Jozu shook his head, his tone growing solemn. "With our current strength, and with Pops's body having just completed the fusion without yet possessing a second Devil Fruit ability, he's far from his peak condition...
If we challenge that 'World's Strongest Creature' now, I'm afraid we won't gain any advantage and might even suffer heavy losses instead."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
The fervent emotions were replaced by pragmatic considerations, but the determination remained undimmed. The discussion had temporarily reached an impasse.
Ace rubbed his black hair in frustration, his brows tightly knit. Then, as if remembering something, he sharply raised his head, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes.
"That's right! There's still Big Brother!" he blurted out. "Big Brother Ron... he seems to know everything, certainly much more than we do! If we ask him, maybe we can find a lead!"
Since childhood, Ace had greatly admired Ron. Whenever danger arose, Big Brother Ron could foresee it, and he also possessed vast knowledge of everyday life, survival skills, and more.
It could be said that Ace grew up under Ron's influence, subconsciously believing that Big Brother knew far more than they did—as if Big Brother knew everything.
Hearing this, the expressions on the deck became somewhat complex.
Of course, they had heard of Ace's mysterious and powerful older brother; many miraculous aids had come from him.
However, a subtle silence spread among the crowd.
Diamond Jozu, arms crossed, was the first to speak in a low voice: "Ace, we're not doubting Ron's ability... it's just, constantly asking him for help whenever we encounter a problem, won't it make us seem... too incompetent?"
His words echoed the sentiments of many crew members; these men, who dominated the seas, all had their own pride.
"Jozu is right," Marco interjected, his tone calm but carrying a hint of reluctance. "The Whitebeard Pirates' own affairs must ultimately be resolved by ourselves. Always relying on outsiders isn't our style."
Ace looked at the intertwined expressions of hesitation and self-respect on his comrades' faces and involuntarily clenched his fists.
He fully understood everyone's feelings.
But the next second, the image of Whitebeard's peaceful yet slightly weary face as he slept flashed through his mind.
"I understand!"
Ace's voice suddenly rose, his gaze sweeping over each companion, finally becoming incredibly firm. "Our pride is important! But compared to that—Pops's health is more important!"
"If my plea can give Pops hope of recovering to his peak even one day sooner, then what does a little face matter!"
His words were forceful, and the flames in his eyes burned hotter than ever.
Everyone was infected by his determination, and that slight hesitation finally vanished in the face of a more important goal.
Marco took a deep breath and was the first to nod. "You're right, Ace. We were being narrow-minded."
Under the silent yet expectant gazes of everyone, Ace took a deep breath and solemnly took out the familiar Transponder Snail from his pocket.
He gently stroked the patterns on the shell, then firmly dialed Ron's number.
*Buru Buru — Buru Buru —*
After a brief waiting tone, the Transponder Snail's appearance changed to a calm and composed expression.
"Hello, Ace?" Ron's voice came from the other end.
"Big Brother!" Ace spoke eagerly, clear distress in his tone. "We're worried about Pops's second Devil Fruit.
Whether it's a Mythical Zoan with super recovery abilities or those powerful Ancient Zoan-type Fruits, they're all too rare, simply nowhere to be found..."
There was a moment of silence on the other end, followed by Ron's unhurried voice:
"Is that all? Simple."
"Simple?" Ace was stunned, and Marco, Jozu, and the others nearby subconsciously held their breath.
"That kid Sanji is now a Dark-Dark Fruit user," Ron explained. "The Dark-Dark Fruit has an ability that can forcibly absorb the Devil Fruit power of other users and transfer it to a designated person."
"What?! There's such a thing!?"
Ace was so shocked he almost jumped up, a burst of ecstatic light instantly erupting in his eyes. "Doesn't that mean... Pops's second Fruit is settled?!"
"Exactly." Ron's voice carried a hint of a smile. "Whose ability you fancy, just go for it. It doesn't matter if you cripple them.
Then bring the person here, let Sanji operate, strip the Devil Fruit power from their body, and transfer it to Whitebeard."
This simple, brutal, yet extremely effective plan left Ace and all the Whitebeard Pirates members who heard it dumbfounded, plunging them into immense excitement.
"Big Brother! You... you really are..." Ace was so excited he was somewhat incoherent. He tightly gripped the Transponder Snail, his voice trembling slightly with emotion,
"I owe you a huge favor again! I don't know how I'll ever repay it in this lifetime..."
"What nonsense are you talking?" Ron interrupted him, his tone calm but conveying an undeniable firmness. "We are brothers. Between brothers, there's no such thing as owing."
A simple sentence, yet it struck Ace's heart like a heavy hammer.
He seemed to see again that figure who had always stood in front of him since childhood, shielding him from wind and rain, helping him unreservedly.
"Big Brother..." Ace repeated softly, a thousand words stuck in his chest, finally transforming into burning conviction and immense reverence.
*Once a Big Brother, always a Big Brother.*
The Transponder Snail went silent with a *pa-yi* sound, but the deck remained enveloped in an unbelievable quiet.
After a long while,
Diamond Jozu was the first to gasp, breaking the silence in a muffled voice:
"The Dark-Dark Fruit... actually possesses such terrifying power? To be able to forcibly strip and transfer the abilities of others... This... this is simply..."
He couldn't find the right words to describe it, but a storm surged in everyone's hearts.
"No wonder..." Marco's eyes became incredibly sharp, and his voice deepened. "No wonder that bastard Teach, at all costs, even betraying and killing Thatch, wanted to snatch that Fruit!"
The name was like a giant stone thrown into water, instantly making the atmosphere heavy and oppressive. Everyone's gaze simultaneously turned to Whitebeard, who sat on the giant chair.
....
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