Whiteflame had no intention of dragging a massive floating city like the Gran Tesoro around the seas. What he did intend to do was simple:
Loot it to the last coin.
Claim every piece of its unimaginable wealth.
Meanwhile — Marine Headquarters, Marineford
"Is it confirmed? The Celestial Dragon is dead?"
Inside the Admiral's office, a stern-faced man with a square jaw, dressed in a deep crimson suit and draped in the cloak of justice, leaned back in his chair. A thick cigar burned at his lips. His sharp gaze could slice through steel.
Sakazuki — better known as Admiral Akainu, one of the highest combat powers in the world.
A living weapon of justice.
"Yes, sir," the reporting officer said, standing stiffly. "By the time we arrived on the Gran Tesoro, Saint Charlos's body had already been discovered. Limbs torn apart. He bled to death."
"Whiteflame… Nine Dragons Pirates…" Akainu growled.
"A man bolder than even the Four Emperors. Does he think the Marines are some soft, useless ornaments?"
His cigar flared as killing intent filled the room.
"You. I have a job for you," he said, turning to the junior officer.
"Yes, Admiral!"
"Deliver this file on the Nine Dragons Pirates to Kaido and Big Mom."
"I don't care how you do it. Just make sure that by tomorrow, both of them know exactly who killed their precious subordinates."
"You understand what I mean?"
The officer blinked—then his eyes widened in sudden realization.
"Understood!"
He bowed and accepted the folder.
Everyone knew: if the two Emperors learned who had murdered Jack and Cracker, they'd erupt. There was no way they'd take this lying down.
And Akainu was counting on it.
Using the Emperors to eliminate a threat like Whiteflame… A ruthless but efficient strategy.
Of course, most Marines wouldn't dare align with pirates under any circumstance.
But Akainu?
He wasn't "most Marines."
"Anything else?" he asked, seeing the officer linger.
"Yes, Admiral Sakazuki. There's news… concerning Whitebeard."
Akainu raised an eyebrow.
"That old fossil? What now?"
"One of his commanders has been murdered."
"A deserter from his crew turned on them. The identity is unknown, but Whitebeard is furious. He's already sent Portgas D. Ace to pursue him."
"Do we get involved?"
Akainu's expression shifted subtly.
"A traitor... on Whitebeard's ship?"
Even he had to admit—it was rare.
Whitebeard always called his crew family. They were loyal to a fault, fiercely united.
The Marines had fought them countless times. Their cohesion was what made them deadly.
And now… betrayal?
"A deserter who killed a commander…" Akainu murmured. "He's crossed all of Whitebeard's lines."
"Keep tracking the situation. If we play this right…"
"…it could become our best chance to bring down one of the Four Emperors."
"Understood, sir!"
Elsewhere – The Incident Covered Up
Although rumors of Tesoro's death and a Celestial Dragon being killed stirred faintly through the New World, the World Government and Marines quickly and aggressively suppressed the news.
They couldn't allow the world to learn that one of its "gods" had been slaughtered like cattle.
Such a truth would shatter the illusion of their absolute control.
Only those who had witnessed the events firsthand that night knew the truth.
And they weren't talking.
Angel Town
"One!"
"Two!"
"Three!"
"Pull!"
Rumble...
A colossal statue over fifty meters tall was slowly hoisted into place. The entire town cheered as it locked upright, proudly standing at the town square.
Applause broke out like thunder.
Cheers echoed across the sky.
"Look! That's your statue, Savior!"
Rebecca stood atop a nearby building with Baby-5 and the others, watching as the likeness of Whiteflame towered over the town.
The wealth he'd left behind last time had revived Angel Town.
Now, the once-ruined village was bustling with life.
The economy flourished, streets were alive with color and music, and even the children had begun training—dreaming to one day grow as strong as the man who saved them.
And in gratitude, the town had built the enormous statue of their protector.
"Hmph. Cheap sculptor gave me thick eyebrows," Whiteflame muttered, exhaling a smoke ring.
"You're perfect as always, darling," Baby-5 giggled, clinging to his arm.
"Whiteflame," Monet's voice came from downstairs. "The mayor's here to see you."
An elderly man, full of energy and warmth, soon stepped into the room.
"Mr. Bai!"
He bowed deeply.
"Speak."
"You once told me you regretted never learning what happened to your parents…"
"Well, I had some people look into it. And just recently—some news came back. Good thing you returned, or I wouldn't have known where to find you!"
Whiteflame froze mid-drag on his cigarette.
"News… about my parents?"
He hadn't been born in Angel Town. His parents had arrived here with him as an infant.
But when he was just three years old, they disappeared, never to return.
The villagers had raised him after that.
He had long assumed they were dead.
But before he left last time, he'd casually mentioned the matter—and clearly, the mayor had taken it to heart.
"So? What did they find?" Whiteflame asked, crushing the cigarette in his palm.
The mayor nodded.
"They came from Cocoyasi Village in the East Blue."
"Apparently, they once sailed with the Red-Haired Pirates—yes, that crew. They made it into the New World, but on their return journey…"
"They were killed by pirates."
A long silence.
The mayor sighed.
"If they had just stayed here, maybe they'd still be alive…"
"Red-Haired Shanks…" Whiteflame murmured, eyes narrowing.
So, even his birth was tied to a Yonko.
His parents must've been crew members.
But with a newborn—him—they had likely decided to leave that life behind.
Seeking peace, they settled here.
But one day, something pulled them back.
Maybe it was sentiment.
Maybe it was guilt.
Whatever the reason… they never made it home.
A Hunt Begins
"I see," Whiteflame said softly.
After a few polite words with the mayor, he sent the old man on his way.
The air felt heavier now.
But Whiteflame's eyes remained sharp.
There was no sorrow—only quiet resolve.
Whatever path lay ahead… he was ready.
If you Enjoyed Reading
Visit my p@treon for more chapters
Advance 80+ Chapters Available
patreon.com/Sagamaster789
If you really Enjoyed Reading. Give Power Stones and Reviews!