"What's the point?" Enel said reluctantly. "This guy's no match for me, the Thunder God. A one-sided beating is no fun."
At Enel's words, Marco, who stood beside Whitebeard, almost burst out laughing. "You're as arrogant as ever, kid."
Enel scoffed. "I simply know my own strength. At your level, even ten of you wouldn't stop me from pinning you to the ground and beating you."
Ace had been playing with the children for a while. Seeing the lively gathering around Whitebeard, he wandered over without a second thought and asked curiously, "What are you talking about? Let me join in."
Marco loosened up his arms and legs, his lips curling into an ambiguous smile. "Ace, you wouldn't mind if I beat up one of your arrogant new crewmates, would you?"
"Are we fighting?" Ace asked excitedly. "I want in too!"
"Gurararara!" Whitebeard laughed. "Ace, you're one of Lin Mo's crew now. If you fight, you ought to stand on their side. If you insist on joining in, I'm afraid your only opponent would be me. Gurararara!"
Ace scratched his head with a cheerful grin. "If I'm fighting Pops, I've lost before I even start, hahaha. Still, I haven't challenged you since joining your crew. I really would like to try again."
"No," Marco said flatly. "Pops is still recovering. He can't fight yet."
"I know," Ace continued. "Don't worry. I'm only thinking about it. I'm not actually going to challenge him."
Whitebeard seemed unconcerned. "Ace, if you really want to spar with me, that's fine. I know my own body. Your challenge isn't going to make me collapse."
"Pops," Marco insisted, "you haven't recovered enough to fight. You need at least another three months of rest!"
Then Lin Mo suddenly spoke. "Enough. Ace isn't fighting. This time, it's just