Ron's White Moon scabbard clanged as he planted it on the ground, his gaze fixed directly on Crocodile's eyes.
After a moment of tense silence, he revealed a rare, genuine smile.
"If your loyalty is true..."
The Space Ring on Ron's finger suddenly glowed.
A leaf floated out from his inventory before transforming into a glowing golden parchment in mid-air. Ron had written only one sentence on it.
[Eternal loyalty to Ron; Death to betrayers.]
"After signing this contract, I, Ron, am never stingy with my own people."
Without any hesitation, under Douglas Bullet's scalp-numbing stare, Crocodile signed it without even reading the finer details!
The moment the signature was completed, the golden contract transformed into two beams of light that vanished into both of their foreheads.
The contract was activated.
Ron's gaze lingered on Crocodile for a moment with a flash of appreciation in his eyes.
This once-ambitious schemer who had plotted to steal Alabasta now carried an air of genuine sincerity.
Crocodile was truly a figure capable of stirring storms in the New World, possessing a sharp eye for assessing situations and the pragmatism to seize them.
"Very well."
Ron flicked his fingers, and another ring embedded with a golden-yellow gem fell into Crocodile's palm.
"This is a Flight Ring. Though you can fly by transforming into sand, this makes it more convenient and saves your stamina."
He rarely showed such a sincere smile.
"You're my first true follower. I won't treat you poorly."
However, this exchange elicited varied reactions from the two legendary figures in the corner.
Shiki the Golden Lion's golden hair stirred without wind, while his twin blades, Oto and Kogarashi, trembled slightly in their scabbards.
He glanced sideways at Bullet and whispered in a low voice.
"Hey, Fusion Brat... What do you think?" His fingers unconsciously rubbed his hilts. "Making me serve as Whitebeard's subordinate? In your dreams!"
Shiki and Bullet muttered discontentedly.
Though Ron was outstanding, generous, and possessed many inexplicable abilities, he was ultimately a member of the Whitebeard Pirates—and a Vice-Captain at that.
If they joined Ron's security team, wouldn't they effectively become mere bodyguards for the Whitebeard Pirates? This was entirely unacceptable to the prideful Golden Lion.
Bullet crossed his arms, his muscular limbs still bearing burn marks from his battle with Akainu.
Yet his gaze remained fixed on White Moon at Ron's waist—that demon blade that had sliced through the Fleet Admiral's Armament Haki.
If it struck him... The thought made his muscles tense involuntarily.
"That kid's strength..." Bullet gritted out through clenched teeth. "I acknowledge it."
He turned away awkwardly. "But asking for equipment on my knees like Crocodile? Hmph! Not happening."
Their whispers fell like fine sand into a tranquil lake, creating clear ripples in Whitebeard's keen Observation Haki perception.
The Emperor of the Sea silently scanned the temple, his eyes lingering on each familiar face.
Marco was watching Ron's ring with keen interest, while Jozu grinned foolishly at his new diamond lightsaber.
These sons of his now wore long-absent, relaxed smiles.
They had survived a war that should have killed them all.
"Gurararara!"
Whitebeard suddenly burst into laughter, rising to his feet with Murakumogiri in hand.
Seeing everyone's stunned expressions, he took a deep breath and solemnly declared.
"From today onward—Ron is the new Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates!"
CRASH.
The crisp sound of shattering wine cups echoed one after another.
Marco's blue flames extinguished with a poof, Jozu's diamond body froze in place, and even Shiki's cigar dropped onto the priceless carpet.
"P-Pops?!" Marco's voice cracked.
But Whitebeard laughed even more heartily, waving his large hand.
"I've grown old!" The butt of his supreme blade thudded heavily against the ground. "This era should be left to you youngsters to stir up! I'll just be an old man drinking and watching the show... providing you all a safety net!"
Ron stared incredulously at Whitebeard. "Captain, what are you doing? You've been leading us so well..."
"Don't ask!" Whitebeard glared playfully, then suddenly lowered his voice slyly. "You're the Captain now. Decide for yourself."
"Gurararara! I've drifted across the seas for most of my life... Now I just want to sunbathe all day!"
As he spoke, he suddenly straightened his face and began tapping each of his sons' heads with the hilt of his blade.
BONK. BONK. BONK.
"Listen up, you brats! From now on, follow Ron and work hard!"
A crisp metallic clang echoed as he knocked on Jozu's hard head.
"This is our new home. It's no longer like before..."
His voice suddenly softened, his gaze sweeping over sons like Marco and Vista.
"...No longer having to worry about having nowhere to dock."
When Whitebeard turned back to Ron, his eyes—which had seen decades of the sea—held a cunning and profound meaning.
"Boy, you won't blame this old man for acting on his own, will you?"
Ron was momentarily stunned, then shook his head with a bitter smile.
Indeed, ginger gets spicier with age.
Whitebeard must have noticed the tension with Shiki and Bullet.
He had seen through the true scheme behind the Eternal Divine Kingdom.
By stepping down, he removed the final barrier preventing the world's strongest lone wolves from joining Ron.
This sudden entrustment was both absolute trust and masterful wisdom.
"The Captain has spoken..."
Ron placed his right hand over his chest, performing a solemn pirate salute.
"Of course, no problem. From today onward, the Whitebeard Pirates are officially incorporated into the Eternal Divine Kingdom!"
Marco's blue flames suddenly blazed brightly as he laughed and shouted.
"We pledge to follow Captain Ron unto death!"
Followed by the dull thud of Jozu's diamond knees hitting the ground, and Vista's rose petals drifting down...
In the blink of an eye, the entire Whitebeard Pirates had sworn loyalty to their new leader.
Whitebeard stroked his crescent mustache contentedly, secretly winking at Ron.
He didn't even glance at the two legendary pirates in the corner who were now completely out of excuses.
"Gurararara... Now I can finally drink in peace!"
...
Night fell like a vast black silk curtain, slowly enveloping the entire Eternal Divine Kingdom.
Yet, on this seemingly ordinary night, the sky of the Kingdom was as bright as day, as if lit by an invisible giant hand.
Twenty-One Floating Islands, like brilliant stars in the night sky, simultaneously burst forth with dazzling radiance.
BOOM! CRACKLE!
Countless specially-made flares exploded in the night sky, dancing and flashing wildly.
The light from these fireworks intertwined, adding a dreamlike quality to this grand celebration.
At the central plaza of the Main Island, a scene of bustling excitement unfolded.
Banquet tables stretching for miles coiled through the plaza like a majestic dragon, showcasing the prosperity and flourishing wealth of the Eternal Divine Kingdom.
The tables were laden with rare delicacies gathered from across the Four Blues, each dish emitting an enticing aroma:
Precious seafood from the deep ocean, their scales shimmering with rainbow hues under the festival lights.
Exotic game from distant islands, expertly prepared by master chefs, releasing rich fragrances that made mouths water.
Rivers of premium rum and sake flowing endlessly into massive wooden tankards.
"Cheers! To victory!"
"To the new Captain!"
"To the Eternal Divine Kingdom!"
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