Aboard the Moby Dick, everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed intently as Aomori touched Whitebeard's bare chest.
A white light gradually emanated from Aomori, spreading from his palm to Whitebeard's chest before slowly enveloping his entire body. Within the intensifying glow, Whitebeard felt as though he were soaking in a hot spring. A soothing warmth surged through him, and his internal ailments seemed to take flight, dissolving into the gentle radiance.
Thump-thump... Thump-thump...
Red-Haired, Marco, and those nearby began to hear a rhythmic sound like a powerful drum, growing louder and more resonant by the second.
'No, that's not a drum, it's Whitebeard's heartbeat!' Red-Haired watched the hulking figure of Whitebeard in a trance, catching a glimpse of the towering silhouette that had once clashed with Roger, a man capable of destroying the world.
After nearly an hour, Aomori finally withdrew his hands, his face showing a hint of exhaustion. Whitebeard's body had indeed been riddled with damage; it had required a massive expenditure of energy to manage even a partial restoration of his peak physical condition.
In truth, depleting his energy wouldn't actually affect Aomori's physical stamina, but he intentionally let the fatigue show. He wanted the Whitebeard Pirates to feel a deeper sense of gratitude, ensuring they would exert themselves more fully when the time came to fulfill their agreement.
"How is he?" Marco asked impatiently as the white light faded.
"I have not failed my mission. Whitebeard's injuries are mostly healed, though I cannot cure the ailments that come simply from old age," Aomori said with a smile.
"Gurararara! It's more than enough! I feel better than I have in years!" Whitebeard laughed as he stood up. He grabbed his legendary blade, Murakumogiri, and suddenly swung it toward Red-Haired.
"?!!" Red-Haired's Observation Haki was sharp; he calmly drew his saber, Gryphon, and met the strike with everything he had.
BOOM!
The two world-renowned blades tore through space and collided. The Conqueror's Haki imbued within the steel manifested as black lightning, dancing like countless dark serpents. With a thunderous explosion, the black lightning shot straight into the sky, physically splitting the clouds into two distinct halves. A terrifying storm erupted around them, blowing many onlookers clean off the deck and into the sea.
"This is terrifying..." Nico Robin had to sprout numerous extra arms to anchor herself to the ship and avoid being swept away by the gale.
"I was worried about you for a second, but I guess that was unnecessary," Aomori said, standing unfazed in front of her. He looked at her windswept hair and chuckled. Robin shot him a look but remained silent.
"Old Whitebeard is still a monster when he's back at his peak. Looks like the victor is about to be decided." Aomori turned his attention back to the duel, a clash destined for the history books.
As he spoke, Whitebeard took a heavy step forward. His eyes glowed with a faint red hue as a terrifying surge of power rippled through his arms, throwing Red-Haired back in a single heave.
"Brat, remember this… this era is still called Whitebeard!!!"
With a whoosh, Red-Haired arched his body and flew off the Moby Dick like a cannonball. Just as he was about to overshoot his own ship, Lucky Roux leaped nimbly into the air, using his massive frame as a cushion to intercept his captain.
Back on their deck, Red-Haired coughed, wiped a streak of blood from his lip, and patted Lucky's belly. "Thanks, Lucky."
"Hahaha! Captain, you're pathetic! You actually got sent flying!" Ben Beckman and the other officers crowded around, teasing him at the sight of his disheveled state.
"Hmph. That old man is too petty. I only knocked out a few of his crew members, and he insists on hacking at me."
"Captain, isn't Whitebeard supposed to be at death's door? How is he still that strong?"
"No... that man is back. Right now, he is truly the World's Strongest!" Red-Haired let out a slow breath. "Let's go."
"Don't we need to say goodbye?"
"No need. That clash just now was the goodbye."
"Gurararara!" Having sent Red-Haired flying and reclaiming his spot at the pinnacle of the world, Whitebeard stood tall, radiating the aura of a supreme overlord. "Refreshing! It's been so long since I've felt this good!"
"You're amazing, Pops!" Marco, Ace, and the rest of the crew were ecstatic.
"Gurararara! My children, it looks like I'll be able to stay with you all for a while longer."
"What are you saying, Pops? You're going to be with us forever!"
"That's right! May you live to be a hundred!"
"Pah! A thousand! Long live Pops!"
"Long live the Whitebeard Pirates!"
Thousands of pirates cheered in unison, their voices echoing across the sea. In the midst of the fanatical atmosphere, Aomori's group felt somewhat out of place.
"I know you want to use Whitebeard's power," Aokiji remarked, "but he isn't a man who will be easily manipulated. He has an unshakeable will. Restoring him to a strength capable of destroying the world is like opening Pandora's Box."
"You worry too much, Kuzan." Aomori watched Whitebeard laughing with his "sons." "Ever since he chose to make a crew of 'children,' he stopped being the overlord who vied with Roger for the sea. Now, he is just an old man who wants to spend his final years with his family."
"You're right. He's a world apart from the man I challenged years ago," Crocodile added, unusually agreeing with Aomori. He huffed. "Without that drive, even with his strength restored, he's just someone content to hide in his own corner."
Having witnessed Whitebeard's god-like strike, Crocodile had completely abandoned the idea of challenging him again. He was still young and didn't want to die just yet. But that didn't stop him from critiquing the old man.
"I hope you're right."
"Kuzan, aren't you worried?" Aomori said pointedly. "The Emperors are always under heavy Navy surveillance. The news of you being with me has likely reached the Marines by now."
"It doesn't matter," Aokiji replied calmly. "I feel that observing you up close is what I should be doing right now." Whether or not Aomori was a "savior," Aokiji felt it necessary to stay by his side to see exactly what he intended to do.
"Even if you're stripped of your rank?"
"Even without the Navy, I can still practice my Justice."
"Not bad. Quite the resolve," Aomori said, clapping.
Amidst the laughter, Whitebeard shouted, "Children! Let the festivities begin!"
"WOOHOO!"
Following pirate tradition, they began preparing a massive banquet. Aomori and his group were invited, and they certainly weren't going to turn down free food and drink.
…
"Report!"
At Navy Headquarters, Marineford, a frantic Marine ran into the Fleet Admiral's office and handed Sengoku the latest intelligence.
"Urgent news from the New World! The Red-Haired Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates have officially made contact!"
Sengoku's expression grew grim as he read the report. He slammed his hand on the desk. "That Aokiji! No word from him for days, and now he shows up on Whitebeard's ship?! What on earth is he thinking?!"
He glared at Garp, who was happily munching on rice crackers. "Garp! Stop eating! Aokiji was your subordinate. Do you have any idea what he's doing?"
"Bwahahaha! Maybe he knew Red-Haired and Whitebeard were meeting and went to take a look," Garp said nonchalantly, continuing to eat.
"Nonsense! With Aokiji's personality, if he knew, why wouldn't he report to HQ first?" Sengoku snapped.
"Report!" Another dispatch arrived.
Sengoku opened it, and his face changed instantly.
"What is it?" Garp asked.
"See for yourself." Sengoku tossed the report over.
Garp read it, and his expression shifted as well. "Red-Haired and Whitebeard fought so hard the sky split? Red-Haired was defeated and has departed?" Garp quickly recovered. "Hahaha! So they didn't get along. Isn't that good news?"
"Good news my foot! I don't believe for a second you didn't notice. When did an old, injured Whitebeard gain the strength to blow Red-Haired away?"
"Hmm." Garp picked his nose. "Maybe Red-Haired is just a flashy lightweight? Maybe he's all talk and wilts when he faces an old-school Emperor?"
"Do you really think that's possible?"
"Why not?"
"You... you..." Sengoku pointed at Garp for a long moment before finally saying, "Speculating here is useless. I need concrete information. Garp, I need you to make a trip."
"Sure. It's been a while since I've seen Whitebeard. Good time for a chat."
"To be safe, take Kizaru with you. And find out what's going on with Aokiji."
"Got it."
Garp and Kizaru led a fleet of over twenty Navy warships, sailing formidably toward the Whitebeard Pirates' location.
"Are we really going to arrest that man? It sounds so scary," Kizaru said, pouting.
"Hahaha! Sengoku sent you instead of Akainu. How could this be an arrest mission?" Garp patted Kizaru's shoulder. "I'll handle Whitebeard. You go talk to Aokiji."
"That's a relief. Going on a mission with Garp-san really makes me feel secure."
"Bwahahaha!"
…
Meanwhile, the Moby Dick had become a sea of joy.
After several rounds of drinks, a bleary-eyed Whitebeard said to Aomori, "I can't read you, but you did a good job. Since I'm in a good mood, if you have any other requests, speak up! Gurararara!"
"Then I won't be polite," Aomori said directly. "I need Ace as a guide to take me to Wano Country."
Ace, hearing his name, startled awake from a nap and looked at Aomori dizzily.
"Wano?" Whitebeard sobered up instantly. "What are you going there for?"
"To have a chat with Kaido of the Beasts, naturally."
"You're going after Kaido?!" Ace stood up abruptly.
"Yes. Do you want to come along?"
"Yes!" Ace said without hesitation. He looked at Whitebeard. "Pops, I want to go!"
"Hmm..." Whitebeard knew why Ace wanted to go. Ace had mentioned more than once that since he inherited the title of Second Division Commander, he had a duty to avenge the previous one, Kozuki Oden. And the one who killed Oden was Kaido, the man now hailed as the World's Strongest Creature.
It wasn't that Whitebeard didn't want to avenge his old comrade, but he knew his impulses would cost too many of his "children" their lives. Perhaps he really had grown old.
After a long silence, he sighed. "Very well, Ace. Take them to Wano."
"Yes! Thank you, Pops!" Ace said happily.
"In that case, I'm going too!" Izo stood up. "I'm a native of Wano. I know it better than Ace!"
"I've been to Wano before, I'll go too."
"Me too!"
"Count me in!"
Izo started a trend, and soon the crew members were clamoring to go.
"Quiet!" the eldest brother, Marco, stood up. "If this many of you go, it's basically an all-out war with the Beasts Pirates!"
"So what? We're not afraid of them!" someone muttered, but went silent after a glare from Marco.
"If we start a war with the Beasts Pirates, only the Navy wins in the end. Do you want to put Pops in danger?" Marco's words silenced the room. In their hearts, Whitebeard's safety came first.
"Gurararara! I know you are all brave warriors, but the time isn't ripe yet. Izo, you go with Ace. The rest of you stay here with me. The Navy might be paying us a visit soon." Whitebeard's word was final.
"Fine. We'll stay with Pops and make sure the Marines never leave!"
"If you're ready, head out now," Whitebeard urged.
"We're fine with that," Aomori shrugged. "What about you and Izo?"
Izo nodded, seemingly impatient. "I'm ready whenever."
"This is a bit sudden," Ace admitted, having wanted to spend a few more days with Whitebeard.
"A man's ambition lies in the four seas. The ocean is vast, Ace. You're still young. Go out and see more of it, and come back when you're tired," Whitebeard said with fatherly affection.
"Yes, Pops!" Ace said, his eyes tearing up. "Marco, I'm leaving Pops in your hands."
"Don't worry. You all be careful too. Don't clash with Kaido unless absolutely necessary."
"Understood."
Boarding their small vessel, Ace and Izo waved goodbye to the Whitebeard Pirates until the Moby Dick was out of sight.
"Ace, don't be sad. Once we get to Wano, I'll introduce you to an incredible teacher," Aomori said, patting his shoulder. "Ryou, Conqueror's Coating, Fruit Awakening, I guarantee you'll learn it all with ease. After that, punching Blackbeard or stepping on the Three Admirals won't be a problem."
"Really?" Ace asked, half-doubting.
"Absolutely!"
"Wano still has someone that powerful?" Izo, who hadn't been home in a long time, couldn't tell if Aomori was serious.
"You'll see when we get there," Aomori said with a mysterious smile.