Watching Shiki rapidly rise into the air and vanish from sight.
Everyone present fell silent.
They were a pirate force hailed by the world as the strongest, yet they could not help but feel sympathy for one of their own kind. They knew full well that in tomorrow's battle, whether it was Golden Lion Shiki or Marine Headquarters Marineford, there would undoubtedly be heavy casualties.
"Pops, are you really not going to try talking him out of it again?" Marco asked once more.
"Talk him out of it?" Whitebeard shook his head. "How? With Golden Lion's temperament, the fact that he came to catch up with me was already quite something."
"I've said everything that needed to be said. Now it depends on whether he or Marine Headquarters has the better luck."
"Oh, right. Any leads on that World Military Draft the kid brought up?"
None of the commanders present showed the slightest hint of contempt toward the kid Whitebeard kept mentioning.
At the very least, in their eyes, not just anyone could injure Kaido of the Beasts, another of the Four Emperors, and still escape unscathed.
"Pops, there's still no news at all," Marco said, shaking his head.
"Rest assured, Pops. The sea may be vast, but at a time like this, even the slightest disturbance will spread quickly—unless no one witnessed whatever that kid did."
"Besides, the World Military Draft is aimed at finding candidates on the level of Marine Admirals. People who can stand alongside Akainu and Kizaru aren't so easy to find."
"I'm afraid you're worrying too much, Pops."
Whitebeard fell silent for a moment before sighing. "You have a point, Marco."
"Ace has already begun training with Silvers Rayleigh in advanced Haki applications. Give him a little more time, and with his talent, he'll soon