" Rebecca! Don't let the island get close to that pirate ship. Just use your flying swords to send us there!"
Standing on the edge of the island, Vic pointed to the white whale pirate ship docked in the port below and said with a solemn expression, "Whitebeard, as a big shot and senior among pirates, does not allow anyone to be above him in terms of his prestige and Haki, let alone a small island."
If it weren't for sensing a familiar aura, they probably would have activated the Tremor-Tremor Fruit long ago. That's why Vic reminded Rebecca not to do anything that Whitebeard would disrespect.
Rebecca agreed and, as the island descended, she began to increase the distance between herself and the Moby Dick.
Actually, the island wasn't directly above the Moby Dick, but diagonally above it, just blocking the sunlight. However, the shadow it cast was on the Moby Dick, which, if you really look at it, did have a provocative connotation. Vic, as a newcomer to the pirate world, thought it best to avoid it if possible.
Rebecca hovered the island 50 meters above the ground, 200 meters away, but the oppressive feeling was still strong for the people on the island Whitebeard Pirates. This was an island hundreds of times larger than a pirate ship!
Animals' fear of giant objects is ingrained in their very being, which is why many people unconsciously swallow hard when they see islands in the sky, fearing that the islands might just crush them.
Then they saw two people fly out from the edge of the island, and they were flying standing up. They were very surprised. There are some Devil Fruit abilities and skills in this world that can make people fly, but very few can fly standing up. When the two people were about to reach the Moby Dick, they saw the slender flying swords under their feet.
Mantis certainly didn't come empty-handed; he brought a large wooden barrel of fine wine. He had come to ask for a favor, so he couldn't act arrogantly just because of past relationships. Therefore, he still had to show proper courtesy. The Whitebeard might not care, but they couldn't do that.
"Hey Newgate, long time no see! I brought you some drinks, not sure if you'll like this flavor."
Mantis and Vic jumped off the deck of Moby Dick, and their two flying swords flew back to the island on their own. After landing on the deck, Vic stared intently at the tall figure sitting in the main seat.
This was the first time he had seen Whitebeard in person. He had long, flowing blond hair, wore a captain's hat, and his most distinctive feature was his crescent-shaped Whitebeard that curled upwards.
Whitebeard's figure and face were imposing, but what was most striking was the powerful aura emanating from him. Even those without Observation Haki could sense it, like the full moon that night. No wonder that even after more than a decade, the old and ailing Whitebeard could still subdue Blackbeard. Just standing in front of Whitebeard would make Blackbeard's aura weaken by three points, because he was intimidated by the fighting power that Whitebeard had displayed over the long period of time together.
" Mantis! It's been a long time indeed! You've been gone for twenty years without a trace. I always suspected you were captured by the Navy and taken to Impel Down. It's so good to see you now. I like any of the drinks you bring. But what are you doing with this kid?"
Whitebeard was also deeply moved when he saw Mantis. The little fanboy who used to follow him around was now middle-aged, while he himself was entering old age. Time does not forget anyone; it is fair to everyone.
He has fewer and fewer friends, but he's taking in more and more sons. Seeing Vic and Mantis together, he's also curious about their relationship.
Vic was a junior he paid close attention to, and now that he had become a pirate, he paid even more attention to him. However, he never thought of taking Vic as his godson. He didn't think he could subdue a strongman who dared to kill a Celestial Dragons and betray the Navy, so he wouldn't even mention it.
Just as Vic and his Whitebeard, Marco, Jozu, and the other captains and crew members also put down their work and rushed back to the pirate ship. The distance wasn't far, and they quickly returned to the deck of Moby Dick.
They also wanted to see who their Pops's old friend was; this was quite a grand affair, really pushing the boundaries of sophistication.
They soon spotted Mantis and Vic standing opposite their Pops. They didn't recognize Mantis; he looked quite ordinary. But how could they not recognize Vic? He was someone who had accomplished so much.
Could it be that their Pops's friend is Vic? That's a chilling thought. Vic was a Marine before, and a Marine with the potential to become Marine Admiral! They couldn't help but look at their Pops again, their admiration and respect growing even stronger.
"Brother Newgate! To be honest, I've come to you this time because I have a favor to ask. Do you see this island? It's full of people from my hometown. I used to drive out pirates and protect them in my hometown, which is why I disappeared from the world's sight."
I've decided to become a pirate again, but their safety is no longer guaranteed. That's why I Vic to send their people from their hometown to the New World. I'm hoping Brother Newgate can protect them for a while. I wonder if that'll work!
Mantis stepped forward and poured a large bowl of wine into the bowl in front of Whitebeard before pointing to the island in the sky. Mantis's love of wine was also related to Whitebeard. You could say that he was learning from Whitebeard when he was young, and he didn't miss out on the love of drinking either.
"I thought it was something big, but it's just a small matter! As long as it's my territory, you can do whatever you want with it, then hang my pirate flag on the island and see who dares to cause trouble! But since you want to become a pirate again, why don't you join my pirate crew? I'll make you a captain, what do you say?"
Whitebeard glanced at the island in the sky and thought of his hometown. He had become a pirate because of the constant war in his hometown. At that time, he was very young and could not help his hometown at all. Later, when he became strong, he returned to his hometown to end the war and drive out all the remaining war criminals.
He always sent his share of the treasure back to his hometown to support his fellow villagers. That place was the last pure land in Whitebeard's heart, which he had always protected very well, and very few people knew about it.
Seeing Mantis like this, Whitebeard was deeply moved. No wonder he and Mantis became friends; their natures were very similar! So when he heard that Mantis wanted to continue being a pirate, he immediately extended an invitation, even preparing to give Mantis the position of second division commander that he had been saving for Oden.
"Sorry, Brother Newgate! I've already agreed to join Vic's pirate ship!"
Upon hearing Whitebeard's invitation, Mantis put down the wine bowl he was about to drink and looked at Whitebeard apologetically.