Chapter 48 : Beehive Island!!

If you were to ask which pirate crew is the strongest in the world, about 90% of people would give the same answer.

The Whitebeard Pirates.

Led by the world's strongest man, Edward Newgate, known as Whitebeard.

After the Roger Pirates vanished, there hasn't been a pirate crew on the Grand Line that could stand alongside the Whitebeard Pirates.

Not even the Big Mom Pirates or the Beast Pirates.

And now, the strongest pirate crew in the world is about to take action.

The world's strongest man, Edward Newgate, sat in his large chair and turned to look at his son sitting cross-legged on the ship's rail. "Marco?"

"Squard was killed by that kid. We can't just sit back and do nothing."

Marco, the first division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, known as Marco the Phoenix and famous across the seas, had a pair of lifeless eyes and a lazy demeanor. But his words were anything but lazy.

"Everyone knows what happens when you harm our family," he said. "I'm going to bring those kids back."

Marco looked towards a woman on the deck, thinking it was time to collect some interest for Oden.

The beautiful woman with green hair looked a bit thin, with her cheeks sunken and her cheekbones prominent, but she wasn't unattractive.

Next to her stood a young girl, around ten years old, with short hair, wearing a t-shirt and shorts, and two swords at her waist. Though young, her future beauty was already apparent.

The girl stepped forward and said loudly, "Uncle Marco! I want to go too!"

"You're still too young, Hiyori," said Vista, the crew's top swordsman and the fifth division commander, smiling at the girl.

"But I want to avenge my father!" the girl argued loudly.

Even though she was very young back then, she still remembered that night full of flames.

Her captured brother and that golden monster!

"Hiyori," her mother, Toki, gently pulled her hand, shaking her head slightly. "Don't be stubborn. You'll only cause trouble for everyone."

"…"

The little girl listened to her mother, pouting and reluctantly going back.

"Marco," Vista said, looking at Marco, "is it really necessary for you to go personally?"

Marco, being the second in command of the pirate crew, was indeed the second strongest.

Does he really need to handle these two brats personally? Sending a few affiliate captains should be enough. After all, Squard's strength isn't particularly remarkable compared to the other captains.

How strong could the brat who defeated him be?

"They're heading towards Beehive Island," Marco said. "If that's their destination, they might face interference from Ochoku. If it's not, it will be easier for me to search since I can fly."

It makes sense.

Vista nodded slightly. Ochoku is indeed a tough opponent. Marco has to handle this personally; they can't ask Pops to step in, can they?

"Wait! Marco!"

At that moment, someone spoke up. A man dressed like a geisha stepped forward. "I'll go with you!"

His name is Izo, a former retainers of the Kozuki clan who had come to the Whitebeard Pirates with Kozuki Oden. When Oden joined the Roger Pirates, Izo stayed behind, and he's been here ever since.

"That brat killed Lord Momonosuke. How can I ignore him?"

Izo's reason was very compelling, and Marco couldn't think of a reason to refuse.

"Pops."

He looked at their father.

"Then go, Marco," Whitebeard said with a nod. "Bring those two brats back! I'll have the allied pirate crews around Beehive Island assist you. If Ochoku has a problem with it, let him come to me!"

"Leave it to me," Marco said confidently.

Izo then turned to Oden's wife and said seriously, "Lady Toki, please don't worry. I'll bring those two criminals back."

But Toki looked worried. "Be very careful, Mr. Izo. That child is extraordinary."

She couldn't forget the brilliant flames.

"Regardless of how extraordinary he is, it doesn't justify them persecuting the Kozuki family!" Izo said firmly.

The Whitebeard Pirates Begin Their Journey

A few days later.

On the vast blue sea, the Winged Dragon ship sails through the waves.

On the deck, Ian and Yamato are sparring.

Yamato starts complaining about being bored, so Ian has no choice but to fight back.

Yamato has transformed into her Human-Beast Form, while Ian remains in his human form.

However, Yamato isn't using her freezing powers; she's only using Six Styles and Haki to battle Ian.

In this situation, their strengths are quite equal, and their fight is very intense.

"This is amazing!" 

Jack, watching the fight, is pumped up. "Both Big Brother Ian and Big Sister Yamato are incredible!"

Neither of them is someone he could ever hope to match.

Black Maria, standing nearby, has a completely different view.

"They're really a perfect match."

Black Maria watches the two fighting fiercely and can't help but smile strangely.

Indeed, no one seems more suited for each other than these two.

The fight between Ian and Yamato doesn't reach a conclusion.

Suddenly, Babanuki rushes over.

"Lord Ian! Miss Yamato! We're almost at Beehive Island!"

Yamato, who was just engaged in a heated fight with Ian, immediately turns around. "Really?"

Her sudden stop almost causes Ian to punch her, but Ian's precise control of his body, honed by his mastery of Life Return, allows him to stop his attack just in time.

"Yes, Miss Yamato," Babanuki says, "We should arrive in about two hours."

"Great!"

Yamato cheers.

After a few boring days at sea, they're finally reaching their destination.

Beehive Island, a famous pirate island in the New World.

Since the Rocks era, this island has been a gathering place for pirates, with many pirates coming here. They follow the order established by Rocks and see the island as a paradise.

Although the Rocks Pirates have long since collapsed and Beehive Island has become the territory of Ochoku, the rules remain unchanged. Ochoku does not refuse the arrival of other pirates. As long as they follow his rules, all pirates are allowed to land on Beehive Island.

The most prominent feature of the island is the skyscraper shaped like a skull, standing tall in the center of the island like a mountain.

As the Winged Dragon approaches the island, Ian is the first to see the tall building.

"Finally here!"

Nearby, Yamato was already cheering.

Yamato had changed into new clothes, also chosen by Black Maria. She wore a form-fitting white shirt with black suit pants, a tie, and her hair was styled into a braided bun. She looked impressive and elegant.

Ian thought her look was somewhat familiar, but the hair color was different, and the golden eyes weren't the usual round ones.

However, Ian felt the reason Black Maria chose this outfit was quite simple.

Because he was also wearing a white shirt and suit pants.

A lot of thought went into this, Maria.

But Lord Ian forgives you.

As they gazed at the increasingly close island, Ian said softly, "Let's go find someone."

Even on Hachinosu (Beehive) Island, a place crowded with pirates and led by Ochoku, the arrival of the Winged Dragon ship caused a huge commotion.

There was no way around it—the flag hanging from the mast was just too famous.

"The Beasts Pirates' ship has arrived!!"

This news spread across the entire island instantly.

Meanwhile, someone in the Skull Tower received a phone call.

"Kaido?"

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