El reminded him, "Don't forget — the Op-Op Fruit is still in my hands."
"Even if you don't wish to live forever, I can still use it to treat your illness and heal you."
Whitebeard looked at El, deeply moved. "You truly are a good brother to me."
"Ever since Roger died, old friends like you have become rare… I truly miss those days."
"But as for the Op-Op Fruit… let's just leave it be."
With that, Whitebeard stood up.
His massive frame was like a mountain, yet this time, he swayed slightly as he rose. His back looked incredibly lonely and desolate.
"I'm leaving now, El… I don't know when we will meet again."
He strode out of the tavern.
El did not see him off; he only watched Whitebeard's departing figure.
"If you ever change your mind… come find me anytime." He said quietly.
Whitebeard paused for a moment, waved his hand without turning back, and walked away.
El understood.
Some things might be inevitable.
Just like the ambitious Blackbeard, or the impulsive Ace…
One day, Whitebeard would realize that he still needed to protect his family, his sons.
And when that day came… he would understand everything.
From the dock outside came the sound of the ship setting sail, mixed with Whitebeard's loud, hearty laughter.
"Guahahahaha!"
"My sons… we set sail!"
"AYE AYE, FATHER!"
The commotion startled a flock of seagulls into flight, crying out as they soared away.
El stood up and walked out of the tavern.
He gazed out at the boundless, endless sea.
He thought about how many of his old friends had already passed away.
He had once planned to bring Rocks back to life… but the whereabouts of the Revive-Revive Fruit remained unknown.
He wondered if the Whitebeard Pirates would be able to find it for him before a great disaster struck.
Several days later.
El was fishing by the coast.
He sat on the edge of a dangerous, steep cliff, holding a fishing rod dozens of meters long.
The sea wind was fierce and biting, sharp enough to make one's face ache — yet El seemed to enjoy it completely.
Naguri approached him cautiously, terrified of disturbing El's focus.
"Speak up if you have something to say," El said calmly.
He knew very well that Naguri would never come to disturb him unless it was important.
Naguri spoke with a hint of guilt. "There is a ship here looking for you… should I send them away?"
"Who is it?" El asked casually.
"They call themselves… Baroque Works." Naguri replied, confused.
He kept up with news and rumors, but he had never heard of any organization by that name.
El's mind was clear as day — he knew immediately who had come.
Sir Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
A user of the Logia-type Sand-Sand Fruit, known far and wide as the King of the Desert.
This guy sounded powerful… but his weakness was painfully obvious: he was completely vulnerable to water.
However, El had never had any dealings or connections with him before.
Why would he suddenly come to visit me? El wondered.
"Let him come. Tell them to wait for me at the tavern."
He was genuinely curious to know what Crocodile was planning.
Naguri acknowledged the order and hurried down to the port to arrange docking.
…
A dozen minutes later.
The tall, imposing figure of Crocodile walked into the tavern.
He had his hair slicked back in a bold style, with a long scar running horizontally across his face.
A cigar dangled from his mouth, and his whole demeanor radiated the arrogance and style of a mafia boss.
On his right hand, he wore a golden hook — his weapon, coated with scorpion venom.
Crocodile was not alone.
Walking beside him was a tall, beautiful woman. She had a calm and elegant aura, and a graceful figure.
It was none other than Nico Robin — the Devil Child — who was still working with Crocodile and serving as his partner in Baroque Works.
El sat in his chair, watching them enter with a calm expression.
The moment Crocodile saw El, he smiled confidently.
"Long time no see, El."
It was his favorite opening line.
El remained expressionless.
"Long time no see? I don't believe we've ever actually met or had anything to do with each other."
El's reply gave Crocodile absolutely no face or respect.
Crocodile froze in place, embarrassed.
He had often bragged to his subordinates, claiming that he was familiar with legendary figures like El. El's direct rebuttal made things very awkward for him.
Crocodile quickly tried to smooth things over. "You really have a short memory, don't you?! I was there, years ago, at the execution of Pirate King Roger!"
That was the first time he had seen the legendary El make a move.
The great battle that took place back then had terrified him to his core — and even now, seeing El's face still sent a shiver of fear down his spine.
That was exactly why he was being so respectful toward El.
El nodded slowly. "Ah… that's right. I almost forgot about that."
Crocodile let out a breath of relief.
Thankfully, El had given him a way out. Otherwise, Crocodile might have died of embarrassment right there.
"And who is this?"
El raised his eyes slightly, looking at Nico Robin.
Crocodile quickly introduced her. "This is the Vice President of our organization — Miss All Sunday."
Hearing Crocodile refer to Nico Robin only by her codename, El instantly realized that these two had come here with hidden motives and secrets.
They had other intentions, and they were plotting something.
El did not expose them immediately.
Instead, he said calmly: "Please, take a seat. Would you like something to drink?"
After exchanging a few polite greetings and small talks, Crocodile suddenly said to El:
"Actually… I'm planning to take control of a kingdom recently — Alabasta. Have you heard of it, Lord El?"
El nodded. "Of course. It is a powerful nation located in the first half of the Grand Line. Back in the day, its royal family was also one of the twenty royal clans that founded the World Government."
"Crocodile… your ambition is truly enormous."
"Hahaha!" Crocodile clapped his hands and laughed. "Not at all! Compared to you, Lord El, it is nothing worth mentioning!"
"The reason I came this time… is simply to ask how you governed and ruled after you took control of a country? Would you be kind enough to share your experience?"
El looked at Crocodile silently.
Is this really your true purpose?
El doubted it very much.
This was most likely just an excuse.
__________________
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