Chapter 71: 71. Whitebeard's Death, Farewell
Sabaody Archipelago.
This place is off-limits for Marines right now.
Most of the Whitebeard Pirates' ships are currently parked around the Sabaody Archipelago.
They can't sail to the New World via the Red Line.
To get back to the New World, they have to coat their ship and then pass through Fish-Man Island.
The Red Hair Pirates are also here.
Half a day has passed since the end of the Marineford war.
Coating ships is quick. With many coaters among the Whitebeard Pirates, progress is fast.
Though the Whitebeard Pirates, Red Hair Pirates, and Straw Hat Pirates are all here, they're formidable.
But it's best to return to the New World ASAP.
After all, the Marines and the World Government won't go easy. If things get dire, both sides will suffer.
However, despite being together, the Whitebeard Pirates don't show any signs of victory. Instead, they're filled with sadness.
On the Moby Dick, in Whitebeard's room.
Whitebeard lies in bed, hooked up to an IV.
Chopper examines Whitebeard with a stethoscope while Marco applies healing flames.
"No, his body's failing," Chopper says, removing his medical gear, looking grim.
"Heart disease, numerous hidden injuries, and old age have pushed him to his limit," Chopper adds, shocked by his findings.
Only now, after examining Whitebeard thoroughly, does Chopper realize how dire his condition is.
It's not just from recent battles; his body was already struggling before.
It's like a leaky barrel filled with holes, barely holding together.
Yet, even with such a fragile body, he astounded everyone with his willpower.
"If there hadn't been this war, maybe he'd have lasted another year and a half," Chopper sighs.
But now, his body's past recovery.
"We have to save him," Marco insists, knowing full well the severity of Whitebeard's condition.
Before the war, he knew this might be Whitebeard's final battle.
But facing it now, Marco can't accept it.
He was the first one Whitebeard invited, practically raised by him.
"Dad," Diamond Jozu and Flower Sword Vista turn away, tears streaming down their faces.
"Sorry, Dad," they whisper.
Ace was already kneeling in front of the bed, banging his head on the floor hard.
"What? Why are you crying? You silly boys," Whitebeard sat on the bed, his voice still strong, and he chuckled.
After laughing, his eyes softened as if they held the whole sea, and he spoke slowly, reminiscing, "From the start of my pirate journey, I was different. I didn't want treasures, women, or food. I wanted a family."
"The captain of my first crew once asked me, 'Hey, Newgate, what do you desire?'"
"My answer was simple: family."
"I craved a family that I could protect and be protected by, one that warmed each other's hearts."
"So, Marco, Jozu, Vista... and Ace, before I knew it, I had a big family, a lot of family."
With a sigh, Whitebeard looked at his crew leaders and the surrounding members with gentle, fatherly eyes.
"I'll ask you one last thing. As a father, am I still worthy?"
Whitebeard asked softly.
At that moment, tears welled up in the eyes of all the Whitebeard Pirates.
Their voices, filled with emotion, echoed through the air.
"Of course," they replied.
"Dad," Ace's voice boomed, resonating even with Luffy, who felt the sea of emotions surrounding them, especially the fatherly love for Whitebeard lying in the hospital bed.
"Why do you call him Dad?" someone asked.
"Because he sees us as his sons," another replied.
Memories flooded their hearts, igniting a suffocating sadness.
But Whitebeard, lying there, smiled contentedly as if receiving the greatest validation in life.
"Chin up, Ace," Whitebeard said reassuringly. "I know my condition, and it's not your fault."
"Life has many beginnings but only one end. Everyone who sets foot on the sea faces this reality. There's no need for blame," he continued.
"After I'm gone, Marco will take over as captain of the Whitebeard Pirates."
He didn't pass the captaincy directly to Ace, despite him being the chosen successor, understanding that Ace's current strength and the lives of his comrades weighed heavy.
"Father, what are you saying?" Ace protested.
"You'll never die, Father," someone else insisted.
"Marco, as the ship's doctor, do something!" voices pleaded.
But Marco, fists clenched, head bowed, remained silent.
"Forgive us, foolish sons," Whitebeard said, closing his eyes, his voice heavy with satisfaction and age.
"I've gained everything from you. It's time to rest. It's been a long journey."
In Whitebeard's ears, the shouts of his crew faded. He saw the figures of his sons boarding the ship, felt the Moby Dick under the sun, and heard the gentle waves.
"What a beautiful sail. Farewell, my sons," a faint voice whispered.
In the cabin, a sob broke out. Even the toughest of pirates couldn't hold back tears.
And thus, the legend of Whitebeard came to an end.
Today, I lost my father.
Emperor Whitebeard, one of the Four Emperors, has passed away.
He died surrounded by his family, which was his lifelong pursuit.
Luffy's bond with Whitebeard isn't very strong yet, so he can't bring himself to cry.
Instead, he silently watches Whitebeard's peaceful passing, feeling a strange and profound shock.
As a man of the sea, Whitebeard lived and died at sea.
Seeing the lifeless body of this legendary pirate, Luffy couldn't shake off a sense of heaviness and confusion.
Pushing away the grieving members of the Whitebeard Pirates, Luffy walks to the edge of the Moby Dick's deck, leans against the railing, and gazes blankly at the sky.
"What's troubling you, Luffy?" Rayleigh's voice breaks through Luffy's thoughts.
Rayleigh, with his gentle smile and wise eyes, understands Luffy's turmoil.
Despite still possessing strength equal to an Admiral, Rayleigh, at seventy-six, keenly feels the passing of old friends, evoking a bittersweet sadness.
"There's something bothering me about Whitebeard's death," Luffy confesses, his gaze fixed on the sky.
Rayleigh nods knowingly, acknowledging Whitebeard's unique departure.
"Newgate passed away with a smile," Rayleigh says, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "He was a pirate unlike any other, driven by the pursuit of family."
Reflecting on Whitebeard's life, Rayleigh finds beauty in its simplicity – a journey marked by family, beginning and ending amidst loved ones.
Luffy, however, finds Whitebeard's peaceful demise too ordinary for such a legendary figure.
"Bland?" Rayleigh counters gently. "What drives you to the sea, Luffy?"
"For One Piece, for my dream of becoming the Pirate King," Luffy replies, clutching his straw hat with determination.
"One Piece? A dream of freedom and adventure," Rayleigh muses. "But Newgate's dream was family."
Rayleigh contrasts the pursuit of dreams between Whitebeard and Luffy, questioning if peaceful endings truly reflect legendary lives.
As Rayleigh's words sink in, Luffy realizes the depth of their connection.
Though their journeys and endings differ, they share a common spirit – a quest for freedom and fulfilment.
Despite his initial distaste for Whitebeard's peaceful passing, Luffy begins to understand the essence of their shared pursuit.
Their bond transcends mere friendship; it's a kinship forged by the sea and the pursuit of dreams.
And as Luffy's voyage continues, he knows he'll encounter similar trials and revelations, shaping him into a legend in his own right.
"Really, when is the time to be truly free?" Rayleigh's smile lingered as he patted Luffy's shoulder, then left, holding his jug, a hint of loneliness trailing behind.
Luffy pondered Rayleigh's words as he gazed at his straw hat. After a moment, a big grin spread across his face as he placed the hat firmly on his head.
"Well, as long as I can sail freely, everything will be fine," Luffy declared, embodying his carefree nature.
He didn't dwell on the complexities of freedom or the essence of dreams. For him, sailing happily was the answer, and he believed that one day, everything he sought would naturally come to him.
"It's better to have a joyful celebration than to overthink these things," Luffy thought, though now was not the time for festivities.
"Goodbye, Whitebeard," Luffy murmured, a hint of sadness in his eyes. Though he didn't shed tears, he felt the loss of his heroic uncle deeply.
During their time together, Luffy had come to see Whitebeard as a friend despite his gruff exterior.
This wasn't the first time Luffy experienced the pain of losing a friend, though it wasn't as searing as the loss of Sabo.
"Ace must be hurting," Luffy thought, his heart heavy with concern.
A day later, at the Port of Sabaody Archipelago, the Whitebeard Pirates' ships were being urgently coated for their return to the New World.
With sadness in his eyes, Ace bid farewell to Luffy, promising to bury their father's body in his hometown and bring Teach to justice.
"If you ever need help, just ask," Ace assured Luffy, acknowledging his growth and expressing his determination to carry on Whitebeard's legacy.
Luffy looked at Ace with concern, but Ace reassured him of his strength and resolve.
"Farewell, Ace's little brother," Marco called out, inviting the Straw Hat Pirates to visit them in the New World.
Luffy responded with equal fervour, his words echoing across the waters.
As the Whitebeard Pirates' fleet disappeared beneath the waves, Zoro expressed regret at not being able to spar with Vista while Sanji lit a cigarette, empathizing with their comrades' grief.
Nami and Robin reflected on the bonds forged through personal experience, acknowledging the depth of the Whitebeard Pirates' relationships.
Before departing, Shanks' voice rang out, surprising Luffy and reminding him of the connections that spanned the seas.
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