One Piece: The World King Who Emerged from the White Town

So he simply spoke his mind.

"Not bad, your alcohol tolerance is comparable to mine when I was young."

"One of the reasons I invited you here today, I believe Marco has already mentioned last time."

As soon as Whitebeard spoke, the noise at the banquet immediately subsided.

Everyone returned to their seats and continued drinking and eating, but they were quieter than before.

Even when they talked to each other, they subconsciously spoke in a softer voice, afraid of disturbing the conversation between the two bigwigs.

Abel didn't feel any pressure from Whitebeard and just smiled lightly: "Is that so? I thought Captain Whitebeard was just craving some wine, so he made up an excuse to invite me to a banquet."

The white-bearded man, who was being teased, immediately burst into hearty laughter: "Gurarararar~ That's not wrong. Marco is watching me every day, and I can't even have a few more drinks. He's such a rebellious son. Why don't you take him with you?"

"Dad! I was only thinking about your health."

Marco couldn't sit still any longer; his face was flushed, whether from the alcohol or from anxiety, it was hard to tell.

Abel, however, understood the hidden meaning in Whitebeard's words.

Clearly, while Whitebeard may appear indifferent and magnanimous on the surface, he actually cares a great deal about this matter.

After all, he believed he treated each of his sons very well and truly regarded everyone as his family.

The more you care, the deeper you will get hurt.

It's better not to use the word 'rebellious son' in a joking tone anymore.

While it may seem like a reference to Marco, those in the know understand that it's actually a veiled attack on Teach, the 'traitor'.

Abel knew that if he didn't explain the situation clearly now, the friendly relations between the two sides would probably come to an end.

He's not afraid of going to war with Whitebeard, but why would he risk a fight to the death with the Whitebeard Pirates just because of Teach?

This guy doesn't even deserve it!

If word gets out, my reputation will be ruined!

The Four Emperors, Abel and Whitebeard, wage war against each other, all for... him?!

If Abel saw this headline in the newspaper, he would commit suicide on the spot.

"Actually, I was also very surprised at the time, and even a little confused."

"What's even more interesting is that Teach actually said in public that I would be too scared to let him join. I'm really embarrassed to say that such a clumsy attempt to provoke me actually worked."

"So I thought about it and wondered if Teach was unhappy in the Whitebeard Pirates, which is why he would rather leave in this way?"

Abel feigned ignorance and said, "What I really meant was that I didn't actively recruit your people. They tried every means to join, even resorting to reverse psychology, so there was nothing I could do."

Whitebeard wasn't stupid; he naturally understood.

But this undoubtedly made him even more heartbroken.

He preferred to believe that Teach had been lured there by Abel with various benefits rather than that Teach simply couldn't stand staying with him and wanted to escape.

The former would make him feel that Teach was being manipulated and was acting passively.

But the latter would make Whitebeard feel that he had failed particularly badly.

Otherwise, why would Teach do that?

Is it possible that the Dragon Hunter Guild can give him something that he himself cannot?

Clearly, even Whitebeard didn't know what Teach truly wanted.

The rest of Whitebeard's crew became even angrier upon hearing this.

He was basically glaring angrily at Teach.

Finally, someone couldn't hold back any longer and stood up, loudly questioning, "Teach! What have we done to offend you that you have to do this?!"

"That's right, if you have any complaints, just say so."

Do you know that what you've done has hurt your father?

"Enough! Everyone sit down!"

With a loud thud, the white-bearded man slammed his wine glass down on the table, stopping the others from launching a verbal attack on Teach.

“Teach, if you still call me Dad, I’d like to hear your answer.”

"Is it really unfair to you to be my son, the son of the white-bearded man, and that you're unhappy?"

Faced with the slightly melancholy Whitebeard, Teach, who had prepared his words, suddenly froze.

To say that he had no feelings for Whitebeard or the entire pirate crew would be a lie.

But as a potential tyrant, his nature destined him to be an ungrateful wretch.

He could play the honest man for the rest of his life on the Moby Dick until he saw no hope, to the point that he himself believed it.

But once the opportunity arises to obtain the coveted Dark Fruit, anyone who stands in his way will become his enemy and will be eliminated without mercy.

In the original world, Teach first killed his friend, Satchel, the captain of Team 4, and stole the Dark-Dark Fruit.

Then he defeated Ace, the captain of the 2nd Division, who caught up with him, and used Ace to trade with the Navy, obtaining the position of Shichibukai.

Finally, during the Marineford War, he ruthlessly led his men to finish off his former "father," Whitebeard, all for the Tremor-Tremor Fruit.

People like this can be described as using any means necessary to achieve their goals.

So after only a moment of silence, Teach completely forgot about Whitebeard's kindness to him.

"I'm sorry, Captain Whitebeard, I am now Teach, the 'Sin of Pride' of the Dragon Hunter Guild, and I have nothing to do with the Whitebeard Pirates anymore."

"As the saying goes, people strive to rise higher, and water flows downhill. The Whitebeard Pirates used to be the strongest in the world, but that's all in the past."

"Right now, the strongest guild is our Dragon Hunter Guild!"

"I will follow behind Chairman Abel and witness him become the Pirate King, or even the King of the World."

"And this is something that will never happen if I continue to stay in the Whitebeard Pirates."

Teach spread his little hands, making an innocent yet irritating expression.

Chapter 999 Once upon a time, there was an era called... Whitebeard!

Teach's words silenced everyone in the room.

Abel had expected this guy to cause trouble, but he didn't expect him to be so outspoken.

Although becoming the world's king has always been his driving force, he has said it publicly on several occasions to boost morale and unite people's hearts.

But you can't just go and use your ultimate move right in front of me!

The Whitebeard Pirates must have such good tempers, how could they not take it seriously?

And indeed, in the silence, many members of the Whitebeard Pirates crushed their wine glasses and stood up.

Most of them were looking at Teach with anger.

However, other members of the Dragon Hunter Guild were also implicated.

The lively atmosphere suddenly turned sour, and the people who had been arm in arm silently let go of each other's hands.

There are already subtle sparks flying between the Dragon Hunter Guild and the Whitebeard Pirates.

After all, even though Teach was suspected of using words to provoke them, didn't the Dragon Hunter Guild's officers think the same way?

That's definitely what they think!

I'm just too embarrassed to say it to their face.

A harsh truth is laid bare before us: the Whitebeard Pirates are remnants of the old era.

Their Dragon Hunter Guild is the true pioneer and trendsetter of a new era!

Old things should be ruthlessly mined for gold coins and then swept into the dustbin of history.

So Teach was just expressing what they all felt.

This is also where Tichy's cleverness lies.

He knew that his little tricks were beneath him, but sometimes the simpler and more brutal the method, the greater its destructive power.

So what if people find out?

When you reach the level of Abel and Whitebeard, sometimes it's not that you can choose not to fight just because you don't want to; your subordinates will push you to fight from behind.

Abel and Whitebeard may not care who is the strongest in the world or who is the Pirate King, but will the people below them think the same way?

Obviously not!

After all, the biggest purpose of these people joining their respective factions is to curry favor with powerful figures and accomplish great things.

Oh, so now you're telling me you don't care, you don't want to fight?

Who are you kidding?

This is what happens when you're caught up in the world of martial arts and have no choice in what you do.

Sensing the tense atmosphere of the banquet, Abel narrowed his eyes.

Teach, that troublemaker, can't be allowed to live!

If we don't find an excuse to get rid of it, it will become a menace sooner or later.

Or rather, it has become a scourge.

No one is speaking yet; everyone is silent because Whitebeard has not spoken.

Whitebeard's attitude is very important.

Should we fight, or just let it go?

Whitebeard was also thinking, although Teach's words made him very angry, and his whole demeanor made him feel unfamiliar.

But you have to consider the owner before you beat a dog.

Now that Teach is a member of the Dragon Hunter Guild, if he makes a move, it would be bullying the weak.

Moreover, with so many people watching, if Abel didn't protect his own people, their hearts would be scattered.