Following close behind them was the ship doctor of the Whitebeard Pirates and Captain of the First Division — Marco the Phoenix.
With his distinctive pineapple-shaped hair, Marco walked respectfully behind Whitebeard and greeted El politely.
"Lord El! It's been a long time!"
El smiled at him. "Worried about your father's health?"
Marco smiled wryly. "I have no choice. He really shouldn't be drinking alcohol anymore."
"Shoo, shoo! Don't stand in the way of my drinking!"
Whitebeard unceremoniously pulled Marco aside, clearing the way for the two new crew members behind him to meet El.
"This one is Portgas D. Ace, Captain of the Second Division!"
"And this one is Marshall D. Teach, a member of the Second Division — Blackbeard!"
"I mentioned them to you before, remember?"
Standing before El were indeed Ace — known later as Fire Fist Ace — and Marshall D. Teach.
El thought to himself: Fate… is still moving along its destined path after all.
Ace looked at El with an expression of unyielding determination and competitive spirit.
Blackbeard Teach, on the other hand, wore a look of extreme admiration and reverence.
"Guahahaha!" Whitebeard laughed loudly. "These two rookies… they've got quite the sharp look in their eyes, don't they!"
He turned to the two young men and said, "Listen well! Standing before you is the legendary strongest man in the world… Lord El!"
Ace stepped forward and greeted El politely.
"It is an honor to meet you, Lord El!"
He gave a bright, cheerful smile and added: "But for me… our Father is still the strongest man in the world!"
Whitebeard slapped Ace hard on the head. "What nonsense are you spouting?! Don't talk recklessly!"
He knew exactly how terrifying El truly was.
Even though his crew members idolized him, Whitebeard understood clearly that there was an immense gap in strength between himself and El.
El just smiled, unbothered by the comment.
Meanwhile, Blackbeard approached El cautiously, wearing a humble, obsequious smile. "Lord El… you are my greatest idol! I have longed to meet you for such a long time!"
"Guahahaha!" Whitebeard laughed heartily. "That's right! You are this guy's hero, you know!"
"Well, what do you think of them?!"
El also laughed.
"Whitebeard… your crew members are getting better and better."
He paused for a moment, then added meaningfully: "They are not only strong… but also harbor great ambitions."
At the mention of the word ambitions, Blackbeard's pupils contracted sharply, as if El had struck right at the core of his secret thoughts.
However, he was skilled at hiding his true feelings, and immediately covered it up with a flattering smile.
"Don't let Ace's well-behaved appearance fool you," Marco said with a grin from the side.
"Back when he first joined, he tried to assassinate Father over a hundred times just to claim his head!"
Marco mistakenly thought that the ambition El referred to was Ace. Based on Ace's history before joining, that explanation made perfect sense.
El smiled but said nothing.
No matter what he said before things happened, they wouldn't believe him anyway.
Besides… El actually wanted to see.
Now that he himself existed in this era and on these seas… What kind of waves could a man like Blackbeard possibly create?
At that moment, Blackbeard spoke to El with exaggerated caution.
"Lord El… I have heard a rumor circulating across the seas…"
"Is it true… that you have gained eternal life and youth?"
Everyone in the room froze upon hearing Blackbeard's question.
"Hey, Teach! What an impertinent thing to ask!" Ace scolded sternly.
As Captain of the Second Division, it was his duty to reprimand a subordinate in his division for speaking out of line or asking inappropriate questions.
Blackbeard hurriedly bowed and apologized. "Forgive me! I merely… heard the rumor and couldn't help but ask…"
El interrupted him and answered calmly. "It is true. It is the power granted by the Op-Op Fruit."
"And furthermore… the Op-Op Fruit is still in my possession."
Ace and the others were stunned.
El had spoken about such a crucial secret openly and without hesitation.
Isn't he afraid that others will plot against him to steal it?
"Lord El… is it really alright to speak of such things so freely?" Ace asked in confusion.
El smiled confidently. "What is there to be afraid of?"
"I am right here. If anyone wishes to challenge me or take what I have… let them come and try."
His voice was calm, yet it carried an overwhelming, domineering aura that shook everyone present.
Blackbeard's eyes gleamed with a strange, intense light.
"Guahahaha!" Whitebeard finished a large cup of ale with satisfaction. "Truly worthy of you, El!"
"Those are words only you could ever say!"
After a few more casual exchanges, Ace, Teach, and Marco took their leave.
Only Whitebeard and El remained, drinking together.
Slowly, the room grew quiet.
"So… what do you think?" Whitebeard asked, looking at El.
El nodded. "Ace is a good kid, though a bit too impulsive."
"As for Blackbeard… you saw his reaction just now, didn't you?"
Whitebeard nodded slowly, deep in thought.
"You are absolutely right," Whitebeard said. "Blackbeard hides it very well…"
"But when you spoke just now… I clearly saw the look of greed in his eyes."
Whitebeard spoke with heavy concern.
"Ambition and greed are usually good qualities for a pirate… but his kind… it is different."
Whitebeard understood the situation perfectly.
Earlier, when Blackbeard had taken the initiative to ask about the Op-Op Fruit, that intense curiosity was completely inconsistent with his usual behavior — and it exposed him instantly.
Normally, Blackbeard always appeared docile, honest, and humble. He seemed like he had ambition, but nothing dangerous.
But today… Whitebeard had seen the terrifyingly vast ambition hidden beneath that harmless exterior.
For a pirate, having ambition is never a bad thing.
What pirate doesn't dream of becoming the King of the Pirates?
Many of Whitebeard's "sons" were ambitious men. Even Ace had tried to kill him over a hundred times — Whitebeard didn't mind that at all.
But with these men, their ambition was always open and honest.
Blackbeard was the opposite. He pretended to have no desire or ambition at all, while secretly plotting unknown schemes in the dark.
That kind of person is the most dangerous of all — the kind most likely to betray and stab you in the back.
El nodded. "I'm glad you understand the truth."
Whitebeard sighed deeply. "I always thought I had a good eye for people… but I never imagined that someone I trusted would reveal his true colors so quickly right in front of you."
"I suppose… I am just getting old and useless."
He said this self-deprecatingly and took a heavy swig of ale.
El smiled. "Come now, Whitebeard… you never used to speak like this before."
Whitebeard fell silent for a moment.
For the first time, this mighty man who had ruled the seas showed a glimpse of his vulnerability in front of El.
"I truly feel… that my days are numbered."
"My only wish… is that after I die, my sons will remain united and look out for one another."
A deep, heavy weariness appeared in his eyes.
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