New World, Hachinosu Island.
The Moby Dick.
The atmosphere among the Whitebeard Pirates had been heavy for a long time after Thatch was killed by Blackbeard. It wasn't until recently that a turning point emerged.
The division commanders gathered in a circle, their hearts melting as they watched the little baby with a pineapple-shaped head in the cradle, their hands clasped together in adoration.
"So cute!"
"Look, he's smiling!"
"I want to hold him!"
"You idiot! You're so careless—you'll hurt him!"
"I'm claiming little Marco as my godson!"
"Me too!"
The commanders argued fiercely, their faces flushed as they fought over who would be the second or third godfather. Soon, they were wrestling, none willing to back down.
The birth of this little one held great significance for the entire Whitebeard Pirates. Even Whitebeard himself secretly wiped away a tear.
Marco picked up the child and approached Whitebeard, happily requesting, "Oyaji, please give this child a name."
"A name? Gurararara!"
Whitebeard thought for a moment before smiling and suggesting,
"How about Pineapple?"
"That's a wonderful name!"
Marco looked down at the child in his arms and gently tickled his cheek with a finger. "From now on, your name is Pineapple!"
"Waaah~"
The little one giggled in delight.
Filled with happiness, Marco said, "Oyaji, I'd like to invite Gurd to Pineapple's birthday celebration!"
"Gurararara, do as you please."
Whitebeard waved his hand with a laugh. Seeing his son start his own family and have a child filled him with deep satisfaction.
After a brief hesitation, he added,
"Marco, let me hold my grandson."
"..."
Meanwhile, at Hoenn Fortress.
"Perfume Femur!"
"Thunder Bagua!"
Two women were engaged in their daily sparring.
Gurd sat by the window, watching the fierce battle below, though his mind wasn't on them.
"I need to prepare a gift."
He had received a message from Marco.
Coincidentally, he had been looking for a reason to visit Hachinosu Island.
Among the underground forces of the New World, the Whitebeard Pirates controlled the largest territory, thanks in large part to their dozens of subordinate captains.
Whitey Bay, Doma, Little Oars...
Many of these captains had been renowned for years, strong enough to rival Marine Vice Admirals, and each commanded their own territory.
Truthfully, their mid-tier forces outnumbered his.
With Marco's child being born, those captains would surely gather to celebrate. It was the perfect opportunity to meet them and strengthen ties.
The timing was almost perfect. Monkey D. Luffy had entered the Grand Line and would soon reach Sabaody Archipelago.
Once Ace was captured, he could finally lay his cards on the table with Whitebeard.
"And then there's this brat."
Gurd pulled out a bounty poster.
"Cavendish the White Horse," a Supernova who had entered the New World last year, currently worth 210 million Berries .
The kid was now on Hachinosu Island. Not long ago, he had chased down one of his targets, injuring them at the gates of Fortuna Community before being stopped by the guards and leaving.
At least he knew his limits—a simple warning would suffice.
Chikara reported, "Lord Gurd, the corps commanders have assembled."
"Hm."
Gurd gave a slight nod and entered the adjacent meeting room, where ten newly appointed corps commanders sat.
Six men and four women.
Among them was Ran of the Kuja Corps, formerly an officer of the Kuja Pirates. With a steady temperament, she was responsible for leading the Kuja Warriors.
Karura of the Mink Tribe Corps, a tiger mink with rare white fur and blue stripes, has mastered Sulong.
Reiju of the Science Unit, the Princess of Germa Kingdom—Judge surprisingly showed generosity by actively recommending his daughter to join his ranks.
Talia of the Radiant Knights, a female knight from Rune Kingdom, possesses the Zoan-Type Dog-Dog Fruit-Arctic Wolf Form.
The remaining six men were warriors selected from non-affiliated nations, each towering and burly with decent strength.
The giants were not among them, as they belonged to the special-tier combatants.
The group stood to greet him.
"Commander!"
"Hmm, take your seats."
Gurd gave a slight nod, scanning the room.
The Hoenn Government's scale was limited for now, unable to match the Navy's extensive hierarchy of Admirals, Vice Admirals, and other ranks.
Currently, there were only ten corps, totaling less than ten thousand members, each led by a chief and deputy commander, along with numerous squad leaders.
As for the Beasts, they were unruly Pirates who could only provide temporary support—hardly a long-term solution. His Hoenn Government needed to establish its own military force.
The trickier issue was loyalty.
Aside from the Kuja and the giants, the other corps had low loyalty, even harboring hatred toward him—after all, he had slaughtered them before.
After discussing minor matters, Gurd issued an order.
"Prepare to set sail with me."
"Yes!"
Soon, the Groudon Ship entered the New World.
Meanwhile, in the West Blue.
A certain winter island.
Temporary base of the Red Hair Pirates.
Freed from the constraints of the "Four Emperors" title, the Red Hair Pirates had resumed their global travels, venturing into many previously unexplored regions.
The shadow of defeat had lifted, replaced by ease, allowing them to rediscover their former joy.
Hongou brought over intel and tossed it to Shanks.
"Boss, Blackbeard was last spotted in Drum Kingdom on the Grand Line."
"Thanks, Hongou."
Shanks took the report.
While traveling, they had also been tracking the Blackbeard Pirates' movements—yet each time, they were a step too late.
The Beasts, Whitebeard, and now them—all were hunting Blackbeard.
Blackbeard was well aware of his predicament. While searching for allies, he never lingered in one place for long.
Worse, Shanks had learned that Ace was pursuing Blackbeard alone.
Though Ace was strong, he was still too young. In Shanks' judgment, Ace stood no chance against Blackbeard.
If Ace were defeated, Blackbeard—with his long-concealed ambition—would surely use Ace as a pawn to dismantle the Whitebeard Pirates.
If that happened, the already turbulent world would plunge into greater chaos. Without Whitebeard in the New World, the Beasts would run unchecked.
Shanks called his crew together.
"I need to meet Whitebeard!"
"Head to the New World?"
The officers exchanged glances, frowning.
This wasn't good news.
Yasopp spoke gravely, "Boss, you know what returning to the New World means. With our current strength, it's..."
"I know. But I have to go."
Shanks had made up his mind. Seeing his crew's worried expressions, he laughed.
"Don't look so grim. Didn't Marco just have a kid? We're just going as friends to celebrate. Even if Earth Calamity has objections, they wouldn't dare start a fight on Whitebeard's turf."
"That's true."
The officers sighed in resignation.
Their biggest obstacle in returning to the New World wasn't Kaido, but that formidable Earth Calamity—who proved even more troublesome than Kaido himself.
This time, Whitebeard was the host. No matter how arrogant Earth Calamity was, he had to show Whitebeard respect—at the very least, he wouldn't dare cause trouble on Hachinosu Island.
But afterward? That was another story.
"Since we've made our decision, let's set sail!"
Shanks grinned. "Perfect timing—I want to make a detour to Little Garden and meet two friends. With their help, things should go smoother."
"Understood, Captain!"
"Raise the sails! Weigh anchor!"
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