Twenty-five days.
That was how long it had been since Lupin received his monthly quest: "Make Teach trust you and become a true brother." It had seemed simple at first — play nice, drink together, trade stories, maybe bleed side by side in battle. But Lupin hadn't expected this. He hadn't expected to actually feel… close to the man.
And now, the system notification floated in front of his eyes, mocking him.
[System Notification]
Monthly Quest: Brotherhood Bond: Marshall D. Teach — 100% Complete
To finalize: Initiate Brotherhood Ritual]
The words lingered, and yet Lupin hesitated.
It wasn't because Teach trusted him — no, that part was easy now. Everyone aboard the Moby Dick had seen it. In just under a month, Lupin and Teach had become inseparable. At every feast, every raid, every shore leave, they were side by side. Even Marco had joked about it.
"Oi, you two gonna start sharin' a bunk next?" Marco teased one evening, earning a loud laugh from the crew.
But Lupin had laughed too — a genuine one, because he couldn't deny it. In twenty-five days, he'd spent more time with Teach than anyone else in his life.
They drank together. They fought together. They hunted bounties and pirates. Lupin even found himself leaning on Teach when his legs wobbled after a rough duel, and the big man would slap his back and grin like it was nothing.
The bond was real. Or at least… it felt real.
And that was what scared him.
Because somewhere along the way, it stopped being just a quest. Somewhere, Lupin started believing in it.
Teach's charisma was a terrifying thing. The man could spin a tale so vivid, so wild, it made you want to follow him to the ends of the world. He laughed louder than anyone, dreamed bigger than anyone, and treated Lupin like the brother he never had.
Without even realizing it, Lupin started to trust him. And if it wasn't for the knowledge he carried — the dark, inevitable future Teach held — Lupin might have spilled every secret he had.
He knew now. Teach didn't just charm people. He infected them.
And Lupin was infected too.
---
It was late when Teach found him alone at their usual spot on the deck. The moon hung fat and golden in the sky, the sea calm and silver beneath it.
"Yo, Lupin!" Teach's voice boomed out. "You're hidin' from me again, brother?"
Lupin forced a grin and held up a bottle. "Just needed a breather."
Teach dropped down beside him, a grin stretching across his bearded face. "Man, you know I hate drinkin' alone." He cracked open his own bottle. "The boys are still celebratin' that raid. Damn good haul, huh?"
"Yeah," Lupin agreed, though his stomach turned at the thought. Another ship. More lives ended. More names forgotten.
But that was the life they chose. Or the one Lupin was trapped in.
"Y'know," Teach began, leaning back against the rail. "I never told ya why I really joined Pops' crew, did I?"
Lupin turned to him, brow raising. "Figured it was for the glory, like the rest of us."
Teach chuckled, but there was a strange glint in his eye. "Nah… not glory. Protection."
Lupin blinked. "Protection?"
"Aye," Teach swigged from his bottle. "You think a lone bastard like me could survive out here long? Nah. Whitebeard… that old man's like a damn fortress. Strongest man alive. No one messes with what's his."
He gestured toward the horizon, where the stars shimmered.
"I joined this crew 'cause if I'm gonna chase my dream, I need to stay alive long enough to reach it."
Lupin's stomach tightened. He knew exactly what that dream was. And sure enough, Teach's next words confirmed it.
"I'm after a Devil Fruit," Teach said softly. "The one to end all others. The Yami Yami no Mi. The power of darkness itself."
Lupin kept his face neutral. "You serious?"
"Dead serious," Teach grinned, eyes gleaming. "And when I get it, this world'll know my name. The seas'll tremble at it."
He turned to Lupin, voice dropping.
"When that day comes… I want you with me, brother. No one else. Just you and me. We'll carve our names into the history of this world together."
A lump formed in Lupin's throat.
He wanted to say no. He wanted to grab Teach by the collar, shake him, scream I know what you'll do. I know the monster you become.
But his body betrayed him.
"I…" Lupin hesitated, then smiled weakly. "You can count on me."
Teach grinned so wide it made Lupin's skin crawl.
"I knew it! Ha! You and me, brother, we're unstoppable."
They clinked bottles, and Lupin's heart twisted.
The scariest part was… a part of him believed it.
---
That night, long after most of the crew passed out, Lupin stood alone on the deck. The silver coin Teach gave him rested in his palm — a simple pirate emblem carved into its surface.
He'd stalled long enough.
I have to finish this.
If not for Teach's sake, then for his own.
The system notification still floated at the edge of his vision.
[Quest Complete. Initiate Brotherhood Ritual.]
Lupin drew a steadying breath and turned. "Teach."
The big man was leaning against a barrel nearby, already halfway through another bottle, as though he'd been waiting.
"Finally ready, huh?" Teach grinned, teeth flashing.
Lupin stepped forward. "Yeah. Let's do it."
Teach set his drink aside and reached into his coat, pulling out a second coin — identical to Lupin's.
"Been holdin' this for ya," he chuckled. "Two tokens. Two brothers. One bond."
They stood beneath the moonlight, facing each other, coins in hand.
"Say the words, brother," Teach rumbled.
Lupin's throat was dry. But he forced himself to speak.
"I, Lupin… swear this bond of brotherhood with you, Teach. From this day on, no matter what seas we cross, what battles we fight, our bond won't break."
Teach grinned wider. "I, Teach… swear this bond of brotherhood with you, Lupin. Blood or no blood, you're my brother now."
They clinked their coins together, the metal chiming softly in the night.
[System Notification]
Brotherhood Ritual Completed: Marshall D. Teach
Reward: 3 Mystery Chests, 1 Creation Point+100 Edit Points, and 1 Title Card.
Lupin felt a strange warmth settle in his chest. Not from the system reward — but something heavier. Real.
Teach clapped a hand on his shoulder, his grin genuine.
"Damn glad to have you, brother."
Lupin smiled, though a part of him screamed inside.
"Yeah… glad to be here."
They shared one last drink, sealing the bond. And as Teach roared with laughter under the moon, Lupin stared out at the dark horizon, knowing he'd just stepped one inch closer to the storm he could never stop.
But at least now… he wouldn't face it alone.