---
in the New World, on Whitebeard's ship, Whitebeard chuckled as he examined the bounty posters, "Gurararara! These Uchiha brats are really impressive young men."
Marco nodded, eyeing Shisui's 1.1 billion bounty, "It's unusual. I sense a scheme in these high bounties."
Whitebeard smirked, "The World Government's scheme."
"They plan to use those fame-seeking pirates to deal with these kids," Whitebeard said calmly, exposing the world government's ploy.
Despite the Four Emperors remaining relatively quiet, their bounties had steadily increased, culminating in an unprecedented 3 billion Berry bounty. Not just for sinking a few battleships, injuring Vice Admirals, or even killing two Admirals; that kind of price was unheard of, even for such feats.
The bounty had crossed a line, stirring up resentment among pirates whose bounties now felt eclipsed. Even Whitebeard's own crew members were unsettled, feeling the urge to prove their worth. And beyond them, daring pirates and bounty hunters now saw an opportunity to gain infamy.
"Eighteen, Fifteen, Twelve," Whitebeard muttered, recalling the ages of three up-and-coming young brats. "They're far too young for such a bounty. If it weren't for Morgans confirming it personally, I wouldn't believe it myself."
Marco nodded, sensing the implications as well. Having sailed under Whitebeard's flag for decades, even he found it challenging to accept the rapid rise of this new generation. "Whether the kid can survive this hurdle is one thing, but he's made a lot of enemies along the way."
Just then, a crew member burst in, panic evident. "Dad! The red hair wants to see you!"
Whitebeard's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Let him aboard—and make sure he brings some good wine!"
Soon, Red-Haired Shanks' ship, the Red Force, docked alongside Whitebeard's Moby Dick.
"The red hair is here!" Jozi, the captain of the third division, announced, crossing his arms.
Marco warned, "Back up, rookies! His Haki isn't something you can just stand around and handle."
"What do you mean?" asked a few confused newcomers.
But before Marco could explain, Shanks' potent Conqueror's Haki swept across the ship. Several members collapsed, eyes rolling as they fainted from its pressure.
"Ah! What's happening?!" some rookies gasped as others dropped to the deck.
"Too late to warn them," Marco said with a shrug, watching them fall like leaves.
Unfazed, Shanks strode forward with a massive wine gourd slung over his shoulder, his Haki surging so strongly that nearby ships groaned under the pressure. "Forgive me, Whitebeard! After all, this is enemy territory—I couldn't help but show a bit of Haki."
He approached with a calm expression. "I brought you some wine, old man. I'm not here to fight. We need to talk."
Whitebeard squinted at Shanks. "Every time I see you, you release your haki. And you say you're not looking for a fight? Gurarara!"
Marco scowled, stepping up protectively. "Hey! Red hair, what are you doing here?"
Shanks waved him off with a grin. "Marco, my old friend! Care to defect to my crew?"
"Cut the crap!" Jozu snapped, standing beside Marco. Whitebeard's sons were prepared to defend him at all costs.
But Whitebeard held up a hand. "Let him through. You boys stay back; this is between us."
The two sat, a hush settling over the deck. Shanks poured a drink and slid it to Whitebeard. The old pirate sniffed the cup, a look of distaste crossing his face. "West Blue wine, huh? Not exactly top-shelf."
Shanks laughed. "I've been all over the world, and there's no better wine than this—straight from the best tavern."
Whitebeard chuckled, lifting the cup and taking a deep swig. "Not bad... brings back memories of Roger, Garp, Sengoku. Those days are long gone."
"Time flies," Shanks replied. "You've climbed high, old man. Back then, I was just a deckhand on Roger's ship. We fought often enough, me and your crew."
Whitebeard chuckled "I wonder what happened to that goofy red-nosed kid?"
Shanks' expression softened. "Buggy... those were the days. We parted ways in Loguetown the day our captain was executed. Haven't heard much from him, but last I checked, he's still out there causing trouble."
Whitebeard leaned back, lost in thought. "It all feels like a flash—some legends stay, and some move on. Seems like yesterday you were dueling Hawkeye."
He peered at Shanks' missing arm, his tone turning serious. "For a man like you to lose an arm in the East Blue... what kind of foe was worth that?"
Shanks grinned, touching the empty sleeve. "I bet it on the 'New Era.'"
Whitebeard's gaze darkened. "And you don't regret it?"
Shanks' expression grew solemn. He pointed to three scars across his eye. "I've fought countless battles, but this is the only one that still aches. Blackbeard—he left me this wound. He's been hiding his strength, waiting for his moment. And when he acts, it'll be to take everything from you."
Whitebeard's expression shifted. "You think Teach is biding his time for my throne?"
Shanks nodded. "He's not like the others. He doesn't fight for fame or strength; he's after something deeper. He stayed under your flag, built his power in the shadows. When he's ready, he'll strike."
Whitebeard's voice lowered. "So, what do you want from me?"
Shanks' face grew tense. "Recall Ace."
The silence that followed was heavy. Whitebeard's face remained impassive, but his grip on the cup tightened, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
"He's young, only recently taken on as your second division commander, but Ace isn't weak—I know this well. However, given his reputation and your trust in him, now is not the time to let him confront Blackbeard," Shanks urged, his tone serious. "Don't let Ace chase after 'Blackbeard'...Teach. That's all I ask."
Shanks had known Ace's true identity since they first met: the last bloodline of his former captain, the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. He was deeply aware of Blackbeard's cunning and ruthlessness, his ability to disguise his true motives. Shanks didn't want Roger's legacy to meet an untimely end.
But Whitebeard simply laughed. "Gurarara! Just a kid's words!" His booming laughter filled the deck. "You think you can tell me what to do? Gurararararara!"
Shanks' face hardened; he knew Whitebeard wasn't taking his warning seriously. "
Teach committed the ultimate crime aboard a pirate ship—he killed his own crewmates. Regardless of who he is, he violated a sacred rule. No matter what, once he's on my ship, he's my responsibility. It's my duty to teach him the price of betrayal."
Whitebeard smashed his empty wine bottle on the deck beside Shanks, and Shanks responded by lifting his bowl, draining it in one go, and tossing it aside. Slowly, he drew his sword.
"This violent era is spinning out of control—soon, no one will be able to rein it in."
Whitebeard grasped his massive blade. "What's there to fear? I am Whitebeard!"
The clash of their weapons shook the seas, the sky splitting with the force of their Haki.
---
Meanwhile, on Amazon Lily
"Akira, you're incredible—your first bounty, and it's already 3 billion Berries!" Hancock lay comfortably in Akira's arms, a mix of awe and pride in her gaze. The bounty from the World Government filled her with both excitement and pride; after all, in the world of pirates, a high bounty symbolized both fame and strength.
But Akira only chuckled. "They're trying to kill me," he remarked, knowing the truth behind his bounty. It was a ploy by the World Government to incite others to go after him.
"How?" Hancock asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"They're hoping that those desperate for fame, and some seasoned pirates who can't accept that my bounty eclipses theirs, will be provoked into targeting me. They're aiming to throw me to the wolves."
"So, what will you do?" she asked.
Akira smiled. "Nothing to worry about. They're just a crowd of nobodies, perfect for training the clan."
The Uchiha clan was rapidly improving, mastering skills like Fire Breathing and Haki. Their training in full-concentration breathing techniques meant their physical fitness was advancing significantly. Between mastering Haki, the Marine Six Styles, and refining their Chakra control, they were on the verge of an explosive leap in power.
Hancock's eyes held a flicker of worry. "If the World Government realizes the Uchiha are here on Amazon Lily, won't they try to launch an attack?"
Akira's confidence was unwavering. "They wouldn't dare. The government is still wary of our full strength, and they won't make a move while we're on Amazon Lily. And even if they did, I'd make sure they never returned."
The real confidence was that he could leave, taking all the people on the island with him anytime.
Hancock gazed at him, admiration clear in her eyes. She leaned in, kissing him softly. "I love your confidence," she whispered.
Akira had yet to test his limits in a real battle. Against Aokiji, he'd used only part of his abilities: the Sun Breathing, his Mangekyō Sharingan, Chakra, Armament Haki, and even his advanced "Madara Pattern." The latter granted him immense physical strength but was usually fatal by age 25 due to its toll on the body—a limitation he had a plan how to solve it.
And these weren't even his strongest assets. He had several trump cards still unplayed, reserved for foes worthy of his full power. Neither Aokiji nor Kizaru had been able to push him far enough.
Hancock's love deepened as she looked at him, her feelings growing too strong to contain. Lying close to him, she murmured, "My dear... I want to have a baby with you."
Akira could feel her love radiating from her, and he could no longer resist. A passionate, wordless battle unfolded between them, one that lasted until dawn.
---
The next day, as noon approached, Akira awoke to find he'd slept well into the day. He sighed, reflecting on how different life had become.
Since coming together with Hancock, his once rigid training schedule had softened, replaced by nights filled with passion. Every night they demanded each other attention, their affection seemingly boundless.
If not for Akira's powerful constitution, he might have collapsed from exhaustion by now. But, how could he refuse her, she was the most beautiful woman in the world?
Just then, his phone bug buzzed, interrupting his thoughts. He answered, and the image of Iceburg appeared on the other end.
"Hello?"
"Mr. Akira, it's urgent! The Marines are here!"
Akira remained calm. "As long as they haven't sent an Admiral, there's nothing to worry about."
He knew that his crew, along with his Uchiha clan members, could easily handle a Vice Admiral.
But Iceburg's next words made him sit up, his expression shifting. "The one coming… is the legendary 'Hero of the Marines' Garp!"
.
.
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