New World
On some island—
One of the CP0 agents of the World Government, one of the giants of the underground world, Stussy, known as the "Queen of the Pleasure District," sat on a chair with a thoughtful look in her eyes.
She pondered:
"'The World's Greatest Swordsman'—Rob, is looking for the 'World's Strongest Man'—Whitebeard—Edward Newgate... What will happen when two 'strongest' collide?"
"I am really curious!"
Just now she received a call from her subordinates, learning that Rob bought information on the Whitebeard Pirates. She sold all the information about the Whitebeard Pirates to Rob without hesitation.
After all—
Rob didn't know her well at all; she was just here for business. For future cooperation, Stussy didn't mind selling information about the Whitebeard Pirates to him and also gave him her contact information.
And that's how her network expanded!
As for Whitebeard?
Although she had something to do with the sample she was born with, that Bakingom Stussy, it had nothing to do with her. She was not afraid of Whitebeard's influence, so naturally, she would not hesitate to sell that information!
"Speaking of—"
Stussy's eyes flickered, she stroked her smooth chin and said:
"I still have to investigate whether the Op-Op Fruit is really in Rob's possession. If not, I can try to use this opportunity to contact Rob and confirm it."
No matter how—
Stussy intends to solidify the relationship the next time Rob calls her, and after establishing a good relationship, slowly test it out!
Information about the four people on Rob's boat is not a secret.
The strongest, Rob, is a Rumble-Rumble Fruit user, Robin is a Flower-Flower Fruit user, Uta is a Sing-Sing Fruit user, and the last, Makino, has also shown her Flame-Flame Fruit ability.
So, if the Op-Op Fruit is in Rob's hands, then this fruit may still be obtained by the World Government!
By that time—
This would be a huge achievement!
With this in mind, Stussy began to expect Rob to call her.
Night.
**In the yard of a hotel in town—**
Wearing autumn clothes and an apron, Makino was skillfully using her Flame-Flame Fruit ability to grill a huge tuna with various seasonings on it from time to time.
Since Makino awakened Armament and Observation Haki, and her strength reached Rob's expectations, Makino has greatly reduced the intensity of her practice.
Then—
Makino started doing what she loves on the boat: brewing a variety of fine wines and learning how to cook from Rob!
In this regard, Rob naturally gave it all.
Her talent in brewing and cooking is impressive. Maybe because of eating the Flame-Flame Fruit, Makino is especially good at cooking dishes that require exquisite fire control!
Even Makino can make something similar to Rob's barbecue.
This beautiful girl who is gentle and patient in nature is really a perfect wife and mother partner. To be loved by her, Rob is always satisfied and happy in his heart!
The four people in their small family—
Rob's own role has always been defined as a protective umbrella and a sharp blade to overcome obstacles, so Rob pursues strength and powerful prowess.
He is the absolute center of the team!
As for Robin, Uta, and Makino, they don't have any special roles. Any one of them can assume the duties on the ship if needed.
Whether it can be managed or not, there will always be someone who will take up the vacant part.
Soon, after all the dinners are ready, they enjoy the food.
Rob opened his mouth and said:
"The information about the Whitebeard Pirates has been obtained! This information comes from a giant in the underground world, and this giant has a background in the World Government, so there is no need to worry about the information being false!"
Hearing Rob's words, Robin and Makino, who were also tasting the food, nodded, and Uta never participated in the discussion of this kind of thing.
Pause briefly.
Rob's eyes were serious:
"I'm going to continue sailing tomorrow, heading to the sea area where the Whitebeard Pirates are now. Whitebeard and I will fight in the end—I don't want to waste any more time."
"And today I openly bought information about the Whitebeard Pirates. It won't take long for this news to spread, and our actions will also be known to the Whitebeard Pirates!"
After hearing Rob's decision, both Robin and Makino nodded with firm faces.
They said seriously:
"Can!"
Looking at their expressions, Rob had an apologetic smile on his face:
"This time I was a little self-willed! Sorry, forgive me! Robin, Makino, Uta!"
Hearing Rob's words, Robin smiled slightly:
"It's too weird! Oni-chan! No matter what you want to do, I will be with you! So whether it's a plan or self-willedness, it doesn't matter, as long as it's you, Oni-chan, it's a good decision!"
Makino nodded approvingly.
She said seriously:
"I will always support you, Mr. Rob!"
Uta, next to her, raised her hand and lisped:
"Oni-chan! Me too!"
Hearing the statements of the three, a smile appeared on Rob's face. He then said seriously:
"Then it's decided! Tomorrow morning—go and chase down the Whitebeard Pirates! That old man's title of 'World's Strongest Man' has been around long enough and it's time for a replacement!"
He wants to take the second strongest one for himself!
It's the same even if the person he's going to face next is Whitebeard!
Defeat—It is absolutely impossible for him to back down now!
In the blink of an eye, several days passed.
This day—
The New World's most powerful pirate group, the island under the jurisdiction of the Whitebeard Pirates—FOODVALTEN.
The Whitebeard Pirates, one of the three overlords of the New World, are staying on this island at the moment!
Inside the huge camp.
Now he still has a head of golden flowing hair, unlike almost nine years later, when Whitebeard was in an aging state with medicine bottles and bags hanging on his body. In this era, he is undoubtedly at the apex of power and wealth!
The closest to the throne of Pirate King, the uncrowned king of the sea!
"Dad!"
Marco, who has a pineapple-like hairstyle, was holding a newspaper in his hand as he approached Whitebeard:
"There is some very interesting news. Do you want to take a look?"
Hearing the words, Whitebeard looked at Marco with a look of helplessness on his face:
"Could it be another nameless brat who came out of nowhere and wants to challenge me again? It's really troublesome! Can't those youngsters properly measure the gap between them and me?"
After becoming the overlord of the sea, challengers' troubles also increased.
Because—
Too many people have come to challenge him.
It really annoys him. As long as he stays in a certain place for a while, challengers will always come to his door, trying to take his head, become famous in the world, and become the new sea overlord!
"Hey hey..."
Marco laughed at Whitebeard's words and said:
"A challenger indeed!"
"However, in his capacity, it would be inaccurate to say that he is just a challenger. He should be inviting you to fight! Take a look, Dad—the world will focus on this news because of the shutdown. It's on us! Hahaha..."
Hearing Marco's words, Whitebeard froze for a moment, then looked at the newspaper that Marco handed him.
He glanced at the news headlines in today's newspaper:
**[Breaking news! "The World's Greatest Swordsman"—Rob is tracking down the king of the sea—"The World's Strongest Man"—Whitebeard—Edward Newgate!]**
**[A battle between the "strongest" in the old era and the "strongest" in the new era may be coming soon!]**
[...]
**[Is it the continuation of the legend in the old era, or the strong rise of the new era!]**
[...]
After reading all the news.
Snapped—
Whitebeard put away the newspaper, a warlike smile on his face:
"So that's the case—that brat's words really can't be called a challenge, and he is indeed qualified to cut me in half! Marco, how old is this brat now?"
Hearing Whitebeard's inquiry, Marco did some calculations and casually said:
"Should be eighteen or nineteen? But definitely not twenty!"
After hearing Marco's answer, Whitebeard froze for a moment, then laughed out loud:
"Gu la la la... Hahaha..."
Rumbling
When Whitebeard laughed out loud, his Conqueror's Haki, which had reached its peak, was continuously released. At the same time, the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit was also passively released, causing the entire camp to sway.
The atmosphere shifted, and even the sea next to the camp created waves.
"Hahaha..."
The sound of laughter gradually fell.
Whitebeard's eyes flashed:
"Marco, send a message for me—I'm waiting for that brat on this island. If he's brave enough, let him come!"
Hearing the words, Marco nodded with a smile on his face and said:
"Yes, Dad, don't worry! I will let the people below release the news! I think this young man will not disappoint you, Dad. Many people say he is very annoying!"
"And he also ate the Logia Thunder Fruit, so his strength will definitely not be bad!"
Hearing Marco's words, Whitebeard didn't say much, just had a smile in his eyes.
Devil Fruit?
Although the Tremor-Tremor Fruit is part of his strength, Whitebeard knows very well that in a real "peak" battle, his own Haki and combat skills are the true means of victory!
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