The Whitebeard Pirates were in high spirits, buzzing with excitement. Everyone had received the order—all sixteen division commanders had returned.
"Gurararara, it's been a long time! I thought the two of you might bring me another grandson back this time," Whitebeard laughed, saying to Roy in front of him.
"Your health has gotten worse. I've already treated you multiple times, Marco!" Roy glanced at Whitebeard, who was hooked up to an IV, then called out to Marco.
"Big Bro."
THUNK!
Roy's fist landed squarely on Marco's pineapple-shaped head. The newcomers watched in stunned silence.
The First Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates had just been smacked?
"Who the hell is this guy?" one rookie whispered.
"No idea. I just know he's Loxus's father."
"Oh, Loxus's dad, huh?"
"Looks like the commanders really respect him."
"Who exactly is he? I've never heard of him."
"Pops looks so happy. I haven't seen him smile like that in a while. And that guy is even scolding him!"
The new recruits watched from a distance while the division commanders burst out laughing.
"Marco, I told you long ago, Big Bro would punch you the moment he got back," Jozu cackled.
"I know, Big Bro. I know I was wrong," Marco said, rubbing the big new lump on his head.
"Newgate, your body can't handle drinking like this anymore. Limit his supply of Overlord Brew from now on," Roy ordered.
"Roy, you can't do this! Without sake, what's the point of life?" Whitebeard argued.
"You can drink, just not too much. I told you long ago, you need to take better care of yourself," Roy said firmly.
"Really now, I even planned a welcome party for you, and this is how you treat me?!"
"Newgate, you're over seventy. You're not the same man you were at thirty-six," Roy retorted.
"Thirty-six… Has it really been thirty-six years? That brat from back then is forty-five now."
"There's something I need to tell you now that you're back," Whitebeard said.
"What is it?"
"I'll say it once everyone's here."
"Pops, where's Loxus?" Whitey Bay asked.
"He's with Ace."
"He's in the Second Division? I thought newbies and recruits were assigned to the Fifth?"
"That son of yours is like a wild monkey, wreaking havoc everywhere. When Ace joined, they even fought. He originally wanted to compete for the Second Division Commander position but ended up joining the Second Division instead," Rakuyo laughed.
"He wanted to be a Division Commander?" Roy smiled.
"Yep! Big Bro, that nephew of ours has big dreams. Wanna know what he said?!" Blamenco chimed in.
"What?" Roy asked, amused.
"He said he'd carry Pops to Laugh Tale and make him the Pirate King! Hahaha!!!"
The others roared with laughter. Whitey Bay's face darkened.
"Saying something like that, I'm going to teach him a lesson when he gets back!" she fumed.
Roy chuckled. His son was an anomaly, someone who shouldn't exist in this world. He had no idea how Loxu had grown up since he hadn't been much around to guide him; Whitebay had raised him instead.
'Four years with these idiots… Who knows what he's turned into?'
"Gurararara! Roy, live each day as it comes. Don't overthink it. So, where'd you go these past four years?" Whitebeard asked.
"We went to the West Blue, South Blue, East Blue—traveled three routes in Paradise. I even went back to some of the places we visited before. Oh, and Jozu, we even visited your hometown, Roy said.
"It's been so long, I barely remember it," Jozu grinned.
"Are Ace and Thatch not back yet?" Whitebeard asked.
"They've been notified. They should be back soon," Marco replied. "Oh yeah, Big Bro, Whitey Bay—you haven't met Ace, right? Let me tell you, he's a really interesting guy. He falls asleep while eating! You'll see at the banquet."
"I met him before you did," Whitey Bay rolled her eyes at Marco.
"Huh?!"
The others stared in disbelief.
"I met him three years ago, in Paradise. We fought," she said.
"Seriously?!"
"Who won?"
"I did," Whitey Bay said confidently.
"No way! You beat Ace?"
"You're joking!"
"I'm serious. Ask Roy if you don't believe me."
"Hahaha, she won, she won." Under his wife's gaze, Roy chose to lie.
But no one really believed it. They knew Ace's strength and Whitey Bay's. There was no way she could've beaten him.
More and more people were returning. The Whitebeard Pirates had sixteen divisions and five Moby Dick ships.
Aside from the main ship, the other four were used by various squads. The five ships gathered together, anchoring magnificently on the sea.
Finally, Ace and Thatch arrived, along with Loxus, now sixteen, a sword hanging at his waist.
"Mom! Dad!" Loxus shouted excitedly when he spotted Roy and Whitey Bay.
"You've grown," Whitey Bay said, pulling him into a tight hug.
"Big Bro!" Thatch beamed at Roy.
Ace stood to the side, watching. "They're Loxus's parents?"
"We were just talking about you. Did you really fight Whitey Bay?"
"Yeah. It lasted a full day and night," Ace admitted.
"Who won?" Marco asked eagerly.
"I was close… but I didn't dare keep fighting."
"Why not?"
"I felt like if I kept going… I'd die."
"Hahaha! Whitey Bay's not that strong. What were you scared of?"
"I wasn't afraid of her, I was afraid of him. Who is that guy? Why do you all call him Big Bro?" Ace pointed at Roy.
"You're scared of Big Bro? Hah! Never thought I'd see the day. Come on, Ace let me introduce you." Marco pushed Ace toward Roy.
Roy studied him with an amused grin.
"We meet again, 'Fire Fist' Ace."
"Ace, let me introduce you—this is our Big Bro, the one and only Big Bro of the Whitebeard Pirates, Roy. He's the very first crew member of the Whitebeard Pirates. He founded the crew alongside Pops," Marco explained.
"The… first member?" Ace was stunned. No wonder everyone respected him so much.
"Gurararara! Now that everyone's here…" Whitebeard's voice boomed, drawing all attention.
"Pops?" Ace turned to him.
"This time, I've called you all back to make an important announcement. Since Roy is back as well, this matter concerns the future of the Whitebeard Pirates. As your captain, this is my command." Whitebeard stood up solemnly.
Seeing Whitebeard in such a serious state, everyone present was shaken.
It was rare to see Whitebeard this solemn.
"I've decided…"
.....
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