The atmosphere on the vast dock suddenly turned oppressive.
Marco and the other commanders wore traces of wariness on their faces.
In contrast, Lucky Roux and the others under Red-Haired Shanks looked curious.
Hachinosu had always been a place pirates fought over.
Before Whitebeard, Rocks had occupied it for decades.
After the Rocks Pirates announced their disbandment, a succession of battles erupted there.
In the end, Whitebeard relied on his overwhelming strength to bring Hachinosu under his command.
Later, in the Original Work, after the Summit War and the Whitebeard Pirates' defeat and retreat, Teach, the new Emperor Blackbeard, still resolutely seized Hachinosu for himself.
That was enough to show that Hachinosu, regarded as a paradise, had its own unique qualities.
"Heh, Whitebeard, you're still as fond as ever of tearing away that final veil." Red-Haired Shanks gave a dry laugh.
"But you're right. Rumor has it that a special vortex appears on Hachinosu from time to time."
"Each time it appears, it brings one—or even several—Devil Fruits. Over time, a legend began spreading across the seas."
"There is supposedly a secret, mysterious path connecting Hachinosu to the legendary Devil Fruit Tree. This time, aside from seeing Shiki off, I also came to ask Whitebeard to show me some respect and let me see where this legendary vortex truly is."
Red-Haired Shanks had indeed served as an apprentice aboard Gol D. Roger's ship.
However, that did not mean he was qualified to accompany them in uncovering Hachinosu's secrets.
"Gurarara! Red-Haired brat, I never thought even you could be so shallow. Asking me to show you respect? What a tremendous joke." Whitebeard burst into laughter and casually picked up his enormous sake bowl.
After taking a swig, he said, "If it weren't for our current alliance, I would have thrown you