Sea Circle Calendar 1533, August 20.
New World, Sphinx Island.
The Moby Dick lay quietly moored by the shore, creaking beneath the sea breeze. As usual, the Whitebeard Pirates sat atop the mountain at the edge of the grasslands, holding a feast. The aroma of roasted meat mingled with the scent of rum and drifted through the air.
On the surface, everything seemed cheerful, with clinking glasses ringing out one after another. But a closer look revealed an unconcealable sorrow on every face. Their gazes kept drifting toward the distant sea, as though they feared something.
The world-shaking battle from several days ago had already spread across the entire world through Morgans's reports. Of course, it was a somewhat embellished version.
The Whitebeard Pirates had spent many years roaming the seas. They were not fools. They knew perfectly well that once the "Dark Emperor" who had defeated the King of the World freed up his hands, he would come for them sooner or later.
Could their old, frail dad really stand against him?
That question weighed on everyone's heart like a massive boulder.
Seeing his sons like this, Whitebeard wanted to say something to raise morale. He opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.
In his brief clash with Dawn last time, he had already fallen into a disadvantage. He had lived his entire life openly and honestly, disdaining to deceive others, even with well-intentioned lies.
Splash—
The sound of waves surging suddenly rose by their ears.
The Whitebeard Pirates followed the sound and saw a massive warship cutting through the waves toward them. The dragon head carved into its prow looked lifelike, gleaming coldly beneath the sunlight.
Black-red arcs of lightning that blotted out the sky spilled from the ship's cabin, streaked across the heavens, and lightly swept over