Out at sea, the Moby Dick sailed in silence.
The usual noise and laughter had vanished from the deck, replaced by an oppressive silence and the occasional pained groan from the infirmary.
Grief and anger hung over the entire flagship like a heavy fog, almost too suffocating to breathe.
The commanders silently tended their wounds and dealt with the aftermath, but every so often, their eyes drifted toward the closed door at the stern.
That was the room of their Pops, Whitebeard, Edward Newgate...
Inside the room.
Whitebeard was not sitting on his broad reclining chair. Instead, he stood before the enormous porthole with his back to the door, gazing out at the endless sea in the night.
The imposing figure of the World's Strongest seemed unbearably burdened now, his tattered coat still draped over his shoulders.
Marco stood quietly a short distance behind him, the worry and exhaustion plain on his face.
After an indeterminate silence, Marco finally spoke, his voice slightly hoarse. "Pops..."
Whitebeard did not answer. He continued staring silently at the sea.
Marco drew a deep breath. He knew he had to keep going, however difficult these words were, even if they might provoke Pops' anger.
"I know how you feel... all of us feel the same." Marco's voice was low and slow, every word carefully weighed.
"What happened to Oden... none of us can accept it. We all want to storm back into Wano Country right now and make that bastard Kaido pay in blood!"
Whitebeard's back seemed to stiffen a little more.
"But, Pops!" Marco changed tack, his voice turning urgent and reasoned. "We can't do it now! Please calm down and think it through!"
He stepped forward, trying to give his words more weight. "We just fought Marine Admiral 'Skyquake' Gern and his