Pirate of Darkness (si)

Teach's eyes flashed with madness. Over the past two years, he hadn't grown much taller or changed significantly, but his kendo and physique had steadily improved. He needed pressure to break through to the next level.

Physique takes time to develop, but once kendo reaches a breakthrough, it opens up a whole new world. Teach needed pressure to force that breakthrough, and this battle would provide it.

As Teach charged toward the warship, he immediately drew everyone's attention. Lightning and flames intertwined around his twin swords as he targeted one of the lieutenants—a seasoned swordsman who was also watching him closely.

"Are you staring at me? Just a child who hasn't escaped his father's arms? Since you've recklessly rushed in, let's end you here," the lieutenant scoffed, drawing his sword.

Every lieutenant general was a formidable warrior, having mastered Haki in both Armament and Observation forms. Teach had yet to master Armament Haki, putting him at a disadvantage. Moreover, his kendo was still below the lieutenant's level, making the duel even more challenging.

But this was precisely what Teach hoped for. His opponent was not at his peak—he might appear fine, but could he really hold out after enduring Whitebeard's devastating blows? Teach was confident in his physique and raw strength.

Because of his sheer speed, the turban on Teach's head was blown away, revealing his long black hair fluttering in the wind. A wild grin spread across his face.

"Let's fight to the death, Navy!" Teach laughed, his body crackling with lightning and flames like a demon. "Come on, I'll kill you!" His temper flared, and he needed an outlet for his rage.

The battle erupted instantly, both fighters intent on killing the other. The surrounding navy soldiers dared not intervene. Lieutenant General Rona prepared to step in, but suddenly, a blade forced him back.

"I can't let you interfere with my comrade's fight," Foil Vista said with a smile. He wore a gentleman's hat and sported a distinctive mustache.

Vista knew Teach well. The young swordsman frequently sought his advice. While Teach was no longer weaker than the average swordsman, he still lacked that final step to becoming a true master. He wouldn't allow anyone to disrupt this crucial battle.

The Whitebeard Pirates knew they had to end this conflict quickly. Upon learning that ten warships and 30,000 navy soldiers were en route, they had no intention of holding back. The enemy had to be eliminated before reinforcements arrived. The navy's communication equipment, including their transponder snails, had already been destroyed by Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit at the very start of the battle.

Most of the Whitebeard Pirates were battle-hardened veterans. How could the navy withstand their onslaught? In mere moments, half of the navy's forces had already fallen, their bodies littering the battlefield. Against Whitebeard's relentless assault, dozens of soldiers perished every second.

"Navy, where is your strength? Where is your justice? Don't make me look down on you!" Although Teach was on the defensive, suppressed by the lieutenant general, his momentum never wavered.

He wanted to enrage his opponent, seeking even greater pressure. He could feel the bottleneck approaching. The lieutenant general had pushed his Haki to its limits, completely overwhelming Teach. Without Armament Haki, Teach was barely holding on.

"Don't underestimate me, kid!" the lieutenant general roared, fully aware that Teach was using him as a stepping stone. He decided to go all out. He had also recognized Teach's terrifying potential. If this pirate could already match him for so long, he would grow into an even greater monster. He had to kill Teach now before he became unstoppable.

"Life Return!" the lieutenant general shouted. As a skilled swordsman, he hadn't neglected his physical training and had mastered the Six Powers technique of Life Return. His abilities placed him among the navy's top lieutenants.

The outcome of this battle was clear. The lieutenant general knew he was doomed. Killing Teach would provoke Whitebeard's fury, ensuring his own demise. But he had resolved to see his duty through.

Burning his life force, his power surged. His speed and attacks became overwhelming. Teach struggled under the immense pressure but refused to yield. His aura only grew stronger. He had reached the peak—just one more step.

The lieutenant general increased the pressure further, refusing to give Teach any breathing room. If Teach truly wanted to break through, he would have to do so while staring death in the face.

"Father, Teach is in danger! Should we help him?" Marco asked, concerned. Teach's battle had become the focal point of the battlefield.

"This is Teach's choice. Don't interfere. As his comrades, we must trust him. Teach's strength is more than it seems," Whitebeard replied with a confident smile.

"Huh?" Marco scratched his head, not fully understanding. But Whitebeard had watched Teach closely over the years—he knew his potential.

"The breath of all things… everything can be cut, and nothing can be cut," Teach thought, fully immersing himself in the battle. In that moment, he heard something—faint at first, then growing clearer. He could sense the breath of all things. He sank into that realization.

A new light shone in his eyes. He had grasped the concept. The swordsmen around him felt it immediately. Teach's blade had changed—it had become sharper, stronger. The lieutenant general felt it, too, but the enhancement was still limited. True mastery would come with time and experience.

Would the lieutenant general give him that time? No. The moment Teach broke through, the lieutenant general seized an opening. His sword struck with precision, knocking Purgatory, Teach's right-hand sword, out of his grip. Just as the Whitebeard Pirates were celebrating Teach's breakthrough, disaster struck.

A smile crept onto the lieutenant general's face. Burning the last of his life, he prepared to unleash his strongest, final attack—the culmination of his lifetime's training.

"Hahaha! Die!"

"No! Teach is in danger!" The attack was too fast. Even Whitebeard felt a slight threat from it. The Whitebeard Pirates could only watch in shock.

The lieutenant general's final strike made Teach feel true terror. "I'll die. I'll really die."

But would he accept death? In the last moment, with a thunderous boom, everything seemed to freeze. Teach raised his left hand, Thunder Fang, barely intercepting the blade. The sword still plunged deep into his chest, blood flowing freely. Yet he was alive.

"How…? I failed…" the lieutenant general muttered in disbelief, his face rapidly aging from the life-burning technique. He looked down at his own chest.

A clawed hand, wreathed in lightning and flames, had pierced his heart.

"You…!" he gasped.

"Your name was…? I'll remember it. Thank you," Teach said with a smile, panting heavily. He had narrowly escaped death, but the rewards were immense.

"My name is Marshall D. Teach. From today onward, this name will echo across the seas. But you won't live to see it." With that, he crushed the lieutenant general's heart. The officer's eyes dimmed, filled with pain and unwillingness.

Instead of killing the young monster, he had created an even more terrifying one.

The battlefield fell silent. Many pirates were stunned. The newer members were confused.

"What just happened?"

"That scene… it looked familiar."

Marco gasped. "Teach… he has it too."

At just fourteen, Teach had become a swordsman. He had also awakened both Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki in the same battle.

Whitebeard watched proudly. "Heh! That's my son.