Time flew by.
Before they knew it, Ron and the others had spent a month in the Sabaody Archipelago.
Over that month, the Saber of Xebec and the other members had all returned to Hachinosu.
As for when Ron and the others would return to the Rocks Pirates, nothing was certain yet. The Rocks Pirates had not been doing much lately, and Rocks himself had temporarily left the crew on personal business.
Between that lousy place Hachinosu and the Sabaody Archipelago, Ron found the latter more comfortable.
"Lord Newgate, this is the place you were looking for." A pirate who had spent years in the Sabaody Archipelago spoke to Whitebeard with a cheerful smile.
Whitebeard looked at the area enclosed by a wooden wall, his gaze sharpening slightly.
Inside the wooden wall stood two luxurious wooden houses.
"Mm, thanks," Whitebeard replied quietly.
"Not at all. It was nothing, just what I ought to do. If you need any more help, just come find me at the usual place." The pirate waved a hand, chuckled, then turned and left.
Whitebeard withdrew his gaze from the man's retreating figure, bent his knees slightly, and leaped straight over the wooden wall.
He landed with a heavy thud.
Inside, Annika, who was still practicing her Devil Fruit ability, was the first to look up. Her gaze landed on the newcomer, her eyes lit up, and a smile instantly blossomed across her face.
"Lord Newgate, what brings you here?" Annika called out brightly.
"Newgate?"
Nearby, Ron and Kaido, who had been sleeping on the grass after eating their fill, sat up at the same time.
Both turned their eyes toward that figure, surprise on their faces.
"What brings you here?" Ron stood up, smiling as he brushed the bits of grass off himself.
Whitebeard walked