He held a huge jug of wine in his hand, but did not drink.
His gaze passed through the bonfire and settled on Ace, whose shoulders Marco had an arm around.
The firelight shone on his aged face, on his graying beard, and in his eyes, which had weathered countless storms.
The faintest curve touched his lips.
It was an expression only a father looking at his son would wear.
Then his gaze shifted.
It settled on the newspaper in Haruta's hand.
Something stirred in his eyes.
He was thinking of Wangchuan.
A deal.
Whitebeard silently repeated the word to himself. Ace had been rescued.
That was what mattered most to him.
In exchange, he had promised the other man treasure.
Double the amount.
He had said it himself on the battlefield.
But after the battle ended, Wangchuan had not come looking for him right away.
He had simply disappeared.
"Gurararara."
"Did he get lost?"
Whitebeard took a gulp of wine.
Wine spilled from the corner of his mouth, soaking his beard.
He did not care about money.
The wealth the Whitebeard Pirates had accumulated over the years was enough for him to squander for several lifetimes.
But something else mattered to him.
That man had saved his son's life.
And he, Whitebeard, never left a debt unpaid.
He lowered the wine jug and looked toward the distant sea.
The sea breeze swept past, blowing his white hair back.
He spoke.
His voice was deep and resonant, cutting through the crackling of the bonfire and the crew's clamor.
"Ace."
Hearing his name, Ace immediately turned his head.
"Pops?"
Whitebeard did not turn around.
His gaze remained on the sea.
"That man named Wangchuan."
"I still haven't given him the treasure I promised."
Ace froze for a moment.
"Pops, you mean..."