Time is like the sea, surging forward endlessly, rising and falling without pause. The old pass away, the new are born, and generations replace one another in an eternal cycle.
There are no permanent kings in this world, nor any who remain the strongest forever; time eventually delivers every powerful figure to their destined end. After all, who can truly live forever?
Youth fades and beauty withers. No matter how unmatched your brilliance or how great a hero you are to your era, everyone returns to dust in the end. And so, the ages change, the world moves on, and only change itself remains eternal.
---
In the New World, aboard the 'Moby Dick', a heavy, tense atmosphere quietly spread across the deck. Crew members who had been relaxing just moments before suddenly sprang to their feet, staring ahead in shock.
"That dragon-headed figurehead, it's Red Hair's ship!"
"Why is that man here?"
"Quick! Prepare for battle!"
"He only became an Emperor six years ago, but don't underestimate him!"
Amid the tense shouts, the fleet ahead suddenly parted, allowing a red ship to approach. The impact made the 'Moby Dick' tremble slightly as a figure slowly stepped down from the vessel.
'Tap.'
The footsteps landed on the wooden stairs, making them creak. The entire Whitebeard Pirates crew grew serious, because the moment the man's second foot touched the deck, even the air seemed to ripple.
'Buzz!'
A vast, overwhelming, and tyrannical aura burst forth, spreading across the area in an instant and sweeping over the sea like a storm.
Seated on his massive chair, the crescent-mustached Whitebeard narrowed his eyes before letting out a loud laugh. "Gurararara! Your Haki is as fierce as ever, Red Hair!"
Flower Sword Vista spoke in a low voice. "I've only ever seen Haki like that from one other man."
'Tap.'
Another footstep echoed out. The Conqueror's Haki spread like a tidal wave, causing some of the younger crew members to groan as their eyes rolled back and they collapsed, unconscious.
"Hey, youngsters, fall back!" Marco shouted, lightly jumping onto the ship's railing as he looked toward the approaching figure. "You can't handle this guy's Haki!"
'Tap.'
Another step. The pressure from that overwhelming aura was so intense that cracks suddenly spread across the walls of the ship.
'Crack!'
The sight made every pirate present turn even more solemn. Such terrifying mastery of Haki was rare even in the New World, achievable only by a handful of people standing at the very peak.
On the entire 'Moby Dick', only the old man with the crescent-shaped mustache sitting upon his chair remained completely calm.
A moment later, a one-armed man with red hair and a saber at his waist finally arrived, carrying a large barrel of sake in one hand. After setting it down in front of Whitebeard, he raised his eyes to look at the old pirate.
"Gurararara! Even if you've brought sake with you, don't think I'll believe you came with good intentions, Red Hair Shanks!" Whitebeard laughed loudly.
Shanks replied in a deep voice, "I didn't come here for war."
The words caused Marco and the others to narrow their eyes, though they secretly felt relieved. To become one of the Four Emperors, conflict with the others was inevitable; only by proving yourself in battle could you earn that title.
Because of that, everyone present understood exactly how powerful Red Hair Shanks was. The Red Hair Pirates were known throughout the world as an impregnable iron wall, and both Shanks and his officers were fearsome monsters whose strength could not be underestimated.
"Oh? If not for war, then why are you here?" Whitebeard asked.
"Your Second Division Commander, Fire Fist Ace, is chasing after Blackbeard, Marshall D. Teach, isn't he?" Shanks said seriously.
"So what?" Whitebeard replied indifferently.
"Call him back. You may have seriously underestimated the man known as Blackbeard." As he spoke, Shanks' expression grew increasingly grave.
"That's none of your concern."
Whitebeard's voice turned cold. He slowly rose to his feet, looking down at the one-armed pirate before him.
"Looking at you reminds me of an old wound that still aches. Interfering in the affairs of the Whitebeard Pirates... don't tell me you think becoming an Emperor gives you that right, Roger's apprentice brat!"
Shanks remained serious and refused to back down. "Ace will lose to Blackbeard. And that defeat may become the opening act of a massive upheaval that changes the entire world."
Whitebeard paid no attention to the warning. Or rather, he simply didn't believe it. After laughing loudly, his eyes suddenly turned icy.
"I already told you! The affairs of the Whitebeard Pirates are none of your business!"
The instant he finished speaking, he swung his naginata, 'Murakumogiri'. The air itself seemed to collapse as a violent gale surged toward Shanks. Shanks' eyes flashed, and his saber instantly left its sheath to meet the attack head-on.
'Bang!'
In an instant, the two blades collided, and the entire 'Moby Dick' shook violently. Their coats fluttered wildly in the raging wind as a bolt of lightning flashed beneath the dark clouds overhead, and the sky split cleanly in two.
"The sky... it got cut apart!" a pirate looked up and shouted in horror.
Marco, Jozu, and the others watched the clash with grave expressions. They had seen a scene like this once before, but the man who had done it back then had long since disappeared from the world.
'Whoooosh…'
A fierce wind swept across the deck of the 'Moby Dick'. Suddenly, Whitebeard withdrew his weapon and stood still, silently staring at the red-haired man before him. "If it's only about that matter, then you can leave."
Shanks sheathed his saber and sat down cross-legged, asking Marco and the others for two bowls.
"Naturally, that's not the only reason I'm here. Compared to the matter between your Second Division Commander and Blackbeard, there's another man who's even more important."
His expression darkened as he tilted the sake barrel and poured drinks for both of them.
Whitebeard sat down across from him, looking puzzled. "Another man?"
Shanks didn't keep him guessing. "A Marine named Kojin. He's appeared in the world once again."
A strong wind suddenly swept across the deck, and for a moment, the 'Moby Dick' fell completely silent.
"What?! That man has shown up again?!" Jozu shouted in shock.
Marco, Vista, and the other commanders all wore grim expressions; just recalling that man's figure caused cold sweat to form on their foreheads.
"Kojin, huh?" A trace of nostalgia appeared on Whitebeard's face as the battle he had once fought against Kojin resurfaced clearly in his mind.
"It's been quite a while since I last saw him."
After a brief pause, his voice grew heavier.
"He's an incredibly powerful opponent."
Shanks noticed the look in Whitebeard's eyes, gaining a new appreciation for Kojin's strength.
"If the future brings great turmoil to the world, that man will definitely be at the center of it. And as a Marine, his existence is terrible news for every pirate on the seas."
Whitebeard raised an eyebrow, lifted his bowl, and drained it in one gulp before laughing.
"So, Red Hair brat. What exactly are you trying to say?"
Shanks emptied his own bowl, then fixed his eyes on the old man and slowly spoke. "Whitebeard. Let's join forces."
'BOOM!!!'
A bolt of lightning tore through the clouds overhead. Everyone aboard the 'Moby Dick' felt as if they had been struck by lightning themselves, and the ship fell into a dead silence.
Many of the crew stared in disbelief, their faces full of shock, and even Whitebeard froze for a moment.
"Gurararara!" After a long silence, Whitebeard suddenly burst into laughter. His eyes looked down at the red-haired pirate before him, his voice dropping and becoming incredibly heavy. "Brat, did I hear that right? You said... join forces?"
Shanks nodded. "That's right. Join forces. With the power the Marines possess now, only by working together can we face the storm and tidal wave that's coming. This concerns not only our two pirate crews but every pirate on the seas. It may even determine the stability of the entire world."
Whitebeard narrowed his eyes, seemingly lost in thought as he considered the meaning behind Shanks' words. After a long while, he finally spoke.
"I don't care about the world. And I don't care about other pirates. As for what you said about our two crews... the affairs of the Whitebeard Pirates aren't something you need to worry about."
Then a smile appeared on his face.
"Has the name Kojin alone scared you that badly? Red Hair, I thought you were one of the new Emperors. I thought you were one of the most domineering men in the world. But now it seems you're still just that apprentice brat from Roger's ship."
The words were openly mocking, but Shanks paid them no mind. His expression remained serious as he stared directly at Whitebeard. "Don't underestimate the storm that's about to sweep across the seas, Whitebeard!"
Whitebeard's pupils contracted slightly, and he fell silent once more. After a long pause, he finally said calmly, "If the day ever comes when I truly need to join forces with you... we'll talk about it then."
Only then did a smile appear on Shanks' face. Although he hadn't received a definitive answer, Whitebeard's words alone meant this trip hadn't been in vain.
---
The 'Crocodile' did not stay in Water 7 and instead headed straight for Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
On the third day, after receiving emergency treatment and relying on his naturally tough physique, Rob Lucci finally regained consciousness. Lying in a hospital bed, the first person he saw when he opened his eyes was Kojin. His pupils immediately shrank, but he quickly regained his composure.
"I admire you very much, Rob Lucci," Kojin spoke with a smile. "You will become an exceptionally sharp blade under my command. You will fight for true justice in this world."
Rob Lucci's expression remained calm as he slowly replied, "It would be my honor, Senior Official."
(End of Chapter)
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