45. First Bounty. Training by fighting against Thatch.

│3rd Person POV│

[Grand Line, Paradise, Marineford, The Fleet Admiral's Office…]

"So, how should we handle this?" Asked Kizaru.

After a moment, Tsuru spoke up, saying, "This kid has immense potential, but he's also under Whitebeard's protection. I'm afraid we can't take direct action against him."

These words immediately gained the agreement of Kizaru and Sengoku.

The heir designated by Whitebeard couldn't be openly dealt with.

The consequences of provoking Whitebeard were too severe.

A single attack from his Tremor-Tremor Fruit could unleash a massive tsunami, and without Aokiji's protection, almost all Marine bases would be defenseless against Whitebeard.

"Place a bounty on him!"

Sengoku, taking a deep breath, made his decision, "Given the current situation, issuing a bounty is our only option.

"Let the pirates in the New World go after him because of his bounty. Ideally, they might succeed in eliminating him. Even if that's not possible, it could slow down Ron's progress."

"Agreed!"

"No problem!"

In response to this plan, both Vice Admiral Tsuru and Kizaru nodded.

It was a good move.

It wouldn't directly motivate Whitebeard to take action against them, and even if something happened to Ron, it wouldn't be the Marines that would face his wrath first.

"Three hundred million Berries!"

Seeing their approval, Sengoku didn't waste words and stated plainly, "Although this is the first time we're putting a bounty on him, as Whitebeard's heir, he deserves at least this much."

After saying this, Sengoku used the Den-Den-Mushi to contact the bounty office and ordered, "You will get a picture of a young boy in a few minutes. Issue a bounty order for him.

"Ron, Heir of Whitebeard, with an initial bounty of 300 million Berries."

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[Grand Line, New World, Moby Dick…]

Meanwhile, Ron remained unaware of these developments in the first half of Grand Line.

Currently, he was observing the calm sea around him while standing on the deck of the Moby Dick. He noted that there was no sign of any Marine reinforcement ships and it was already midnight.

"What's going on?"

"Aren't there supposed to be Marine reinforcements?"

"Why haven't they shown up yet?"

"..."

Thatch and other Division Commanders were also on the deck. There was some confusion in the air as things didn't go according to their expectations.

The information they received indicated they should have encountered the Marines' reinforcement ships by now, but they found no signs of them.

"Pops!"

At that moment, Marco hurriedly approached.

Upon reaching Whitebeard's throne, Marco reported for everyone to hear, "I just received information that the battle between Kaido and Zephyr is over.

"Kaido defeated Zephyr and gave him an hour to evacuate the Marines from the island. Zephyr caved and ordered the Marines to retreat.

"Furthermore, it seems Marine reinforcements have withdrawn, and they've given up on rushing for reinforcements.

"King told me that we will have to go to Wano Country after three months to take our payment, but there's a condition– Ron must be among those who go."

After hearing Marco's report, the Division Commanders suddenly grasped the situation.

That explained why there were no Marine reinforcements. Zephyr had been defeated, and the G5 base had been abandoned.

"But, why do the Beasts Pirates want Ron to go?"

"Making Ron part of the group going to Wano Country isn't such a simple matter, no matter how you look at it."

After grasping this, Thatch and Ace had their brows frowned in thought as they commented one after another.

To be honest, they couldn't comprehend the condition of Ron having to go.

"Gurararara~!!"

Whitebeard laughed at this point and said, "It's an obvious scheme of that Kaido brat. He believes that Ron really is a Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit user.

"So, he wants him to join his Beasts Pirates now. But there is no need to worry about that matter now.

"Three months is enough for us to handle the issue with that guy Ochoku."

With that said, Whitebeard stood up and ordered, "Marco, change course to Beehive Island. In three months, after dealing with Ochoku, I'll personally take some people with me to Wano Country.

"Although there was news that all of Oden's descendants are dead, I still want to visit and see it for myself now that an opportunity presented itself."

"Yes, Pops!"

"Yes, Dad!"

Marco and the others' eyes lit up upon hearing this.

Except for the two newcomers, Ace and Ron, they all knew Oden and they loved his Son and Daughter very much.

Unfortunately, what happened that year was too sudden, and before they could react to Oden's death, the news came that everyone from the Kozuki family was dead.

Soon after, the Moby Dick set course towards Beehive Island.

As Whitebeard left, the group of Division Commanders also dispersed.

Upon reaching a secular area, Thatch asked hesitantly, "Ron, will you join the Beasts Pirates?"

"No!"

Ron said immediately without a second of thought. He then looked Thatch straight in the eye and said seriously, "My life was saved by Commander Thatch. I will only be Ron of the Whitebeard Pirates and will not betray them ever.

"Don't mention Kaido asking me to join the Beasts Pirates, even if he offered his Governor-General position, I wouldn't leave."

"That's great!" Thatch had a big smile on his face after hearing this, feeling much more at ease and happy.

He patted Ron on the shoulder and said, "In that case, let me assist you with your training! Your strength improved rapidly, but it was solely due to relying on the powers of your Devil Fruit.

"So, next, I need to thoroughly develop your physique, physical skills, and fighting experience.

"I'll help you reach the level of a Vice-Admiral as quickly as possible. Only then will you truly have some ability to protect yourself on the sea."

"Yes!" Ron's eyes lit up upon hearing that, as Thatch's special training was great news for him.

Now with genuine Admiral-Candidate level strength, Thatch as a sparring partner and guide would lead to significant improvements.

"Hey Thatch, count me in too," Ace added quietly from behind the two of them.

When Whitebeard announced Ron as his heir in front of the Beasts Pirates and the Marines, Ace honestly couldn't figure out his feelings.

On one hand, he was happy that Ron was recognized by Whitebeard in front of such an audience.

On the other hand, he was a bit irritated that a boy younger than his little brother was the face of the Whitebeard Pirates, not him.

Even though he didn't have the ambition of becoming the Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates in the future, being young and full of vigor, it was only natural to be feeling competitive.

"Alright!" Thatch nodded, looking at Ron and Ace.

Without any hesitation, he stood up and said, "Let's start right away! You're not allowed to use your Devil Fruit abilities. Only physical skills and Haki are permitted in this fight.

"Although I am the only one who will be using Haki, I hope you guys gain some insights on how to unlock or improve your Haki by seeing and feeling me do it."

With that, Thatch coated his fists in Armament Haki before attacking Ron and Ace without hesitation!

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