Chapter 71

"My husband is so domineering… What should I do if he attacks Boss Jinbei?" Shirahoshi thought secretly. As Ethan's beloved companion, she couldn't oppose his actions, nor did she understand who Namur was to even object.

"Seven Warlords of the Sea, Jinbei?" Ethan's lofty attitude made Jinbei particularly uncomfortable.

"Taking on that stance, are you also looking to taste the lightning? Think it over carefully—Fishman Island stands behind you. If you can't decide where your loyalties lie, then I see no reason for you to remain on Fishman Island."

Jinbei hesitated for a moment before relaxing his stance. He understood Ethan's meaning: choose to stand with Whitebeard or commit himself as a true "citizen of Fishman Island."

Seeing Jinbei silently make his decision, Ethan wasn't in a hurry and asked indifferently, "Why did you bring this ignorant big-headed fishman to me? Do you share his intentions? Are you here to question my decision?"

"Ah…" Jinbei glanced at Namur worriedly and explained, "I just heard that you aim to fulfill the long-held dream of the fishmen, and I wanted to see if you're worthy of that trust."

"Oh? And what if I am? And what if I'm not? You lack the strength to prevent any of this from happening," Ethan replied coolly.

"The future of Fishman Island will be decided by Neptune. You, as a former Sea King army captain and now one of the Seven Warlords, don't have the authority to bend Neptune's will."

Jinbei was speechless. As a "citizen" of the Ryugu Kingdom, if he wasn't planning a rebellion, he had no choice but to obey orders from above.

Namur groaned weakly, "Boss Jinbei…save me! I can still be saved!"

Ethan snorted, "If you don't want to follow Fishman Island, take your Sun Pirates and leave this place!"

But Fishman Island was Jinbei's home, one he'd protected for years. How could he abandon it? He wanted to refute, but feared provoking Ethan, whose methods were swift and ruthless. Namur was barely clinging to life because of one misstep.

"Forget it. I understand." Jinbei turned his attention to Namur's injuries, deciding to treat him first. Seeing his comrade's bleeding wounds, Jinbei worried any misstep could worsen them.

Ethan scoffed, "Do you really think you can save him? Ha! Anyone who dares to offend a god is as good as dead."

Jinbei replied, "Your methods are ruthless… You know Namur is Whitebeard's son. Aren't you afraid of offending Whitebeard?"

"Whitebeard?" Ethan laughed, "He's just a dying old man. Why would I be afraid?"

[Such arrogance…! He's actually daring to provoke Whitebeard!] Jinbei mistakenly thought Ethan was intending to confront Whitebeard in the New World. In his mind, Whitebeard had earned his title as the world's strongest man, and he doubted that this newcomer, Ethan, could match him.

"Jinbei, if you don't take the Sun Pirates and leave Fishman Island by tomorrow, you will serve under my rule. If you leave, be prepared for annihilation!" Ethan's intent was clear—either Jinbei would obey as a subordinate or face obliteration. There would be no other options.

Shirahoshi, tears in her eyes, pleaded, "Boss Jinbei, please don't leave Fishman Island… My husband is a good person!" Her earnest words made Jinbei's mouth twitch slightly.

[Princess Shirahoshi… Do you truly not know the danger Ethan poses?] Jinbei muttered in his heart, not daring to voice it aloud.

By this time, Namur was nearly dead. With Fishman Island lacking proper doctors, Namur's survival was bleak unless the Tontatta Princess Mansherry, with her healing fruit powers, appeared.

Unconcerned with the pair, Ethan urged the magic carpet to leave when suddenly—

"Buru Buru~! Buru Buru~!"

The urgent ringing of a Den Den Mushi broke the silence.

Following the sound, Jinbei realized it was coming from Namur's pocket.

Jinbei's heart skipped a beat, quickly pulling out a Den Den Mushi adorned with Whitebeard's iconic face.

The Den Den Mushi's ringing grew louder, piercing the night. Jinbei glanced at Ethan, silently seeking permission.

Whitebeard…

"Answer it," Ethan ordered calmly, expression unchanging.

"Poga~"

"Whitebeard, Edward Newgate? Are you calling urgently to beg for your foolish, useless son's life?"

Ethan taunted, his tone cold and mocking. Though he held some respect for Whitebeard, if this were the real world…

Well, even the figures he admired most would be killed if they dared to obstruct his path.

And Whitebeard bore one black mark: associating with Kozuki Oden, a man he neither made his son nor respected as a brother, a figure who betrayed every virtue in the book.

"Gurarara~ Such a young voice… Are you the one who attacked my son Namur? Who are you, boy?"

Whitebeard's powerful voice echoed through the Den Den Mushi, shaking Jinbei to his core. Namur's life card had likely burned up, alarming Marco, the captain of the First Division and doctor on board.

"Curious to know?" Ethan sneered. "You'll find out soon enough. Just wait—it won't be long before we meet."

With that, Ethan snapped his fingers, and the Den Den Mushi resembling Whitebeard shattered, an appetizer to the conflict to come.

He cast a final glance at Jinbei, who seemed on the verge of speaking, but Ethan said nothing. With a thought, he commanded the magic carpet to take him to Madam Shyarly's private estate.

Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates' Eighth Division, Namur—defeated!

---

Meanwhile, on an island deep within the New World, the Whitebeard Pirates were stationed.

Looking at the broken Den Den Mushi, the crew fell silent. No one dared to provoke the fuming Whitebeard further.

"Cough… cough cough…" Whitebeard's rough coughing made everyone worry as his nurses rushed forward to ease his pain.

Once his breath steadied, Whitebeard gave his command, "Marco, find out who attacked Namur!"

"Yes, Pops!" Marco's brows furrowed. The Whitebeard Pirates had faced a series of disturbing events recently, and a deep sense of foreboding gripped him.