The remaining pirates of the Whitebeard Pirates are not all concentrated in the Shampodi Islands, as being one of the former Four Emperors in the New World, they are at least at the level of a great pirate gang, so they have skilled coating craftsmen on board who can complete the coating themselves.
Moreover, Shampodi is right under the Navy's nose, and gathering too many people there is not a good thing.
However, the current Navy is overwhelmed by the situation at sea, and Whitebeard's final declaration is like a deep-sea bomb thrown into the ocean, causing a great uproar.
Additionally, the Navy had previously drawn elite forces from around the world, concentrating elite officers at Navy Headquarters, which has left some other places unattended, and now the headquarters is frantically dealing with fires.
Knowing full well that Kaidou and Red Hair might not have left, they don't want to provoke them at this time, and they are turning a blind eye to those remaining in the Shampodi Islands, pretending not to see.
Even the stationed troops in Shampodi have retreated back to the Navy Base, ignoring everything happening outside.
Meanwhile, one of the protagonists of the War at the Summit - Fire Fist Ace is sitting despondently by the sea.
"Rayleigh, won't you say something? After all, he's Captain Roger's son."
"There's nothing to say, some things have to be walked out by oneself, besides, isn't his brother there with him.
But what about you, shouldn't you go see that young man you entrusted with Straw Hat?"
"I've seen him already, at least now he understands that the New World is still too early for him."
"Is he? By the way, what about Buggy? I saw him appear in the War at the Summit as well."
"I invited him, but he said he has his own goals, so after leaving Marinfanto, we went our separate ways."
Shanks and Rayleigh merely watched the two brothers from afar, not disturbing their company, but rather discussing some past matters.
The previous encounter only allowed Luffy to see the tip of the iceberg of power, while the War at the Summit showed him the cruelty of the world, as from the beginning of the mission to Impel Down, he encountered countless powerful foes.
The battlefield was fraught with General Level officers who presented formidable threats to him, and plunging into the New World in such a state would be akin to a death sentence, thus Luffy realized that they need to train.
Now there remains a problem, which is how to notify his comrades dispersed by Kuma, and for a moment Luffy couldn't think of a solution, so he entrusted it to Hec, while he went to have a heart-to-heart with Ace.
...
"Dad..."
Gazing at the sea in front of him, Ace's heart was far from calm.
Other than Marco lecturing him at Marinfanto, the other members of the Whitebeard Pirates didn't say much, but Ace could see that they still had negative feelings about it.
When Ace was captured, the crew members of the Whitebeard Pirates were willing to risk their lives to save him, but once Ace was saved, they harbored resentment towards Ace who initiated the war.
This attitude is not contradictory; rescuing him was because he was family, a member of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Blaming him was because his impulsiveness led to the present consequences.
Hence, not many of the Whitebeard Pirates came to comfort Ace; many themselves didn't know what attitude to adopt towards Ace.
Though it was Blackbeard who caused this, Ace's reckless pursuit of Blackbeard also carries responsibility, and without speaking of others, Ace himself can't forgive himself.
"Ace, wasn't Whitebeard Uncle actually pleased when he died?"
"Luffy, what are you talking about?"
"I mean… Whitebeard Uncle left without regrets, his laughter was heartfelt.
He wanted to save you and ultimately did, fighting with that guy named Kaidou was something he enjoyed too... I'm not good at this kind of thing!"
As he spoke, Luffy rubbed his head in frustration, finding it genuinely difficult to comfort someone.
"In any case, wasn't Whitebeard Uncle's final command for you all to live on? So living well is the greatest tribute to Whitebeard Uncle!"
"Seriously, to think it's already your turn to lecture me?"
Ace could tell that Luffy had put considerable thought into organizing these words, and while he understood the reasoning, some things aren't easily reconciled just by understanding.
"Speaking of which, Luffy, when you finish your training, would you consider joining us?"
After contemplating for a long time, Ace suddenly uttered these words to Luffy.
"Huh? What did you say?"
"I mean join the Whitebeard Pirates."
"But Whitebeard Uncle is already..."
"Dad is gone, but the Whitebeard Pirates remain, that was Dad's most valued family, and I want to maintain it if everyone is willing... to accept me..."
"I'm sure they will but I won't join you; I have my own journey and my own goals!"
...
While the remaining members of the Whitebeard Pirates were still waiting at the Shampodi Islands, the Hundred Beasts crew had already reached Fishman Island.
The method of dividing the sea is far more convenient than coating, and there's no need to worry about crises beneath the sea; the Origin followed the waterway opened by Arceus right to Fishman Island.
"Godfather, it's your first time coming to Fishman Island, isn't it?"
Taking advantage of the light provided by Eve the Sun Tree, Yamato enjoyed the scenery under the sea, but suddenly recalled some things as Arceus apparently hasn't been underwater before.
"It's my first time here, I have little interest in underwater."
With the ability of electromagnetic floating, Arceus usually brings the ship over the Red Earth Continent directly, which is far more convenient than diving.
In fact, not just Arceus, even Kaidou hasn't been underwater for a long time; since becoming a capable person, he relies on flaming clouds to fly for anything.
If it weren't for Fishman Island's strategic position and the current significance of the Fishmen Race, coupled with the fact that Fishman Island hosts an Ancient Weapon, and having it along the route post-war, Kaidou wouldn't necessarily have accepted Neptune's invitation, such matters could be entrusted to a deputy.
Although he is a king of a nation, facing a Sea Emperor of the New World, he really doesn't count for much; for most kingdoms, even a Seven Warlords of the Sea is enough to alter their destiny.
Compared to the relaxed demeanor of the Hundred Beasts Pirates, Neptune was far more tense, even not having his son come greet them, but personally went to Fishman Island's entrance to await them.
Although they currently have business dealings with the Hundred Beasts, it does not guarantee maintained relations in the future, given Fishman Island's environment, without the Four Emperors' protection flag, the impact would be nearly catastrophic.
"This entrance is really impressive...."
Looking at the sea divided outside Fishman Island, Neptune's heart grew tense once more.
"No need to be so tense, that's the master's doing, the master has always been approachable."
On Neptune's shoulder, Manaphy patted him to signal him to relax.