"It's been a while, Whitebeard"

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Holy Land Mariejois, Five Elder Stars' Office!

The room was filled with the heavy scent of aged paper and polished wood, a testament to the countless decisions that had shaped the world, made within its opulent walls.

Sunlight filtered through the ornate windows, casting a solemn glow on the five figures seated around the ancient table.

"Just like we thought, Brontes made his move." The air was thick with anticipation, each word weighted with the seriousness of the situation.

"He went to find Whitebeard, huh?"

"He is still as smart as ever. He didn't go directly to Edward Weevil, but went to find Whitebeard, to probe the relationship between the two." A light flickered in the eyes of the elder with the black hat.

"But with Whitebeard's personality, if Brontes enters his territory and asks about his relationship with Edward Weevil....." The bold elder with a big moustache said.

"Whitebeard would probably be furious." The blonde hair elder said in a serious voice, his brow furrowed as he imagined the storm brewing on the horizon, both literal and metaphorical. The room seemed to darken with his words.

"Indeed, Brontes entering his territory, regardless the reason, would definitely lead to a big conflict between the two. Even if there is no relationship between him and Weevil, a conflict would still erupt, because Whitebeard won't tolerate someone entering his territory to question him." The bald elder with a sword said, his hand instinctively touching the hilt of his blade.

"A full-scale war is not yet inevitable. Brontes wouldn't take this opportunity to deliberately trouble Whitebeard. It's just Zephyr's matter had provoked him." The long hair and long beard elder said, his voice carrying the wisdom of years, like the calm before the storm.

"Should we stop him?" One of them asked, but there was a little hesitation in his voice, like a sailor questioning the wind before setting sail.

The elder with the black hat shook his head and said: "Do you think he will listen to us right now? Only Edward Weevil's head will calm his anger."

"We can only hope he doesn't overdo it." The bald elder with a big mustache said, his words a silent echo in the chamber, as outside, the world held its breath.

...

The outside world is still in an uproar over Zed's arm being cut off, while the New World has become unusually quiet.

Pirates hidden in their lairs, the sea unnaturally calm, as if nature itself was holding its breath in anticipation of the storm to come.

The silence was deafening, a stark contrast to the usual cacophony of the New World.

Many pirates are hiding in their lairs, not daring to move because they cannot be sure whether the Marine will clash with the Whitebeard Pirates.

Once a war really breaks out, it will undoubtedly spread throughout the New World.

The entire atmosphere of the New World has become silent, countless people are watching, just waiting for the Marine's response, their hearts beating in unison with the ticking clock of war.

"Boss, are you really going there?"

In the New World, on a strange island with a very small land area but a gigantic tree growing on it, a group of bird-like creatures were talking.

The island was a tapestry of vibrant colors and sounds, a stark contrast to the silent tension that filled the air.

"I must go. A war is very likely to break out. If I can get firsthand information, the position of the chief executive will be mine." A bird-man wearing glasses said, his voice filled with determination.

Around him, the magical island seemed to hold its breath, the usual chatter of the bird-like creatures hushed in awe of the courage of their leader.

"But, Mr. Morgans, it's too dangerous. It's better to leave it to the intelligence department." One of Morgans' subordinates said, his voice laced with concern and fear.

"No, I've already got the latest news. I must go there. Don't say more." Morgans said, holding a briefcase and riding on the back of a giant sea bird, leaving this magical island.

The sky seemed to open up for him, a path carved by his unwavering resolve, as the island faded into the distance.

"Fleet-Admiral Ragnarok has left Mariejois, the deal with the World Government really paid off. As long as I can get this piece of news published, the position of the chief executive will be mine, and no one can take it away." A big happy smile appeared on Morgans's face.

The chief executive of World Economy News Paper was getting old, and these vice presidents want to move up, they must produce enough convincing news.

The news about Zep's incident was dug up by another vice president, which undoubtedly put pressure on Morgans.

So, he needs to get a bigger news, so that workers in the World Economy would his dedication and efforts, then they will support him to move up to the chief executive's position.

Morgans racked his brains and finally bought off a high-ranking official of the World Government, from whom he learned an important piece of intelligence.

Fleet-Admiral Ragnarok, now stationed in Mariejois all year round has left Mariejois, however as for where he went to was still unknown.

With World Economy intelligence capabilities, Morgans knew that Brontes's relationship with Zed is extraordinary, so he thought Brontes is very likely went to find Whitebeard, and once contact with Whitebeard is made, the possibility of a conflict erupting was high and almost certain to happen.

For the position of the chief executive, and to make a big news splash, Morgans thinks he needs to demonstrate the courage of a journalist. He wants to personally report on this matter, and if necessary, start a sensational live broadcast.

After the era of Rocks, Whitebeard became known as the strongest man alive and he kept that title since, surpassing figures like Shiki and Roger in terms of strength.

The countries of the New World understand one thing: to survive in the New World, they cannot rely on the Marine but must depend on the Four Yonko's pirate crews.

Only the Four Yonko can protect them in the New World, and compared to the Marine, the pirates of the New World fear the Four Yonko even more.

However, after the incident involving Zed made public through the newspapers, the atmosphere within the Whitebeard Pirates became tense, and many pirates of the New World took notice.

Most of the people in the New World know that Whitebeard's real name is Edward Newgate, and the man who severed Zephyr's arm is named Edward Weevil.

Those even more familiar with Whitebeard, like Big Mom and Kaido, know even more; the old woman named Buckin, who is always by Weevil's side, was once a companion of Whitebeard.

...

"The weather today does not look very good." One of the Whitebeard's subordinates said, his eyes scanning the darkening skies, a reflection of the turmoil within their hearts.

"Yea..." The other pirates beside him nodded silently, the usual banter and laughter absent from their lips. The ship, once filled with the sounds of life, was now a silent testament to the seriousness of their situation.

Perhaps due to what happened recently, the members of the Whitebeard Pirates weren't energetic as they usually were, playing games and chatting among themselves on the ship.

"Woosh!"

However, the lookout on the mast suddenly heard something, so he quickly looked up, only to sees a small black dot on the horizon, rapidly approaching them.

He immediately grabs a telescope for a closer look.

His heart raced, the sound of it beating loud in his ears, a drum heralding the approach of an unknown threat.

Upon seeing what's approaching, he breaks out in a sweat.

"Pops! It's the Marine, they are coming!" He shouted loudly, leaning out to alert the members of the Whitebeard Pirates below.

Aside from Whitebeard himself, the members of the Whitebeard Pirates had been warned by Marco that they might soon clash with the Marine.

Thus, they have been vigilant these past days, and now, the Marine has indeed arrived.

The air filled with the sound of rushing feet and shouted orders, the once silent ship bursting into a flurry of activity.

"Hurry and get ready!" Marco shouted loudly, his voice cutting through the tense air like a sharp blade.

The members of the Whitebeard Pirates sprang into action, their footsteps echoing on the wooden deck, while Whitebeard himself remained seated in his designated spot, the calm eye in the storm of activity.

Surrounded by many beautiful nursemaids attending to him, the air was thick with anticipation and the salty scent of the sea.

"So they've finally come, it's the lightning brat, huh?" Whitebeard said softly after taking a sip from his flask, the sound of the sea murmuring in the background.

"Go inside the cabin and take care of yourselves." He told the nursemaids, his gaze sweeping over them with paternal warmth.

"But, pops, how can we? We are also your children." The nursemaids protested, somehow producing pistols from nowhere. Their smiles were brave, determined, ready for battle, yet a flicker of concern danced in their eyes.

"Gurararara! I, Whitebeard, do not need you little brats to fight on my behalf. Do as I say and go inside the cabin." Whitebeard's laughter boomed, echoing his earlier calm, yet beneath the surface, a wave of protectiveness surged.

With that, the nursemaids had no choice but to put away their guns and get into the cabin.

"Should we start with talking or just get right into the fight?" Whitebeard mused, looking at the warship approaching in the sky, puffing out smoke like a steam engine.

The air around them charged with electricity, as if nature itself was holding its breath in anticipation.

"Glup!"

Some members of the Whitebeard Pirates swallowed hard, ready to face a significant battle. The deck beneath their feet felt like the only solid thing in a world that was about to erupt into chaos.

"Boom!"

"Rumble!"

Suddenly, the sky flashed, and a massive bolt of lightning streaked across, illuminating the faces of the crew, each marked with determination and a touch of fear.

As they were distracted by the thunder, a bolt of lightning struck down from the dark clouds directly onto the Moby Dick, the impact sending a shiver through the ship.

"Pops!"

Marco and others rushed towards Whitebeard's location as the lightning forced them back, their faces a mix of concern and defiance.

Finally, in front of Whitebeard, the tumultuous lightning calmed, revealing a man in a marine coat standing in front of Whitebeard.

His presence was commanding, the air around him crackling with untold power. His eyes, cold and sharp, bore into Whitebeard's, a silent challenge hanging between them.

"It's been a while, Whitebeard."