Be My Friend, Okama King! (Seeking Reads! Seeking Monthly Votes!)

Edward Teach strolled through the forest of Extreme Cold Hell.

In his hand, he carried Lightning like a frail, helpless chick.

Just moments ago, he had used [Observation Haki] to probe the entire forest.

The areas where Lightning had appeared were especially targeted for thorough search.

After a careful sweep, Edward Teach discovered a hidden entrance deep within the forest.

His [Observation Haki] could clearly pick up constant noise spilling out from within.

Barring any surprises, that hidden entrance was the gateway to Impel Down's Level 5.5—Newkama Land!

Edward Teach—

or rather, Storm hidden inside the "Edward Teach Model Humanoid Armor"—

had this mysterious entrance and the Newkama Land beyond as his destination.

After a few minutes of walking, Edward Teach smoothly arrived near the hidden entrance.

Here, even without using [Observation Haki], he could clearly hear the sounds coming from inside.

Edward Teach hesitated no longer and stepped directly through.

At first, it was narrow, barely allowing one person to pass; after another few dozen steps, it opened into a vast space.

Edward Teach emerged inside a cavernous, empty cave.

Though the cave's height couldn't match the Extreme Cold Hell outside, it still stood several dozen meters tall—

more than enough to accommodate members of the Giant Tribe for normal activities.

The cave's interior seemed specially crafted, resembling a crude, large theater.

When Edward Teach entered the cave, the people inside were reveling in celebration.

An afro with a bizarrely proportioned figure was performing passionately on the theater's stage.

"...Everything you could want is here!"

"Drink! Food! Weapons! And more importantly... freedom!"

"This is Impel Down's secret garden—Newkama La—La—!"

The afro turned around and spotted the towering figure among the crowd.

His eyes bulged in shock, his mouth stretched to its widest, and his tongue curled in distortion.

"Whitebeard—???"

The stage protagonist's horrified reaction triggered a chain reaction among the others in Newkama Land.

Floodlights switched on.

Everyone in the venue saw the sudden, unfamiliar guest.

"Whitebeard!"

"Edward Newgate!"

"The World's Strongest Man!!"

Panic erupted across Newkama Land.

"What a lively place, gura la la la..."

Edward Teach let out a low laugh and tossed the injured man in his hand toward the stage.

"This is your subordinate, Okama King."

Emporio Ivankov instinctively raised his hands and caught the heavily wounded, unconscious figure.

"Lightning!? What happened here?"

"Explaining the details would be a bit complicated."

Edward Teach rubbed his stomach and glanced at the banquet nearby.

"Is there food here?"

"Yes! Of course! Please wait a moment!"

Ivankov first jabbed Lightning with a "Healing Hormone,"

then immediately rushed to Edward Teach's side, carefully guiding him to a seat.

"Bring food over! The finest ingredients! The finest wine! Bring it all!"

In no time, a mountain of food was laid out before Edward Teach.

"I'll help myself!"

Storm, hidden within, quietly allocated Ability Enhancements to his various skills.

Drawing from his previous battles and accumulated gains.

Storm currently possessed 11 [Golden Trophy] and 3 [Platinum Trophy].

Before entering Newkama Land.

Storm had first spent a few Big Trophies to boost several of his abilities.

[Geppo / Rankyaku / Swordsmanship / Life Return: ★★★★★]

As for now, with ample food laid out before him, Storm's choice was clear—

[Physique] Enhancement!

With the last three [Golden Trophy] consumed.

Storm's [Strength] and [Speed] attributes surged instantly.

He didn't hesitate, pouring the remaining three [Platinum Trophy] into [Endurance] and [Speed].

[Strength: ★★★★★]

[Speed: ★★★★★☆]

[Endurance: ★★★★★★]

The moment [Physique] Enhancement was complete.

An unprecedented hunger surged through Storm's heart.

He grabbed a chunk of Sea King meat and stuffed it into his mouth; the mountain of food before him rapidly shrank and vanished.

In the empty cavern.

Only the monstrous sound of eating echoed continuously.

The okama in Newkama Land watched this gluttonous feast unfold.

Not a single person dared to make a sound at that moment.

Even Ivankov, the "Okama King," didn't dare disturb "Whitebeard's" meal.

Seeing the food before "Whitebeard" dwindle.

Ivankov quickly waved at the chefs in Newkama Land, signaling them to serve more dishes.

Time trickled by.

The "New Humans" in Newkama Land exchanged glances of astonishment.

'Whitebeard's been eating for half an hour...'

'So strong! His stomach is practically a bottomless pit...'

'A whole week's worth of food stored in Newkama Land—he's devoured it all...'

Throughout "Whitebeard's" eating process, Ivankov observed him closely.

After careful scrutiny, he found that this "Whitebeard" differed from the one he knew.

The Revolutionary Army's intelligence network was incredibly far-reaching.

Even though Ivankov had been locked up in Impel Down.

As the Grand Line Army Commander of the Revolutionary Army.

Ivankov still possessed a wealth of hidden, confidential information.

For instance, he had long known that Whitebeard was gravely ill, no longer as robust as in his prime.

Yet this "Whitebeard" appearing in Newkama Land was unnaturally healthy!

There was another point.

Over thirty years ago, Ivankov had encountered a young Whitebeard.

The two had experienced the God Valley incident in the West Blue together...

'This Whitebeard... doesn't seem like Whitebeard at all...'

Ivankov grumbled inwardly.

'This Whitebeard is just a Whitebeard BOY!'

If Ivankov had to describe it.

The Whitebeard who kept eating was practically a carbon copy of Whitebeard in his youth!

'Wait a minute! No way!'

A shocking, unbelievable thought suddenly surfaced in Ivankov's mind.

'This Whitebeard... could he be Whitebeard's son?'

Just then.

Having swept the food stores of Newkama Land clean, Storm was finally full and satisfied.

Ivankov hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward as if treading on thin ice.

"Whitebeard-sama."

The Okama King bent at the waist, forcing a fawning smile onto his rough, broad face.

"What are your orders?"

"No need to be so formal, Okama King. I've heard your name."

Edward Teach rose to his feet, looking down at Ivankov from on high, and extended his right hand to the latter.

"Become my friend, Emporio Ivankov.

"I am Edward Teach! Whitebeard the Third!"

Whitebeard—the Third?!

The Okama King had once heard rumors about "Whitebeard the Second."

It was said that "Whitebeard the Second" possessed strength as formidable as Whitebeard in his youth.

But where the hell did this "Whitebeard the Third" come from?!

Still, come to think of it.

This "Whitebeard the Third" really did resemble the true Whitebeard, Edward Newgate...

"To be able to become your friend..."

Ivankov timidly extended his right hand, lightly brushing Edward Teach's fingertips.

"Is my honor."

"Gurarara..."

Edward Teach let out a hearty laugh.

"Since we're all friends now, I'll speak plainly!

"Ivankov, I need your strength!"

After confirming that the man before him was not the real Whitebeard, but the so-called "Whitebeard the Third,"

Ivankov's courage gradually swelled.

"Edward—"

"Call me Teach!"

"Alright, Teach!"

Ivankov immediately changed his address.

"What do you want me to do? Is it more food?"

As long as Edward Teach's request wasn't too outrageous, Ivankov planned to comply.

After all, judging from the situation when the man had appeared earlier...

Edward Teach was Lightning's savior!

"No! Not food!"

Edward Teach clenched his right fist and swung it heavily.

"Ivankov, the moment I saw you, I understood.

"You're the same type of person as me!

"You abandoned your former identity and infiltrated Impel Down just to build this Newkama Land, didn't you?!"

Uh...

Ivankov blinked.

Though Edward Teach's words seemed a bit off, From the other's perspective, there was nothing wrong with them.

Before being arrested and imprisoned, Ivankov was the legitimate Queen of the Kama Bakka Kingdom!

And the reason he had entered Impel Down and lain low in Newkama Land

Was to recruit prisoners from Impel Down and strengthen the Revolutionary Army's ranks.

When the day came for the Revolutionary Army to act in the outside world, Ivankov would lead the members of Newkama Land back out again.

From that perspective, Edward Teach's understanding was perfectly correct.

"Yeah, probably, maybe, possibly... that's right."

Ivankov gave a vague reply, then asked again.

"And what about you, Teach?"

"I couldn't care less about these insignificant small fry."

Edward Teach spread his arms wide, embracing the void as he flaunted his "ambition."

"My target is the sixth level—Infinite Hell!

"I will select the most elite, the most powerful subordinates from the most evil and fearsome criminals in the world!

"I will form the most terrifying pirate crew in history!

"I will defeat Whitebeard and become the world's strongest pirate!

"The remnants of the Old Era have reached the moment when they must exit the stage of history!

"My new era has no ship to carry them!"

A family elder has passed away—it happened suddenly.

The update schedule for the next two days may be a bit unstable.

Just giving a heads-up on the situation.