The crimson crescent Moon drifted across the night sky, scattering fragmented beams of silver light.
Beneath its glow, the Moby Dick, battered and patched, floated precariously on the restless sea.
Around it, allied pirate crews of the Whitebeard Pirates formed a dense formation, clustering the Moby Dick in the center like planets orbiting a moon. Despite its severe damage, the ship's keel remained intact, allowing it to stay afloat after essential repairs.
The ship was brightly illuminated, the decks alive with celebration. Banquets were underway, while other pirate crews maintained their vigilance yet joined in the joyous festivities.
"Ah ha ha ha, Ace! You're too funny!"
At the center of the celebration, Luffy animatedly twisted his face in one of his comedic transformations.
"Ah ah ah… you scared me to death…"
Whoosh!
All of Luffy's facial features flew outward, leaving him staring blankly at the horizon.
"Ah ha ha…"
"Pfft! Hahaha!"
"That's hilarious! Ga ga ga ga…"
The Whitebeard Pirates' commanders doubled over with laughter, covering their mouths in mirth.
In their eyes, after surviving a battle that could have ended their lives, the Whitebeard Pirates had achieved a tremendous victory. They had not only rescued Ace but had also devastated Marineford.
Though likely no Marines had perished, their prestige had been severely diminished. The battle had no definitive victor, yet the successful rescue of Ace marked a symbolic triumph for the Whitebeard Pirates.
The only lingering grievance was that Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit power had been stolen by the traitor Teach, the Blackbeard. Vengeance would come, sooner or later.
…
In a dimly lit room aboard the Moby Dick, Whitebeard sat, observing a few mournful figures standing in sorrow.
Fire Fist Ace, Marco the Phoenix, Jozu the Diamond, Flower Sword Vista, and Jinbe, the Knight of the Sea.
"Whitebeard… is he truly gone?" Jinbe asked, incredulous, his voice trembling.
Yet before him sat Whitebeard, alive but under the control of Shirogai.
"Those who died have been revived, yet Whitebeard's fate is unique," Shirogai said calmly.
"Newgate's body suffered numerous internal injuries due to the Tremor-Tremor Fruit. Its vitality was forcibly replenished, yet decay continues. Even without combat, basic bodily functions would fail. Today, I used Reignition Hormone to fully burn away the remaining vitality. Once completely exhausted, life ends naturally."
Shirogai stood, his expression serene yet exuding an authority that weighed heavily on all present.
"Whitebeard's death was the natural conclusion of his life. Such a person cannot be preserved indefinitely."
"Whitebeard! I failed you!" Ace knelt on the deck, tears streaming, flames flickering around him. The grief over losing both his brother and father triggered an awakening of his Devil Fruit ability.
His once-searing flames now carried a chilling cold, freezing the deck with an icy frost.
The transformation stemmed from his despair and the confrontation with Akainu. The Magma-Magma Fruit surpassed Ace's own power, forcing his grief-stricken heart to mutate his flames into ice capable of combating the fiery magma.
"So, if you hadn't used Reignition Hormone, Whitebeard wouldn't have died?" Vista asked, his expression conflicted as he looked at Shirogai controlling Whitebeard's body.
"Do you resent me?"
Shirogai offered a poignant smile.
Vista's heart twisted. He wished the body before him had been Whitebeard's own will, not controlled by the Arrogant Emperor Shirogai.
"No! I wouldn't think that!" Vista murmured, bowing his head to avoid Shirogai's gaze.
"Whitebeard never taught us to repay kindness with enmity. Considering his condition, even without Reignition Hormone, he would have fought to save Ace to his last breath. What you did allowed him to act freely and rescue his son personally."
Vista's voice trembled with a mix of grief and gratitude.
"I thank you, Shirogai San, for saving the lives of the Whitebeard Pirates, and for allowing Whitebeard to rest without fear."
Thump!
Vista knelt decisively, abandoning all pretense of pride, kowtowing multiple times in deep respect. Others followed suit, paying their respects to Shirogai. Without him, the Whitebeard Pirates could scarcely have imagined their survival.
"Rise. I accept your gratitude in Whitebeard's body. It does not dishonor you," Shirogai said, a soft sigh accompanying his words.
"However, from now on, your actions must be discreet. Whitebeard's body cannot be exposed for long. Freeze it completely within this room. Allow no one to enter but yourselves. Preserve it at low temperatures. Should circumstances arise requiring Whitebeard's presence, contact me, and I will control him remotely."
Ace's eyes were red.
Whitebeard's body slowly reclined, and a spectral figure emerged, floating above.
"God's Hand: Ice Coffin!"
Shirogai pressed Whitebeard's arm, freezing the giant figure completely, Murakumogiri in hand, eyes closed, encased in unbreakable ice.
"Whitebeard…"
"Wuwu… Whitebeard!"
The commanders and Jinbe cried again, witnessing their captain entombed in ice. Outside, the fleets celebrated with banquets, but within, sorrow weighed heavily. The intertwined joy and grief of the Whitebeard Pirates marked the cost of this bittersweet victory.
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Season 1 Ends