When a Man Faced the Sea Alone

That concludes the discussion.

The emperor of the seas has returned!

With Whitebeard's return, the gloomy atmosphere on the Moby Dick that had been building in recent days was swept away, and everyone, including the division commanders, wore a cheerful expression, ready to drink until they were drunk.

Then the music plays, then the dancing begins!

Whitebeard himself sat in the head seat, constantly emitting his signature eccentric laughter, unusually mingling with everyone on the ship.

It had been far too long since such a scene had unfolded aboard the Moby Dick since he fell seriously ill.

"Lin, thank you so much this time. I don't need to say more. If you ever need anything in the future, just let me know, and I'll go through fire and water for you without batting an eye!"

Marco raised his glass and walked up to Lin Yan.

"Really?"

Lin Yan glanced at him with amusement.

"That's right! I'm the captain of the First Division, would I lie to you? I'm seriously starting to suspect there's something wrong with our friendship!"

Marco shouted, feigning anger.

Then he saw Lin Yan extend a hand towards him.

"Five hundred billion for Beli's medical treatment, shall we settle the bill, Mr. Ma?"

"..."

Marco's expression froze instantly.

The surrounding squad leaders also burst into laughter.

"Marco! A real man's word is his bond!"

"Can't even come up with 50 billion? You're truly shameful, you should leave the group!"

"Mr. Ma! Pay the bill before you leave!"

For a moment, the air was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

Marco kicked Jozu was laughing the loudest.

"I'll pay in installments! Do you even understand what installments are?!"

The crowd laughed even louder.

Lin Yan remained silent and smiled to the side.

Five hundred billion... He wasn't just making that up.

"Alright! You're just embarrassing me. Quiet down! Lin, sit here, I have something to tell you."

In the end, Whitebeard couldn't stand it anymore and jokingly scolded the squad leaders, which made them behave themselves. He then pointed to the spot next to him and Lin Yan.

Everyone immediately fell silent.

Sitting next to Whitebeard, Lin Yan's status was self-evident; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call her the second-in-command of the Whitebeard Pirates.

But no one had any objections.

Because Lin Yan deserves it!

Lin Yan didn't refuse and immediately took her wine glass and sat down next to the Whitebeard.

The Whitebeard looked at Lin Yan, who remained calm, with great satisfaction, a hint of wistfulness on his rugged face.

Letting Lin Yan board the Moby Dick was probably the best thing he ever did in his life.

Thinking of this, the Whitebeard laughed heartily.

"Lin, before joining our Whitebeard Pirates, you had never been to sea, had you?"

"Hmm? Why are you suddenly asking this?"

Upon hearing the Whitebeard's question, Lin Yan was taken aback at first, and then frowned in surprise.

"Just answer!"

The Whitebeard smiled but remained silent.

"Uh... there really isn't any. Is there anything strange about that?"

Although Lin Yan found it strange, she still answered truthfully.

When he first came into this world, he was all alone. Before joining the Whitebeard Pirates, he had never been to sea.

"Gurglalalala, I knew it would be like this!"

However, upon hearing Lin Yan's reply, the Whitebeard laughed even louder.

Then, just as Lin Yan was somewhat confused, the Whitebeard's expression suddenly turned serious.

"After the banquet, let's go out to sea and have a look!"

"Ah?"

Lin Yan was stunned again.

"Seriously? Are you in such a hurry to get rid of me?"

"Gulalalalala, you know that's not what I meant!"

Whitebeard laughed heartily again, took a big gulp of wine, and then asked Lin Yan, half seriously and half jokingly.

"Lin, do you know what the most romantic and fascinating thing is on this vast sea?"

"... Tell me about it?"

Realizing that the Whitebeard was serious, Lin Yan also put away her smile and asked somewhat seriously.

"Well, this is a completely different matter for different people, but if you ask me... it's undoubtedly freedom and family!"

The Whitebeard spoke with a resounding voice.

Ultimately, why is this ocean so captivating?

Why did so many heroes and valiant warriors flock to it?

For Whitebeard...

What's most captivating about this sea is freedom and the family around you!

But for Lin Yan, it will be different.

This was undoubtedly a chaotic era.

The tiger and leopard surveyed the vast ocean, where formidable enemies were lurking.

But at the same time, this is also what makes it so fascinating!

It is precisely because of its chaos and disorder that people can find what they yearn for most.

"Villains seek wealth, swordsmen seek powerful foes, adventurers crave freedom... No matter who it is, there's something they want here."

The Whitebeard's voice sounded loud and deep.

"So Lin, it's time for you to go and find these things too! A man's soul is only free when he faces the sea alone!"

"This is your home, but it's not your journey, nor is it what you pursue. A good man's ambition lies in all directions, isn't that what they say? Gulalalalala..."

Whitebeard let out his signature quirky laugh once again.

Everyone, no matter who they are, is pursuing something.

Whitebeard knew this all too well.

Since he knew this all along, how could he allow Lin Yan to stay on the Moby Dick and restrict his future path?

Whitebeard has a kind of intuition.

When Lin Yan truly sets foot on this vast sea... she might just usher in a new era!

And now, it seems, is the time!

As mentioned before.

Only when a man faces the sea alone is his heart and soul truly free and untamed.

This is what makes this Great Pirate Era so fascinating!

"..."

After hearing the Whitebeard's words, even Lin Yan couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

I came into this world alone.

He then joined the Whitebeard Pirates.

Having experienced the Marineford War.

Go back in time and change history.

She felt she had always been going with the flow, but if asked to say what she truly wanted to pursue... Lin Yan's answer was no.

But that doesn't prevent us from having it now!

Thinking of this, Lin Yan's eyes gradually brightened, and then she turned to look at the crew members she had recruited during this period.

Zephyr and the others awkwardly looked away, after all, they still had a lot of work to do, Whitebeard Pirates were in dire need of rebuilding, so they really couldn't go with Lin Yan.

Another point is that they are far too senior.

According to Whitebeard, Lin Yan should pursue what she wants on her own, and all setbacks and unexpected events are just a form of adjustment. They all deeply agree with this.

This is Lin Yan's personal journey of growth!

Following them only made them feel constrained and restricted.

In the end, only Ain, her face full of anticipation, stepped forward.

"I'll go with you!"