Aokiji fell to the ground.
He was already injured, and Whitebeard's repeated blows left him severely wounded and could no longer stand up.
"This is troublesome."
Aokiji, lying on the ground, smiled bitterly.
In this situation, if Whitebeard wanted to kill him, there was no doubt he would die without a doubt.
Step! Step! Step!
The sound of footsteps brought Aokiji back from his contemplation.
With all his strength, he lifted his head and throught his broken sunglasses he saw Whitebeard walking step by step.
"Guurarara~"
"Aokiji kid, don't you have something to say?"
Whitebeard smiled calmly.
"Sighh~"
"No need,"
Aokiji's head rested on the ground again, as he looking at the blue sky and white clouds: "As the king of the world, you will not be affected by a few words."
He understood that Whitebeard was a decisive person.
If a few words could change Whitebeard's mind, would he still be Whitebeard?
"Guurarara~"
Whitebeard laughed loudly when he heard this, and at the same time the words changed: "I guess your leaving Marine is more than just because you failed to compete for Fleet Admiral seat, isn't it?"
"That's right."
"Although the position of Marine Admiral allows me to see more things, it also limits my perspective and forces me into making some wrong choices."
"Leaving Marine may allow me to see what was previously hidden from my eyes"
Aokiji stated slowly.
"Guurarara~"
"If that's the case, it would be a shame to let you die here!"
Whitebeard smiled, then stretched out his hand: "Since you want to see the world clearly from a different position, then get on my ship and become my son!"
The words hung in the air, and the people fell silent.
Not to mention Aokiji himself but even Ace and the others stared in disbelief.
Pops wants to accept Aokiji as his son?
This can't be a joke, right?
The division commander and fleet captains looked at each other in surprise.
Who is Aokiji?
He used to be the highest combat force of Marine Headquarters!
He's the world-renowned Admiral, with strength that ranks at the top of the world!
If a person of his caliber joins the Whitebeard Pirates, their strength will undoubtedly see a significant boost.
But that's not the main point.
The main point is that Aokiji is a former Marine Admiral.
That's right!
Even if Aokiji leaves the Marines.
But the division commanders and crew still had some doubts.
After all, no one knows if this is part of a hidden agenda or something else entirely.
For instance,
Could Aokiji be acting as an undercover agent for the Marines?
Another possibility is whether Aokiji leaves the Marines is a fact or not. Could Aokiji's departure from the Marines be a cover-up by the World Government to divert attention?
Now, the war between Whitebeard Pirates againts the alliance of Kaido, Big Mom, and Golden is about to begin.
What if Aokiji is indeed an undercover agent and decides to stab their back during the war?
"Do you think Pops is really serious about this?"
Vista couldn't help but ask.
"Pops…"
Jozu opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything.
"Do you still not understand the old man's character?"
Marco smiled and said: "Since Pops has said it, he is definitely serious about this."
"But…"
The other crew frowned.
Until it could be determined whether Aokiji was an undercover agent or not, allowing him to join the Whitebeard Pirates seemed too risky.
"Have faith in Pops!"
"If Pops wants Aokiji to join us, there must be a good reason behind it"
Katakuri said firmly.
"Exactly, when has Pops ever been wrong?"
Ace immediately voiced his support.
The other crew members exchanged glances and eventually suppressed their doubts.
At this moment,
Aokiji was still in a daze.
He never imagined that Whitebeard would extend an invitation to him to join their crew.
Seeing Whitebeard's serious expression and realizing that he wasn't joking, Aokiji hesitated.
Even though he had left the Marines to observe the world from a different perspective.
Different positions can lead to different outcomes.
The Whitebeard Pirates are the strongest pirates in the world.
If he could join and become a member of their crew, it could truly help him in finding the answers he sought.
"Kuzan, are you willing to abandon your sense of justice and be a pirate, becoming a person who always does evil things?"
Zephyr shouted at that moment, his face full with anger.
In his opinion,
As a former Marine Admiral, Aokiji joining the Whitebeard Pirates was undeniably an act of moral degradation in his eyes, something he couldn't accept.
"A pirate who always does evil things?"
Aokiji froze, contemplating the concept.
The originally hesitant heart also became firm upon hearing these words.
Because in his mind, Aokiji understood that not all pirates were evil.
Just like the Whitebeard Pirates in front of him.
They didn't commit evil deeds; instead, they protected many places.
And there are the Straw Hat Pirates, who not only refrain from doing evil but also saved a country from a Shichibukai, a pirate recognized and approved by the World Government.
"As a Marine Admiral, I can't see everything clearly. Maybe becoming a pirate can help me understand more about justice"
Aokiji thought secretly.
"Guurarara~"
"Aokiji kid, what's your decision?"
Whitebeard's hand remained extended, waiting for Aokiji's response.
"I am deeply honored!"
"Oyaji!"
Aokiji, unable to stand or move his limbs, raised his head and gave his final answer.
When the words fell, Zephyr's eyes widened in shock.
He looked at Kuzan in disbelief, wondering why Kuzan, the former Admiral, would agree to such a thing.
"Kuzan, are you going to betray your own sense of justice?"
He roared angrily.
"Marine justice doesn't encompass all forms of justice, and pirates aren't universally evil"
"And there are certain things I can't achieve, no matter where I am before"
"There are some things that can only be seen clearly when I'm no longer a part of the Marines."
Aokiji calmly continued,
"You.."
Zephyr was furious but couldn't find a valid reason to argue back.
He also left the Marines because he had doubts about the Marines and the World Government.
So for some of Aokiji's words, he still agrees.
But approval doesn't necessarily mean he supports Aokiji becoming a pirate.
He always believed that pirates are evil and have strong hates for pirates.
In his view, becoming a pirate is a symbol of moral degradation!
"Guurarara~"
"Zephyr, you've grown old; spend the rest of your life to see how this era will develop!"
Whitebeard laughed, then turned to look at Marco and the rest :"Sons, it's time to set sail again!"
"Whitebeard!"
Zephyr exclaimed in a mixture of fear and anger.
He is really old.
He had grown so old that even his own students had become pirates, yet he was unable to stop it.
Can only watch things happen.
.
.
TO BE CONTINUE
Note : when writing, i feel bad for Zephyr, this poor old guy really lost so much, his prize disciple become something he hates the most, and even his plan revenge against the one who kill his student and cut off his arm get away because his declining strength
________________________
I put an advanced chapter at P@treon, you can read 25+ chapters ahead of everyone.
Link : patreon.com/MoonEater18