The Fleet Admiral Sengoku's Move

Hearing that Lin Yan was willing to join.

Whitebeard was indescribably delighted.

The more powerful fighters there were aboard the Moby Dick, the stronger the Whitebeard Pirates' foundation would be.

Of course.

Lin Yan also made a request.

A man's knees were worth gold; 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 Whitebeard Pirates' great family.

It was only natural that he was not used to it yet.

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 Lin a welcome feast!"

Whitebeard shouted boldly to the crew.

A lively banquet.

Was held aboard the Moby Dick.

Everyone rushed to toast Lin Yan.

They were all heroes when it came to drinking.

After several cups of alcohol.

The previous misunderstanding vanished in an instant.

The atmosphere was full of revelry.

Their shouts shook the heavens, as though they intended to get drunk while there was wine to drink.

People.

Were indeed social creatures.

Lin Yan was not particularly fond of alcohol, 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 "Gurararara" as he raised his wine cup high.

The banquet itself was merely an excuse.

The main reason was that Whitebeard himself had been craving alcohol.

He was taking the chance to knock back a few more drinks!

This made Marco, the ship's doctor, anxious.

"Dad, that's enough!"

Watching Whitebeard drink so recklessly, Marco hurriedly tried to stop him.

"Hey, Marco, that's where you're wrong. Lin has finally joined us—don't spoil the mood!"

"Gurararara!"

Whitebeard did not care and kept gulping it down.

Normally, Marco, Jozu, and the others strictly forbade Whitebeard from drinking.

He had been holding himself back for far too long.

No matter what, he had to make up for it today!

After all, Whitebeard's chronic illness was right there.

Taking care of his health.

Was a daily responsibility for Marco and the division commanders.

Now that Whitebeard had openly given up on behaving himself.

Marco covered his forehead with one hand.

They were done for.

Dad had completely turned into a mischievous old child.

Just as the Whitebeard Pirates were flourishing.

Elsewhere.

News concerning the Whitebeard Pirates.

Was transmitted 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 numerous Marine spies.

In the seas surrounding the Whitebeard Pirates.

At that moment.

A colonel.

Holding a Den Den Mushi, rushed to the Fleet Admiral's office at top speed.

"Report, 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 solemnly.

One of them wore a long robe, adorned with honors, and held a rice cracker in his hand, taking bite after bite.

Each bite produced a crisp sound.

As if he were munching on potato chips.

His hair was gray-white, but despite the weathered face, he appeared vigorous and exceptionally resolute.

He was Fist Karp, known as the "Legendary Hero of the Marines."

With his Bone Fist.

He had once driven Roger into a desperate corner.

He was the man who had chased the Pirate King across the world!

A figure revered by the Marines as a god!

Behind Garp.

A man wore an eye mask.

He reclined lazily in his chair.

With his legs crossed, his eyes closed, he seemed half-awake and half-asleep.

He was Kuzan, one of the current three Marine Admirals!

His codename was Aokiji.

At the very center of the office, beneath a plaque bearing the large characters for Justice.

Sat the current Fleet Admiral, Marineford's highest authority, and the Marines' supreme commander.

Sengoku the Buddha.

The Wise General, a king of the old era.

Together with Garp and Tsuru, he was known as one of the Marines' Iron Triangle.

With his ability to devise strategies and secure victory from afar.

He had once made the three great pirates of the old era—Golden Lion, Whitebeard, and Roger—grit their teeth in hatred!

Hearing that there had been movement from the Whitebeard Pirates.

Garp stopped eating his rice crackers.

Aokiji also lifted half of his eye mask.

Sengoku said calmly, "Bring it here."

Very soon.

The news that the Whitebeard Pirates had recruited a new crewmate.

Became known to Sengoku, Garp, and Aokiji.

Logically speaking.

The Whitebeard Pirates recruiting a new crewmate.

Was nothing unusual!

The Marines also held the World Military Draft every year.

It was hardly surprising.

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 numerous division commanders, including Jozu, Vista, and Izo.

A strange light flickered in the three men's eyes.

"Oh? It looks like Whitebeard has recruited someone remarkable!"

Aokiji straightened up and sat upright as he spoke.

"Taking down several division commanders in a row... with that kind of strength, he's at least top-tier!"

Garp nodded slightly as well.

"Lin..."

Looking at the name, Sengoku searched his memories but had never heard of such a person. "Who is this?"

"Fleet Admiral, before coming here, our people investigated him. There is no bounty for this person in the Marine bounty records!"

The colonel had already done thorough preparatory work.

Hearing the colonel's words.

He was not a Marine.

Nor was he a pirate.

It seemed.

He was a neutral party.

He had consecutively defeated several division commanders.

The key was.

What level of strength did those division commanders possess?

Not to mention Izo and Vista.

Jozu was one of the few members of the Whitebeard Pirates with a bounty exceeding one billion.

By preliminary estimates.

This newcomer's strength.

Was at least at the one-billion level!

At least one billion.

What kind of concept was that?

And more importantly.

Whitebeard had casually cast his net into the sea and somehow caught the grand prize.

Why was Whitebeard's luck.

So good?

Why could the Marines not recruit talent like this?

"That damn Whitebeard! Not long ago, he finally lost Thatch, the commander of the Fourth Division, and now another Lin has appeared, someone who can stand shoulder to shoulder with the other division commanders!"

"This kind of luck is truly unbelievable!"

Sengoku's brows furrowed slightly, concern showing on his cold face.

He rubbed his temples.

Over these past years.

Ever since Roger announced One Piece and opened the Great Pirate Era.

The Marines' control over the seas had declined with every passing day, far worse than before!

Especially with more and more pirates appearing across the seas.

And countless powerful figures emerging.

The Marines were finding governance increasingly difficult.

The Four Seas, the first half of the Grand Line, and the New World.

Pirates in every region had reached an astonishing number.

Causing the Marines tremendous trouble!

For that very reason.

Sengoku realized that, as Fleet Admiral, it was time for him to act.

It was time to do something!