Huff~
Hah~
Huff~
Huff~
After Whitebeard made his announcement, the ship instantly fell silent, leaving only the sound of heavy breathing.
Aside from a few commanders, everyone in the Whitebeard Pirates was utterly shocked.
They had never imagined that Whitebeard would one day choose to retire and pass on his position as captain.
Most of them were orphans, wanderers who had been victimized by other pirates or left with nowhere to call home.
It was Whitebeard's invitation, "Come be my sons," that had brought them together, made them family, and formed the vast Whitebeard Pirates.
Whitebeard was the reason every one of them had joined the Whitebeard Pirates.
The Whitebeard Pirates were perhaps unlike most other pirate crews.
The members aboard truly regarded each other as family, as brothers and sisters. The Whitebeard Pirates were one big family, and Whitebeard was the head of that family.
There was no question what would become of a family without its head.
It was not that they disapproved of Ace. They simply could not accept Whitebeard stepping down as captain.
"Pops, if you're no longer our captain, can we still be the Whitebeard Pirates?"
"Pops..."
"Pops, don't do this."
Ace was also shaking his head frantically. "Pops, I can't be captain."
Whitebeard raised a hand and rested it on Ace's shoulder. "Ace, you can."
Then he turned to his sons aboard the ship and said, "Boys, everyone grows old in the end. The great wheels of the times keep rolling forward.
"No one can withstand the erosion of time. I'm no exception.
"That's how this world works. The older generation can't stay where they are forever, and I can't shelter you forever either.
"Every one of you has already become strong enough to stand on your own. It's time I retired and enjoyed