Rubick reached Twin Cape through a Portal, then followed Marco toward North Blue, struggling to keep up with Geppo. To hide his identity, he had deliberately put on a black robe just like Marco's.
To avoid Marine scouts, the two waited until dark, then felt their way along the cliffs beside the current flowing up toward North Blue.
Once they reached North Blue, Whitebeard's men met them not far from the entrance. By the next morning, Rubick arrived aboard Whitebeard's ship, exhausted from the journey.
The moment he stepped aboard, Rubick felt immense pressure bearing down on his will. It was Whitebeard's Haki.
At the far end of the deck sat Whitebeard, his commanding presence unmistakable. Tubes ran into his body, and several beautiful nurses in leopard-print knee-high boots stood beside him.
On either side of the deck, Whitebeard's division commanders and other crew members sat or stood, watching Rubick with vicious grins.
Marco gestured ahead. "Pops is over there. Go on."
Rubick took one step toward Whitebeard. An overwhelming force suddenly crashed down on him, driving him to one knee. The deck cracked beneath him as he gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead.
Rubick knew Whitebeard was putting him in his place. The man wielded his Conqueror's Haki with ease, pressing in from every direction. Rubick felt like some small object accidentally tossed into a washing machine, tumbling helplessly in the churning water.
At any moment, he could be injured—or killed.
Rubick held his breath. Armament Haki already covered both his hands, but it wasn't enough. Only Conqueror's Haki could stand against Conqueror's Haki.
"Whitebeard, you've grown old!"
Rubick forced the words through clenched teeth. An indescribable power suddenly surged from within him, and the pressure on his body abruptly eased.
Slowly, Rubick struggled to his feet.