The Moby Dick had just reached Saipan Island. Marco, who had previously been stationed there on rotation, had sent word that the Marines had attacked the island and that he had been badly injured.
"Marco's injuries are serious. As soon as we landed yesterday, his men told me the bones in his left hand had been broken into three pieces. Apparently, a Celestial Dragon did it."
Vista spoke to Whitebeard with worry written all over his face.
Whitebeard raised an eyebrow at the mention of a Celestial Dragon.
"A Celestial Dragon? Looks like this one isn't a pig like the others. It could well be one of their elders."
Whitebeard's brow furrowed gravely. For the Celestial Dragons to have survived from the era of the Twenty Kings until now, their so-called status alone certainly couldn't have been enough. It wasn't hard to imagine just how powerful one of their elders might be.
"Right, Vista, where's Marco now?"
Whitebeard asked again.
"Marco's using his Devil Fruit ability to hold his left hand together. He went to find Mr. Barn."
Vista answered.
"To find Barn? That fellow's still in the Sabaody Archipelago. Marco won't be able to take it."
Whitebeard frowned and spoke disapprovingly.
"No, no, Pops. Mr. Barn is in the Calm Belt now. It's not too far from here."
Vista hurried to answer.
"The Calm Belt? What's Barn doing there? Wasn't he spending his retirement in the Sabaody Archipelago? Gurararara!"
Perhaps hearing that Barn was in the Calm Belt meant Marco wouldn't have to strain himself so much, or perhaps Whitebeard was looking forward to seeing his old friend. Either way, his mood improved considerably, and his expression softened.
"Once Marco gets to Barn, I won't have to worry anymore."
"Pops! The G-5 Marines are here!"
Thatch rushed into the