Edward Newgate, the man known across the Grand Line as Whitebeard, slowly opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was the deep-sea sky stretching above Fish-Man Island. It looked exceptionally clear, likely due to the massive energy impact from their battle, yet it remained dyed in the dreamlike, shimmering colors of the island's protective bubble.
He immediately noticed the state of his body. He felt an unprecedented lightness, as if a thousand-pound burden had been lifted from his shoulders. The old injuries and lingering sickness that had plagued him for years—the scars of a thousand battles—had vanished without a trace. A surging, vibrant power flowed through his limbs, making him feel even stronger than he had been before his health declined. This strange, reborn sensation left the old pirate momentarily disoriented.
"Pops! You're finally awake!"
"That's great! Pops is back!"
"How do you feel? Is anything still hurting?"
The choked, ecstatic cries of his sons pulled him back to reality. He turned his head slightly and saw Marco, Jozu, Vista, and several others gathered around him. Their faces were stained with fresh tears, and their eyes held a complex mix of excitement and worry. However, beneath the joy, Whitebeard saw a hint of deep-seated pain and humiliation that they were trying to hide.
His gaze swept past his sons' shoulders and landed on a black-haired young man standing nearby. The man had his arms crossed and a half-smile on his face—Takuro. This was the warrior who had defeated him with absolute power, a force so overwhelming it had nearly sent him to the afterlife.
A brief silence hung in the air. A flash of understanding crossed Whitebeard's deep eyes. He struggled to sit up, and Marco quickly moved to help him, handling his captain with careful reverence. Even though his body felt perfect, the weight of his defeat and the mystery of his recovery made the seasoned veteran pause.
He looked at Takuro, his voice steady but carrying a hint of inquiry. "Was it you who saved me?"
Takuro nodded without hesitation. His tone was casual, as if they were just discussing the weather. "That's right. How do you feel, old man?"
Whitebeard didn't mind the bluntness. He simply pressed further. "Why? Why save an enemy you just crushed?"
"Why?" Takuro scoffed. He raised a hand and pointed at Marco and the others, who were now kneeling nearby with their heads bowed low. "You should ask your sons. It was a trade. I exchanged your life for their complete submission to me. It's a fair deal, don't you think?"
Whitebeard's massive frame trembled almost imperceptibly. He slowly turned his head toward Marco. Feeling his father's gaze, Marco lowered his head even further. His voice was thick with shame.
"I'm sorry, Pops," Marco whispered. "I failed to protect the Whitebeard Pirates. We made a choice that tarnished our glory... just to keep you with us."
The words were filled with agony, as if each syllable burned Marco's throat. However, the reprimand he expected never came. Instead, Whitebeard's large, scarred hand came to rest gently on Marco's shoulder. He shook his head, and his iconic, hearty laugh rang out, though it now carried an indescribable weight of tenderness.
"Gurararara! Silly son, I'm the one who should be saying sorry."
He looked at the men he regarded as his own children, his eyes full of a father's love. "I was the one who lost. As a father, I wasn't strong enough to protect you. That is my greatest failure."
His voice rose, filled with deep self-reproach. "To save this useless old man, you didn't hesitate to cast aside your dignity and kneel before an enemy. I'm so grateful for that love that I couldn't possibly blame you!"
Those words acted like a warm current, breaking through the dam of guilt in the hearts of his crew. Even a tough man like Jozu couldn't stop his eyes from reddening, and Vista gripped his swords so tightly his knuckles turned white. All their grief and sacrifice felt worthwhile in the face of their father's understanding. For Pops, they would give everything—their lives, their pride, and their futures.
Just as the emotional moment reached its peak, a lazy, untimely voice cut through the air.
"Hey, hey, hey. Save the family reunion for later."
Takuro dug at his ear, looking completely bored by the display of affection. "The deal is done, so it's time to settle the bill. Now, old man Whitebeard, and the rest of you troublemakers, listen up. From today on, you're all my subordinates. Do you understand?"
His words were domineering, leaving no room for a counter-argument. Whitebeard remained silent for a moment. Having sailed the seas for decades, he understood the rules of the ocean better than anyone. The strong prey on the weak. The winner takes the prize. The loser forfeits everything, including their freedom. That was the raw truth of the pirate world. He had lost utterly, so it was only natural for him and his family to serve the victor.
Besides, deep down, he didn't feel as much resistance as he expected. The battle with Takuro had shown him the changing tides of the era. The Great Pirate Era started by Roger had produced many heroes, but the man standing before him was a storm that would swallow the entire world. Whitebeard was old. Even though his body was now healed, his ambition wasn't what it used to be. His only dream had been to protect the family that called him "Pops."
If he were to truly fall one day, who would shelter his sons? The Marines? The World Government? The other Yonko who were constantly watching for a moment of weakness? None of them were as reliable as a powerhouse with absolute strength.
Furthermore, looking at how Takuro treated Fisher Tiger, Nico Robin, and even his defeated enemies, he didn't seem like a cruel or petty man. Takuro was arrogant and overbearing, but he was direct. He had immense power but disdained dirty tricks, and he kept his word. Entrusting his family to such a person might not be the worst fate.
With that thought, Whitebeard's mind cleared. He raised his hand to stop his sons, who looked ready to object, and looked calmly at Takuro. "I understand the rules of the sea," he said in a deep voice.
He took a deep breath and announced in a booming tone that echoed through the plaza. "In that case, from today onwards... the Whitebeard Pirates are hereby disbanded!"
"What?!" Marco cried out.
"Pops, you can't be serious!" Jozu shouted.
The crew reacted violently. Disbanding was worse than death to them. That name was their home, a banner that carried all their memories and glory.
"Silence!" Whitebeard roared, his authority unquestionable. "If you lose, you admit it! If you get beaten, you stand at attention! Don't let anyone think the Whitebeard Pirates are a bunch of cowards who can't take a loss!"
His rebuke silenced the plaza. Though their faces were filled with sorrow, they didn't dare protest further. They simply clenched their teeth and held back their tears.
"Hey, hold on a second," Takuro interrupted, frowning with impatience. "Who said anything about disbanding? You guys think way too much of yourselves."
Whitebeard blinked, looking at Takuro in confusion. Even Marco and the others raised their heads, looking bewildered.
Takuro looked at them like they were idiots. "You think joining my 'Golden Group' is that easy? Looking at your crying, pathetic faces right now, I'm not even impressed. I don't take in losers who have given up."
The words were incredibly blunt, making the Whitebeard Pirates flush with a mix of anger and shame, but they couldn't find the words to argue.
"Then... what do you want us to do?" Marco asked hoarsely.
Takuro waved his hand dismissively. "You guys head back to your territory first. Heal your wounds, get your act together, and reorganize. Just stay put and wait for my notice."
"What kind of notice?" Whitebeard pressed, sensing that Takuro's plans were much larger than just gaining a few subordinates.
Takuro's face twisted into his characteristic wild, arrogant smile. In his dark eyes, a spark of fire seemed to burn. He raised a hand and pointed straight up, as if his finger could pierce through ten thousand meters of ocean and the very top of the Red Line.
"The notice that I'm going to storm Mary Geoise," Takuro declared. "I'm going to go up there and beat the hell out of those bastards who call themselves gods!"
----------------
You can read advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion