Izo took small sips from his sake as he silently watched the others shouting, singing and telling jokes or make bad puns to impress the others while they were drunk. From time to time someone patted Izo on the shoulder to congratulate him or have a small talk with him.

''Let's hope the Sea Goddess will grant you a fortunate sailing from now on.'' Vista came standing next to him as he twisted his moustache around his finger while holding a glass of wine in his other hand. ''Oyaji is calling for you, Izo,'' he continued.

Izo smiled graciously at his older brother while finishing his small cup of sake. ''Let's hope so,'' he replied. He strolled towards the big chair Oyaji always sat in when he wasn't asleep or resting.

Izo had always admired Oyaji a lot. He and Marco were the ones who taught him everything, raised him, gave him a childhood. Without them he would have always been a lost boy who didn't know anything about this world.

Oyaji had a big moustache covering his face and many wrinkles marking his old age. A small tube that was connected from his nose to the oxygen appliance was clearly visible. Without it, he got tired more easily because he needed assistance to receive oxygen. And that was only one thing of all he needed to extend his life as much as possible. It was sad really, but it also made Izo proud, because no matter his age, Whitebeard didn't bow for anyone, didn't give up and would always do anything to protect his family.

Izo stopped in front of the big chair and smiled looking up at his father. ''Oyaji,'' he addressed him with a slight respectful bow of his head.

''My son,'' Oyaji greeted, ''how are you feeling?''

Izo averted his eyes for a moment before looking back. ''Embarrassed mostly. Other than that, I feel good, I guess.''

Oyaji sighed and leaned forward. ''You know there is no need to feel like that, Izo. Do you want me to tell you about Marco's first job?'' An amused grin spread over his lips.

Izo couldn't help but allow a smile to escape his lips when a sudden: ''There is no need for that!'' emerged from the crowd. It was Marco's voice so he had heard what Oyaji said.

''You have your answer, Oyaji,'' Izo replied equally amused.

''Alright then. But you do understand what I mean, I hope?'' He took a long draught from his rum.

Izo nodded. ''I promise I will do better in the future, Oyaji. And I'll get stronger so I can lead my division properly.'' He was always amazed with how strong the other commanders were. A bit jealous even. Even though he had developed his own fighting style, it still paled compared to the others in his opinion.

''So you didn't get my point after all.'' He smiled again, but not in an amused manner this time. It was a smile full of fatherly love but it only made Izo look down in guilt. How else was he going to deal with this first failure of his? ''You did well. That's all you need to understand. Get stronger if you must, but please Izo. Don't be a fool and get ahead of yourself. You are doing fine,'' he continued soft enough so only Izo could hear what he said.

Izo nodded, knowing he wouldn't win these kind of discussions. His family would tell him a hundred times he did well enough until he would believe it himself. It was best to keep it this way and simply agree. ''Why did the Marines pull such a stunt? It wasn't very smart on their part,'' he asked still wondering about their true purpose.

''Do you have an idea why they did this, Izo?'' Oyaji asked thoughtfully.

''No.. But you do, right?''

''Hm..'' he hummed. ''I think they wanted to use those pirates as a cover. I'd think you were killed by pirates without knowing it was the Government who held you captive meanwhile.''

Izo leaned against the armchair thinking about it. It seemed very logical indeed. It could've worked hadn't his remaining division members showed up all of the sudden and Thatch finishing the battle. There was still one thing that didn't sit right with him however. ''Then why did they send only one battleship? It was rather foolish against two divisions of the Whitebeard pirates.''

''Indeed it is,'' he replied. ''But what if they hadn't counted on two divisions? And your division members who managed to avoid getting caught were quite the surprise for the Marines too. They probably thought only one division would be sent to deal with the pirates, which I would have indeed done had you been a commander for a longer period of time.''

''It's the most likely theory..'' Izo muttered still in thought.

''Yes,'' said Oyaji. ''Anything else that troubles your mind, son?'' Oyaji had this piercing look as if he knew exactly what was going through your mind, but now Izo's questions had been answered so he looked up at him and shook his head. ''Then I have a question for you. Do you mind if I let you accompany Thatch more often from now on? You two have always been a splendid team and were always in each others' presence when you were still kids, so I thought it would do you good to team up with him this time too.''

See? He knew exactly all that was going on within the family. Izo nodded, not particularly minding it since it was true, but a funny feeling erupted in his stomach at the mention of Thatch' name which he liked less.

''And Izo?''

''Yes, Oyaji?'' Izo asked while standing up properly. He guessed the conversation was finished so he got ready to leave. It was almost time for the training after all.

''Don't worry too much. I know you like doing that a lot. Try to enjoy being a commander.'' With one more smile they shared Izo left and met Thatch on the way.

''And? What did he say?'' He carried a light blush on his cheeks which was probably because of the alcohol he drunk.

Izo shrugged. ''It was about earlier,'' he explained. ''And we're going on jobs together from now on.''

Thatch nodded slowly and then tilted his head to one side.

''Thatch?''

''Yeah?'' he replied amused.

''Are you drunk?'' He couldn't be serious now, could he?

''Nah.. Just a bit tipsy.'' He grinned as if that would make it 'okay'.

Izo crossed his arms. ''I don't believe you.''

Waving with his hand he started to pull Izo towards the doors to the inside of the ship. ''Pff, it will be fine! I can still fight. I can handle a lot more alcohol than this.'' He couldn't, but a drunk person would never admit such thing, would they?

''Oi, you two! Where are you going?'' Curiel called out.

''We'll be back in an hour!'' Izo immediately replied.

''Time for training!'' Thatch held up his fist happily.

Curiel laughed. ''Training? In the middle of a party in your honor, Izo?''

Thatch held his hands on his hips and pouted. ''We need to burn calories,'' he said with a terrible female voice. One of the nurses looked at him with an annoyed expression so Izo smacked him on the back of his head for her. Receiving a thankful nod from the nurse Thatch turned to pout at Izo. ''Really?''

''Really,'' was all that Izo replied and pulled Thatch by his sleeve inside.

Once in the hallway of the commanders' bedrooms, Izo turned to face Thatch. ''I'll see you in five. I need to change and you need to drink water and get ready yourself.''

Thatch smiled again. ''Aye.''

After five minutes Izo stood ready in the training room. He didn't have to wait long for Thatch to show up. He looked a lot more serious than he did earlier which was a relief. Maybe he wasn't that drunk after all.

''Alright.'' Thatch breathed while stretching his arms. ''How do you want to start? Sparring? I'm up for anything really.''

Izo bit his lip but decided to go for what he had in mind nevertheless. ''An all out match between you and me, with your twin swords and my guns. I'll use the ones that don't leave damage behind, of course.'' Izo had acquired these special bullets on an island where they made these. Izo used them for training so they wouldn't hurt anyone while practicing.

Thatch nodded and walked over to the shelf where dull swords were ready to be used. Choosing two swords and testing them in his hands he cracked his neck, which was a pet peeve of Izo. He never liked it when people cracked their knuckles or neck. The sound always irritated him.

Sighing he walked over to a wooden shelf attached to the wall and took the two guns he always used for practice. Checking the bullets inside he hummed softly as they both got ready to face each other.

There hung a calm atmosphere in the room as they were so used to training together for many years now. Several brothers taught them different techniques and basics of fighting, of surviving each and every day they spent on the ship, until Thatch got his own Division while Izo was still afraid to leave the safety of being under Marco's wing.

''Wanna bet?'' Thatch asked walking back to the middle of the training field.

''Izo rested his left gun on his shoulder while tilting his head slightly sideways. ''Bet on what exactly?''

Grinning mischievously, Thatch replied. ''If I win, you have to admit you like my pompadour.''

''What?'' Izo blurted out barely holding back his laughter. ''How is that a valid bet? Is that all? Even if I just tell everyone I like it, they know otherwise.''

''You do like it. You are just too stubborn to admit it. There's a difference. The others know that. There is no fooling your family, mate.'' His grin grew wider, clearly he was amused and felt triumphant.

''And what if I win?'' Izo asked, not seeing how could win this argument.

''Your choice, I guess.'' Thatch shrugged.

A small smile appeared on his face when he knew what he would like. It was something Thatch wouldn't be fond of, after all. ''You'll let me put makeup on your face.''

''Never mind this bet. We can train without.'' Izo's lips pulled taut which was enough for Thatch to sigh desperately. ''Fine. You have a deal. Now let's get started. I will win for sure, so there's no need for you to imagine my face with makeup on now, bro.'' Thatch commented knowing Izo all too well.

Izo let out a laugh before holding out his guns. ''Come at me, hon,'' he invited soothingly.

Thatch's eyes turned sharp while Izo's analyzed his movements carefully. It felt like a long time passed while they were only a few seconds before Thatch darted forward swinging both his swords at him.

As the swords connected with Izo's gun they made a clashing sound and soon they were engaged in a heated battle. Izo firing and blocking with his weapons as Thatch almost seemed to dance with his swords. The sound it made was like music to their ears.

Battle was something that gave Izo a rush he couldn't quite explain. Others would refer to it as making them feel alive, while others stopped thinking and fought blindly, not realizing just what happened during the battle until afterwards.

Izo was a mix of both perhaps. His mind was filled with only how to defeat the opponent while adrenaline surged through his body. There was one other part that made Izo love fighting so much. Sometimes on rare occasions you had an opponent that synchronized with you, as to speak. You read each others' movements perfectly, brought out the best in each other and fought until both were exhausted.

Thatch was this kind of opponent. It was thanks to him Izo managed to get stronger this quick. Thatch always brought out the full hundred percent in him. He gave him that one extra push in the back he needed.

He had no idea how long they had been fighting until the fight ended with Thatch straddling Izo. Surprised, his back connected with the ground none too gently as Thatch held one sword against his throat, barely touching him while his other hand held Izo's over his head on the ground. His knees touched Izo's hips while Izo could feel Thatch's warm and quick breath on his skin as their faces were close to each other.

His eyes followed the scar around Thatch's right eye and were captured by his brown eyes. Izo's breath was quick because of the fight and because this rather awkward situation made him nervous. Gulping, Izo tried to speak but Thatch spared him the effort. ''Want to admit to everyone you like my hair now? The party is still ongoing, you know..'' He chuckled and his breath still held a faint smell of alcohol.

His cheeks flushed and hopefully it would be passed as mere excitement from the battle only, which at least Izo hoped was the case. Thatch however, took it differently. ''Oh, don't worry. It won't be that embarrassing. They will tease you about it for about two months and then probably get bored with it is all.''

Letting out a deep breath Izo struggled against his grip but Thatch only tightened his hand around his own as he put away the sword. Resting the now free hand on his shoulder, tightly, he forced Izo to stay down until he would give in. ''Fine. Let's do it now then. But mind you, I will beat you the next time.''

''Ah, you want a rematch?'' Thatch chuckled.

Izo looked away for a moment after pursing his lips. Looking back he let out a reluctant small growl. Thatch let go of him and stood up. Holding out his hand Izo took it and allowed him to pull him up.