"Who is this guy?" Marco looked curiously at Kaoru Tsubasa, who was chatting and laughing with Whitebeard and Roger. He couldn't help asking the other crew members.
The others exchanged helpless glances. If even Marco doesn't know, how are we supposed to?
Before long, Whitebeard and Kaoru walked over together.
"Let me introduce him," Newgate said with a grin. "He's an old crewmate of mine from way back." He scratched his head, then turned to Kaoru. "By the way, what's your full name again?"
Kaoru smiled faintly. It had been years since he'd told anyone his full name.
"Kaoru Tsubasa," he said simply.
"Yes, this man's name is Kaoru Tsubasa," Newgate repeated proudly to Marco. "His current bounty is ten billion berries."
The bounty had skyrocketed after the Navy received footage of Kaoru's battle with Rayleigh, recorded by Bogard. It was a fight that had shaken the seas—and the World Government had taken notice.
Newgate studied Kaoru for a moment before frowning slightly. "You look exactly the same as back then. How come you haven't aged at all?"
Kaoru shrugged casually. "I'm not sure either," he replied. Of course, he couldn't exactly tell them he had a system.
After chatting for a while, Newgate, Roger, and Kaoru joined the rest of their crews for a massive banquet.
As for the food and drinks… both captains had raided Kaoru's house, carrying out everything he'd saved over the years.
Kaoru's lips twitched as he watched Marco and Vista lugging out crates of his best wine and barrels of salted meat. Still, he didn't say a word.
"This wine is incredible!"
"Yeah, absolutely!"
Roger and Whitebeard clinked their mugs together, drinking heartily.
"Of course it's good," Kaoru said proudly. "I brewed it myself. Took me years to make even this much."
Whitebeard chuckled, then smacked Kaoru on the head with a huge fist. "Stop bragging, brat! Tell us how you got so strong!"
Kaoru winced, rubbing his head. Is this what they call the Iron Fist of Love?
"Well, Newgate," Kaoru said with a sly smile, "instead of that, shouldn't you be telling me why you're here?"
"Nothing special. We just stopped to rest," Whitebeard replied honestly.
"Really? Just a coincidence, huh?" Kaoru took a sip of rum-laced milk. "Then what about you, Roger? What brings you here?"
Roger grinned. "Me? I came to ask if you know where to find an archaeologist."
His tone was casual, but Kaoru knew Roger's time was running out—he only had three years left to live.
"I didn't, at first," Kaoru said, smiling faintly. "But now that Newgate's here, I think I have a solution."
"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?" Newgate frowned. "You saying we've got an archaeologist on my ship?"
Whitebeard had never cared about reaching Raftel. He had no historical texts on board—and therefore didn't realize Oden could read them.
Kaoru leaned back lazily. "It's not that you have one. But if I'm not mistaken, that samurai who fought Roger earlier… he's from Wano Country, isn't he?"
"Yes, Oden's a samurai from Wano," Whitebeard said, puzzled. "But what's that got to do with anything?"
Kaoru raised an eyebrow. "Didn't Oden tell you, Newgate?"
"Tell me what?"
"The ancient texts—the Poneglyphs—were written by his ancestors in Wano."
"What!?" Roger and Whitebeard exclaimed in unison.
Everyone knew about the Poneglyphs—massive stone tablets scattered across the world—but few knew where they came from.
Kaoru smirked. "Roger, why not take Oden with you to Raftel?"
With that, he turned and walked away silently. He already knew exactly what would happen next.
"Newgate!" Roger suddenly said, his eyes shining. "Lend me Oden for three years!"
"Don't be ridiculous, Roger!" Whitebeard growled, drawing his massive blade, Kusukumo, and slashing toward him.
Roger was ready. He drew Ace, his own blade, and met Whitebeard's strike.
"Oden is my family!" Whitebeard roared.
A deafening shockwave rippled through the island, shaking the ground.
At the banquet site, Marco and Rayleigh stood abruptly as they felt the powerful surge of Haki from afar.
"What the hell is going on over there?" Rayleigh asked.
Marco glanced at Kaoru, concern written on his face. "Hey, Kaoru, is Dad okay?"
Kaoru smirked. "Why don't you go see for yourself?"
Without hesitation, Marco transformed into his phoenix form and took off toward the battlefield. The rest of the Whitebeard Pirates followed on foot, while Rayleigh and the Roger crew rushed after them.
"Roger! I said I'm not handing Oden over!" Whitebeard shouted, swinging his sword in another massive arc.
"Just three years, Newgate! I promise to return him after that!" Roger blocked the blow, his expression earnest.
"Hey, what's going on, Pops?" Oden called out as he approached.
Hearing Oden's voice, Whitebeard stopped mid-swing.
"Hey, Oden!" Roger shouted before Newgate could speak. "Come aboard my ship!"
"Roger, I told you already—Oden is my family! I won't hand him over to anyone!" Whitebeard snapped, glaring fiercely.
"What's happening, Pops?" Oden asked, confused.
Whitebeard didn't reply, just stared at Roger.
Roger pulled a weathered piece of parchment from his coat and held it up. "Oden, can you read what's written here?"
Oden took the paper, his eyes widening. "This… this is the script of the Kozuki clan!"
Roger smiled. "Exactly. Oden, come with me to Raftel."
"But I'm already part of Pops' crew," Oden said, glancing at Whitebeard.
"Pops," he added softly, "I want to go to Raftel. I feel… like this is my destiny at sea."
"What are you saying, Oden!?" Whitebeard's voice thundered with anger.
"I know, Pops," Oden said, bowing deeply. "But I have this feeling—this mission. I want to see Raftel with my own eyes. I want to understand why our ancestors left these writings behind."
Roger looked at Whitebeard, holding up three fingers. "Three years, Newgate. That's all I ask."
Whitebeard grunted and turned away, sitting heavily on the ground, his expression hidden beneath his massive mustache.