Hearing Ayr's words, Whitebeard shook his head slightly, then tossed him the fine wine in his hand. He crossed his arms and spoke bluntly.
"Why did you join the Rocks Pirates, Ayr?"
" …?"
Ayr caught the bottle and blinked at the question. He was still trying to figure out why so many people were talking to him today. First it was Golden Lion and Charlotte Linlin trying to recruit him. Then Rocks pulled him aside and made a deal and now Whitebeard was standing at his door out of nowhere, saying this?
"What the hell are these guys trying to do…?" he muttered inside, sighing.
The reason he'd joined this crew was simple, he wanted power. He wanted to grow stronger, to find Devil Fruit, and nothing more. Instead of answering Whitebeard, he replied with a question of his own.
"Before you ask me that, First mate Newgate, maybe you should explain why you're standing at my door."
"It's nothing serious " Whitebeard said. "I just figured I should tell you something."
"Oh?" Ayr raised an eyebrow and gave a slight chuckle. "You came here to warn me?"
"Rocks is dangerous. I'd stay away from him if I were you. Don't rely on anything he promises. The moment your goals go against his, he'll forget every word."
Whitebeard stepped closer, put a hand on Ayr's shoulder, and spoke seriously.
"You're still young. Maybe you don't see how dark this sea really is, or how twisted people can be."
Whitebeard hadn't come here randomly. Earlier that morning, he'd watched Ayr reject the offers from Golden Lion and Charlotte Linlin. Ayr clearly had no intention of joining any faction. He seemed to be walking his own path, even within a crew like this.
And that struck a chord.
Whitebeard had once been the same. He'd joined the Rocks Pirates searching for something that resembled family. But this ship had only disappointed him. Rocks wanted to rule the world. And the so called crewmates fought each other constantly, stole from one another, even killed each other. There was no warmth here, just tension and blood.
That was why Whitebeard had chosen to stay distant from everyone. And now, seeing Ayr act in a similar way, he felt a strange sense of connection.
So he'd come here to offer a quiet warning. Whether Ayr listened or not was up to him.
Ayr looked at him and smiled slightly. He hadn't expected Whitebeard to say something like that.
Whitebeard seemed like a decent man, loyal, emotional. There was probably no harm in getting a bit closer to someone like him.
But as for Rocks… Ayr knew too much. He'd already seen what kind of person that man truly was. Whitebeard's warning, while kind, wasn't needed.
"Well, it's your choice, Ayr," Whitebeard said. He didn't push further. He simply turned and left.
He didn't know who Ayr really was. But because of that small feeling of similarity, he'd taken the chance to speak.
Whitebeard had spent years among the worst kinds of people, but his hope for family hadn't faded. If possible, he wouldn't mind having someone to drink with,even here.
Watching him go, Ayr shrugged.
"Edward Newgate… Whitebeard"
He muttered the name once and didn't think too much about it. He uncorked the wine, took a swig, and collapsed onto the bed.
⸻
The next day.
Sunlight broke through the small window, warming Ayr's face. He stretched, got out of bed, washed up, and stepped out into the salty breeze.
But as he reached the deck, he noticed a crowd had gathered. Dozens of crew members were sitting around, talking loudly and excitedly like something fun had just happened.
Curious, Ayr strolled over to see what all the fuss was about.