Fish-Man Island's Gyoncorde Plaza was the central hub connecting all regions of the island.
Whether in terms of commercial prosperity or foot traffic, it was the busiest location across the entire island.
However, now, the place had been completely emptied.
No one had forced them to leave—everyone had simply chosen to steer clear of this trouble-prone zone.
Everyone except the shopkeepers whose livelihoods were rooted here.
They trembled as they did business with the pirates.
The pirates seemed completely accustomed to such fearful gazes and didn't pay them any mind. After transactions were completed, they temporarily stacked their supplies in the back.
At the very center of it all sat a man with a crescent-shaped white mustache, drinking from a massive saucer of sake.
He was so large that he could easily be mistaken for a giant hybrid...
But in fact, he was a pure-blooded human—simply an anomalous one.
A body type similar to his could be found in "Big Mom" Charlotte Linlin.
This man was none other than the "Strongest Man in the World."
This was "Whitebeard" Edward Newgate.
Standing beside him were his most beloved sons—the commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates—pouring drinks for their old man.
Unlike the sickly old man hooked up to IV drips as seen in the original story, the current Whitebeard was in his prime.
Strength, experience, Devil Fruit mastery—all of it was at its absolute peak.
Even a reincarnated, prime Roger might not be able to defeat this Whitebeard.
Right now, Whitebeard was clearly in a very good mood, even smiling as he looked toward the nearby Marines, who had fear in their eyes but had unconsciously assumed combat stances.
"Ku la la la la! You Marines aren't particularly strong, but I like your spirit. Just what I'd expect from soldiers trained by that old bastard Garp... How about it? Why don't you become my sons instead?"
"Um... that's really not necessary."
The one who answered was Atama, the communications officer who had just used the Den Den Mushi to call Michael.
"I've got a real dad and a real mom... Don't you guys have parents too?"
With that one line, the entire plaza fell silent.
True damage... is always the most brutally true.
Even Whitebeard's gaze toward Atama turned a little cold.
However, the look on Atama's face...
Was just too dumb.
So dumb it was obvious at a glance that he wasn't trying to be sarcastic—he was sincerely asking.
"You... You're quite a kid."
Whitebeard, feeling a bit embarrassed, simply lifted his full sake saucer and took a hearty swig.
"Your time is running out. If that young Marine and Garp don't show up, you'll all be joining the Whitebeard Pirates as my sons. How about it?"
"Rear Admiral Michael and Vice Admiral Garp will definitely come!"
"That little guy's name is Michael... and he's a Rear Admiral?"
Whitebeard's face lit up again with a smile.
"To be honest, if it were just Garp, I wouldn't be afraid in the slightest. I'm not the same Whitebeard from the God Valley days! Here's the deal—if that Rear Admiral you mentioned dares show his face in front of me, and faces me head-on, I'll let you all go. I won't even pursue you for injuring my son!"
That statement made all the commanders around him burst into laughter.
Old Pops still loved his wagers.
They could tell—he really liked these young, clueless Marines.
Though fear flickered in their eyes, they still stared him down with unwavering resolve!
Not just Pops—none of them had seen guts like this in a long time.
As for the "Rear Admiral" those Marines had mentioned...
Unfortunately, in their eyes, most Marine officers were just pretentious fame-chasers.
Even with Garp present, they doubted anyone would dare appear before their old man.
Marco once again lifted the sake urn to pour for Whitebeard.
Then he said softly, "Pops, young men like these... they're rare."
"You're absolutely right." Whitebeard nodded.
"But can that young Rear Admiral live up to the courage of his subordinates?"
"Sigh... not likely." Marco replied with a smile.
Whitebeard raised his saucer and downed it in one go, then burst into loud laughter.
"Ku la la la la! Not bad! The booze here on Fish-Man Island packs a punch!"
"Drink up, drink up! How hasn't this old Whitebeard of yours drunk himself to death yet?"
A lazy yet clear voice rang out from afar.
"If you like collecting sons, go look for them out on the sea! Stop messing with our Marines!"
Whitebeard instantly locked onto the voice's location—only to discover it came from...
The sky.
A trace of surprise flashed in his eyes.
He was flying...
Whitebeard hadn't encountered many Devil Fruit users who could fly. Aside from Marco, who was always fluttering around, the last one he'd dealt with had been the Golden Lion, who sacrificed both legs to escape Impel Down.
Looking up, he saw a young Marine descending from the sky, adorned with massive white wings. The Justice cape flapped wildly in the air.
At his waist hung a sword—its power evident at a glance—but it also gave Whitebeard a strange sense of familiarity.
"Ku la la la la! I didn't expect you to actually come!"
Whitebeard didn't hide the admiration in his eyes.
"I always thought that after Garp and Zephyr's generation, the Marines would never produce another hero like them. But I was wrong. You guys refuse to be left in the shadows!"
He set down his saucer.
At the same time, Garp also arrived at the plaza from Ryugu Palace, leading a squad of Marines.
However, he didn't immediately attack Whitebeard—it was clear he'd come to support Michael.
After all, on the way here, Michael had already told Garp...
This time, he wanted to handle it himself.
Marco looked over at Garp in the distance, then at Michael in midair.
Blue flames suddenly lit up across Marco's body as his arms transformed into wings. He flew up into the sky as well.
Whitebeard's First Division Commander—the renowned "Phoenix," Marco.
"You're the Rear Admiral who spoke to Pops earlier?"
Michael didn't respond. Instead, he narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Marco? Mythical Zoan-type Phoenix form?"
Honestly, he wasn't in a good mood.
His men had been attacked—and now they were supposed to become someone else's sons!?
You think that's something he could just accept!?
No way!
Commander-level, huh?
You're exactly who I'm here to crush!
And now you're stepping into the spotlight?
Michael's lips curled into a vicious smile.
"Judgement!"
A major clash begins!
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