Mocktown has changed beyond recognition. Silence, like a thick fog, enveloped the island, reminiscent of the sound of a frozen clock — oppressive and unusual for this place. Noisy fights and loud revelries gave way to nervous whispers and wary glances. My puppets silently followed my instructions, their perfect synchronicity only adding to the atmosphere. For those who were used to the chaos of the port, this order looked frightening.
My fortune-telling showed that Ace won't be here for another week unless there are additional clues. This delay was annoying, forcing me to think about meeting him earlier, somewhere along the way.
I was in the bar, quietly observing the situation. Suddenly, one of my puppets noticed a new ship approaching the island. I looked through the window and saw a familiar shape. The Sailing Merry, the ship of the Straw Hat pirates. Their arrival came as a surprise, but it didn't bother me. I was still watching them through my puppets, not considering it necessary to interfere.
The Mugiwars went ashore, clearly expecting something completely different. Their faces expressed bewilderment: instead of noisy celebrations and fights, they found themselves in a city where nervousness reigned. People avoided talking, tried to avoid glances, and stayed away from the port.
Luffy noticed the puppets first. He cocked his head to the side, as if trying to figure out what was wrong with them.
— Hmm, strange sailors, aren't they? — He muttered.
Zoro frowned at the group.
"They're too weird. They seem to be the same.
Nami, habitually looking at the market in search of something useful, also noticed their synchronicity.
— Maybe it's just some kind of show? Although... It's too creepy," she said, lowering her voice.
Robin smiled, her eyes becoming a little thoughtful.
"Something's happened here. You can feel it in the air.
Luffy, oblivious to the tense atmosphere, immediately headed towards one of the puppets with naive determination. The others tried to stop him, but in vain.
"Hey, do you know how to get to the Heavenly Island?" "What is it?" he asked bluntly.
The puppet, completely obeying my commands, turned its head and, keeping an indifferent expression on its face, replied in a mechanical tone.:
— The question is meaningless. Contact the locals.
Luffy scratched his head.
—Hmm... well, okay.
I grinned at him. This response was part of the plan to keep them at a distance, but not provoke them.
Meanwhile, Sanji and Zoro turned their attention to the people around them. The ordinary citizens looked depressed, and the few pirates who remained avoided eye contact, as if they were afraid of their own shadow.
"Something's obviously happened here,— Zoro muttered. — But they are afraid to talk about it.
"Do we need to know that?" Sanji replied lazily, lighting a cigarette.
"If it has anything to do with getting to heaven, then yes, it does,— Nami replied sharply.
However, most of the townspeople simply waved them off or left after hearing questions about the Heavenly Island. Their fear of yesterday's events clearly outweighed everything else. I continued to watch this scene through my puppets, pondering the next step.
Fortunately for me, the mugiwars, as expected, focused on their goal. They weren't going to stay long. After learning about the information from the local bartender, one of the few who dared to talk to them, the team headed to another part of the island to continue their journey to their destination.
When I saw that the mugiwars decided not to interfere with my puppets, I realized that my arrival here was pointless. The puppets gradually began to climb onto the ships and load them. Their precise organization allowed us to set sail as soon as possible.
Blackbeard and I entered the modest hotel room. The smell of roasting meat and cheap alcohol mixed with the muffled noise of conversations. Ace was sitting at the far table, facing the wall, asleep over his plate. His hat was slightly askew, and he still had a spoon in his hands. The view was strangely peaceful, despite all the surroundings.
I stopped at his table with Blackbeard. We sat down at his table: I was across from him, and Blackbeard was next to him. There was silence in the room, as if she felt the tension that our presence brought.
After a couple of minutes, Ace stirred, sleepily raising his head. His eyes were still half-closed, but when he saw us, he straightened up instantly. His gaze became as sharp as a knife blade when he recognized the figure in front of me.
—Teach,— he breathed, his voice flat but threatening. "I've been looking for you."
I raised my hand to stop Ace from attacking.
—Commander Ace, let me explain myself,— I began calmly. — I know about your differences with Tich, but the situation is more complicated than it seems.
Ace listened in silence, but his gaze did not leave the Black Beard. The tension in the air became almost palpable.
— This man, whom you knew as Tich, is no longer who he was. His body is just a shell, completely subordinated to me. The real Teach is dead. His soul has left this world.
—You mean he's... a doll?" Ace asked suspiciously, his eyes narrowed. "Do you think I'll take your word for it?"
—Of course not,— I nodded. "Let me show you."
I raised my hand, and Blackbeard, who had been sitting with his usual smile, suddenly stood up. His movements were smooth, but devoid of any personality. He stood straight like a puppet waiting for an order.
—Teach," I said, "tell Commander Ace what happened the day you killed Nakama." Tell me everything, without lying.
Blackbeard's voice, which had sounded loud and cheeky as usual, was now mechanically smooth, as if he were reading a pre-written text. He began with the details of how he got to the fruit, killed his friend, and why he ran away, betraying Whitebeard and his crew. His words were clear and unforgiving, like a confession from the mouth of a dead man. When he finished, Ace looked stunned.
"What the hell kind of magic is this?" He gasped, his fists clenching. "If he's dead, why are you holding him?"
"Partly to bring it as a gift, in case you want to kill it yourself," I replied frankly. — At the same time, I would like to receive a favor from you.
Ace frowned, clearly considering my words.
"A favor?" Ace asked anyway, putting aside thoughts of Blackbeard's control.
— An audience with Belous. I need to talk to your captain. This is important for all of us.
Ace's frown deepened, his fists shaking with pent-up rage. He looked at Blackbeard, who sat down again, motionless and silent as a statue. Finally, Ace sighed heavily.
"If that's what you want.".. I'll talk to Whitebeard. But don't think I've forgotten about what you do with bodies. This... It's disgusting.
"Maybe,— I agreed. — But such are my abilities, it would be a pity not to use them.
Ace stood up.
— Okay. I'll take Teach in. And then we'll figure it out.
He held out his hand, but I realized that it was more a symbolic agreement than a sign of friendship. We shook hands, and I felt the tension, as if he was still unsure if he was doing the right thing.