Heh, You've Grown!

The food and drink were replenished, and after a brief awkwardness, the atmosphere gradually livened up again thanks to Whitebeard's hearty laughter and Lin Nuo's composure.

The other crew members on deck naturally had not been idle either.

Having finally escaped that sea of deathly fog, survived a battle, and gained new companions, they had already started an impromptu celebration.

The scent of grilled meat filled the air, while beer foam splashed everywhere.

Ginny and Ivankov pulled the reserved Kuma into the dance.

Because Brook had joined them, they even had musical accompaniment, making Teach giggle nonstop.

Just then, a middle-aged man with pineapple-shaped hair led a six- or seven-year-old boy with the same pineapple hairstyle through the lively crowd to the main table.

"Old man, Captain Lin Nuo."

Grom respectfully greeted the two of them, then gently patted the little boy beside him on the back.

"Marco, come on. Say hello to Uncle Lin Nuo."

"This is Uncle Lin Nuo. He's the old man's life-and-death friend, and also an exceptionally great pirate."

Little Marco raised his childish face and curiously looked at Lin Nuo, especially the pair of black wings behind him. Then he gave a polite little bow.

"Hello, Uncle Lin Nuo. I'm Marco."

Looking at this Little Marco, who would one day become Whitebeard's right-hand man and inherit the will of the Phoenix, Lin Nuo's feelings grew complicated for a moment.

He did feel somewhat guilty.

After all, the Phoenix Fruit should originally have been Marco's opportunity.

But what could he do? The fruit was simply too useful.

Lin Nuo smiled helplessly to himself.

Still, it was not as though he had never considered compensating him for this opportunity.

He looked at Little Marco, then at Grom and Whitebeard, before suddenly speaking.

"Grom, your son is very