"Pops!"
The moment Whitebeard appeared, every member of the Whitebeard Pirates shouted excitedly.
To them, Whitebeard was the world's strongest man.
As long as Whitebeard was there, their hearts would remain steady.
Because this era itself belonged to Whitebeard.
That wasn't some empty phrase spoken casually.
It was a title carved out through Whitebeard's overwhelming strength.
No matter how powerful the Dragon King might be, so what?
A dragon still had to coil.
A tiger still had to crouch.
No matter how strong Rosinante was, he could never surpass their father, Whitebeard.
"Whitebeard old man, it's been a long time," Rosinante said calmly while looking at him.
"You seem to have gotten older."
The moment those words were spoken, every member of the Whitebeard Pirates exploded in anger.
Even Marco and the division commanders glared furiously at Rosinante.
Even if he was the Dragon King, he had no right to disrespect Whitebeard like that.
And the truth was—
This matter had always been a painful subject for the Whitebeard Pirates.
Although Whitebeard's strength remained as monstrous as ever over the years, the commanders all knew that their father's body was gradually failing.
As he aged, countless old injuries began resurfacing.
Wounds that had been insignificant in his youth had grown worse year after year as time caught up with him.
To maintain Whitebeard's health, Marco had assembled an entire medical team for him.
They constantly monitored Whitebeard's physical condition and administered medicine daily in order to slow his aging.
So Rosinante's words had directly struck the sorest spot in everyone's hearts.
"Ten years have passed," Whitebeard said.
"Compared to you, I really have grown older."
"But if you think I've become too old to move…"
"You're welcome to try me."
"I'll show you whether this old man is truly weak now."
"If you weren't old," Rosinante replied lightly, "then how could you allow this bunch of brats in the Whitebeard Pirates to act so recklessly?"
"When the Oathblood Guards were in trouble, you helped them. For that, I'm genuinely grateful."
"But now my guards are protecting my safety, and yet your people call them traitors and ungrateful wolves."
"If outsiders saw this…"
"They'd think Whitebeard only helped others so he could demand repayment later."
"Bullshit!"
"Pops would never do something like that!"
"Dragon King, don't you dare slander Pops!"
"This was our doing! It has nothing to do with Pops!"
"Pops, we're sorry! We never intended things to become like this!"
"We were only angry because the Oathblood Guards didn't know gratitude!"
The division commanders and pirate captains all changed expressions instantly.
If Whitebeard's reputation truly became stained because of their actions, then even death wouldn't be enough to atone for it.
"What you say doesn't matter," Rosinante said calmly.
"Originally, Whitebeard helping the Oathblood Guards when they were cornered by the Marines was something admirable."
"Everyone would praise Whitebeard for his loyalty and righteousness."
"But your actions now…"
"Don't they turn Whitebeard's kindness into demanding repayment for a favor?"
Hearing those words, the expressions of the Whitebeard Pirates became incredibly ugly.
Because Rosinante was right.
Their behavior had pushed Whitebeard toward dishonor.
"Gurararara!"
"You really do know how to twist words, Rosinante," Whitebeard laughed loudly.
"Even if my sons are fools…"
"They are still my sons."
"Even if they make mistakes, I'll be the one to deal with them."
"I don't need some brat standing here lecturing me about right and wrong."
"Pops!"
Many members of the Whitebeard Pirates burst into tears from emotion after hearing those words.
Even Katakuri and the others were moved by Whitebeard's magnanimity and tolerance.
"What should I say…"
"As expected of Whitebeard," Rosinante said.
"But if you spoil them too much, sooner or later they'll bring disaster upon themselves."
"Gurararara!"
"That would still be the Whitebeard Pirates' problem."
"It's none of your damn business, brat."
"And even if they really do cause some irreparable disaster…"
"So what?"
"Do you know who I am?"
"I'm Whitebeard!"
"The greatest thing about being a pirate is freedom!"
"If you're bound by endless restraints, then what's the point of being a pirate at all?"
"And I believe my sons are good children."
"Even if they make mistakes…"
"I'll still forgive them!"
"Whitebeard Pops! We'll follow you forever!"
The Whitebeard Pirates erupted into emotional cheers once again.
"Gurararara!"
"Carry my name proudly and roam the seas freely!"
Whitebeard laughed boldly and confidently.
"OHHHHH!"
The Whitebeard Pirates roared in excitement.
"Fine," Rosinante shrugged.
"Do whatever you want."
"Since you like it that way, I won't say more."
Then Whitebeard's expression gradually turned serious as he stared directly at Rosinante.
"Brat."
"You can take the Oathblood Guards away with you. I won't stop that."
"But…"
"You attacked my family right in front of me."
"You don't actually think this matter can simply end here, do you?"