Rumble~
The colossal waves crashed down with tremendous force, shaking the very foundations of the sea. The pursuing warships gradually faded into the distance, disappearing from sight like shadows in the night.
The crew of the Whitebeard Pirates erupted in cheers, their jubilation echoing across the vast ocean as they realized they had successfully evaded the relentless pursuit.
"We made it! We're free!" exclaimed one ecstatic crew member.
"Hahahaha, of course, Pops' ability can easily set off waves, and the sea is Pops' territory!" another crewmate chimed in with pride.
"This war is over, we have won!" The air buzzed with a sense of victory.
Their joy knew no bounds, a celebration of triumph unlike anything they had experienced before.
No pirate group could have possibly emerged victorious in this epic battle. But...
They won!
They achieved an unprecedented miracle, defying the odds stacked against them. Amidst the cheers, the entire crew turned their gaze toward the figure standing at the bow of the mighty Moby Dick. Their eyes were filled with reverence and admiration.
This man was their father, their leader, the reason they stood victorious. The crew's unwavering loyalty and commitment were reserved for the man who had not only led them to victory in the war but also earned their eternal allegiance, even in the face of death.
"Guurarara~" As Whitebeard sensed the admiration from his crew, he turned around, arms wide open, and burst into hearty laughter. "Sons… prepare the banquet!"
"Oh oh oh~~"
"I must get drunk this time!"
"Ahhhh, Damn it, I can't get up because I am injured now!"
"Hahaha, Dosu, just sit back and watch us enjoy our drinks!" The crew continued to cheer and laugh, reveling in the sweet taste of victory.
Soon, a lavish spread of food and drinks adorned the makeshift banquet table. Whitebeard settled back in his seat, seized the jar, raised it high, and gulped down the wine in a single, triumphant swig.
Witnessing their captain's lead, the rest of the crew followed suit, indulging in their feast and drinks.
"The war has just ended, and yet here we are celebrating with a feast!" remarked one crew member, capturing the essence of the surreal moment.
Ivankov's face twisted with panic as he clutched at his hair in distress. "What if the Marines catch up while we're all drunk!"
"Guurarara~" Whitebeard laughed heartily, dismissing the worry with a wave of his hand. The celebration continued, a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Whitebeard listened intently, lowering the jar he held, his weathered face reflecting a mix of determination and camaraderie. "If that Sengoku guy wants to chase us, we'll just have to fight him again. Maybe we'll even get the chance to remove his arm. That wouldn't be so bad!"
"Yeahhh!" The crew echoed in agreement, a chorus of laughter rippling through the air.
"The reason why we came to the sea is for this kind of life!" Dosu, a crew member, sprawled on the deck with his body wrapped in white bandages, declared. Though unable to stand, he clutched a bowl of wine, emphasizing, "If you can't live freely, what's the point of it!"
Sipping his wine, Dosu paid little heed to the blood seeping through his bandages. His resilience mirrored the spirit of the crew, who continued to cheer and celebrate their victory in the war.
"Cheers! Let's celebrate our victory in this war!" The crew's bowls clinked together, creating a symphony of joy.
In the midst of the laughter, Ace, with eyes brimming with emotion, approached Whitebeard. "Father…and everyone!"
Ace's fist clenched tightly, a symbol of the newfound connection he felt with his comrades, a family he had longed for. Before he could express his gratitude, a hand gently rested on his head—Whitebeard's warm smile reassuring him.
"Guurarara~" Whitebeard chuckled. "It's time to celebrate. Don't be sad during the banquet, Ace...…"
"Ace…." Marco, a companion of Whitebeard, interjected, his smile conveying the ease of familial bonds. "No need for so much formality among family!"
The crew, united by a profound sense of brotherhood, continued to revel in the festivities. Laughter echoed, and even Vista, a member nearby, teased Ace, "The last time Ace shed tears was when he first boarded the ship, wasn't it?"
"At that time, he was defeated by Father hundreds of times," another crew member chimed in. "It's really embarrassing!"
Amidst the playful banter, Ace couldn't help but feel the warmth of acceptance. The teasing words, though unconventional, were a form of consolation, a reminder of the deep bond they shared as a family.
"Hahahaha~ Ace, standing here among us, do you want to shed tears for all to see?" Vista teased, the crew joining in the laughter.
Not offended, Ace's heart swelled with gratitude, tears streaming down his cheeks. He understood that, in their unique way, the crew was expressing their unwavering support and acceptance. As Marco had said, in this family, such support was inherent, a testament to their mission to rescue Ace driven by brotherhood.
Family doesn't require formalities or politeness. He wiped away the tears, a grin returning to his face, and rejoined the lively group. The banquet pressed on. After hours of revelry, they finally took a break to rest. The crew members, inebriated and worn out, sprawled across the ship's deck.
"These guys!" Marco chuckled, then strolled over to Whitebeard. During the banquet, he stepped away for a moment. In this time, he utilized the Den-Den Mushi to connect with various locations within the Whitebeard Pirates' territory, gathering intel on the ongoing situation.
"Father, just got updates from our territory," Marco reported.
"Hmm?" Whitebeard opened his eyes.
"No attacks on our territories yet. However, Kaido tried hitting one of our towns during the Marineford assault, but Red Hair intervened," Marco explained. "Big Mom Pirates are making moves too, but we don't have the details."
Whitebeard dismissed it with a wave of his hand, unbothered. Such matters would resolve themselves once word of his victory spread.
"Father!" Jozu hurriedly approached. "There's a large fleet of ships ahead, closing in on us!"
"What? Are Marines on our tail?" Marco questioned.
"No, all pirate fleets. Based on their flags, they're the supernovae from the first half of the Grand Line," Jozu clarified.
"Supernova?" Whitebeard mused. He remembered the original story, where these supernovae observed the battle from the sea nearby. Law, one of them, even rescued Strawhat Luffy.
"There's a special ship among them," Jozu added, pointing forward.
Whitebeard and Marco followed his gaze, spotting a three-masted sailing ship approaching. A pirate flag with two red bars on its left eye fluttered at the mast's top. Instantly recognized, the flag belonged to the Red-Haired Pirates, one of the Four Emperors of the New World.
"So, Red-Hair is here!" Whitebeard acknowledged.
.....
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