"Mama, Mama! Don't make me wait!"
Aunt Linlin laughed heartily, stuffing a huge cream puff into her mouth.
Learning from their last trip to the West Blue, this time she had brought plenty of desserts when leaving Onigashima.
The sweets had just been finished, and coincidentally, they had located the Whitebeard Pirates.
"Kuma."
Ian spoke.
"Understood."
Kuma nodded gently.
In an instant, the bubble carrying everyone dissipated.
Without the bubble's support, they were immediately pulled by the earth's gravity, plummeting downward.
"Mama, Mama! Zeus!"
Aunt Linlin laughed loudly.
The white cloud she carried expanded at that moment, supporting her as she descended rapidly.
As for the others, it didn't matter at all.
Ian, Shanks, Hawkeye, Redfield, and Teach all fell freely.
Ian fell straight down with his arms crossed, looking stylish, as if he were standing inside an elevator.
Below them, the island's coastline came into clear view. A large ship lay quietly anchored there.
Along the shore, piles of bonfires blazed fiercely.
A group of people gathered around the fires, enjoying a lively feast.
Unlike the Red-Haired Pirates, who always mingled with civilians, the Whitebeard Pirates deliberately kept their distance.
Even this island belonged to their territory.
"Yahaha! Pops! I'm back!"
Teach's eyes were locked on the coast below, a roar rising from deep within him.
"Did you miss me?"
Below, on the coastline, the Whitebeard Pirates were holding a feast.
Over the past six years, the Whitebeard Pirates had grown significantly. They had recruited many new members from the North Blue, and now the ship carried more than a dozen divisions, with a total crew exceeding five thousand.
It was fortunate that the Moby Dick was truly large—otherwise, there would be no way to fit so many people on board.
Whitebeard sat in a wide chair, holding a massive barrel of wine, pouring it directly into his mouth.
A faint smile graced his face as he quietly watched his sons and daughters singing and dancing.
For him, nothing was more important than this moment of happiness.
As long as he could be with his beloved children, he wanted for nothing else.
But then—
Whoosh!!
A series of sharp, slicing sounds suddenly came from the sky.
"What?"
Marco, who was roasting meat over a grill nearby, looked up in surprise.
Figures were plummeting from the sky.
Only one was somewhat unfamiliar; all the others were faces they knew well!
Marco's expression froze instantly.
What kind of joke was this? How could these people appear here?
"Pops!!"
Marco shouted in terror.
Right now, there was no way to suppress his shock, no way to avoid fear!
"..."
Whitebeard instinctively crushed the wine barrel in his hand, and his massive frame suddenly rose to his feet.
His eyes, previously narrowed, now opened wide. "Children, prepare for battle!!"
To be honest, the priority should have been to flee.
But in this situation, was escape even possible?
Without hesitation, the joyful feast came to an abrupt end. Every member of the Whitebeard Pirates set down their food and wine, picked up the weapons at their sides, and instantly went on high alert.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
A series of continuous explosions echoed as figures fell along one side of the coast.
Beneath Ian's feet was a patch of dark earth. The moment he landed, he hardened the surrounding ground to avoid falling into a pit like Kaido-sensei had.
Wouldn't that have been totally uncool?
Even as he touched down, no dust rose from the ground. Ian smiled and stepped forward. "Long time no see, Whitebeard. You look much more worn out than back in the day."
Worn out, indeed.
Whitebeard's once golden, shining hair was now completely gone.
A single black bandana covered the top of his head, hiding the reality of his baldness.
"Ian!!"
From the crowd, a tall girl instinctively drew the sword at her waist, her teeth almost gritting in anger.
And this time, Ian wasn't alone!
"Mama! Mama! Whitebeard! It's been so many years! You've finally fully turned into an old geezer!"
Charlotte Linlin stomped on top of Thundercloud Zeus, looking down at the solemn-faced Whitebeard and laughed heartily.
"Charlotte Linlin!"
Vista wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Long time no see on my side too, Whitebeard."
Red-Haired Shanks greeted politely.
"Red-Haired?"
Marco's face filled with confusion.
It wasn't just Shanks that puzzled him—it was the man standing next to him as well.
"And… Dracule Mihawk?"
Marco's face gradually turned pale.
"It's been even longer for us, Newgate."
Redfield casually greeted, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "When was the last time we met? Now we're all old men."
"Red?"
Whitebeard's deep voice rumbled.
Even someone as worldly as Whitebeard couldn't hide his momentary bewilderment.
What strange combination had appeared before him now?
The Beasts Pirates, the Charlotte Family, the Red-Haired Pirates, the Cross Guild, Dracule Mihawk.
And with the Whitebeard Pirates added to the mix, all the powerful pirate crews of the current world were here, at this very moment!
"Ian!!"
Marco clenched his fists tightly, unable to contain himself. "What do you mean by this? Why did you bring all these people here?"
Ian didn't answer.
Suddenly, a voice sounded from behind him. "Hahaha! I'll explain this matter to you myself!"
A figure familiar to almost every member of the Whitebeard Pirates stepped out from behind Ian.
Dark-skinned, stout, with a familiar missing tooth.
"Teach!!"
Vista's voice was tense, as if wrapped around a blade.
They had long known that Teach had joined the Beasts Pirates, but never imagined this bastard would now boldly appear behind Ian, standing in front of them!
Didn't he have even a shred of shame?
Had he forgotten who raised him, who took care of him as he grew up?
"Long time no see, Marco, Vista!"
Teach greeted his old acquaintances warmly, his gaze finally settling on the tall man silently observing him.
His smile softened slightly. "Long time no see, Pops. How's your health?"
The haft of a naginata slammed heavily to the ground, causing the entire coastline to tremble imperceptibly.
"State your purpose!"
Teach didn't hesitate. He inhaled deeply, speaking earnestly. "Pops, we're here seeking cooperation!"
**********
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