The territory of the Whitebeard Pirates lay bathed in the warm glow of a setting sun, red clouds drifting across the sky and tinting the mist in shades of crimson. Smoke from cooking fires curled lazily into the air, signaling the quiet life of the island under Whitebeard's protection.
In the distance, a small black dot on the horizon grew larger with every passing moment. Soon enough, a ship flying the Whitebeard Pirates' flag approached the dock.
"They're back! Finally! I was worried something had happened on the way," one villager exclaimed.
"Nonsense! This is Whitebeard's territory, no bloodsuckers dare to come here!" another chimed in. "Not the Marines nor other pirates. The harvest's been good this year; we can save some for later."
"Whitebeard really is something," a third added, "he says he wants to give us more, yet he never asks for anything in return."
On the dock, anticipation hung in the air. Long-awaited smiles and laughter finally broke through the villagers' anxiety.
Clank! The gangplank lowered slowly.
"Hehe, wait for this old thing to settle! I'm going first!"
"I've missed this place… I missed Mama so much, I have to go!"
A few impatient pirates, strong and reckless, leaped off the ship before the gangplank fully touched the dock.
"Daughter!"
One pirate raced forward, scooping up a young girl whose arms reached happily for him.
"Papa, Papa!" she giggled, bouncing joyfully in his arms. But then, suddenly, her lips trembled.
"Wuwuwu…" She clung tightly, tears streaming down her face.
"Why are you crying?" he asked, startled, gently stroking her hair. "Did Papa scare you? Or does Papa smell funny?"
Sniffling, the little girl whispered, "Papa, Gou and the others said… said you didn't want me and Mama anymore… that's why you've been gone so long…"
"Oh, baby… don't listen to them. Papa would never abandon you and Mama. You're my favorite in the whole world!"
Gureiusu hugged his daughter closer, covering her ears to shield her from outside influence, eyes narrowing with fury.
"Old Third, you son of a bitch! Let my daughter be bullied, and you'll pay!"
The girl blinked, repeating with innocent curiosity: "Son of a bitch?"
Pfft! Hahaha! Pfft…
Everyone around burst into laughter, amused by her innocence. The other pirates teased Gureiusu:
"Gureiusu, teaching your daughter to curse? Mama won't forgive you!"
"Hey! Don't learn that! Papa doesn't want you to become like me!" Gureiusu waved frantically, but the girl only giggled, repeating the phrase, delight lighting up her face.
A massive bonfire blazed nearby. Bamboo poles on either side held sizzling piles of roasted fish and meat.
"Son of a bitch! Old Third, your stinking brat actually bullied my daughter!"
Gureiusu, now in clean clothes, glared at a laughing villager, scolding through gritted teeth.
"I saved you when you were half-dead after pirates threw you into the sea, and this is how you repay me?"
"Hahahaha, Old Sixth! I heard you taught her to curse, and then your wife…" Old Third laughed, slapping Gureiusu on the shoulder, red mark still visible, gasping between laughter.
"Gureiusu, a Whitebeard pirate, got slapped by his own Mama…"
"Shut up!" Gureiusu snapped, brushing off Old Third and caressing the mark. "That is my Mama's love! What would you know about it?"
The villagers laughed even harder. "Old Sixth has gone mad! Slapped yet calls it love?"
"Let's toast to the Whitebeard Pirates' Casanova!" someone shouted.
"Hahaha, a toast to Casanova Old Sixth!"
Cups were raised, emptied in unison, and Gureiusu, though grumbling, drank with them.
"Ah! Refreshing!" he exhaled, the conversation flowing freely. Memories of childhood mischief, stolen chickens, and the turbulent seas were shared as laughter echoed.
"Hey, remember? Almost thirty years since we became sworn brothers?"
"Twenty-nine! If Old Fifth hadn't been run over by a Marine warship, he'd be a scientist by now," another teased.
"A scientist can make cannons and warships—valuable indeed."
"Son of a bitch, idiots! Those who make cannons are true experts!"
The friends' banter shifted, naturally, to the state of the world and the seas.
"Old Sixth…" the dark-skinned eldest brother frowned, voice deep, serious. "Fishermen report the waters here are unsafe. The Marines seem active, exploring…"
Gureiusu sighed, finishing the wine in his cup. "Son of a bitch… it is unsafe. A world-changing event is about to happen."
"What event? You taught your daughter a curse, and it's going to be in the news?" Old Third teased.
"Get lost! Whitebeard Pirates are about to clash with the Marines."
The news hit the villagers like a storm. Gureiusu continued, voice firm, eyes glinting in the firelight. "The Marines captured our Second Division Commander, Ace. Whitebeard is furious and will act to rescue him."
"Are they going to war?" the villagers whispered, fear and awe in their eyes.
"Yes. But our islands are safe under Whitebeard's protection."
"I will participate," Gureiusu added solemnly.
"Are you going to attack Impel Down?" Old Third asked, worry furrowing his brow.
"Impel Down? Worry not. We may strike Marineford directly."
"Whitebeard attacking Marineford?!"
The villagers were stunned.
"Pah!" Gureiusu spat fish bones, muttering, "Worst case scenario, who knows what the Marines are planning…"
"Leave the Whitebeard Pirates!" Old Third exclaimed, seizing Gureiusu's hand. "Stay with us, farm and fish, we'll manage!"
"Before this became Whitebeard's territory, the Marines extorted us and pirates stole from us. Now, under Whitebeard's protection, we live in peace," Gureiusu said sternly, pointing at the massive crescent-mustache flag fluttering above the dock. "Never forget this kindness."
"Old Sixth, calm down…" Oldest tried to intercede.
"I'm not excited, nor would I betray our family," Gureiusu replied, voice resolute. His eyes scanned the familiar yet slightly distant faces in the flickering firelight.
"Whitebeard was right to save Ace. We are family. No one is abandoned."
With that, Gureiusu turned and walked toward his home.
"If I don't return… remember to take care of my family," he called over his shoulder.
The brothers remained silent, watching him vanish into the night.
Long after, Old Third slumped into a bamboo chair, muttering weakly, "This son of a bitch world…"
____
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