At the same time...
In a certain sea of the New World, a massive pirate ship, as immense as a white whale, tore across the waves with unstoppable force, its presence radiating silent dominance and majesty.
The skull flag bearing a white curved saber flapped proudly atop the towering mast, crackling in the cold sea wind.
This was the Moby Dick—the main ship of the Whitebeard Pirates!
On deck, the crew stood silent. Gone was their usual banter and laughter. Every face was somber and tense.
"Oyaji, we're getting close to the waters around the Miracle Island."
A figure wreathed in vibrant blue flames swooped down from the sky. As the fiery wings faded into human arms, Marco, pineapple-haired and sharp-eyed, looked toward the main seat and spoke in a steady voice.
Following Marco's lead, the others raised their hands to shield their eyes, peering into the distance.
The sea stretched endlessly before them—but as they looked ahead, the clear blue waters gradually gave way to a brooding darkness. Within that gloomy, hellish world, faint flashes of lightning cracked through the shadows.
It was a sight that made hearts tighten in awe.
"The Miracle Sea..."
The navigator murmured, eyes heavy with concern.
This was a notorious region of the New World, perpetually engulfed by raging storms. Its danger was beyond measure.
According to legend, fewer than one in ten ships that entered these waters ever made it out alive.
And those that did were said to be blessed by the sea mother herself.
Of course, it was just a myth—but even so, it spoke volumes about how treacherous these waters were.
"But Oyaji, why are we heading there this time?"
"Diamond" Jozu spoke up, his deep voice cutting through the rain-drenched silence.
Whitebeard slowly opened his eyes from the throne-like main seat.
A sharp gleam flickered in his fierce, tiger-like gaze. He stayed quiet for a long moment, then finally shook his head.
"I'm not sure either."
The crew exchanged puzzled glances.
Not sure?
Then why go?
Whitebeard exhaled deeply. In his mind, the image of Roger's broad, laughing face surfaced. He looked up toward the horizon, letting the wind tousle his brilliant golden hair, glimmering like a crown in the storm.
After a long pause, he gave a small, wistful smile.
"Maybe... I just want to see an old friend off on his final journey."
At those words, Marco and the others fell silent for a moment—then broke into quiet, knowing smiles.
They all understood the bond between their Oyaji and Roger—something beyond rivalry or fame.
Especially after that last encounter, when Roger had dropped to his knees in public just to "borrow" Oden-san. He had cast aside all pride, and openly revealed that he was dying...
Since then, they'd started noticing subtle changes in Oyaji.
He laughed less. He often sat alone, staring at the sea, drinking in silence, lost in thought.
His back looked lonelier than ever.
Time passed without a sound.
Among the legendary pirates of their era...
Byrnndi World, the "World Destroyer," and Shiki the "Golden Lion" had both already fallen in the North Blue. And now, even Roger's time was coming to an end.
It was no wonder Oyaji's mood had turned heavy.
"Then let's go!"
"Yeah! Let's see just how strong Kaidou and Big Mom really are!"
"Hahahaha, hell yeah!"
"We're the Whitebeard Pirates—we don't fear anything!"
"..."
Laughter broke out across the deck. Excitement gleamed in their eyes as Marco and the others grinned with anticipation.
Watching the eager, fired-up faces of his "sons," Whitebeard couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter, eyes filled with pride and warmth.
This—this was the family he had always dreamed of.
No matter the danger, no matter the decision, they would stand by him without question.
That's what it meant to be family.
"I'm afraid you won't be going anywhere."
A low, mocking voice suddenly rang out with a trace of arrogance.
"Who?!"
"Who's there?!"
"Someone's approaching!"
Marco and the others tensed up immediately, their expressions shifting as they snapped into alertness.
But before they could react—
A flash of sinister black light tore through the air with an eerie hum, blasting forward at impossible speed. In the blink of an eye, it crossed the sky and struck down onto the deck of the Moby Dick like a shot from the void!
It was so fast, it was almost like teleportation.
Clang!
A dull metallic resonance echoed out.
With glowing red eyes, Whitebeard unleashed a response completely out of proportion to his size. He snatched up his massive naginata and swung it down in one fierce motion!
One of the 12 Supreme Grade Blades—Murakumogiri—collided head-on with the ominous streak of black light.
BOOM!!
A thunderous roar exploded, threatening to rupture eardrums. The shockwave blasted outward, forcing Marco and the others to stagger back. They raised their arms to shield themselves from the oncoming gust.
But in that instant when the naginata struck the black light, Whitebeard's pupils suddenly narrowed.
A tremendous force surged through the blade, so immense it sent numbness through his arms. The sheer power crushed down like a landslide, forcing his feet to crack through the deck with a loud crunch.
Wood splinters flew, and the violent wind sent Whitebeard's massive cloak whipping chaotically in all directions.
What the hell...
Marco and the others stared wide-eyed in disbelief.
Even Oyaji's raw strength couldn't overpower that black light!?
"More More Hundredfold Speed—Shoot!"
The cold voice rang out again.
As if triggered by a command, the already trembling black light surged with even greater propulsion, leaving a blurred afterimage in its wake!
Whitebeard's expression shifted, his face twisting into a grimace.
Under the terrifying force, the Moby Dick lurched violently.
Marco and the rest felt the entire world suddenly spin around them. They grabbed hold of the ship's railings and fixtures just to stay upright.
The scene around them changed in an instant.
If someone were watching from above, they would have seen it clearly...
Under the incredible propulsion of that hundred-meter-long black light, the massive ship—large as a white whale—was shoved hundreds of meters sideways, then slammed into the rocky coast of a nearby island!
BOOM!!
Dust and seawater erupted skyward from the impact.
The Moby Dick finally came to a halt, tilted and embedded along the shoreline.
Through the swirling smoke and debris, Marco finally got a good look at the terrifying black light.
It was a pitch-black, demonic longblade, its surface etched with patterns of purple flame.
"That's... Enma!!"
"Flower Sword" Vista locked eyes on the blade, stunned beyond belief.
At those words, the Whitebeard Pirates all stiffened, a chill running down their spines as their pupils contracted.
If that was Enma—then that meant...
"Kahahaha! I can't believe you really pulled it off, Daren!! You actually stopped the Whitebeard Pirates... with a sword!"
A rough, domineering laugh echoed from above.
A strangely shaped metallic ark pierced through the sea of clouds and descended, halting midair above the island.
Figures full of overwhelming presence stood atop the vessel, casting their gaze down on the Whitebeard Pirates from above.
Then—
A black-haired Marine with a cigar in his mouth stepped forward from the group, his pace unhurried.
Hands in his pockets, he exhaled a plume of smoke shaped like a dragon.
His eyes, deep and taunting, met Whitebeard's stormy gaze across the battlefield.
"You're not going anywhere. Stay here until the war is over."
He flicked his hand.
Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!
Four sharp bursts of light flashed through the sky, locking the Moby Dick in place from all sides.
Enma, Ame no Habakiri, Oto, Kogarashi—four legendary Meito now hovered in the air, radiating a deadly aura so intense it blanketed the entire island in killing intent.
The Marine Vice Admiral spread his arms, and behind him, six Shichibukai stood tall, their bloodlust surging as they grinned wickedly.
"This place... is off limits."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake