Side Story: The Various Powers (6)

Fish-Man Island.

"It's Jinbe, the boss, back!"

When that honest and kind face reappeared on the street, the passing residents shouted and rushed forward to greet him.

"Hahaha~ Everyone, I'm back."

Jinbe scooped up the Fish-Man who was running towards him and greeted everyone with Jinbe laugh.

"Jinbe, we all saw it. He's really something. He's actually become a member of the Pirate King's crew."

Not far away, a tall male mermaid holding a large fork swam towards them, and after landing, he spoke jokingly.

"Hoshi Prince must be joking~ What Pirate King's executive? Luffy has already joined the Marines. If we're being honest, I'm now a friend of the newly formed World Government!"

Jinbe bared his teeth, looking down on the so-called "Pirate King's officer".

Our compatriots underwater may not know, but in this New World, the term "pirate" no longer carries the same meaning as before.

Pirates in the past could represent plunder, slaughter, and the ambition to achieve anything at all costs.

But it can also be a dream, freedom, and the hope of surviving in a distorted world.

Now, the distorted world is returning to the right path, and those who pursue dreams and freedom can be recognized as adventurers.

From now on, anyone who dares to sail the seas under the name of a pirate will be dealt with by the New Marines.

"It's hard to imagine that someone like Luffy would become a Marine, but it's a good thing."

Hoshi couldn't help but sigh.

Not long ago, when I met that guy, he was just a slightly famous pirate. He suddenly became the Pirate King and then became a Marine.

The fact that the former Pirate King had to start from the bottom of the Marines is a blow to those who aspire to the title of Great Pirate.

"Speaking of which, the fact that Hoshi Prince to welcome me specifically must not be as simple as just catching up with old friends, right?"

Jinbe put the Fish-Man down and put his smiling face down.

"The Ryugu Palace wants to invite you to be an instructor to train the guards of Fish-Man Island. We also need to have our own military force."

Upon seeing this, Hoshi immediately explained his purpose.

"Huh? I was hoping to enjoy my retirement, so how about I recommend a few..."

"Don't refuse, Jinbe. We all strongly recommended you."

Jinbe was still thinking of politely declining, but then he heard teasing voices behind him.

He turned around and saw that the people who came were his former brothers, the original members of the Sun Pirates.

"You guys..."

"Uncle Jinbe, if possible, I would like to join as well and contribute my own strength to Fish-Man Island."

Jinbe was about to laugh and scold, another voice came, but this time the voice was somewhat unfamiliar.

All eyes turned to the speaker, who was a human girl with orange hair.

"Who are you..."

As some memories flooded back, Jinbe's lips trembled slightly.

"I'm Koala. I was so immature back then and caused you so much trouble. I'm so sorry!"

"And... thank you so much!"

She bowed Jinbe to Jinbe, clenching her teeth, but two lines of clear tears slid down her face.

"Let me make this clear first, my standards are very high!"

Shen Ping put on Jinbe face, but agreed to her request without the slightest hesitation.

"Um!"

Koala wept with joy.

"Brother Tiger, you'll be so happy..."

Jinbe murmured to himself, his thoughts drifting far away.

Not far away, in the Mermaid Cafe.

"Madame Shyarly, Jinbe is back!"

The skipjack quintuplets waddled in excitedly, shouting as they entered.

"Okay, you don't need to shout so loudly, I'm not old yet."

A puff of smoke escaped, and the mature mermaid sat gracefully in her chair, as elegant as ever.

"Madame Shyarly, why don't you go and ask about your older brother? After all, Jinbe might know..."

Camie, who was wiping the table, turned around and reminded her boss.

"I won't ask, and I don't want to ask. That kind of guy is probably already dead in some forgotten corner..."

Madame Shyarly's hand twitched slightly, but she quickly regained her composure.

Does she know?

Nobody knows.

However, in a corner of the coffee shop, the crystal ball used for divination had been reduced to a pile of rubble.

The New World, Sphinx Island.

"Whitebeard ~ Whitebeard ~ Scarier than a ghost~"

On a patch of green land, several little kids were playing jump rope, humming a nursery rhyme that has been popular all over the world.

"Why are you guys still singing this? This is that man's hometown."

Beside them, an elderly woman with white hair, leaning on a cane, scolded them angrily.

"Everyone sings it the same way, right? The uncle doesn't seem to mind..."

One of the little devils pouted, completely unconcerned.

Suddenly, he discovered that the sunlight shining on him had disappeared, and he was shrouded in darkness.

"The ghost is coming!"

With that deep voice, the kid turned around, his crescent-shaped white beard standing out in the sunlight.

"Run! It's the Whitebeard uncle!"

They were so frightened that they fled in all directions, one of them even losing his shoes in the process.

"Newgate, you're scaring them again."

The old woman showed no fear and happily came to his side.

"Honestly, those snotty little brats are too cowardly. How can they become men who can stand on their own?"

Seeing this, Whitebeard didn't want to make a fool of himself, so he simply sat down and looked at the beautiful landscape.

This is the place where he was born and has cherished for decades. If possible, he would like to be buried here a hundred years from now.

Returning here to retire was clearly his own choice, and disbanding the Whitebeard Pirates was also his own order as captain.

But now, a deep loneliness is hidden in his eyes.

The once World's Strongest Man, after shedding all his titles, is nothing more than an old man stepping into his coffin.

"By the way Newgate, isn't today your birthday?"

Without warning, the old woman suddenly spoke.

"Hmm? I don't remember what that was anymore, it was all those stupid sons of his..."

Whitebeard scratched his forehead and was answering when he suddenly realized that something seemed amiss.

"Old Man ~"

A jumble of familiar yet chaotic sounds came from time to time, and at that moment, the Whitebeard's aged body seemed to regain its vitality.

He turned around, trembling, and saw Marco, Ace, Jozu ...

The former Division Commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates were joyfully rushing towards him.

"You guys... didn't you all go off to pursue your dreams and freedom?"

The Whitebeard feigned composure and asked the question.

"What?! Even if we go to pursue our dreams, we're still your sons!"

Ace ripped open his navy uniform, turned his back to Whitebeard, and made him see clearly the mark on his back that would never be erased for the rest of his life.

"My Old Man's such a cheapskate and a heavy drinker; he'll get into a lot of trouble without me around."

Marco shook the flask in his hand, his face beaming with a smile that made Whitebeard feel as if he were seeing the first time they met.

"Bear my name on your back, gallop freely across this vast ocean, and be my son!"

"Old Man ~"

Memories flooded back, and a few tears welled up in the old man's eyes.

"Let's have a feast, Old Man!"

As Marco shouted, the other squad leaders brought over all sorts of delicious food and wine.

A grand banquet is about to begin.

"Kuralalala~"

They raised their glasses and clinked them together, the Whitebeard letting out a hearty laugh:

"I found it too, ONE PIECE!"