Whitebeard Pirates

Chapter 159: Whitebeard Pirates

After several days of calm and peaceful living, Avalon welcomed some guests. Their ship, resembling a whale with a massive prow several times the size of the Black Pearl, flew the grand Jolly Roger of pirates. A man with a pineapple-shaped head and a purple suit stood at the ship's prow, shouting to the people behind him, "Avalon, we've arrived! Everyone, disembark!"

The man speaking was none other than the captain of the Whitebeard Pirates' First Division, Marco the Phoenix. His Devil Fruit ability granted him incredible resilience, making him one of the most challenging individuals to kill in the world. He also served as the crew's ship's doctor.

After several days of sailing, the Whitebeard Pirates arrived at Avalon, and a group of them eagerly jumped off the ship.

"Gurarara, let me see what kind of place Rodney rules over," one of them said with a hearty laugh.

This man was tall and muscular, wearing a black headband and sporting the iconic crescent-shaped white mustache. He was shirtless, draped in a large cape, and wielded one of the Twelve Supreme Grade Swords, the "Murakumogiri." 

Just sitting there, he exuded an unparalleled aura, a presence honed through the ages, like an insurmountable mountain or an immeasurable abyss.

He was the world's strongest man, one of the Four Emperors, Edward Newgate, better known as Whitebeard.

Removing the tubes attached to his body, the man who once rivaled Pirate King Gol D. Roger could no longer resist the effects of time. He had grown old, and to protect his loved ones, he had to rely on medicine and medical equipment to keep going.

Stepping off the Moby Dick, he was surrounded by his sons as he set foot on Availton's soil. His arrival left the people of Avalon too frightened to utter a word. 

Despite the Whitebeard Pirates' excellent reputation in the New World, pirates were still pirates, and they often struck fear into the hearts of ordinary folks. This was especially true for the people of Avalob, who had never encountered the Whitebeard Pirates before.

Marco and his crew were accustomed to such reactions. They were just interested in finding out where Ace and Rodney were.

As they were about to ask someone for information, Availton was suddenly filled with a furious shout, "Ace!! You scoundrel, you're here again eating without paying!"

"Ace?"

Everyone turned towards the voice and saw a figure surrounded by flames rushing out. Who else could it be but Ace himself? He was munching on a chicken leg and running as fast as he could. Right behind him was a man surrounded by lightning.

"Hey, Rodney, I'm just used to eating without paying here!"

"Shut up! Go explain to the boss! Taste my Knight Kick!"

Bam! 

Ace was sent flying, and on the Whitebeard Pirates' side, a burly man jumped up to catch him. He asked, "Ace, are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Huh? Jozu and Dad, you guys arrived so quickly?" 

Ace was surprised for a moment, then leaped to his feet. A gust of wind blew, and Jozu's hand, now transformed into a brilliant and extremely hard diamond, blocked the attack.

"Diamond Diamond Fruit?" Rodney asked as he retracted his fist. Jozu was amazed, saying, "Incredible strength, even greater than Ace's."

Ace's physique was already considered abnormal among the younger generation, but there was someone even more abnormal than him.

"Gurarara, Jozu, don't underestimate the youngsters. They are the future of this world, just like you guys. Gurgle! Rodney, I'm here. Do you dare to ask me for money?" 

Whitebeard's voice was thunderous, filling the air with indescribable dominance.

It wasn't Conqueror's Haki being unleashed, but rather his sheer presence. If Whitebeard were to use his Conqueror's Haki, most of the people present would likely collapse, and only a few would remain standing. After all, he was the unchallenged ruler of the seas.

Even though he had no interest in becoming the Pirate King, as long as he was alive, he remained the strongest man on the sea.

"Ha? What's there to be afraid of? This kid has been eating at my place for days, breaking my house, and causing a lot of damage. You, Whitebeard Pirates, will have to compensate! Just because you're one of the Four Emperors doesn't mean I won't demand payment. We should handle things fairly, right?" 

Rodney wasn't afraid at all. He had a legitimate grievance, even though it didn't hold much weight against a group of pirates.

"Gurarara, Ace, can't you change this habit of yours?" Whitebeard laughed heartily. 

"Marco, go settle the boss's food bill and also the money for Rodney's house. How's that, Rodney? Are you satisfied with this outcome?"

"It'll do," Rodney replied, removing the Lightning Release Chakra Mode. He then scratched his ear, showing no sign of respect towards Whitebeard. This bold attitude shocked the members of the Whitebeard Pirates. Few dared to disrespect Whitebeard like this.

"Hey, kid! You're arrogant! Just because you're a Warlord doesn't mean you can be so insolent!" 

Whitebeard's crew, especially "Water Buffalo" Atmos, did not take kindly to Rodney's attitude. They wanted to protect Whitebeard's dignity.

"Sorry! Shichibukai are naturally this arrogant! If you don't like it, you can come and fight me!" 

Rodney raised a middle finger at the burly man wearing a horned helmet and taunted, "I'm not afraid of you, Whitebeard Pirates. But remember, if you harm any of these civilians, you'll pay the price! I promise you'll regret it!"

Now that he was the ruler of this group, Rodney had to take responsibility for their well-being. Moreover, the Whitebeard Pirates had come to Availton because of him.

"Good presence," Marco said with a hint of amusement, though he seemed tired and lacked energy. After hearing Rodney's bold words, even Jozu couldn't help but look at this man who appeared to be swimming in a sea of money.

"Kid! You're too arrogant! You'll pay for your arrogance!" 

Atmos of the Whitebeard Pirates' Thirteenth Division, wasn't happy at all. He wanted to uphold Whitebeard's dignity and swung his two large swords towards Rodney.

Rodney smiled and produced a giant fan that stood as tall as a person, adorned with a red jade. With it, he effortlessly blocked Atmos's attack and whispered, "Gunbai!"

Boom! 

A violent wind blew, sending Atmos stumbling backward, ultimately sitting down.

The gunbai was a formidable weapon, and only those with the strongest Fire Release in the Uchiha clan could use it. It was a ninja tool created from a portion of the God Tree and had the unique ability to absorb impacts and convert them into Wind Release chakra to be redirected at the enemy.

However, it came at a hefty cost of five hundred million Berries. Yet, for Rodney, it was worth it. Five hundred million Berries was five hundred million Berries. The Uchiha Rebound fan's effects were more convenient than Six Paths' ninja tools.

Atmos was still trying to understand what had just happened. Ace rushed over to help him up, saying, "Atmos, don't fight with Rodney. This guy has all sorts of strange techniques up his sleeve. By the way, Rodney, how did you summon such a huge fan?"

"Guess," Rodney replied, waving the gunbai. He found it surprisingly easy to use. It felt like it was made of iron, yet it was exceptionally lightweight, durable, and elastic. His chakra flowed smoothly through the fan, making it incredibly user-friendly.

The gunbai had a strong defense, easily absorbing and redirecting attacks. Even though it was a miniature version, its impact absorption and redirection were not to be underestimated. Rodney also benefited from the Uchiha clan's secret technique, the gunbai which enhanced its capabilities further.

Whitebeard glanced at the gunbai and commented, "Kid, your weapon is quite special."

"It's just an ordinary fan. It can fan wind and create fire," Rodney replied casually. Originally, the gunbai was mainly used to enhance the power of Fire Release, so fanning wind and starting fires were its standard functions.

He looked up at the towering old man and asked, "So, what brings you to my place? If you're here to cause trouble, you can leave!"