Majestic dragons broke free from the constraints of the clouds, roaring as they pierced through layers upon layers of mist, soaring straight upward.
Their massive bodies stood out strikingly against the azure sky, each movement seeming to carry the force of a thousand jun, leaving long, ribbon-like trails across the sapphire-blue heavens.
Ron stood tall and straight atop a dragon's head, the sea wind wildly whipping his clothes, yet unable to disperse the determination etched between his brows.
At that moment, Whitebeard's figure slowly approached.
Those around him, sensing his imposing aura, instinctively made way.
It seemed he was heading toward Ron—the two captains likely had important matters to discuss.
"Captain," Ron spoke without turning around, his voice somewhat muffled by the howling sea wind yet carrying an undeniable firmness.
"How much do you know about the Ancient Weapons?"
Hearing this, Whitebeard's raised bottle of liquor abruptly paused.
The liquid sloshed inside the flask, refracting amber light under the sun.
After a brief moment of contemplation, he tilted his head back and downed the drink in one go.
"Gurararara... So you've finally gotten to the main point, kid."
Whitebeard laughed heartily, his fingers slowly tracing the hilt of Murakumogiri.
The texture of the hilt seemed to carry the marks of time under his touch.
"Pluton, Poseidon, Uranus—the three great weapons that have the power to destroy the world." His voice was low and grave.
When it came to the Ancient Weapons, even he became solemn.
Below them, a vast, boundless ocean shimmered under the sunlight.
Suddenly, a giant Sea King leaped out from beneath the water like a moving mountain, its enormous body gleaming with an eerie radiance under the sun.
It soared high, sending pearl-like droplets scattering in all directions, then crashed back into the sea with a deafening roar.
Whitebeard's gaze closely followed the massive wave stirred up by the Sea King's leap, his eyes revealing a trace of concern and depth.
"Princess Shirahoshi of Fish-Man Island is the current 'Poseidon.'" His voice suddenly grew somber, as if he had fallen into a distant and heavy memory.
"That's why I've protected Fish-Man Island all these years... Such power should not be exploited by those with ambition."
Ron's pupils contracted slightly, a faint, almost imperceptible tremor flashing in his eyes.
He had already known the answer, but hearing it confirmed directly from Whitebeard's lips still stirred ripples in his heart.
No wonder Whitebeard had gone to such lengths to protect Fish-Man Island, located ten thousand meters below the surface—this was the reason.
"As for Pluton..." Whitebeard slightly furrowed his brow, the wrinkles on his forehead deepening.
"The legendary battleship said to be capable of destroying an island with a single cannon shot? I've only heard fragments about it from Roger."
At that moment, a flock of News Coos suddenly swept across the sky below, their feathers shimmering in the sunlight.
Whitebeard lowered his head thoughtfully as he watched them.
"And Uranus..." Whitebeard's voice grew even deeper. "Even the Poneglyphs remain elusive about it—as if it had been completely erased from history by some force."
Ron suddenly turned around, the tip of White Moon precisely pointing to the Land of Wano on the sea chart.
His eyes revealed a firm resolve as he spoke bluntly, "Captain, Pluton is right here."
His voice was as soft as a whisper, yet it clearly reached Whitebeard's ears in the quiet sky.
That voice seemed to carry an invisible force, causing the wine gourd in Whitebeard's hand to clatter to the ground.
"Beneath the Land of Wano..." Whitebeard frowned slightly, a trace of shock in his eyes, clearly deeply shaken by this news.
Then he slowly spoke, his voice tinged with emotion.
"No wonder that brat Kaido is clinging so desperately to this place!"
The two suddenly fell into a brief silence, with only the howling sea wind swirling around them.
The sea breeze brushed against their faces, yet it couldn't disperse the turmoil stirred in their hearts by the Ancient Weapons.
But this matter was far from simple on the surface.
Whitebeard's rough powerful hand slowly rubbed the heavy hilt of Murakumogiri, each stroke seeming to carry immense weight.
His brows were tightly locked together, two deeply carved furrows gathering in confusion, making the surrounding air feel stagnant.
"Something's not right..." his low voice broke the brief silence. "With that madman Kaido's temperament, if he knew Pluton was right beneath his feet, hmph, he'd probably have turned the Land of Wano upside down like an out-of-control bull by now."
Pausing slightly at this point, a deep contemplation showed in his eyes.
Then, Whitebeard slowly picked up the wine gourd that had accompanied him for many years, tilting his head back to take a large gulp.
The liquor flowed freely in his mouth, dripping down his silver-streaked beard one drop at a time onto the solid deck, making soft pattering sounds.
"That kid dreams of making a greatest war. With an invincible weapon like Pluton..." As he spoke, Whitebeard made an explosive gesture with his broad hand, waving it through the air.
"He would have blasted the New World flat long ago. There wouldn't be this current peace."
Ron leaned quietly against the massive dragon horn nearby, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned in a composed smile.
"So we're quite fortunate—Kaido truly doesn't know this secret."
Whitebeard suddenly turned, his gaze completely enveloping Ron, sharp as a blade as he stared intently, as if trying to detect some clue from Ron's eyes.
"Wait... how do you know all this so clearly?" Whitebeard's voice carried a probing tone. "Have you seen the Road Poneglyphs?"
"No." Ron met Whitebeard's hawk-like gaze frankly, without any retreat or evasion.
"Just information I happened to come across."
As he spoke, he slowly looked toward the distant, faintly visible thunderclouds rolling and surging on the horizon.
"Kozuki Sukiyaki guarded this secret with his life, and Kaido remains completely in the dark, knowing nothing."
Whitebeard suddenly grinned, exuding an air of boldness and dominance.
"Gurararara! So we should actually thank Kaido?"