บท 92: Chapter 92: The Whitebeard Pirates Also Join the Fight
In the East Blue, the Revolutionary Army received the news much later.
Upon hearing the news, Dragon remained silent for a long time.
"Kuke... it seems your path was the wrong one," Dragon murmured. He appeared calm, but deep down, he had long expected such an outcome for Kuke.
To face the full force of the World Government head-on...
It was never going to be that easy.
If it were so simple, someone would have overthrown the World Government centuries ago.
"My dashing, treasure of a man... he's dead," Ivankov sobbed, devastated by the news.
Bartholomew Kuma remained expressionless, though a faint sense of melancholy lingered beneath his calm exterior. There was also a hint of relief—relief only he understood.
Soon, Kuma would become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. He knew the task ahead of him was fraught with danger, likely leading to his death. Yet, for the sake of his ideals, he was willing to take on the perilous mission.
But Kuma had one lingering regret.
His daughter, Bonney, who was still back in their homeland.
He knew her fiery personality and that her dreams did not align with the Revolution. The thought of becoming a Warlord and no longer being able to protect her had always weighed heavily on his mind.
At one point, Kuma even considered asking Kuke to look after Bonney. He trusted Kuke's character, and with the Sun and Moon Pirates being mostly female, it seemed like a good fit.
But before he could make a decision, news of Kuke's death had already reached him.
Kuma now felt a strange relief that Bonney wasn't with the Sun and Moon Pirates; otherwise, she'd be in grave danger.
"Betty has no place to go now. Let her come back," Dragon said, referring to Belo Betty, who had joined Kuke's crew.
He understood the precarious position she and the others were in.
And so, Dragon issued a statement, adding more chaos to the already turbulent sea.
Kuke's "legacy" had now attracted the attention of all the major powers, and soon, the seas were in an uproar.
Back in Dressrosa, Doflamingo watched the unfolding chaos with a satisfied grin.
He had orchestrated this whole mess.
Thinking about how he had manipulated the monsters of the sea into action, Doflamingo couldn't hide his twisted smile of triumph.
"Viola, keep an eye on the movements at sea. The moment any news arrives, use your ability to investigate immediately," Doflamingo ordered his newly recruited subordinate, Viola.
Viola, once a princess of Dressrosa, responded calmly, "Yes."
But as she looked at Doflamingo's back, a flash of hatred and fear crossed her eyes before she buried it deep within herself.
She had already learned that Doflamingo had secured a position among the Seven Warlords of the Sea, sanctioned by the World Government. This meant there was now no legitimate way to rid Dressrosa of Doflamingo's tyranny.
"The Emperors, Red-Haired Shanks, the Revolutionary Army, the World Government... who will be the final victor to inherit Kuke's legacy? Haha, things are getting interesting," Doflamingo's maniacal laughter echoed through the air.
...
Meanwhile, over at the Whitebeard Pirates.
Marco was arguing passionately with Whitebeard, trying to convince him to take action.
"Father, the Immortality Operation has already spread across the sea. Kaido, Big Mom, and Red-Haired Shanks are all making moves—it must be real," Marco said excitedly as he looked at Whitebeard.
The Immortality Operation...
As the ship's doctor, Marco knew Whitebeard's body better than anyone. Whitebeard was at the twilight of his prime, and his latent ailments were starting to surface.
Marco's abilities could only alleviate the symptoms, not cure the root problems.
Many nights, Marco had worried about Whitebeard's declining health. What would happen in a few years, or ten years?
It was inevitable.
"Immortality? I'm not interested in that," Whitebeard said with a hearty laugh.
Birth, aging, sickness, and death—these were natural parts of life. He had never feared them.
"But Father, what if… you're not here anymore? What will we do?" Marco pressed, unfazed by the possibility of angering Whitebeard.
Whitebeard let out a booming laugh. "Death comes for us all. When my time comes, it comes."
"But what about us?"
"Yeah, what will we do if you're gone, Father?"
"We want to stay with you forever."
The other commanders and crewmates surrounded Whitebeard, expressing their sincere feelings.
Their bond as "father and sons" was strong.
Among them, Blackbeard made the most emotional display, clinging to Whitebeard's leg and wailing, "Father, if you die, I won't be able to live!"
Of course, Blackbeard had his own hidden agenda. He wanted the Whitebeard Pirates to enter the race for the Ope Ope no Mi.
But it wasn't for Whitebeard's sake.
If the crew could obtain the Ope Ope no Mi, Blackbeard planned to steal it for himself. With his ambitions, he certainly had an interest in immortality.
If he could live forever…
He could bide his time until the fruit he truly desired became available.
"You guys…" Whitebeard was touched as he looked at his "sons."
Family was his greatest treasure, the softest part of his heart, and they had stirred it deeply.
"Alright, stop crying! I'm still alive, and I'm not about to die anytime soon!" Whitebeard chuckled, feeling both moved and exasperated.
I'm still healthy.
Why are they acting like I'm already at death's door?
"But Father, we need to plan for the future," Marco insisted, watching Whitebeard closely.
Whitebeard was already sixty years old.
He had entered his twilight years.
A person's prime only lasted from their forties to sixties. Whitebeard had passed his peak, and now he was in the inevitable decline that no one could escape.
At sixty, he was considered old for a pirate.
His sons continued to plead earnestly.
Whitebeard hesitated. Not for his sake, but for theirs. Who wouldn't want to stay with their children forever? He turned to Marco. "Marco, what's your plan?"
"I'll retrieve the Ope Ope no Mi for you," Marco declared confidently.
He believed he could join the fight and succeed.
"Kuke... I respected that kid. It doesn't sit right with me to go after his stuff right after he's died," Whitebeard said, shaking his head again.
It felt dishonorable.
If Kuke had been a fellow pirate of the same generation, Whitebeard wouldn't hesitate. Pirates stealing from each other was the way of the world.
But Whitebeard, the world's strongest man, didn't feel right about targeting a fallen junior's legacy.
"Father, the remnants of the Sun and Moon Pirates are in danger. Even with Gion, they won't survive long. Whether it's Kaido, Big Mom, or the Revolutionary Army, none of them can offer the same protection that you can. Only you have the power to keep them safe," Marco said with admiration, looking up at Whitebeard.
In terms of fame and reputation, no one in the world could match Whitebeard.
He was a living legend.
Whitebeard fell into deep thought.
After a while, he nodded. "Alright, I'll do it as a good deed. Marco, go ahead and handle it."
"Yes!" Marco was overjoyed.
Father had finally agreed.
With his blue flames burning, Marco transformed into the Phoenix and soared into the sky.
The Whitebeard Pirates had officially entered the fray.
Kuke's "legacy" had become the most coveted treasure on the seas.
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P/S: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 144+ at patreon.com/Emik01.
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