Subdue

As Weevil watched the pale red blood and flesh being swallowed up by the churning waves without a trace, he felt as if he had lost his backbone. He bent his knees, knelt on the deck, and wept bitterly, tears streaming down his face.

"Mom, where are you... where are you..."

Buggy glanced at Weevil, who was crying like a child, and changed his mind. Weevil's words, actions and behavior were too straightforward and naive, or rather, his intelligence did not allow him to be cunning. If he could gain this guy's trust, it would mean that he could easily control this powerful force and would not have to worry about betrayal.

He hesitated for a moment, then walked over to Weevil, his tone sharp like a headmaster reprimanding a student, "Edward Weevil, what are you crying about, you brat!"

"Go away, go away! It's all because of you that Mom is gone!" Weevil cried out in despair, having no desire to fight or talk, waving his hand irritably as if shooing away flies.

"Didn't you see? Mom has gone to heaven!"

Buggy pointed his finger in a certain direction on the sea, slowly raising his head as if staring at something drifting further and further away. His gaze was distant and his expression solemn, as if he had heard something, and then he nodded to himself.

Weevil was captivated by Buggy's seemingly genuine words and expressions, temporarily forgetting his tears. Following Buggy's gaze, he looked at a blank expanse of sea, then looked up at the sky, only to find nothing there.

He blinked hard, his tears stopping a little, and he looked confused and helpless. "Mom... why can't I see Mom?"

"You don't love your mother at all!"

Buggy's tone was filled with a deep sense of disappointment and frustration. "Listen carefully. She said she was too tired of being on earth, so she's going to heaven to enjoy endless riches and glory."

Weevil listened intently, believing him, but could only hear the sound of the sea breeze and the rolling waves. He stammered, "I, I..."

He was naive and easily swayed by Buggy's words. He immediately felt that he must not have been devout enough to not see his mother, and his face flushed with shame. But to cover it up and afraid of being seen as lacking in piety, he lied, going along with Buggy's words, "I saw her! I saw my mother... she was waving at me!"

"If you could see that, then there really must be a ghost!"

Buggy thought to himself, his expression remaining perfectly composed. He slightly opened his palm, placed it close to his ear, and said vividly, "Did you hear that? Mom said she actually wanted to go to heaven a long time ago, but she couldn't bear to leave you alone on earth. After the battle just now, she chose me, believing I was someone she could entrust her life to. So she took the opportunity to jump into the sea, because she could find the path to heaven there. She was very lucky; she succeeded!"

"Mom has gone to heaven..."

Weevil is naive and dim-witted, and he's skeptical of Buggy's words. The two had just been locked in a fierce battle; how could his mother suddenly and without warning make this decision, entrusting him to Buggy?

Buggy looked at Weevil and solemnly declared again, his words firm and resolute, "I'm not lying to you, Mom said it herself!"

Weevil hesitated, a look of confusion on his face. If this man had witnessed his mother flying to heaven, he must have heard her instructions, such as taking good care of his son...

Without Miss Bakkin's advice and guidance, Weevil had no idea what to do or whether he should believe Buggy's words.

Weevil's change in expression was almost exactly what Buggy had expected. A smile crept onto his lips. "How about this, I'll show you something, and you'll understand."

Having said that, he clenched his right fist and punched it into the air!

A spatial rift emerged from his hand, instantly multiplying into dozens that stretched outwards. Ethereal light from another dimension shone through the rifts, causing spatial energy to erupt violently. The distant sea surged up, forming waves tens of meters high, resembling several giant dragons churning, creating a magnificent and overwhelming spectacle!

Weevil stared in disbelief at the tsunami caused by Buggy. Miss Bakkin had instilled in him the deeds and legends of Whitebeard since he was a child, so much so that everything about Whitebeard was deeply imprinted in his mind. That tall and majestic man who could cause a tsunami was like a god, unparalleled in the world.

Because Miss Bakkin stopped him, he had never had the chance to witness Whitebeard's heroic prowess. But now, this shock shone directly into his heart through the window of his eyes, allowing him to truly feel the terrifying power of the tsunami. He seemed to see the figure he often imagined in his dreams overlap with the man in front of him, both of them dominating and controlling the entire sea with absolute power!

This made him forget the fact that he had just lost his mother, thus entering a state of deep shock.

For a fleeting moment, a thought crossed Weevil's mind: Was he... his father?

Weevil's gaze was too direct and undisguised; it was easy to read his inner thoughts through his eyes, Buggy saw right through him.

After displaying its vibrant power, the tsunami fell sparsely, like a fleeting moment, gradually dissipating and returning to calm.

The clouds parted, and the sun shone brightly once more.

"From now on, I will be your guide."

Buggy extended his hand to Weevil. Weevil slowly raised his head, his thoughts returning to him. Looking at Buggy's hand, and then at Buggy's entire body, he seemed to see a magnificent veil of holy light draped over the other man, the intense and sacred light so dazzling that it was impossible to look directly at him, a truly awe-inspiring sight.

Such intense light! Why does he emit such dazzling light...? Who is he...? He looks like my father...

Just moments ago he felt a sense of disgust, but now he felt a sense of familiarity, like a child who could be won over with a few pieces of candy. Weevil unconsciously reached out and placed his hand on Buggy's, straightening his back with the help of the support.

Buggy gently helped Weevil up, glancing discreetly at the sky behind them. Hmm... the sunlight was indeed a bit dazzling.

The tears on Weevil's face disappeared, and he stared blankly at Buggy, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

"From now on, you'll stay with me. I'll take good care of you for Mom."

Buggy's faint smile seemed to have a magical power in Weevil's eyes, making him appear exceptionally kind.

Weevil nodded. He found that although he was still sad, he wasn't as sad as before. His thoughts had changed: his mother must have gone to heaven, and she must be very happy there!

Buggy turned around, made the sign of the cross with his right hand in front of his chest, bowed slightly towards the sea, and when he looked up again, a deep smile appeared on his lips.

"Thank you so much. I will take good care of your son from now on."