Hearing that Lin Yan was willing to join.
Whitebeard was indescribably delighted.
The more strong fighters the Moby Dick had, the deeper the Whitebeard Pirates' foundation would be.
Of course.
Lin Yan had one condition.
A man had gold beneath his knees; he knelt only to heaven, earth, and his parents.
He would not call Whitebeard "Dad."
Hearing Lin Yan's request.
Whitebeard waved a hand, unconcerned.
Lin Yan had only just joined the big family of the Whitebeard Pirates.
It was only natural that he would need time to adjust.
Whitebeard had seen plenty of similar situations.
He would use his actions to make Lin Yan accept and acknowledge him.
"Gurararara! A new crewmate has joined us! Let's throw a welcome feast for Lin!"
Whitebeard called out boldly to the many crew members.
A lively drinking banquet.
Was held aboard the Moby Dick.
One after another, everyone rushed to toast Lin Yan.
They were all heroes among drinkers.
After several cups of liquor.
The earlier misunderstanding vanished in an instant.
The whole place was filled with merriment.
Their shouts shook the heavens, as though they truly lived by the creed of drinking today's wine today.
People.
Were indeed social creatures.
Lin Yan was not someone who drank himself to death, but there were simply too many people toasting him.
He could not withstand everyone's enthusiasm.
Cup after cup, he drank without end.
Whitebeard also laughed, "Gurarararara!" as he raised his wine cup high.
The banquet was all an excuse.
The main reason was that Whitebeard himself had been craving alcohol.
He was taking the chance to gulp down a few more drinks!
This made Marco, the ship's doctor, frantic.
"Dad, that's enough!"
Seeing Whitebeard drinking so recklessly, Marco hurriedly tried to stop him.
"Hey, Marco, that's where you're wrong. Lin has finally joined us, so don't spoil the mood!"
"Gurarararara—!"
Whitebeard paid him no mind and kept drinking mouthful after mouthful.
Normally, Marco, Jozu, and the others strictly prohibited Whitebeard from drinking.
He had been holding himself back for far too long.
Today, no matter what, he would make up for it!
After all, Whitebeard's hidden illness was right there.
Taking care of his health.
Was daily work for Marco and the other division commanders.
Now that Whitebeard had decided to give up on himself in public.
Marco covered his forehead with one hand.
They were doomed.
Dad had completely turned into an old child.
Just as the Whitebeard Pirates were flourishing.
Elsewhere.
A piece of news concerning the Whitebeard Pirates.
Was delivered through a Den Den Mushi.
To Marine Headquarters.
As one of the current Four Emperors' crews.
The Marines kept an extremely close watch on the Whitebeard Pirates' every move.
They had even planted quite a few Marine spies.
In the seas surrounding the Whitebeard Pirates.
At that moment.
A colonel.
Held a Den Den Mushi and hurried to the Fleet Admiral's office at top speed.
"Reporting, Fleet Admiral!"
"There is news from the Whitebeard Pirates!"
The colonel hurriedly presented the Den Den Mushi in his hand.
Inside the Marine office.
Three people sat upright.
One of them wore a long coat, covered in honors, and held a senbei cracker as he bit into it piece by piece.
Every bite produced a crisp sound.
As if he were eating potato chips.
He had graying hair, yet his weathered old face still looked full of vigor and remarkably resolute.
He was Fist Karp, known as the "Legendary Hero of the Marines."
With his pair of Bone Fists.
He had once driven Roger into desperate straits.
A man who had chased the Pirate King across the world!
A godlike existence revered by the Marines!
Behind Karp.
A man wore an eye mask.
He lounged halfway back in his chair.
With one leg crossed over the other, his eyes shut, half asleep and half awake.
He was Kuzan, one of the current three Marine Admirals!
His codename was Aokiji.
At the very center of the office, beneath the plaque bearing the huge word "Justice."
Sat the current Fleet Admiral, Marineford's highest authority, and the Marines' supreme commander.
Sengoku the Buddha.
The Resourceful General, a king of the old era.
Together with Karp and Tsuru, he was known as the Marines' Iron Triangle.
With his ability to strategize from afar and secure victory a thousand miles away.
He had once made the three great pirates of the old era—Golden Lion, Whitebeard, and Roger—gnash their teeth in hatred!
Hearing that there was movement from the Whitebeard Pirates.
Karp stopped eating his senbei.
Aokiji also lifted half of his eye mask.
Sengoku said calmly, "Bring it over."
Very quickly.
The news that the Whitebeard Pirates had recruited a new crew member.
Became known to Sengoku, Karp, and Aokiji!
Logically speaking.
The Whitebeard Pirates recruiting a new crew member.
Was the most normal thing in the world!
The Marines also held the World Military Draft every year.
It was nothing unusual.
But that was precisely the problem!
When they learned that this newcomer had only just boarded the Moby Dick.
Yet had swept through the entire Whitebeard Pirates.
And had even consecutively defeated Jozu, Vista, Izo, and numerous other division commanders.
A strange light flickered in the three men's eyes.
"Oh? It looks like Whitebeard recruited someone extraordinary!"
Aokiji straightened up, sat upright, and spoke.
"Taking down several division commanders in a row... with that strength, he's at least top-tier!"
Karp nodded slightly as well.
"Lin..."
Looking at the name, Sengoku searched his memories but had never heard of anyone by that name. "Who is this person?"
"Fleet Admiral, before coming here, our people investigated. There is no bounty for this person in the Marine bounty archives!"
The colonel had already made thorough preparations.
Hearing the colonel's words.
He was neither a Marine.
Nor a pirate.
It seemed.
He was a neutral party.
He had consecutively defeated several division commanders.
The key was.
What level of strength did these division commanders possess?
Izo and Vista aside.
Jozu was one of the few members of the Whitebeard Pirates with a bounty exceeding one billion.
By preliminary estimate.
This newcomer's strength.
Had to start at at least one billion!
Starting at one billion.
What kind of concept was that?
And more importantly.
They casually cast their net into the sea, only to catch the grand prize.
Whitebeard's luck.
How could it be this good?
Why could their Marines not recruit such talent?
"That damn Whitebeard! Not long ago, he finally lost Thatch, the Fourth Division Commander, and now he has gained another Lin, whose strength rivals the other division commanders!"
"This kind of luck is truly unparalleled!"
Sengoku's brows furrowed slightly, concern showing on his cold face.
He rubbed his temples.
Over these years.
Ever since Roger announced One Piece and ushered in the Great Pirate Era.
The Marines' control over the seas had declined with every passing day, far worse than before!
Especially as there were more and more pirates on the seas.
Countless strong fighters had emerged.
The Marines were finding governance increasingly difficult.
The Four Seas, the first half of the Grand Line, and the New World.
Pirates everywhere had reached an astonishing number.
Causing the Marines enormous trouble!
For that very reason.
Sengoku realized that, as Fleet Admiral, it was time for him to act.
It was time to do something!
Before you continue