A New Pirate Crew

"It had nothing to do with that."

Whitebeard shook his head. "It's just that someone who can't become captain here will be constrained in ways he shouldn't be. I don't want to see that happen. You two both have what it takes to become kings. Neither of you should become the other's subordinate."

Rune blinked. So he had been overthinking it. But Whitebeard was clearly overthinking things too.

"Pops, let Ace be captain. I'll just keep being a division commander."

Rune smiled faintly. "As long as I can protect everyone, it doesn't matter what position I hold."

"Rune, you're someone who will become a king too."

Whitebeard looked at Rune. "One who becomes a king cannot submit to another.

"For either of you, your current situation is already restricting your growth."

Rune roughly understood. Whitebeard believed that someone with Conqueror's Haki could not serve as another person's "subordinate," or it would affect what they could achieve in the future. Rune, however, did not think it mattered much.

Zoro also had Conqueror's Haki and aspired to become the world's greatest swordsman, yet he still acknowledged Luffy as his captain.

But...

If Ace truly became captain of the Whitebeard Pirates and became one of the new Four Emperors...

Rune really did find that a little awkward.

Rune deeply admired Whitebeard, both for his strength and his character, and acknowledged him as his "pops."

But Ace...

Sometimes Rune felt that Ace was an idiot. Otherwise, he would not have gone to Wano Country twice to assassinate Kaido, only to get captured both times.

Thinking about it that way, if Ace became captain, Rune really would be unconvinced. But if Rune became captain, Ace would probably support him in becoming Pirate King, just as he had previously wanted to support Whitebeard.

In that case, Ace would no longer have the chance to grow to the level of a Four Emperor.

"In that case... I'll take my squad and establish a new pirate crew."

Rune understood Whitebeard's thoughts. Whitebeard clearly believed that, in both strength and character, Rune was better suited to become the next Four Emperor of the Whitebeard Pirates. But Whitebeard did not want to give up on Ace either.

He hoped Ace could reach the same heights.

That was why they were having this conversation.

Rune did not particularly mind. Establishing his own pirate crew would not be much different from remaining under the Whitebeard Pirates' banner. In any case, Rune was already sailing on his own and rarely returned.

"Oh, right, Pops."

Rune looked at Whitebeard. "I have my own ship now too. In a while, I plan to send Luffy over so you can help train him. Luffy's Devil Fruit is powerful, and his potential may be even greater than Ace's and mine.

"Luffy is an important figure for this world's future."

Whitebeard nodded. Even if Rune left the Whitebeard Pirates, their relationship would not change. Besides, this was so both young men could grow better, not some fight over a prize.

Naturally, Whitebeard would not refuse Rune's request.

"Then it's settled. Kuma and I will head back now and send Luffy and his ship over."

"Wait."

Whitebeard raised a hand. "Thatch has something he wants to see you about. Go meet him."

"Brother Thatch? Sure."

Rune did not think much of it. He had Kuma wait there for a while before heading to Thatch's room himself.

"Brother Thatch, I'm coming in."

Pushing open the door, Rune saw Thatch. Thatch could not help smiling when he saw Rune.

"Brother Rune, you said you were giving me a Devil Fruit. This Magma-Magma Fruit... it belonged to Akainu, didn't it?"

Thatch had not been especially strong in combat before. But after eating the Magma-Magma Fruit, even though he could only use its abilities at the most basic level...

Thatch already possessed the strength of a standard Seven Warlord.

This fruit was ridiculously powerful.

"This fruit's ability is pretty good, right?"

Rune smiled faintly. "Pops said you wanted to see me. What is it, Brother Thatch?"

"It's nothing important. I just have something to give you."

Thatch took out a notebook. "These are recipes I organized myself. When you recruit a cook someday, have them make these for you. Or you can try cooking them yourself."

"That's it?"

"That's it."

"Alright, then I'll take it."

Rune smiled faintly. He had thought Thatch wanted something important, but it turned out to be this. Apparently, Thatch was worried that Rune would suffer through bad food while sailing outside and could not eat Thatch's cooking, which was why he had done this.

Watching Rune leave, Thatch spread open his palm. His palm turned into magma before returning to normal.

Originally, Thatch had wanted to properly thank Rune for the Magma-Magma Fruit, which was why he said he had something to discuss with him. But once Rune had actually come over, Thatch felt that, given their relationship...

Saying something like that would only make things seem overly sentimental.

So Thatch merely mentioned it casually and gave Rune his recipe book.

He only hoped that, in the future, Rune would at least not have to deprive himself when it came to food.

After leaving the Whitebeard Pirates with Kuma, Rune returned to the ship and told Luffy about having Whitebeard guide his training. Luffy had no objections, so Kuma directly sent both him and the Thousand Sunny flying to the vicinity of the Moby Dick.

The Transponder Snails from the islands Rune had previously protected were also sent to the Moby Dick.

After all, those islands had originally been protected under Whitebeard's banner. Now that Rune was establishing a new pirate crew, he could not exactly make them change their flags.

This time, only Rune's own people remained on his ship.

"Alright, everyone, stop what you're doing. I'm calling a meeting."

Rune walked onto the deck and clapped his hands. Kuma remained at his side, while Yamato, Bonney, Tashigi, and Shirahoshi all emerged from their respective rooms.

Only Shirahoshi was out on the sea, with that giant catfish beside her.

"Here's the situation. Starting today, we're leaving the Whitebeard Pirates and establishing a new pirate crew. I'll be the captain of this ship. None of you have any objections, right?"

As Rune said this, everyone shook their heads. Bonney had once been a captain, but since Rune had helped her find Kuma, she certainly would not compete with Rune for the position.

Kuma felt much the same as Bonney. He also regarded Rune as his benefactor and would not fight him for the position.

After the incident with Akainu, Yamato had always deeply admired Rune. The fact that she had not even gotten angry when Rune spoke badly of her idol Oden said enough.

She would not compete with Rune for the position either.

Shirahoshi was even more of Rune's little fangirl, so naturally she had no such thoughts.

As for Tashigi... she was an undercover Marine, so that was skipped.

"If no one objects, then from today onward, you're all my crew members. Other than me, Kuma and Yamato are the strongest. But I think Kuma is more mature and steady."

Rune looked at Yamato. "From now on, Kuma will be the vice-captain. When I'm not here, everyone listens to him. Any objections?"

Yamato shook her head. She had no interest in being vice-captain. She had gone to sea with Rune mainly to adventure across the ocean and see a world she had never been able to witness before.

Moreover, Yamato acknowledged Kuma's strength. Though she had never fought Kuma, he had always played a crucial role aboard this ship.

"Alright, then Kuma will be the vice-captain from now on."

Rune looked at Yamato. "Yamato, you'll be third-in-command on the ship. Your strength is the greatest aside from mine, so you'll be responsible for managing all full-time combat personnel we recruit in the future. Of course, right now, that only means you.

"Bonney, your Devil Fruit ability is special. You won't belong to any division on this ship. In the future, you'll act directly under my orders. Is that alright?"

"Oh, sure."

Bonney had no objections. Her greatest wish had already been fulfilled.

And Rune was the one who had made it happen.

Since she was already on Rune's ship, she would simply do whatever Rune asked.

Besides, belonging to no division and taking orders only from Rune also meant she was free. Bonney thought that arrangement was pretty good.

"Shirahoshi, you'll be the captain of our naval combat unit. You'll be responsible for commanding all Sea Kings we recruit in the future. You'll direct all battles at sea."

"M-Me?"

Shirahoshi was a little nervous. "Lord Rune, I've never done anything like this before..."

"Believe in yourself. You can communicate with Sea Kings and make them follow your orders. Doing what I said is nothing difficult for you."

"Alright..."

Shirahoshi was still worried, but seeing how much Rune believed in her, she could not say anything more.

"Tashigi, you'll be in charge of the crew's logistics. From now on, all the crew's expenses will be decided by you."

Tashigi nodded. This was what she had been doing all along. Since captured pirates had to be taken to Tashigi to collect the bounties, Rune simply had her manage the money as well.

Moreover, after observing her for some time, Rune had found that Tashigi was not greedy and possessed a strong sense of justice. He felt quite at ease letting her manage the money.