# Chapter 393: Whitebeard's Choice
In the New World, the unnoticed Whitebeard Pirates also seemed to have made a move.
Over the years, Whitebeard traveled around with his sons; it was a journey of adopting sons.
During this process, the number of Pirates in the Whitebeard Pirates continuously increased, and their fame expanded accordingly.
The increasing number of Pirates inevitably required a large Ship, a Pirate Ship belonging to the Whitebeard Pirates.
On Puto Island in the New World, the Whitebeard Pirates' Moby Dick was born.
Many Pirates who received Whitebeard's Protection joined Whitebeard's command or became Affiliated Pirate Groups.
For Pirates willing to become his Family, regardless of their Strength, he was willing to accept them.
It must be said that this was a relatively effective way to expand a Faction.
Many Pirates who found it difficult to survive under the brutal competition of the New World joined the Whitebeard Pirates.
The name "Whitebeard" Edward Newgate was a signboard; his powerful Strength was worthy of his Subordinates' trust.
The Strength of the Whitebeard Pirates was rapidly expanding.
Although they lacked High-End Combat Power, their Overall Strength was already not weak.
Whitebeard didn't care about Territory, or rather, Whitebeard simply didn't need Territory.
The Moby Dick was his home, and the Crewmates were his Family.
As long as the Moby Dick and his Family were together, it didn't matter where they were.
But some things were not as simple as imagined.
As the Faction grew larger, the Whitebeard Pirates inevitably had to initiate War and Plunder Territory.
Undoubtedly, "Whitebeard" Edward Newgate was being pushed forward.
Many of his Children hoped he would participate in this Hegemony.
In their view, their Pops was the strongest, a Strongman not inferior to "Golden Lion" Shiki at all.
How could they let the Flying Pirates monopolize the spotlight?
Whitebeard certainly wouldn't refuse the requests of his Family; he needed to contend for Living Space for his Family.
In the New World, Islands were Resources.
Without Stable Territory, it was difficult to support the Development of a large Faction.
This situation was even more difficult, especially since many Territories in the New World already had owners.
Whitebeard didn't consider the Former Half of the New World, and the Latter Half of the New World had been completely divided.
The only option left was the middle section of the New World.
The North was the Territory of the Pluto Pirates.
The only choice was the northernmost part.
Whitebeard didn't want to be neighbors with Linlin, Hades, and Shiki; there was simply no Development Space.
The central part was divided by John and Silver Axe.
That left only the Sea Area slightly south of the center.
The Whitebeard Pirates occupied about thirty-odd Islands, becoming neighbors with the Byrnndi Pirates and still some distance from the Tyrant Dragon Pirates.
Such Territory couldn't even be considered an Overlord-level Force in the New World.
But the neighboring Factions dared not underestimate them.
Whitebeard's Combatant Strength alone was equivalent to the Overall Strength of a Hegemon-level Pirate Group.
"Pops, when are we making a move? Everyone's been training excitedly lately."
The Territory of thirty-odd Islands was too limited compared to other powerful Pirate Crews.
Pineapple-headed Marco shouted excitedly, with other members of the Whitebeard Pirates beside him.
"Gurararara! Keep getting Stronger! When Shiki's War ends, that's when we'll make our move."
Whitebeard laughed confidently.
But the truth was, he was actually clear about the situation: the current Whitebeard Pirates were too young, too weak.
If they were to face the upcoming competition in this state, the casualties would definitely be very heavy.
Of course, War was unavoidable; the Whitebeard Pirates had to expand.
Even casualties were unavoidable in the brutal competition of the New World.
Whitebeard had long been mentally prepared.
What he could do now was continuously train his Children, waiting for them to grow stronger.
That way, the number of casualties in future Wars would be reduced.
Even the future First Mate, Marco, is only fourteen years old now.
He ate the Mythical Zoan, Bird-Bird Fruit, Phoenix Form, but still has no fame in the New World.
In the current Whitebeard Pirates, he is just an ordinary Apprentice Member.
As for expanding Territory, Whitebeard currently had no such Plan.
The current Territory was barely enough.
In the New World, Strength was everything.
Without Strength, no matter how much Territory you had, it was nothing.
The current brutal competitive environment meant that the Development of the Whitebeard Pirates could no longer be as easy as in the past.
And as for the War between the Flying Pirates and the other three Pirate Crews, he had no intention of intervening.
That was Shiki's War.
Even the "Demon King" Nash, that brat, didn't intervene, let alone him.
Anyone who dared to intervene in this battle would undoubtedly force the War to temporarily stop.
Whitebeard was certain that if the Whitebeard Pirates attacked the John Pirates, the John Pirates would immediately turn around and attack the Whitebeard Pirates.
And the War between the John Pirates and the Flying Pirates would also directly pause.
Whitebeard understood them; this was certain.
Without sufficient Strength, do not easily interfere in the Wars of other Factions.
The current Whitebeard Pirates clearly did not have such Strength.
Once War broke out, the Whitebeard Pirates would inevitably Collapse across the board.
Originally, the Whitebeard Pirates could have wandered the Great Sea safely and happily, but since they had embarked on this path, there was no turning back.
Perhaps Whitebeard didn't regret it, but having reached this situation, Whitebeard definitely had to take responsibility.
He didn't have absolute Control over the Pirate Crew; instead, he had always followed his sons.
"Will you not regret it?"
Hades had always watched the Development of the Whitebeard Pirates.
In his view, this was a road of no return, one that would ultimately lead to destruction.
Hades understood Whitebeard; he probably wouldn't regret it.
He would ultimately feel pain, pushing the responsibility onto himself, believing that he failed to protect his sons.
Perhaps they would reach glory, but they would definitely pay a heavy price.
These Children would die in large numbers in the upcoming Wars.
This Era was ultimately different.
In this Era belonging to Hegemons, they would not face those small Pirates.
Not the Pirates who would tremble and dare not offend them merely by relying on "Whitebeard's" prestige.
They were Whitebeard's former companions, who might be wary of Whitebeard's Strength but would not fear Whitebeard.
On the contrary, the current Whitebeard Pirates were the soft target.
Even "Tyrant Dragon" Zak, if members of the Whitebeard Pirates dared to provoke him, would give them a profound impression.
Hades knew that such things would happen.
Children raised in a greenhouse, believing they can do whatever they want relying on Whitebeard's fame, will ultimately bring disaster.
And Whitebeard himself, due to his doting on his Children, would once again be forced into a passive position.
(end of chapter)