Pirate of Darkness (si)

Early the next morning, Teach was ready to set off. Regarding the map of the New World, with its islands named after people, Teach had a clear understanding of the major forces in the region. Holding a chart of the New World in his hands, he carefully plotted his journey. To reach Wano Country alone after leaving Whitebeard's territory, he would need to pass through sixteen islands, including four countries. Unforeseen circumstances or unknown islands could further complicate his voyage.

According to Teach's calculations, the journey would take at least three months. He prepared a small boat equipped with an Eternal Pose, left without saying goodbye to anyone, and set out to sea alone.

The weather was beautiful that day—sunny and calm—a perfect day to begin an adventure. As Teach gazed out at the vast, endless sea, anticipation stirred within him. This was his first solo voyage in a long time, and though there was some nervousness, the dominant feeling was excitement. The thrill of adventure and the curiosity about the unknown filled his heart. Thinking of what lay ahead, Teach instinctively touched a Den Den Mushi stored on his chest. Whitebeard had given it to him in case of emergencies, allowing him to call for help or report back during his journey.

The weather in the New World is famously unpredictable and often treacherous. Without a skilled navigator, one could easily fall victim to deadly natural disasters, leading to the destruction of both ship and crew.

Shortly after setting out, Teach encountered a violent rainstorm. The once-clear sky rapidly darkened, storm clouds gathered at an alarming speed, and large raindrops the size of beans began to fall. Having spent so much time aboard Whitebeard's ship, Teach was familiar with such sudden weather changes and knew what was coming.

The tiny boat creaked as it rocked on the turbulent sea. Though small, it was a sturdy fishing boat capable of withstanding rough conditions. Teach remained steady, scooping out water as quickly as it flooded in, ensuring the boat would not sink.

"Hahaha! The rain isn't stopping, and the boat is almost getting destroyed," Teach laughed, remaining optimistic as he bailed out water.

For hours, he battled against the storm, using his strength to keep the boat on course. Eventually, the rain ceased, but Teach remained alert. His instincts proved correct as enormous hailstones suddenly rained down from the sky. In the New World, hail is a formidable threat—pirates caught in it could be seriously injured or even killed. If left unchecked, the boat would be destroyed within minutes.

As the massive hailstones descended, Teach leaped into action. His hands, shaped into claws, sliced through the air, shattering the ice before it could reach him. His claw techniques were nearly perfected, combining swordsmanship with raw physical power. He had always aspired to integrate his claw skills with sword techniques, treating his fingers like blades that could unleash cutting force.

Upon closer observation, Teach's hands had transformed. His fingers were longer and sharper, his palms broader. The presence of flames and lightning around them hinted at a deeper mastery. If he infused his strikes with Armament Haki, they would become truly demonic claws.

This was the power of Life Return. In less than a month, Teach had made remarkable progress in controlling his body at will. He could now manipulate his fingers for enhanced attack precision, similar to the assassination techniques of the Zoldyck family from his past life.

His advanced Observation Haki allowed him to predict every hailstone's trajectory. This was the perfect training ground, aligning with his goal to sharpen his combat skills.

Twenty minutes later, Teach exhaled, drenched in sweat. The hail had finally stopped, leaving him breathless after relentless exertion. At every second, a dozen or more hailstones had threatened to sink his boat, making the challenge intense.

Just as Teach was about to catch his breath, the weather changed yet again. The sky darkened, strong winds picked up, and lightning streaked across the heavens. A storm was coming.

Teach's face darkened. "Three extreme weather conditions in a single day? My luck is rotten," he muttered. On Whitebeard's ship, the navigator had always detected dangerous weather early and guided them to safety. Now, alone in the New World, Teach had to face these challenges head-on.

But he was unfazed. Bracing against the storm, he rowed forward, defying the elements. His arms bulged as he gripped the oars, his muscles tense from the strain. The sheer force of the storm tested his endurance, but Teach welcomed the challenge. He was used to grueling training, and a storm would not break him.

Then, he sensed something.

Looking down, Teach spotted a massive shadow circling beneath his boat. A Sea King.

Teach grinned. "Haha! Just what I needed—a warm-up fight!"

The monstrous sea serpent rose from the depths, towering 300 meters above the boat. Its mouth, lined with razor-sharp teeth, gaped open as it lunged for him.

"Get lost!" Teach roared, unleashing his Conqueror's Haki.

Time seemed to freeze. The Sea King's eyes rolled back, its massive body paralyzed mid-air before it collapsed into the sea, unconscious. It sank back into the depths, leaving Teach victorious.

This was the first time Teach had used his Conqueror's Haki on a living creature. He could feel its potency had increased significantly—perhaps due to today's intense battles and his growing strength.

The storm raged on, but Teach remained unshaken. His endurance was far from depleted. Checking the Eternal Pose, he confirmed he was still on course. In the New World, as long as one had an Eternal Pose, getting lost was impossible.

Standing tall on the boat, Teach resumed his training. His wristbands, each weighing one ton, brought his total body weight to six tons. Though hidden beneath his clothes, they made every movement a test of strength.

Alone in the vast sea, he did push-ups, strengthening both body and will. The storm was nothing more than a backdrop to his relentless pursuit of power.

Eventually, the storm passed. The sky cleared, sunlight bathed the ocean, and the sea stretched out in breathtaking beauty.

Teach paused, gazing at the horizon. A faint outline of an island appeared in the distance.

He had arrived.