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Several days passed in a flash.
All five hundred residential units in Hoenn Community sold out. Only a small portion of the villa area remained unsold, yet countless pirates still eagerly sought to buy houses. They constantly inquired about availability outside the community.
Daichi made a fortune. His personal wealth once again exceeded the 10 billion mark, finally giving him the capital to return home in glory.
Within the community, the number of residents rapidly increased.
The pirates who bought houses eagerly moved into their new homes. They strolled downstairs when they had nothing to do, happily greeting their former enemies like good neighbors.
Hoenn Community Rule Number One: No fighting. Those who severely violate this rule will be permanently expelled from the community.
If you want to fight, go outside.
In the villa area:
"Marco, come help!"
Jozu excitedly pulled Marco to his yard.
"I want to fill this place with flowers!"
"You like flowers?"
Marco was stunned. He never knew Jozu had this hobby.
Jozu scratched his head, smiling happily. "I didn't have the chance before. There was no place to grow flowers on the ship."
"That's true."
Marco nodded in agreement.
For decades, they had mostly lived on the ship with limited space. Where would they find room to grow plants?
Now they had their own houses.
Although their home remained the Moby Dick, owning a house undoubtedly made them feel secure. It was like having their own small home that they wanted to care for.
"Let me think about what to plant!"
"No rush."
Marco and Jozu worked in the yard while other division commanders explored their new homes, running up and down, finding everything new and exciting.
They had never lived in such exquisite houses.
On the ship, having a small private room was already a commander's privilege. They had to compete with smelly crewmates for baths and toilets—quite an experience.
Moreover, they had drifted on the sea for most of their lives, long losing the vigor of youth. A stable life was what they yearned for now.
Plus, the house was worth 100 million berries.
It was hard not to love it.
On a small path in the villa area, Daichi and Whitebeard walked side by side.
Whitebeard looked at Daichi. "Gurarararara, you audacious brat, making me come to see you personally."
"Whitebeard, look at what you're saying. I wanted to visit you on the ship, but I thought you should see how happy your sons are."
Daichi smiled playfully.
"Hmph!"
Whitebeard snorted coldly.
In recent days, Marco and the others barely returned to the ship. Even when they did, they would only stay briefly before eagerly rushing back here.
He indeed wanted to see what his sons were doing here. Otherwise, he wouldn't have come. Meeting Daichi was just secondary.
Now that he saw it, it was problematic.
No wonder his sons didn't want to return.
A cunning and devious brat!
Daichi accompanied Whitebeard on the stroll, and they soon arrived at Villa No. 1, which he had specially prepared for Whitebeard.
The two sat in the pavilion in the yard.
Daichi poured tea for Whitebeard.
"Whitebeard, how do you like this place?"
"Average."
Whitebeard's gaze remained calm.
The living environment was indeed very good, but he wasn't as easily impressed as his sons. He was no longer confined to superficial things.
Daichi smiled without speaking.
Heh, an old man who says one thing but means another.
Whitebeard took a sip of tea, his brows slightly furrowed.
"What do you want from me, kid?"
"Whitebeard, I want to talk to you about the future of the Whitebeard Pirates."
Daichi spoke calmly.
The atmosphere in the yard suddenly grew cold.
Whitebeard stared at Daichi, then suddenly threw his head back and laughed. "Our future? Gurarararara, you little brat who hasn't even fully grown—do you intend to tell me what to do?"
The air trembled from his laughter!
The unusual situation immediately caught the commanders' attention.
"It's Pops!"
They saw Whitebeard had arrived and knew he was walking with Daichi. But the current situation likely meant Whitebeard was angry.
Without a word, the commanders immediately rushed toward Whitebeard's location.
In the yard:
Daichi drank his tea, his expression unchanged. "Whitebeard, given your physical condition, how many more years can you last?"
Whitebeard's gaze deepened. He waved his hand at his approaching sons, signaling them not to come closer.
He knew his own situation. His physical condition was indeed deteriorating. He could only last three to five more years at most.
That time was too short.
"What exactly do you want to say?"
"I'm just stating facts."
Daichi looked at the commanders outside the yard.
"After Roger's death, the Whitebeard Pirates have dominated the seas for twenty years. But glory always has its end."
"When you depart, where will the Whitebeard Pirates go?"
Whitebeard fell silent.
Having sailed the seas his entire life, he had long come to terms with life and death. Now, his only concern was his sons.
He knew better than anyone what would happen after his death. Pirates craving the Yonko throne would swarm them, dividing everything he once possessed.
With Marco and the others' strength, they couldn't carry the banner of a Yonko crew. The only one who could take over as captain was Ace.
But Ace was too young and inexperienced.
"Before Roger died, he disbanded the Roger Pirates himself. The crew members disappeared without a trace. Now only Red-Haired Shanks remains active."
Daichi stared at Whitebeard.
"The Whitebeard Pirates are the same. Without you, do you think Marco and the others will continue being pirates?"
Whitebeard met his gaze coldly.
"Don't be angry!"
Daichi maintained his smile, pointing to the commanders.
"You just saw how happy they are in their new homes."
"Whitebeard, the commanders have followed you for most of their lives. Even if they haven't grown tired of traveling, they will eventually."
"Moreover, they can't always live under your protection. Sooner or later, they must bear life's burdens alone."
"As a father, shouldn't you consider their future? Don't you want to see your sons settle down, marry, and have children?"
Settle down, marry, and have children!
Even the relatively young Marco was over forty years old. Not too old, but past the age of hot-blooded adventure. Even if Ace really took over as captain, it would be difficult for the commanders to continue adventuring with him. Ace was too young and would create his own crew in the future. He couldn't rely on aging veterans forever.
Just as Kaido cared about Yamato and Page One, he didn't pay them excessive attention. After all, newcomers would eventually replace the old guard.
"Settle down..."
A hint of longing flashed in Whitebeard's eyes.
As a father whose end was near, he naturally wished his sons could live better lives. He hoped they could have their own families.
But they were pirates.
Family was too luxurious for them.
"Gurarararara, Daichi."
Whitebeard looked at Daichi, sighing inwardly.
Having discussed this much, how could he not guess Daichi's intentions?
If his sons settled down and formed unbreakable ties, they would inevitably be used by Daichi in the future. They wouldn't be able to stay neutral.
But this didn't mean it was bad.
His sons had followed him for so many years and no longer yearned for adventure. Sacrificing a little freedom for family and stable life was undoubtedly worthwhile.
Hoenn Community gave his sons a new life choice.
Now it seemed that from the very beginning, Daichi had planned everything. Even the Whitebeard Pirates were within his calculations.
Even his thoughts had been seen through.
"Gurarararara!"
Whitebeard stood up and laughed toward the sky.
The entire Hachinosu trembled!
"Daichi, in my long life as Edward Newgate, I have seen countless excellent young people. But no one is better than you!"
"I declare you the strongest!"
"Thank you for the compliment!"
Daichi's lips curved into a smile.
Whitebeard's approval: achieved.