News from Punk Hazard

Although Yake had long guessed Whitebeard would pull something like this, he had not expected him to be so direct.

"Whitebeard Pops, I choose to refuse," Yake said helplessly.

"Can you give me a reason, brat?" Whitebeard truly hoped Yake could join his great family. Though he had many sons, not many of them could truly stand on their own. He was already getting on in years; it was time to choose a successor. In Whitebeard's eyes, Yake was an excellent candidate.

Damn it, why did I get Ace's script?

"Just like my old man said, Whitebeard!" Yake had mentioned his desire to challenge Whitebeard to Rayleigh back in Sabaody. Rayleigh had sworn that when Whitebeard met Yake, he would definitely invite him to become his son without hesitation. Yake had not quite believed it then, but now it seemed...

"Who's your old man?" Whitebeard could not help but grow curious.

"Silvers Rayleigh. He's my adoptive father," Yake said calmly.

"Gurararara! What a coincidence. So you're that old bastard Rayleigh's son." Whitebeard could not help bursting into laughter upon hearing who Yake's father was.

"Rayleigh, Gol D. Roger's first mate? No wonder! No wonder you possess such terrifying strength at such a young age. Rayleigh must have taught you, right? Gurararara!" Whitebeard laughed loudly. Yake had first made a name for himself in Sabaody, and Whitebeard had previously heard that Rayleigh was living in seclusion there. If Yake was Rayleigh's adopted son, then everything made sense.

"Gol D. Law's first mate?"

"Could he be... Rayleigh the Dark King?"

The commanders immediately broke into discussion. Marco could not help recalling a battle with Rayleigh many years ago. Rayleigh had blocked his attack with just one finger. As Rayleigh's son, it was no surprise Yake possessed such strength.

"Forget it, brat. Your crew is pretty good too. Continue your journey!" Whitebeard gradually gave up on the idea of taking Yake as his son. He could see that Yake was not lonely inside. Even if he joined them, he would ultimately only be a passerby.

"Then thanks for understanding, Whitebeard Pops. If one day you need help, I'll definitely lend you a hand." Yake gave Teach, who looked harmless among the crowd, a deep look.

"What kind of joke is that? I'm Whitebeard! Boys, let's have a feast!"

"Ooooooh!"

Everyone cheered in unison.

Yake and his group naturally joined the feast as well, celebrating with the Whitebeard Pirates' crew.

"Hey, isn't that woman Devil Child Robin?" Marco asked, drunkenly grabbing Yake.

"That's right. She's my first crewmate. What about it?" Yake tipped back a mouthful of liquor and looked at Robin, who seemed somewhat out of place in the corner.

"Hahaha, you really are a match made in heaven. You're both thorns in the World Government's side!"

"Exactly what I was thinking. Cheers!"

"Clink~"

Quite a few crew members came over to talk with Yake. The strong were respected everywhere. There were not many in the Whitebeard Pirates who could fight Whitebeard without falling into a disadvantage. Even if Yake had ultimately lost after Whitebeard found an opening and knocked him unconscious.

"Zehahaha, kid, you're really strong. Too bad you're no match for our Pops." Marshall Teach also took the initiative to strike up a conversation with Yake. He was quite covetous of Yake's Devil Fruit ability.

"Hahaha, I was just a step behind." Yake played along. If he killed Teach now, Whitebeard would probably get serious. Before the Dark-Dark Fruit appeared, Teach had been Whitebeard's good son for decades.

I'm quite interested in the Dark-Dark Fruit's power too. I'll spare your life for now. Once you get the Dark-Dark Fruit, I'll kill you.

The two men, each harboring his own ulterior motives, clinked glasses like the best of brothers.

The feast lasted until late into the night. For safety's sake, Yake took Robin and the others back to their own ship early to rest...

The next day, a News Coo delivered the newspaper.

The news reported on Punk Hazard. A research accident had occurred there, poisonous gas had leaked, and the island was now under Marine blockade.

The researchers on the island had evacuated Punk Hazard long ago. Aside from a few pirate prisoners used as test subjects who were still barely clinging to life, it had become a forbidden land for all living things.

Looks like it's time.

Yake boarded the Moby Dick again and found one of the Whitebeard Pirates' navigators to ask for Punk Hazard's location. Only after confirming his ship's course did he bid Whitebeard farewell.

"Whitebeard Pops, I'm leaving. I have my own journey. Next time, I'll take your title with my own hands."

Yake spoke with complete confidence, but next time might be the last time they met, Whitebeard.

"Gurararara! What an arrogant brat. Go on! I'll be waiting for you on these seas!!" Whitebeard said grandly to Yake.

"Goodbye, Yake!"

"Goodbye! Don't lose again next time!"

Most of those aboard Whitebeard's ship had a good impression of Yake, considering him a friend worth making. But a pirate crew this large was bound to have all sorts of people mixed in. There were quite a few with ulterior motives, and even Marine spies among them. Naturally, Yake's clash with Whitebeard could not remain secret.

After returning to his ship, Yake hurried to the helm. Once he confirmed the direction, he immediately used his ability to charge the electric propulsion system and increase their speed.

"Captain, where are we going in such a hurry?" Reiju asked curiously. It was rare to see Yake this rushed.

"To Punk Hazard. There's something I need to get there." Yake had nothing to hide from his crew.

"Punk Hazard? Didn't the news say there was an accident there? Isn't it a restricted area now?" Law said as she read the newspaper.

"Vegapunk left some research materials there. They'll be very helpful to Germa's research. Mainly, I'm interested in Vegapunk's research on Artificial Devil Fruits." Only after fully charging the ship did Yake release his hand and roughly explain the situation to Robin and the others.

"Artificial Devil Fruits?"

"That's right. It's one of our targets. It's a pity I don't know where Vegapunk is, or I'd definitely get him." Yake spoke with considerable regret. The most valuable thing in this world was talent, and Vegapunk was clearly among the very best.

As a scientist, he was a hundred times better than Judge.

"I think I heard Father... Judge mention him before. They used to work together," Reiju said, sharing what she knew. However, her attitude toward Judge had completely changed. In her heart, Judge was no longer her father.

"Never mind all that. Get ready. Once we reach Punk Hazard, Reiju will come with me. The rest of you guard the ship."

At the same time, Marine Headquarters also received a message from an undercover agent.

"Damn it, Devil Child Robin is actually running with that Yake bastard. This is trouble!"

What Sengoku held was intelligence on Yake's group. Someone who could read the Poneglyphs joining forces with someone seeking to overthrow the World Government was not good news...