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Chapter 128 - Chapter 128: I Declare You the Strongest

Several days passed in the blink of an eye.

All 500 residential units in Fortuna Community had been sold out, and only a small portion of the Villa Zone remained. Yet, countless Pirates still sought to purchase properties, gathering outside the community daily to inquire about availability.

Gurd had made a fortune, his personal coffers once again surpassing the 10-billion mark. At last, he had the capital to return home in glory.

Within the community, the number of residents rapidly increased.

Pirates who had bought properties eagerly moved into their new homes, strolling around the neighborhood in their free time and cheerfully greeting even their enemies, embodying the image of friendly neighbors.

Fortuna Community Rule No. 1: Fighting and brawling are strictly prohibited. Severe violators will be permanently expelled from the community.

If you want to fight, take it outside.

Villa Zone.

"Marco, come help me out!"

Jozu excitedly dragged Marco into his backyard.

"I want to plant flowers all over here!"

"You like flowers?"

Marco was taken aback—he never knew Jozu had such an interest.

Jozu scratched his head sheepishly, grinning. "Never really had the chance before. There wasn't any space to grow flowers on the ship."

"That's true."

Marco nodded in agreement.

For decades, they had lived almost exclusively on ships, where space was limited. There was no room for greenery.

Now, they had their own homes.

Though the Moby Dick would always be their true home, the feeling of owning a house gave them a sense of stability—like having a little place of their own to care for.

"Let me think about it!"

"No rush."

Marco and Jozu studied the yard while the other division captains ran around their new homes, upstairs and downstairs, marveling at everything.

They had never lived in such well-crafted houses before.

On the ship, having a private room was already a privilege reserved for captains. Bathing and using the restroom meant competing with a bunch of smelly crewmates—an experience that was, to put it mildly, unforgettable.

Moreover, after spending most of their lives drifting at sea, they had long lost the recklessness of their youth. What they truly yearned for now was a stable life.

And with each house costing as much as 100 million berries...

It was impossible not to love it.

Along the pathways of the Villa Zone, Gurd walked side by side with Whitebeard.

Whitebeard glanced at Gurd. "Gurarara, you've got some nerve, brat, making me come to you."

"Old man, don't say that. I would've visited you on the ship, but I wanted you to see how happy your sons are here."

Gurd grinned cheekily.

"Hmph!"

Whitebeard snorted.

These past few days, Marco and the others had barely returned to the ship. Even when they did, they only stayed briefly before rushing back here.

He had indeed wanted to see what his sons were up to—otherwise, he wouldn't have come. Meeting Gurd was just incidental.

Now that he saw it for himself...

Damn.

No wonder his sons didn't want to go back.

This cunning little devil!

Gurd strolled leisurely with Whitebeard until they arrived at Villa No. 1—the residence he had specially prepared for the Emperor.

The two sat in the pavilion in the yard.

Gurd poured tea for Whitebeard.

"So, old man Whitebeard, what do you think of this place?"

"Average."

Whitebeard's gaze remained calm.

The living conditions were indeed excellent, but unlike his easily impressed sons, he was no longer swayed by superficial comforts.

Gurd smiled without responding.

Tch. Stubborn old man.

Whitebeard took a sip of tea, his brow furrowing slightly.

"What do you want from me, brat?"

"Old man, I'd like to talk to you about the future of the Whitebeard Pirates."

Gurd spoke calmly.

The atmosphere in the courtyard instantly turned chilly.

Whitebeard stared at Gurd before suddenly throwing his head back with laughter: "Our future? Gurararara! You little brat who hasn't even grown all his feathers yet, trying to tell me what to do?"

The very air trembled from his laughter!

The unusual situation immediately caught the attention of the division commanders.

"It's Pops!"

They knew Pops had arrived and was taking a walk with Gurd, but the current situation suggested Pops might be angry.

Without needing any words, the commanders immediately rushed to Pops' location.

In the courtyard.

Gurd continued drinking tea unfazed: "Old man Whitebeard, given your current physical condition, how many more years can you hold on?"

"..."

Whitebeard's gaze darkened as he waved at his approaching sons, signaling them not to come closer.

Every family knows its own affairs - his health was indeed deteriorating rapidly, with at most three to five years left.

This time was far too short.

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

"I'm merely stating facts."

Gurd looked toward the commanders outside the courtyard.

"After Roger's death, the Whitebeard Pirates have dominated the seas for twenty years, but even the brightest glory must eventually fade."

"When you're gone, what will become of the Whitebeard Pirates?"

"..."

Whitebeard remained silent.

Having sailed the seas his entire life, he'd long since made peace with mortality. Now his only concern was for his sons.

He understood better than anyone what would happen after his death - pirates craving the title of Four Emperors would swarm in, carving up everything he'd built.

Marco and the others lacked the strength to bear the banner of the Four Emperors. The only possible successor as captain would be Ace.

But Ace was still too green.

"Before Roger died, he disbanded the Roger Pirates himself. His crew members vanished without a trace, and now only the young Red Hair remains active."

Gurd fixed his gaze on Whitebeard.

"The same goes for the Whitebeard Pirates. Without you, do you really think Marco and the others would continue being pirates?"

"..."

Whitebeard glared coldly.

"Now don't get angry!"

Gurd responded with a smile, gesturing toward the commanders.

"You saw for yourself earlier how happy they were in their new home."

"Old man, your commanders have followed you wandering for most of their lives. Even if they haven't grown tired of the journey, they must be exhausted."

"Besides, they can't live under your protection forever. Sooner or later, they'll have to shoulder life's burdens alone."

"As their father, shouldn't you consider their future? Wouldn't you want to see your sons settle down, start families and have children of their own?"

Settle down, start families!

Even the relatively young Marco was already in his forties - not exactly old, but past the age of fiery passion.

Even if Ace did succeed as captain, the commanders would find it hard to continue adventuring with him. Ace was too young - he'd eventually form his own crew, not rely on a group of aging retainers.

Just as Gurd cared about Ulti and Page One but paid little attention to King and the others - new generations inevitably replace the old.

"Settle down..."

A flicker of longing appeared in Whitebeard's eyes.

As a father nearing his end, he naturally yearned for his sons to live better lives and have families of their own.

But they were pirates.

Family was too luxurious a concept for them.

"Gurararara, you brat Gurd."

Whitebeard looked at Gurd and sighed inwardly.

At this point, how could he not guess Gurd's intentions?

If his sons settled down and started families, forming attachments they couldn't bear to part with, they would inevitably be used by the other party in the future, making it impossible to stay out of matters.

But this didn't necessarily mean it was a bad thing.

His sons had followed him for so many years and had long stopped yearning for adventure. Trading a bit of freedom for family and a stable life was undoubtedly a worthwhile deal.

Fortuna Community had given his sons new life choices.

Now it seemed that from the very beginning, Gurd had planned everything, even having their Whitebeard Pirates in the palm of his hand.

Even his own thoughts had been seen through.

"Gurarara!!!"

Whitebeard stood up, throwing his head back in laughter.

The entire Hachinosu Island shook!

"Gurd, boy! In Edward Newgate's long life, I've seen countless outstanding young men, but none more exceptional than you!"

"I declare you the strongest!"

"I'm honored by your praise!"

Gurd's lips curled up.

Recognition from Whitebeard.jpg.

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