"Pops, don't worry. I still have to help you ascend to the strongest throne on these seas and reach the pinnacle. I won't act recklessly." Ace nodded in reply.
Even the commanders, who usually feared neither heaven nor earth, fell unusually silent in the face of Whitebeard's seriousness and caution.
After giving Ace another look, Red-Haired Shanks burst into laughter. "Good. Since Ace is going, I'll also try to find some answers from other people."
"But Whitebeard, don't forget that we're allies. In an unknown situation like this, only an alliance can improve our chances of survival, let alone give us the initiative in an event like this."
"So, if Ace really gets any useful intelligence, I hope you won't keep it to yourself. Rest assured, I'll share any secrets with you as well."
Faced with such blunt words, quite a few of the commanders present changed expressions slightly.
If this had happened in the past, anyone who dared speak to Whitebeard like that would have been taught a lesson long ago.
But times had changed. The Whitebeard Pirates, once hailed as the strongest, had gradually been overshadowed by the suddenly risen Blood Flag Pirates.
If they could not turn things around through this incident, then it was entirely possible for the Blood Flag Pirates to become the leaders of the new era.
"Hmph, Red-Hair, don't judge me by your own petty heart. I haven't forgotten how you stopped me from going after Blackbeard. Once this matter is over, if neither of us has been buried beneath the sea, I'll teach you a proper lesson and let you know that, in front of me, you'll always be that apprentice brat from Roger's ship." Whitebeard snorted disdainfully, tossed the shards of his wine bowl into the sea, and turned to leave.