Although Yake had long guessed Whitebeard would pull something like this, he had not expected him to be so direct.
"Whitebeard, I choose to refuse," Yake said helplessly.
"Can you give me a reason, brat?" Whitebeard truly hoped Yake could join his big family. Though he had many sons, there were not many who could truly stand on their own. He was already advanced in years; it was time to choose a successor. In Whitebeard's eyes, Yake was an excellent candidate.
Damn it, why did I end up with Ace's script?
"Just like my old man said, Whitebeard!" Yake had mentioned his plan to challenge Whitebeard to Rayleigh back on Sabaody. Rayleigh had confidently sworn that if 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 is your old man?" Whitebeard could not help but grow curious.
"Silvers Rayleigh. He is my adoptive father," Yake said calmly.
"Gurararara~ What a coincidence. So you're that old Rayleigh's son." Whitebeard burst into laughter as soon as Yake revealed his father's identity.
"Roger's right-hand man, Rayleigh. No wonder! No wonder you have such terrifying strength at such a young age. Rayleigh taught you, didn't he? Gurararara~" Whitebeard laughed heartily. Yake had first made a name for himself on Sabaody, and Whitebeard had heard that Rayleigh was living in seclusion there. If Yake was Rayleigh's adopted son, then everything made sense.
"Gol D. Roger's right-hand man?"
"Could that be... Dark King Rayleigh?"
The commanders immediately began talking among themselves. Marco could not help recalling a battle with Rayleigh years ago. Rayleigh had blocked his attack with just one finger. As Rayleigh's son, it was no surprise that Yake possessed such strength.
"Forget it, brat. Your crew is quite good too. Continue your journey!" Whitebeard gradually gave up on the idea of taking Yake as his son, because he could see that Yake's heart was not lonely. Even if he joined them, he would only be a passing traveler in the end.
"Then thank you for understanding, Whitebeard. If you ever need help someday, I'll definitely lend you a hand." Yake gave Teach, who looked completely harmless amid the crowd, a long look.
"What are you talking about? I'm Whitebeard! Boys, it's time for a feast!"
"Ooooooh!"
Everyone cheered in unison.
Naturally, Yake and his group joined the banquet as well, celebrating with the Whitebeard Pirates' crew.
"Hey, is that woman Devil Child Robin?" Marco asked drunkenly, pulling Yake over.
"That's right. She's my first crewmate. Why?" Yake tilted his head back and took a swig of liquor, looking toward Robin, who seemed somewhat out of place in the corner.
"Haha, you two really are a match made in heaven. You're both thorns in the World Government's side!"
"That's right, I think so too. 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 behind. Even if Yake had ultimately lost after Whitebeard seized an opening and knocked him unconscious.
"Zehahaha, little brother, you're really strong. Too bad you're no match for our old man." Marshall Teach also took the initiative to strike up a conversation with Yake. He was quite tempted by Yake's Devil Fruit ability.
"Hahaha, I was just one move short." Yake pretended to agree. Killing Teach now would probably make Whitebeard 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 schemes, clinked cups like the best of brothers.
The banquet continued until late at night. To be safe, Yake took Robin and the others back to their own ship early to rest...
The next day, the News Coo delivered the newspaper.
The news reported on Punk Hazard. A scientific research accident had occurred on Punk Hazard, toxic gas had leaked out, and the island was now under Marine blockade.
The researchers on the island had evacuated Punk Hazard long ago. Apart 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 the Whitebeard Pirates' navigator to ask for Punk Hazard's location. Only after confirming his ship's course did he bid Whitebeard farewell.
"Whitebeard, 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 the people aboard Whitebeard's ship had a favorable impression of Yake and considered him a friend worth making. However, a pirate crew that large naturally had all sorts of people in it. There were plenty with hidden agendas, even Marine spies. Naturally, news of Yake's fight with Whitebeard could not be kept from leaking out.
After returning to his ship, Yake hurried to the helm. Once he confirmed the direction, he immediately activated his ability to charge the electric equipment and increase their speed.
"Captain, where are we going in such a hurry?" Reiju asked curiously. She rarely saw Yake so 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 newspaper say an accident happened there? Isn't it a restricted zone now?" Robin said as she read the paper.
"Vegapunk left some research materials there. They'll be very useful for Germa's research. Most importantly, 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 would definitely bring him in." Yake spoke with some 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 that. Get ready. Once we reach Punk Hazard, Reiju will come with me. The rest of you stay behind and watch the ship."
At the same time, Marine Headquarters also received news from an undercover agent.
"Damn it, Devil Child Robin is actually mixed up with that Yake bastard. This is trouble!"
Sengoku held intelligence on Yake's group in his hands. Someone capable of reading the Poneglyphs joining forces with someone bent on overthrowing the World Government was not good news...