Did you give yourself the wine from Dad?
Teach glanced at the wine flask, slightly surprised.
Hmph, this kid knows his place and even offers compensation.
This twenty-year-aged wine is reserved by Dad for entertaining the most distinguished guests, it's hard for us to get a taste of it ordinarily.
However, expecting forgiveness just like that is impossible.
"Kehahaha, I'm surprised you still remember a nobody like me. About the fruit, it's unrelated to you, it's my own impulsive mistake. If anyone's to blame, it's me."
Teach scratched his head a bit embarrassed:
"Anyhow, let the past be the past. I've long since let it go, but I certainly won't return this wine; I've always wanted to drink it, kehahaha... Dad, can I drink it?"
"What silly talk is that, Teach!"
Whitebeard laughed heartily, "You're a grown man now, if you want to drink, just drink to your heart's content! Why act like a little kid?"
"As your son, it's only right to ask Dad before drinking his wine."
Teach chuckled and picked up the flask, gulping down greedily.
Soon, it was empty, and he rubbed his stomach with satisfaction:
"It's really good wine, Dad!"
Shano didn't intervene, quietly observing the scene.
Until he confirmed Teach drank it all, a slight smile formed as he took another flask tossed by Whitebeard, taking a sip himself.
Truth serum.
It was a tool he purchased when he left Water Capital.
As described, simply put, after ingestion, the user will feel an overwhelming urge to confess for the entire day.
Everything said will be heart-felt truths.
Now it should be effective, time to test its results.
"As the saying goes, truth comes out when drinking."
Shano placed down the flask, speaking calmly, "Brother, though you say the past is past, I've thought it over and there's still one thing I can't quite understand."
"Back then when I presented that fruit, why was your reaction so intense? Even Marco couldn't stop you?"
Hmm?
Teach's eyebrows furrowed.
This guy just seemed indifferent, why suddenly digging into the details now?
The truth of such matters, how could I tell you!
He coldly laughed inside, pondering how to brush this off.
But his mouth uncontrollably opened first, roaring with ferocity:
"How dare you ask? How dare you ask?!!"
"Who told you, kid, to produce a fruit that's identical to the one I've waited twenty years for, fooling me as well?"
As these words were spoken.
The deck suddenly fell silent, everyone including Marco, Jozu, and other captains looked on in astonishment.
Teach, what's going on with him?
Why the sudden anger?
Since when did he become so bold to talk this way to the Sea Emperor himself?
"?"
Whitebeard also appeared puzzled, looking down at Teach.
Teach was equally stunned, at a loss, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
What's happening?
What's happening!
Why am I speaking my thoughts out loud?
I was planning to make up some excuse!
"Oh?"
Shano leaned forward with interest, displaying a devilish smile:
"Keep talking, don't stop, what fruit is so special that it's worth waiting twenty years?"
"Ignorant brat! Of course, it's the Dark-Dark…"
Teach, realizing what he was saying, his expression changed drastically.
He desperately wanted to shut up, but his tongue seemed to have its will, continuing to speak:
"Of course it's the Dark-Dark Fruit! The embodiment of dark will, strongest Logia-type! Only this fruit matches my ambitions to replace Whitebeard and become the strongest man in the world... No!!!"
Teach looked terrified, roaring like a beast, clutching his throat with both hands, veins popping, trying his utmost to stop.
Yet the truth serum's effect is nearly tyrannical at a rule level.
It rewrites will, making users increasingly follow their true selves, increasingly unaware they're revealing truths.
Once effective, it's unstoppable.
Those repressed thoughts, those unhidden ambitions…
Rushed forth uncontrollably from Teach's mouth like floodwaters, raging:
"Twenty years!"
"For this fruit's information, I've infiltrated Whitebeard's ship, waiting bitterly for over twenty years!"
"What are Saki, Brahmanke, Namur! These second-rate figures can be captains and famous at sea, while I've remained a nameless underling."
"And why! Isn't it to leverage the Whitebeard Pirates' information to get the Dark-Dark Fruit earlier?"
"With the Dark-Dark Fruit, given my unique physique, I can seize other powerful abilities left in this world!"
"As for the first target, it's you, Dad! I've been eyeing your Quake-Quake Fruit for a long time!"
Teach snarled, pointing at Whitebeard, unapologetically revealing his greed:
"You're already old, no longer the world's strongest man who could rival Roger, this Quake-Quake Fruit is wasted in your hands, it should belong to me!"
"What nonsense are you spewing, Teach!"