 people. Where does it go?"

"I don't know!"

"Hahaha! Okay fine here."

Turning around, Thatch rolls a cart of food towards Teech who takes it to a nearby table and begins devouring it like it might run away.

Thatch chuckles at Teech when he sees him almost choke from eating too quickly. Bringing over a glass of water he places it beside Teech who nods thankfully in return.

"Kid, you got to learn how to chew your food instead of inhaling it."

Hitting his chest to make sure the food went down correctly he looked at Thatch.

"Haha, sorry! I was just really hungry."

"I could tell. From the way you eat, it's like someone's going to take your food. So tell me, how often did you have to steal?"

Teech rubs the back of his head and laughs sheepishly.

"Pretty much every meal."

Thatch looked at Teech incredulously before a teasing grin made its way onto his face.

"It looks like your damn good thief."

Thatch walks back to the kitchen.

"Why thanks…wait. HEY!!!!"

"That bastard! Ugh whatever! As long he keeps making food as good as this, I don't care."

Thatch was actually one of the nicest people in the entire crew. He was a lot like a caring older brother who just wanted to make sure you didn't go hungry. And the food he made was the best Teech had in both lives, and that's saying something. 

"Now that I think about it. Thatch is a bit weird."

Looking over towards Thatch in the kitchen he could see him hovering his hand over ingredients that had gone bad. What was weirder was that his eyes were closed. 

"Huh?"

Looking at the ingredients, Teech realized that some started to shift. The dull color on many of the ingredients started to develop a healthy luster.

*drop*

Teech had dropped the drumstick in his hand. Quickly he walked over to Thatch.

"Hey, Thatch! Quick question, do you have a Devil Fruit?"

Thatch turned his head towards Teech, it took him a second before he could understand the question.

"Hmm? Ohh, yes. Yes I do."

*Slap*

Teech had slapped his own forehead extremely hard. Letting out a pained smile he returned to his seat to finish his remaining food.

A red mark was present on his forehead, and by the look on his face you could tell he was frustrated.

'Blackbeard you moron! He was never going to eat the Devil Fruit because he couldn't!'

Teech was extremely furious, how could someone be so smart as to manipulate a damn war but not be able to tell if someone had a Devil Fruit.

If anything, if he had asked Thatch for the Devil Fruit, he may have very well given it to him. Thatch had no use for another one unless he was suicidal.

After finishing his food he went back to his room to continue his tortur… work out sessions.

…

A few days later.

Teech could be seen running around the deck. The size of the ship was bigger than most track fields making it easy for him to get a good run in.

Sweat poured down his beaming face. His breathing was labored as finished his run.

He began walking towards the front deck.

"And that's 20! I can't believe this. I'll never get used to this body." 

Teech had been saying this a lot these past 2 weeks. Who could blame him? His body was growing fast. Too fast! His strength was above average at best for an 10 year old. But in just two weeks his strength now rivaled his old body when it was at his peak.

That kind of strength may not be as extraordinary in the One Piece world, however, the growth was something else entirely.

He estimated that if he just trained with no life or death battles, by his mid to late twenties he was going to be on par or even stronger than Whitebeard.

"Well at least I think I'll be on par with him. I haven't seen his strength in person, only that one time in the anime."

Arriving at the front he saw Whitebeard standing near the railing of the ship looking off into the distance.

 On his shoulder sat Marco.

"Pfft!"

Teech couldn't help but snicker a little.

"Hey parrot!"

On Marco's forehead, a tic mark appeared. Slowly he looked back at the young Teech.

"Little bastard! What did you call me?"

"Fight me!"

"Huh? But you're weak!"

"I don't care. Fight me parrot"

"I am a PHOENIX!"

"Parrot, Phoenix. Same thing!"

Teech got into a fighting position before taunting Marco to come at him.

Marco looked at Pops who was practically stoic. But on closer inspection you could see the tiniest of smiles.

"Sorry Pops. It looks like I'll be educating a junior real quick."

Whitebeard's smile increased.

Jumping down Marco didn't hesitate as he dashed towards Teech.

'So fast!' Teech, sweatdropped.

He could barely cross his arms before Marco delivered a kick, sending him skidding backwards.

"Sh*t."

"Language!"

Marco rushed towards him once more, sending a punch toward his face which Teech weaved under.

Sending a punch of his own, which was easily dodged by Marco. 

They clashed over and over, however, one could tell Marco was holding back significantly so as to not hurt Teech. He wanted to teach him a lesson, not injure him.

Teech sent a front kick towards Marco which he deflected his own, before quickly spinning and delivering a punch to Teech's gut.

*Thud*

One solid punch had brought Teech to his knees.

Marco looked down and in a mocking tone asked.

"So what animal am I again?"

Teech whispered something which Marco leaned closer to hear.

Suddenly Teech's face shot up and looked at Marco with a devilish smile.

"You're a damn parrot!"

Quickly he reached towards Marco's foot catching him off guard. He grabbed and pulled his leg causing the parrot to hit the ground hard.

*Bam*

"Ugh!"

Not giving him anytime to rest, Teech delivered a gut punch on the downed Marco.

This knocked the wind out of him as Teech stood up acting victorious.

However, that didn't last long as Marco spun on the ground while delivering a sweeping kick.

Teech was able to react but not fast enough as he was knocked off balance.

Using this opportunity, Marco kicked him in the chest. Teech stumbled backwards as he clutched his chest.

'Damn! That hurt a lot!'

Although Teech was in pain Marco couldn't help but see a crazed look in his eye. 

"Use more strength!"

Teech said before rushing towards Marco. He threw a straight punch with a lot of his power.

*Wham*

Marco had simply put his hand up and caught his punch leaving Teech astonished. Marco gave him a "really" look before smiling.

Teech tried to move his hand but found it under an iron grip. His eyes widened when Marco fist was already in his stomach.

Teech was thrown off his feet as he landed on his back several meters away from where he was hit.

"Cough!"

Laying down on the floor, Teech could only stare at the clouds. He was heavily disoriented, to the point where the world felt like it was spinning.

Marco approached his vision.

"That was a full powered strike. I'm surprised you're not out cold."

"Honestly. Me too."

Inside his head Teech was thankful for this abnormal body keeping him awake. It was most likely due to the increased blood flow that helped keep him awake.

'This body is such a cheat!'

Teech grinned. 

"Why are you smiling? Are you happy that you lost?"

"Yes I am."

Marco raised his eyebrow before offering a hand to Teech. Taking it he slowly made his way back up to his feet. Though he did stumble slightly.

His gut ached from the punch, causing him to wince a little.

Marco chuckled.

"Here. Let me help."

Marco right hand started to change, it shifted in an unnatural way before bursting into a hypnotic light blue flame.

Putting his flamed arm near the injured area, Teech could feel the pain steadily decreasing.

After a few moments the pain was completely gone.

"Thanks Marco!"

"Think nothing of it."

Marco then walked towards Whitebeard before jumping back to his shoulder.

"Parrot!" Teech said under his breath, but was heard by Marco who quickly turned around and saw Teech running away.

"That little… Ugh!"

…

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