Sunrise to sunset, deep within the New World.
A streak of blazing fire tore through the distant sky, its long tail splitting the raging sea apart as it rushed straight toward the heart of Whitebeard's territory.
"Ace is back!"
High above the deck of the Moby Dick, a pirate stationed at the mast lowered his telescope and shouted loudly.
"That fast?"
Several pirates lounging on the deck looked up in surprise. Some were drinking, others chatting idly. Jozu lifted his head, his gaze fixed on the approaching trail of flames, his expression filled with mild astonishment.
In only a few breaths, the fiery light descended above the ship. The flames gradually dispersed, revealing two figures standing calmly in midair.
"Ace!"
Several pirates immediately greeted him with wide grins before their eyes shifted to the tall, broad man beside him.
The Tyrant, Bartholomew Kuma.
Even among pirates, the former Shichibukai was instantly recognizable. The gloves, the towering frame, the expressionless face, everything about him radiated danger.
Ace greeted everyone in return, then led Kuma toward the center of the deck.
"Pops, I'm back!"
Ace's voice rang out with his usual confidence and warmth.
Almost immediately, the door to the captain's cabin opened.
Whitebeard stepped out, a sake flask in one hand, several beautiful female nurses following behind him. An IV drip still hung at his side. He had been resting moments ago, but Ace's sudden return had clearly startled him.
"Why are you back so soon?" Whitebeard asked, his sharp eyes first landing on Kuma.
He waved at a few nearby pirates and added, "We have a guest. Tell Thatch to prepare a feast."
"Yes, Pops!"
"Pops," Ace said as Whitebeard took his seat, "Kuma is a comrade of my brother. His ability can ease your pain."
Ace's introduction was brief. He believed Whitebeard had already guessed Kuma's true identity.
"No rush. Sit," Whitebeard said calmly.
A pirate immediately brought over a chair.
"Then let's begin," Kuma said flatly, showing no hesitation.
"Gurarahaha…"
Whitebeard took a large gulp of sake and laughed heartily.
"Pops," Ace said seriously.
Whitebeard glanced at him and clicked his tongue. He had always been stubborn about his condition, refusing to admit weakness like a child denying age.
But when he saw the concern etched clearly across Ace's face, he finally relented.
"Fine."
Inside, Whitebeard felt an unexpected warmth.
This feeling, being cared for by his sons, was what he treasured most. Titles like strongest man or endless wealth meant nothing compared to family.
"Kuma," Ace said solemnly, "please."
"I will do my best," Kuma replied.
He removed his glove and pressed his bear-shaped paw directly against Whitebeard's chest.
Whitebeard remained completely relaxed, offering no resistance. However, Marco and the other commanders who had gathered nearby unconsciously tensed, some placing hands on their weapons without even realizing it.
As Kuma activated his ability, a massive translucent bear paw appeared behind Whitebeard. It expanded rapidly, growing larger and larger, its color a deep blood-red, thick like ink.
At a glance, it was clear this was not something benign.
Whitebeard's body held far more hidden injuries than anyone had imagined. Kuma's expression shifted ever so slightly.
The mass eventually condensed into a colossal flesh-like sphere nearly a hundred meters wide, floating in the air and radiating a suffocating presence.
"Gurarahaha…"
Whitebeard suddenly felt incredibly light, as though he had shed more than ten years of weight in an instant.
It was unbelievable.
"All of that was hidden inside Pops?" one of the captains asked, staring at the massive red sphere in shock.
"Pops, how do you feel?" Ace asked eagerly.
"Like I've become ten years younger," Whitebeard replied, rolling his shoulders slowly.
Everyone could feel it. His vitality, his spirit, everything was different.
Kuma continued compressing the flesh ball. When it shrank to the size of a fist, he hurled it directly into the sea.
There was no explosion.
But when the sphere reached the ocean floor and burst, every living creature within tens of thousands of meters, Sea Kings included, died instantly.
"My task is complete," Kuma said emotionlessly. "I will depart."
He turned to Whitebeard briefly, then vanished without another word.
Ace did not even get the chance to stop him.
"Gurarahaha!"
Whitebeard clenched his fist, his body feeling smoother than it had in decades.
"As for the favor," he said calmly, "Ace will handle it."
"My sons, let's feast and drink!"
"Oh!"
The deck erupted in cheers.
"The feast can wait," Ace said suddenly. "Pops, drink for now. I still need to go out. Being ten years younger isn't enough. I'll find a way to make you forty or fifty years younger."
Ace was visibly excited. Kuma's ability had exceeded expectations.
"This is enough," Whitebeard frowned.
His body had not truly reversed in age. Only the accumulated injuries had been removed, making his cells slightly more active. Aging itself was unavoidable.
Birth, growth, illness, death. No one could escape that cycle.
"You have to listen to me," Ace said firmly. "No discussion."
He turned toward the others.
"Marco, Jozu, Vista, Blamenco, Rakuyo, Namur. You're coming with me."
Flames ignited around him, shaping themselves into a massive firebird. Ace summoned all division commanders except Thatch.
Just this group alone could force their way into another Emperor's territory without fear.
"Ace, what are you planning?" someone asked.
"Just a trip," Ace replied casually. "Thatch, you stay with Pops."
Ace leapt onto the firebird, gesturing impatiently.
"Pops, we'll be back."
Marco glanced back. Seeing Whitebeard make no move to stop them, he jumped aboard as well.
The other commanders followed, curiosity outweighing hesitation.
The firebird roared skyward, leaving waves of heat behind before vanishing beyond the horizon.
Whitebeard's lips never stopped curving upward.
"Pops," Thatch said with a grin, spatula in hand, "drink all you want today. I won't stop you."
"Gurarahaha!" Whitebeard laughed. "You don't say."
The pirates burst into laughter.
"Let's feast!"
"Let's get Pops drunk!"
"Count me in!"
"Gurarahaha!"
Calm Belt, deep within.
A primordial island ruled by thunder and lightning. Seasons shifted every week. Ancient beasts long extinct elsewhere dominated the land. Yet even they were not the most dangerous part.
The weather itself was merciless.
Today, a group arrived.
And this was only the first island.
After surviving here, they would move on to something even more terrifying.
"For a time, you will live on this island," Rayleigh said calmly, adjusting his white-framed glasses. "I will explain the Three-Color Haki, swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, and more. Truthfully, there is not much I can teach."
He was here because Luffy had asked him.
Rayleigh knew his limits. He could guide Zoro and the others, especially in Haki and swordsmanship. Beyond that, experience would have to be their teacher.
Luffy already understood techniques like Life Return. In a few years, Nami and the others would grow far stronger.
The future was already changing.