As all the pirate captains around them stared at Rosinante with extremely serious expressions, it became clear that if he failed to give them a satisfactory explanation, they would never forgive anyone who dared provoke their father, Whitebeard.
Even Katakuri frowned slightly, his expression turning solemn.
It wasn't that they feared these pirate captains themselves.
What they truly feared was the man standing behind them all — the world's strongest man, Whitebeard.
Over the past ten years under Whitebeard's protection, Katakuri and the others had personally witnessed just how terrifying Whitebeard truly was.
Even the prideful Enel respected Whitebeard deeply.
Not only because Whitebeard possessed power capable of destroying the world, but also because of his broad-mindedness and immense charisma.
Whitebeard treasured the sons under his banner more than anything else.
If Rosinante really fought these captains, it would inevitably draw Whitebeard himself into the conflict.
First, because of the bond formed over these ten years, Katakuri did not wish to become enemies with Whitebeard.
Second, he worried whether Rosinante could truly defeat Whitebeard.
If Rosinante had not lost those ten years lying unconscious in bed, then with his talent, he absolutely could have reached — or even surpassed — Whitebeard's level.
But there were no "ifs."
No one understood that better than Katakuri.
For ten whole years, Rosinante had been unable to move from his bed.
That lost decade had undoubtedly affected his strength greatly.
"Hahaha!"
"If I remember correctly, your name should be Blackbeard Teach, right?" Rosinante suddenly said with a grin.
"Zehahaha! I never thought the famous Dragon King would remember someone insignificant like me," Teach replied while laughing loudly.
"Haha, it's hard not to remember," Rosinante said casually.
"After all, there's actually someone called 'Blackbeard' inside the Whitebeard Pirates."
"I've often wondered…"
"When exactly are you planning to replace him?"
The moment those words were spoken, even Teach's expression changed.
The surrounding pirate captains also frowned immediately.
Obviously, they were uncomfortable with Teach's nickname.
After all, Whitebeard's title was "Whitebeard."
And this man called himself "Blackbeard."
Black and white were opposites.
Didn't that sound like a challenge to Whitebeard's position?
Besides, Teach didn't even possess any particularly obvious "black beard" characteristics.
So why would he choose such a title?
Now that Rosinante pointed it out, it really did sound suspiciously intentional.
Many pirate captains immediately began looking at Teach thoughtfully.
"Zehahaha!"
"Don't try to change the subject!" Teach laughed loudly, though cold sweat had already appeared on his forehead.
"A nickname is something others give you."
"With Whitebeard Pops' broad mind, he'd never care about something like that."
In truth, the "Blackbeard" title had indeed been deliberately spread by Teach himself.
He would intentionally introduce himself as Blackbeard before defeating opponents and then letting them live, allowing the nickname to gradually spread.
It clearly showed that his ambitions had existed from the very beginning.
Still, Teach remained composed and skillfully redirected everyone's attention back toward Rosinante.
"There are no wrong nicknames," Rosinante replied with a smile.
"Perhaps someone already saw through your ambitions long ago."
"As for my Haki just now…"
"That was merely a greeting after arriving."
"If I truly intended to provoke you…"
"It would at least look something like this."
The moment he finished speaking—
An incomparably domineering aura exploded from Rosinante's body.
It was supreme.
Unrivaled.
Like a heavenly dragon descending upon the world.
Behind Rosinante, a gigantic phantom dragon even materialized, roaring furiously toward Blackbeard.
The terrifying pressure affected reality itself.
The moment the dragon roared, an invisible force slammed toward Teach.
It felt as though some higher-dimensional mythical creature had suddenly emerged from legend, intending to devour him alive.
Even Blackbeard Teach was completely overwhelmed by that terrifying pressure, his body frozen in place.
Then the invisible impact struck him directly.
Teach was blasted backward violently and smashed hard onto the deck, cracking the ship beneath him.
Everyone present instantly changed expressions.
They were shocked not only by Rosinante's terrifying aura—
But also because he actually dared attack someone aboard the Moby Dick itself.
This was Whitebeard's ship.
Whitebeard's home.
Attacking Whitebeard's family aboard his own ship was no different from openly provoking the entire Whitebeard Pirates.
Provoking the world's strongest man.
The moment they realized that, every pirate captain stepped forward.
Some even directly drew their weapons.
At the same time, the Oathblood Guards stepped out instantly, standing protectively before Rosinante while confronting the pirate captains head-on.
Seeing the Oathblood Guards openly siding against the Whitebeard Pirates, the captains' expressions changed immediately.
Many revealed furious looks.
"You dare betray Whitebeard Pops?!" someone shouted angrily.
That single shout only further ignited everyone's rage.
"When we sought shelter under the Whitebeard Pirates, we already made it clear that we were not joining Whitebeard's crew," Katakuri stepped forward and said calmly.
"We are still members of the Gray Kingdom Pirates."
"We are the Oathblood Guards."
"Pops himself agreed to this arrangement."
But the pirate captains clearly didn't see it that way.
To them, this was betrayal.
A betrayal against the Whitebeard Pirates.
A betrayal against their beloved father.
And that was unforgivable.
"Stop!" Marco suddenly shouted before the situation could explode into battle.
"When Katakuri and the others sought Whitebeard's protection, they truly did state they were not officially joining the Whitebeard Pirates."
"And Pops agreed to it personally," Marco explained.
"But even so," one pirate captain said coldly, "that doesn't mean they can repay kindness with hostility."
"Whitebeard Pops sheltered you in your darkest hour."
"Was that protection meant to nurture enemies for the future?"
"We are deeply grateful to Whitebeard Pops for helping us when we were in danger," Katakuri replied coldly.
"But the Oathblood Guards belong to the Dragon King."
"And anyone who dares raise a hand against the Dragon King…"
"Must first step over our corpses."
"What an ungrateful bunch of wolves," another pirate captain sneered.
Katakuri and the others' expressions darkened terribly upon hearing that.
Yet none of them argued back.
But at that moment—
An overwhelmingly domineering aura erupted from Rosinante once more.
The terrifying pressure caused heaven and earth themselves to change color.
As though sensing Rosinante's anger, even the world itself became enraged.
Dark storm clouds rolled across the sky.
It felt as though the heavens themselves were pressing down upon everyone present, suffocating them.
"When Katakuri and the others were in danger, Whitebeard extending a helping hand is something I sincerely appreciate," Rosinante said calmly.
"But anyone who dares insult or slander them…"
"Is provoking me."
"And that truly puts me in a difficult position."
Everyone stared at Rosinante in horror.
None of them had imagined his Conqueror's Haki could reach such a monstrous level.
Just a glance—
Just the pressure of his Haki—
Was enough to make them unable to move.
Some could barely even breathe.
"Gurararara!"
"Rosinante brat!"
"You come aboard my ship and immediately try giving me a show of force?"
"If you want a fight…"
"Then this old man will accompany you!"
At that moment, a massive figure appeared behind everyone.
At the same time, another incomparably domineering aura burst forth and collided directly against Rosinante's.
The clash of their Conqueror's Haki caused the atmosphere itself to tremble violently.
The sea churned wildly beneath them.
Black-red lightning exploded throughout the surroundings from the collision of their overwhelming wills.
Even from far away, one could see the terrifying scene clearly.
The world's strongest man—
Whitebeard—
Had appeared.