"We have guests?"
Jinbe emerged from the sea, landing gracefully on the deck. His eyes widened slightly at the sight of two humans aboard.
"Jinbe!"
Whitey Bay waved at him.
"Whitey Bay?! What are you doing here?!" Jinbe's face lit up with surprise and delight.
"Hahaha! Just passing through Sabaody on our way back to the New World. Didn't expect to run into your crew!" Whitey Bay said cheerfully.
"I heard from Pops that you were traveling the world," Jinbe said.
"Yeah, it's been almost four years. I'm getting ready to head back," Whitey Bay nodded.
"Four years is a long time, Big Bro." Jinbe turned to Roy, his tone respectful.
"It's been a while, Jinbe." Roy nodded. The last time they'd met was nearly a decade ago.
Unlike others, Jinbe was very respectful toward Roy. Roy had always looked after Namur and the other fishmen in Whitebeard's crew, earning their loyalty since Namur called Roy "Big bro." Jinbe, though older than Roy, followed suit and called him that, too.
"Did you take care of your business? We heard about that Arlong fellow back in the East Blue. He caused a lot of trouble," Whitey Bay said.
"He did many terrible things. This time, the Marines don't plan on letting him go. They've arrested him," Jinbe said.
Thanks to Jinbe's protection, Arlong had run rampant in the East Blue. But now, he'd crossed a line—colluding with corrupt Marines—and the Navy wasn't willing to overlook it anymore.
"He's no longer a member of the Sun Pirates. You've already done more than enough for him," Whitey Bay said.
"Hahaha, it's all in the past. Are you two heading back to the New World? Do you want an escort?" Jinbe asked.
"Our ship is being coated. It should be done in three or four days," Roy said.
"Then let's wait for you. We'll accompany you to the New World—the underwater currents are treacherous. It'll be safer with us." Jinbe offered.
"Thanks, Jinbe," Whitey Bay said.
"No need for thanks. We're all family here." Jinbe said happily.
Rayleigh wasn't the fastest at ship-coating, so Roy asked him to call in a few extra hands. The Sun Pirates also came to help in.
When Jinbe saw Rayleigh, he was shocked.
"That man... he looks kind of familiar," Jinbe quietly asked Roy.
"That's the Dark King, Rayleigh," Whitey Bay said with a grin.
"WHAT?!"
Jinbe finally recognized him. Over twenty years ago, on Fishman Island, he had seen Rayleigh. Back then, Jinbe had already joined the royal guard of the Fishman Kingdom and had seen Roger's crew when he was with the then-Prince Neptune.
"It really is him... and he's actually in Sabaody," Jinbe whispered.
"Roy calls it 'hiding under the lamp'," Whitey Bay chuckled.
"Well, it's not exactly hiding. The World Government and Marine Headquarters know he's in Sabaody, but they just don't dare move against him," Roy explained.
"Why not?" Jinbe asked, confused. Whitey Bay didn't know either.
"Simple. Rayleigh and Roger reached the end of the Grand Line. They know the truth of the Void Century and the Great Treasure. After disbanding, Roger scattered his crew. Unless the World Government can wipe out every last one of them, even a single survivor could plunge the world into chaos."
Roy smirked. "Him being here actually keeps them in check. If they attack Rayleigh, who's to say the other Roger Pirates won't emerge from hiding? What if they start revealing secrets? Then the world would burn."
"I see," Whitey Bay nodded.
"There's probably more to it," Jinbe said with a smile.
"One more thing, Rayleigh is incredibly strong. He stood beside Roger as an equal. You think someone like that would be weak? If the Marines want to capture him, they would need to send at least two Admirals, or even Garp and Sengoku themselves." Roy added.
With more manpower, the coating was completed the next day. Jinbe watched from afar as Rayleigh walked away with a giant liquor jug slung over his shoulder, the payment and wine Roy gave him.
The Sun Pirates led the way and escorted them to Fishman Island, where Neptune welcomed them.
As soon as they entered Fishman Island, they saw a massive flag of the Whitebeard Pirates displayed in the plaza at the entrance.
It was the first thing anyone saw upon arriving.
With that flag flying, few dared to threaten Fishman Island. It had protected the island for twenty years.
Looking up at the Whitebeard Pirates' flag, Roy felt a wave of emotion.
After spending a day on Fishman Island, they set off again.
The moment they re-entered the New World, the merciless weather reminded them why this sea was feared.
"Yup, the weather in the New World is as shitty as ever," Roy laughed.
"Good thing our ship's sturdy. I want to go see loxus, it's been four years, he must've grown a lot," Whitey Bay murmured.
She missed her son. They set out from the Red Line.
In a certain sea area of the New World, the Whitebeard Pirates were clashing with another pirate crew.
Division Two, the Whitebeard Pirates' frontline assault team, was always the first to respond to threats. When enemies invaded their territory, they'd arrive immediately to fight back.
Today's enemies were tough. Division Four, stationed nearby, rushed over to assist.
"Ace, we're teaming up again," Thatch said with a grin.
"Don't hold me back, Thatch," Ace laughed.
"Don't worry, I won't!"
Working together, they quickly defeated the enemy pirate crew.
Thatch and his men began inspecting the loot, and inside the enemy's cabin, they found a Devil Fruit.
"Ace, look at this!" Thatch exclaimed happily.
"A Devil Fruit? That's a rare find! What kind is it?" Ace asked curiously.
But someone nearby had seen this too, and their sharp eyes gleamed with greed. A pair of eyes, which had been hiding their true nature, finally revealed their desire.
"I don't know what kind of fruit it is. We'll need to check the guidebook back home," Thatch said.
"You're not gonna eat it?" Ace asked.
"We don't even know what kind it is yet. What if it's a useless one? No point eating it. Let's wait until we know for sure," Thatch replied.
"Alright, let's head back then. Oh yeah, I just got a message from Pops, he wants everyone to come back. Says there's great news today," Ace said.
"Great news? What kind of news?" Thatch asked curiously.
"No idea. Pops was being all mysterious," Ace shrugged.
"Must be something big. Let's hurry back," Thatch said.
"Hey, Teach, you alright?" Ace called out.
"N-no problem, Captain Ace," Teach quickly composed himself.
"Let's go then. Pops is in a good mood, he's treating us to a big feast!" Ace laughed.
"Yeah!!"
....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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