This Isn't the Whitebeard Pirates' Style

"What happened?"

A hint of confusion appeared in Whitebeard's eyes.

Just as everyone had expected.

Izo had always carried himself with aloofness and rarely showed joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness on his face.

Yet now, he had completely changed.

He had come in a hurry and left in a hurry.

This left everyone somewhat bewildered.

At that moment.

Izo calmed his excited emotions.

He recounted his encounter with Lin Yan.

He gave them a simple summary.

The general meaning was.

He had recruited an exceptionally powerful crewmate.

Lin Yan's strength.

Was no weaker than the division commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates.

It even included Marco and Jozu!

One had to know.

What kind of standing the Whitebeard Pirates' division commanders held on these seas.

There was no need to say more.

Of course.

A large part of that was due to Whitebeard.

But it could not be denied.

The strength of the sixteen division commanders.

Each of them could rival an Emperor's commander.

Their bounties practically started at five hundred million!

That was also why.

When the major forces encountered the division commanders.

They showed them some respect!

"Very strong?"

Vista slightly raised his head.

"No weaker than us?"

Jozu slowly raised his head as well.

The two of them stroked their chins.

If things were truly as Izo had said.

Then the Whitebeard Pirates.

Had truly found a treasure this time!

Being able to gain a powerhouse at the level of a division commander.

Without a doubt.

Would raise the Whitebeard Pirates' overall strength by another level.

That was an undeniable fact!

However.

Whitebeard, who had weathered countless storms, remained as immovable as a mountain.

His steady gaze swept across Izo, Vista, Jozu, and the others.

Then it settled on Marco. "Marco, what do you think about this?"

Marco glanced at Whitebeard, his deadpan expression unchanged.

He knew.

His old man wanted to see how he would handle this situation.

After weighing the situation for a moment.

Marco spoke in a calm voice, "Old man, I think this is both a good thing and a bad thing!"

"How is it a bad thing?"

Hearing that, Izo could not help asking Marco.

Marco lowered his head, his eyes calm and unruffled. "First of all, if this Lin Yan is truly as strong as you say, Izo, and is willing to join the Whitebeard Pirates, then that is indeed a wonderful thing!"

"But have you considered this? We haven't merely never met someone named 'Lin Yan'—we've never even heard of him. It's as if he appeared out of thin air!"

"He suddenly appeared and is willing to join the Whitebeard Pirates. Don't you think that's suspicious?"

"At the very least, I think we should reserve judgment on this matter and discuss it further!"

Seeing how calm Marco was.

Whitebeard nodded.

Ever since he had stepped back from the forefront.

Whitebeard had become increasingly worried about his health.

The injuries and hidden ailments from his youth.

Had long since taken deep root in his body.

Nearly eighty years old, plagued by old injuries, like a dying tree before a window—the hero was growing old.

Whitebeard knew.

No matter how unwilling he was to part with the sons before him.

At this very moment.

He still had to let them spread their wings and soar.

Especially after what had happened recently.

Satch's assassination and Teach's betrayal and defection.

Had heightened Whitebeard's sense of crisis.

He had a feeling.

That a great calamity was about to befall the Whitebeard Pirates.

As for where exactly this calamity would come from.

He was not entirely certain.

The top priority.

Was replenishing the Whitebeard Pirates' core strength.

And cultivating the strongest possible successor!

Whitebeard held Marco, Ace, and Jozu—the three Emperor's commanders—in high regard.

Unfortunately.

Though Ace and Jozu were strong.

They also had major flaws.

Ace was young and arrogant, while Jozu was not steady enough.

Marco.

Had become Whitebeard's final choice.

"Someone accepted our warm invitation, yet we suddenly question him. Isn't that a little inappropriate?"

Izo hesitated slightly.

He still found it difficult to believe that Lin Yan might have come to infiltrate the Whitebeard Pirates.

After all, he had spent time with Lin Yan.

And knew what kind of person he was.

Although what Marco said was not without reason.

"There's nothing inappropriate about it. I'm simply raising reasonable doubts where they are warranted."

"In the end, we're all doing this for the Whitebeard Pirates."

Marco spoke calmly to Izo.

Izo was considering the Whitebeard Pirates.

But in truth.

Wasn't Marco doing the same?

If Lin Yan's identity was truly verified.

The Whitebeard Pirates would welcome him with open arms!

"Gurararara—!"

Just then.

Whitebeard's laughter rang out.

Their old man rose to his feet.

With a grand wave of his hand, he said boldly:

"Alright, you two, stop overthinking it!"

"Marco has Marco's reasons, and Izo has Izo's reasons!"

"No matter which it is, a visitor is a guest. If we fail to treat him properly, that isn't the Whitebeard Pirates' style!"

Hearing Whitebeard's words.

"Old man, then what should we do?"

The division commanders froze for a moment before asking.

"Such an interesting person has come to us. Don't you want to meet him?"

"Besides, I've recently heard that the atmosphere within the Whitebeard Pirates hasn't been very good. Ever since we reached the pinnacle of the world, arrogance and conceit have appeared in every one of us."

"This cannot continue for long!"

Whitebeard spoke with a steady expression.

"This..."

Marco, Jozu, Izo, and the others fell silent as they listened to their old man.

Indeed.

Everyone in the Whitebeard Pirates had become complacent and proud.

They were exceedingly arrogant, looking down on everyone and everything.

If this continued.

It truly would not be a good thing.

Whitebeard pondered for a moment before continuing, "Then let's use Lin Yan to help us nip this crisis in the bud!"

"Izo, bring him here tomorrow!"

"Also, don't spread the news that Izo lost to Lin Yan for now!"

"I have my own plans!"