"What a spineless coward! Running away like that when he was the challenger!" Jozu grumbled while wringing out his clothes on the deck, clearly displeased.
Having seven or eight people team up to throw him into the sea was just too much! Didn't they know diamonds were heavy? He'd sunk straight to the bottom and nearly drowned!
"Gurararara..." Whitebeard chuckled deeply. "Can't say that. He probably just knew there was no point in continuing the fight."
"Hmph! That guy was just scared!" Vista snorted lightly. "Unlike you, Pops! You're a man with no scars of retreat on your back!"
...
Should I tell them I've run before too, just that I was fast enough to avoid getting scars?
Never mind, no need to ruin the kids' beautiful illusions.
Whitebeard lifted his gourd and took several large gulps, his gaze shifting toward Griffin standing at the bow enjoying the breeze. His laughter carried profound meaning. "Gurara... Kid, you've been hiding your skills quite well."
"Yeah! Was that Conqueror's Haki Infusion? Just like Pops in his prime!" Jozu put his shirt back on and moved closer to examine Griffin.
"He's still not at Pops' level, but it's pretty impressive nonetheless," Marco said softly, his eyes lowered.
"You never showed any Conqueror's Haki before, yet it's this powerful..."
"So amazing, Captain Beria! I was trembling even from that far away. Your presence is terrifying!" Teach grinned with narrowed eyes, an indescribable glint flashing through them.
What... truly terrifying ambition!!
Griffin crossed his arms and turned his head, speaking calmly. "Just added a little something extra to the Conqueror's Haki to achieve that effect. Never used it before because there was no enemy worth using it against."
"I never said I couldn't use Conqueror's Haki."
"I didn't mean to hide it - you just never asked, right?"
"Well, you never said... Wait! That's not the point!" Thatch punched Griffin's shoulder playfully and laughed. "The Marines' intelligence division is utterly useless! How can your bounty still be under one billion when you're this strong!"
"But after this, your bounty will definitely get a major update. You might even surpass Red Hair!"
"Hahahaha! Marco's position might not be so secure anymore!! Hahaha... ha..."
Thatch's laughter gradually died down as he noticed the awkward atmosphere.
"Uh... Why isn't anyone laughing? Marco, why so serious? You're not actually worried Beria will take your spot, are you? We're brothers..."
"He's not our brother."
Marco sighed deeply, his gaze fixed intently on Griffin.
"After all... you've never called him Pops."
Thatch frowned, his tone dissatisfied. "What are you talking about, Marco!"
"Beria... he just needs time to get used to it. Once he's accustomed, he'll definitely..."
"Enough! Stop it, Thatch!!"
Marco angrily cut Thatch off, staring intently at Griffin. "Isn't there anything here that makes you want to stay?"
Griffin smiled faintly, his slender fingers resting on the edge of his cheek, touching the rough bandage knot.
"Stop."
Vista shouted urgently, losing his usual elegant composure: "Don't take it off! We don't want to see your face!!"
Rip—
The faint sound of tearing fibers echoed clearly like thunder.
The bandages stained with dust and dark red blood slowly loosened and slipped from his face like a shed cocoon.
One layer, then another.
...
It was a face that defied precise description.
Not soft or handsome, but with sharp edges as if carved by gods, every line containing ultimate strength and beauty.
Especially those eyes.
No longer the occasional sharpness he deliberately concealed in daily life—they were like deep black holes, with undercurrents swirling in their depths.
...
As the bandages completely unwound, a few strands of black hair fell casually across his forehead, not appearing messy but rather adding to his mysterious aura.
An absolutely perfect face.
Griffin slightly moved his neck, producing crisp cracking sounds.
...
...
"So...so beautiful..."
Thatch stood frozen, staring wide-eyed at Griffin.
"So you weren't boasting after all! You're really handsome enough to make me question my life!!"
"No...this face..."
Thatch knocked on his head: "Have I seen it somewhere before? It feels so familiar..."
...
"Of course you've seen it."
Marco's voice was terrifyingly low, words squeezed through clenched teeth: "This is the remarkable Marine rising star, the hero of the new generation..."
...
"Uchiha Griffin," Griffin said calmly. "Though you can call me Beria too, I'll respond."
...
Thatch finally understood.
Why the atmosphere was so strange, why the Captains who often sparred with the Beria Brothers looked so grim.
"Marine...Marines...what kind of joke is this!!"
Like most crew members, Thatch felt both utterly shocked and betrayed.
"How could you be a Marine! How can you be a Marine, you bastard!!!!"
Two streams of hot tears rolled down Thatch's face—he clearly realized...
...
Griffin turned to Thatch, his gaze softening: "Thatch...you're too naive. Don't be so naive."
He had practically announced he was a Marine in front of Thatch. The other Captain-level members had mostly figured it out, only Thatch had never suspected him.
It's because you're so unguarded with everyone that you...
At this thought, Griffin's voice turned cold: "So naive it's foolish, unable to detect danger right before your eyes!"
...
Thump————!
The handle of the Murakumo Splitter struck the deck, making the very air tremble!
Whitebeard slowly rose, casting a massive shadow.
"Betraying your comrades' trust isn't a good habit, boy!!"
A terrifying aura spread, the space itself seeming to crack under oppressive pressure.
The world's strongest man, Whitebeard...
Was enraged!!
...
Even with Griffin's current strength, facing such pressure made his hair stand on end, his body instinctively entering combat stance!
Swish—
It was Thatch.
Thatch threw himself between Griffin and Whitebeard, dropping to his knees before Whitebeard with a thud.
"Pops!! Even if...even if he's a Marine! He's never harmed any of us!!"
"Please! Please spare him!! I beg you!!"
"Please..."
Thump—Thump—Thump—
Thatch smashed his forehead against the deck, blood seeping out after just a few impacts.
As he prepared to kowtow again, a hand pressed down on his descending shoulder.
Griffin clenched his fingers tightly, his voice cold as he declared, "Truly hopeless foolishness..."
"Do you think I'm someone who needs you to beg for mercy on my behalf?!"
Whoosh!!
A violent aura erupted, clashing evenly with Whitebeard's mountain-like oppressive pressure!
Griffin raised his head, meeting Whitebeard's gaze without a trace of fear: "If I want to leave, even the world's strongest can't stop me!"
The atmosphere grew incredibly tense, even breathing became difficult aboard the ship.
...
Huu—
Whitebeard suddenly sat down, his large cloak billowing with a gust of fierce wind.
"Yeah... can't be stopped..."
His voice carried a faint hint of loneliness.