Chapter 163 Whitebeard: I have only one request, and that is to make you the Pirate King!
A profound silence fell over the deck, broken only by the rustling of the flag in the sea breeze.
The next second, the crowd erupted!
"That's right!" Marco was the first to react, slamming his hand on the railing, his eyes flashing with a golden light, "If it's for Pops... the combined healing power of two Devil Fruits and a Mythical Zoan... it's definitely possible!"
Jozu suddenly stood up, his heavy diamond body shimmering slightly with excitement: "Exactly! Hahaha... it just might work! Those old injuries, that deterioration... there's a chance they can all be healed!"
Vista's fingers caressed his sword hilt, his smile growing sharper: "More than just recovery... this could even make Pops stronger than ever before!"
Everyone spoke over each other, their excited discussions sweeping across the deck like waves, each face brimming with hope and excitement, as if they had already witnessed that mythical future.
However, in the midst of this fervent clamor, one person remained silent.
Whitebeard still sat steadily in his chair, his massive body as still as a mountain, his rugged face showing no ripples of emotion, his deep gaze sweeping over the cheering crowd and settling on Ace's firm and ardent face.
He said nothing.
In an instant,
Whitebeard slowly shook his head, his towering body like a mountain about to fall silent, his low voice carrying an undeniable calmness, yet striking everyone's heart like a heavy hammer:
"Ace... the New World no longer has a ship that can carry this old man."
He slowly raised his eyelids, his gaze seeming to pierce through the vast ocean, seeing the end of destiny,
"This ocean... will be the era of you young people."
"No!"
Ace suddenly stepped forward, and the deck seemed to tremble. His eyes were bloodshot, his fists clenched, flames uncontrollably leaping from his shoulders, his voice hoarse with emotion yet incredibly firm:
"Absolutely not! If the New World doesn't have a ship that can carry you—then I will personally forge an era belonging to Whitebeard!"
His words were like an oath, fervent and resolute, echoing for a long time on the silent deck.
Marco immediately stepped forward, his tone urgent yet calm: "Pops, please reconsider! Ace is right, you absolutely cannot give up like this!"
Jozu slammed his fist heavily on the ship's railing, his voice loud and sincere: "That's right, Pops, think about the islands and people we protect under your banner! Once you fall, the balance of the New World will be completely broken, and war will surely reignite!"
Vista placed his hands on his twin swords, adding with a serious expression: "Countless families will be displaced by the loss of your flag, and the peace we risked our lives to protect... are we just going to watch it disappear?"
Everyone stepped forward, their eyes filled with anxiety.
Whitebeard silently watched his sons gathered around him, deep waves seemed to surge in his profound eyes, finally settling on Ace's face.
After a long while,
He slowly spoke:
"Ace... if you insist, I have one condition."
The deck immediately fell silent, all eyes focused on him.
Ace straightened his back, flames silently burning in his eyes: "Pops, just say it, no matter the condition, I will agree!"
Whitebeard gazed at him, as if trying to see into the depths of his soul through those fervent eyes.
He said word by word:
"What I want you to forge cannot be 'Whitebeard's era.'" He raised his right hand, stopping Ace's eager attempt to argue, "It should be an era belonging to you—Flame Emperor Ace!"
Ace trembled all over, as if something had struck his heart.
Even at this moment, what Pops was thinking about was still the future of his sons...
He was always like this, placing his family's dreams above his own life!
Just then,
Whitebeard's voice rang out again, like a clap of thunder exploding on the azure sea:
"I have only one demand, and that is for you to become the Pirate King."
"What?! No... this won't do!" Ace almost blurted out, his face filled with resistance,
"Pops! My greatest wish is for you to ascend to that position! To watch you become the Pirate—"
"Enough!"
Whitebeard's low roar, like a gale sweeping across the deck, instantly silenced all other sounds.
His massive body leaned slightly forward, and an unshakeable light flickered in his eyes that overlooked the sea:
"This is my only demand."
His voice suddenly deepened, each word like an iron nail driven into wood, "If you don't agree... this old man, this old body, will never accept any Dual Devil Fruit Constitution in this lifetime!"
The sea breeze suddenly stilled, and the entire Moby Dick was as silent as a tomb.
Ace stood frozen, staring at Whitebeard's resolute gaze, his throat seemingly clogged, unable to utter another word.
"Pops..."
Whitebeard's gaze was as firm as a rock, leaving no room for negotiation.
Ace gazed into Whitebeard's deep eyes, seeing an unshakeable resolve within them.
His chest heaved violently, and finally, he took a deep breath, forcing out the promise through gritted teeth:
"Alright! Pops... I promise you! I will become the Pirate King!"
"Gurarararara...!" Whitebeard burst into booming laughter, making the deck seem to resonate.
He extended his massive hand and heavily clapped Ace's shoulder: "That's more like it, that's my son!"
As the laughter subsided, he looked calmly at Ace: "Come. That 'Dual Devil Fruit Constitution'—let's start the fusion now."
Ace nodded solemnly, and with a thought, triggered the system interface. He raised his hand, his fingertips seeming to condense with a faint glow, and pointed solemnly at Whitebeard—
"Confirm target: Edward Newgate. Dual Devil Fruit Constitution, fusion initiated!"
In an instant,
A soft yet powerful energy fluctuation enveloped Whitebeard's massive body.
He slowly closed his eyes, his rugged face becoming serene, falling into a deep sleep, his chest rising and falling steadily, showing no signs of discomfort,
"Pops has begun the fusion!"
Marco immediately shouted in a lowered voice, "All hands, listen up—change course immediately, full speed ahead to the nearest hidden sea area! Pops must not be disturbed in any way!"
The Moby Dick rapidly changed course, its massive white whale bow cutting through the waves, speeding towards a safe zone.
All the commanders spontaneously formed a vigilance circle, guarding the sleeping Whitebeard in the center.
Everyone's eyes were filled with tension and anticipation; they stood guard in silence, not daring to relax for a single moment.
The long wait began. The sea breeze swept over the sails; no one closed their eyes, all vigilantly watching their surroundings. This was Pops's critical period; no one was allowed to disturb him!
Crucially, they also didn't know what would happen if Pops was woken up, but no one wanted to see such a result.
During this time, everyone kept their voices low, unable to resist discussing excitedly:
"What kind of second Devil Fruit do you think Pops will choose?"
....
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