Whitebeard at Death's Door

Upon hearing this, Lin Yan's face immediately darkened.

Consequently, even the initial joy of recruiting Aokiji diminished considerably.

The Whitebeard had been kind to him.

Although it was known long ago that Whitebeard's health was not good, especially after the Marineford War, his condition deteriorated daily.

But upon hearing Marco's words, Lin Yan's expression turned extremely ugly.

"Take me there," Meow Meow said.

Almost without hesitation, Lin Yan looked up at Marco and spoke.

"Come with me."

Marco didn't waste any words. After nodding to Lin Yan, he activated his Phoenix Fruit power, grabbed Lin Yan's arm, and flew into the sky.

Before long, the two arrived at the Whitebeard's bedroom.

"Pops, I've brought Lin with me."

Marco pushed open the door and entered, his first words being to report the good news of Lin Yan's return to Whitebeard.

Although he had witnessed such scenes many times recently.

But at this moment, facing his most beloved Pops, Marco's expression was still somewhat sorrowful.

Lin Yan's face remained ashen.

The Whitebeard before him sat in his spacious seat, yet he showed none of the imposing presence of the former king of the sea.

It's like a very old person.

Not only was his body riddled with tubes used to prolong his life, but even his usual domineering Haki had almost completely vanished.

As the sun sets, that's all there is to it.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that, in this state, the Whitebeard's days were numbered...

There's nothing we can do about it.

After the brutal Marineford War, although he survived with Lin Yan's help, the intense battle still took a toll on Whitebeard's life force.

Her already frail body was further weakened.

If we just leave it like this...

This king of the seas is likely to meet his end aboard the Moby Dick.

"Forest..."

Seemingly having heard Marco's words, Whitebeard barely opened his eyes. Upon seeing Lin Yan before him, a look of relief appeared on his resolute face.

"You're back. Don't make that face, I'm not dead yet, gurgle gurgle..."

Although he seemed to be trying his best to produce that same hearty laughter as before, his weak breathing made that hearty laughter sound somewhat feeble.

"..."

Lin Yan didn't speak, but silently gazed at the Whitebeard before her.

No one can withstand the power of time.

Even Whitebeard, a king, was no exception.

I have no choice but to present myself in this sickly and weak state.

I'm afraid even Whitebeard himself would find it very difficult.

"I'm back, and... Aokiji has joined my Seventeenth Division this time, which should be a significant help to us."

Looking into Whitebeard's eyes, Lin Yan deliberately ignored his sickly appearance and instead brought up the matter of Aokiji joining the Seventeenth Division.

He knew Whitebeard didn't need sympathy.

Not even the slightest bit of sympathy or sorrow.

To do this to the man who once dominated an era is nothing short of an insult!

"Aokiji? Ah... that's exactly what you'd do, gurarararara... with you here, I don't have to worry about the Whitebeard Pirates weakening."

Whitebeard stared wide-eyed in surprise, then let out another strange laugh after a moment.

A legend.

He was not afraid of death.

Whitebeard knew that this day would eventually come.

If there's anything he fears or can't let go of, it's only the Whitebeard Pirates here, and his family.

Fortunately, Lin Yan appeared.

This is the man who has been bringing miracles to the Whitebeard Pirates from beginning to end.

Even if she, the emperor, were no longer here, Lin Yan would still have the ability to lead the Whitebeard Pirates onward.

Thinking of this, the Whitebeard smiled with satisfaction.

"Lin, I'm leaving the pirate crew's affairs to you from now on... Don't worry, I'm not going to die anytime soon. Even if I do, I'll hold out until I see you ascend to the throne, gurarararara!"

As if in a final burst of energy, the Whitebeard laughed heartily once more.

However, Marco and Lin Yan were watching this scene.

However, they all wore heavy expressions on their faces, as if they had swallowed gold.

After a while, Lin Yan talked to Whitebeard about what she had been doing recently. Seeing that Whitebeard looked tired, she and Marco left the room.

Both of them had a somber expression on their faces.

After a long pause, Lin Yan took a deep breath and turned to Marco beside her, asking a question.

What did the doctor say?

"If we still can't find a solution in a year and a half, Pops will..."

Marco clenched his fist.

The captain of the First Division actually showed a look of regret on his face.

"If only we had noticed it sooner..."

This is not your fault.

However, Lin Yan simply shook her head.

This is not Marco's fault, nor is it the fault of anyone in the Whitebeard Pirates.

Lin Yan knew very well that Whitebeard had actually prepared himself to die at Marineford during the Marineford War.

Even heroes eventually face their end.

Without my intervention, Marineford would have been Whitebeard's final resting place.

It's just that this timeframe has been postponed.

It is a natural thing for people to die after they grow old.

"Forest!"

Seeing Lin Yan's somewhat wistful expression, Marco suddenly gritted his teeth, then looked directly at Lin Yan with an expression that was hard to tell whether it was resolute or sorrowful.

"I know it's shameless of me to say this, but Lin... if you have a way, please save my Pops!"

As he spoke, Marco suddenly knelt down before Lin Yan with a thud.

He knew, of course, that he was just making things difficult for people.

He knew Whitebeard's situation better than anyone else.

But at this moment, Marco was desperately grasping at any straw.

No matter the cost!

"I'll take care of it even if you don't tell me."

However, before Marco could kneel down, Lin Yan helped the man up.

"I am the Seventeenth Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, and it is my duty to protect this place."

Looking at Marco, Lin Yan calmly began to speak.

Maybe.

When he first joined the Whitebeard Pirates, he only wanted a stable life with social security and housing benefits.

But even Lin Yan couldn't deny it.

Everyone on the Moby Dick, from Whitebeard to the division commanders, had unknowingly become family.

Lin Yan stared intently at Marco.

"You just need to trust me."