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New World, Sphinx Sea Area
This was the former homeland of Whitebeard and the main territory of the Whitebeard Pirates.
On the deck of the Moby Dick, Whitebeard sat tall in his massive chair, gripping a spread-out newspaper in his large hands. His body bore even more prominent scars than before, and several infusion tubes were connected to him, maintaining his health and aiding his recovery.
Despite his evident age and the treatments keeping him alive, Whitebeard still exuded an imposing aura. Though the lion might have aged, his majesty remained undiminished, a testament to the lingering power of the man known as the "Strongest Man in the World."
Since his confrontation with Alex and his fall from the pinnacle of strength, the Whitebeard Pirates had faced a period of uncertainty. Some crew members had left, unable to reconcile the changes in their once-invincible captain. Others had risen to challenge Whitebeard's status, sounding the call for battle against the legendary pirate.
Yet, as news of Whitebeard singlehandedly annihilating his challengers spread, the rumors of his decline began to fade.
The Whitebeard Pirates, while not at their peak, still commanded respect as one of the strongest pirate crews in the world. From the outside, it seemed like nothing had changed.
But within the crew—especially on the Moby Dick—things were different.
Teach had noticed it clearly. The atmosphere aboard the ship had shifted. The crew no longer displayed the proud defiance or eagerness for plunder that had once defined them. Instead, the captains and crew seemed more focused on staying close to Whitebeard, as if protecting their aging father was more important than asserting their dominance on the seas.
For Teach, this stagnation was maddening. His ambitions burned hot, yet here they were, wasting time in the Sphinx Sea, far from the chaos and opportunity of the wider New World. How was he supposed to achieve his goal of obtaining the Dark-Dark Fruit under these conditions?
When he joined the Whitebeard Pirates, it had been a calculated move. Whitebeard's strength and influence gave Teach the best chance of acquiring the fruit. But now, Whitebeard's declining health and the crew's reluctance to act were grating on him.
Adding to his frustration was the rise of Alex, whose sudden surge in fame had disrupted Teach's once-steady resolve. Teach couldn't stand the sight of Whitebeard in this state—a man he had once admired reduced to an aging relic. Deep inside, dangerous thoughts began to fester.
If Whitebeard was going to fade, then perhaps it was time for Teach to seize the power of the Quake-Quake Fruit for himself.
Unaware of Teach's growing discontent, Whitebeard remained focused on the newspaper before him. His sharp eyes scanned the headline, and he let out a rumbling chuckle. "Another cocky brat has shown up on the Grand Line."
Hearing their father's voice, his sons quickly gathered around.
"He recently rejected an invitation to become a Warlord of the Sea," one of them said. "Not only that, but he escaped from Marine Hero Garp! His bounty has already surpassed 100 million berries."
At the mention of Garp, a collective murmur ran through the gathered crew.
"Garp, huh?" Thatch said, shaking his head in disbelief. "That man is a nightmare for pirates. He even went toe-to-toe with Gol D. Roger back in the day!"
Marco, who had been skimming through the same newspaper, added, "Looks like this kid's been spotted on Fish-Man Island recently. Seems he's already made it into the New World."
One of the younger crew members, frowning at the headlines, muttered, "How long has this guy even been at sea? Charging in so recklessly at his age... What kind of big things could he possibly accomplish?"
Whitebeard sneered as he read the article. He knew Garp's strength all too well. For a rookie like Ace to escape Garp's grasp? It was laughable. Whitebeard would bet his ship that the old Marine had deliberately let the boy go.
His gaze lingered on the image of Ace in the newspaper, a strange familiarity tugging at his mind. For a moment, he felt as though he were looking at an old rival.
Suddenly, a memory surfaced.
Ace.
Gol D. Roger's favorite sword had borne the same name. The thought was fleeting, yet it planted a seed of curiosity in Whitebeard's mind. As he stared at the image of the young pirate, his intrigue deepened, and his booming laughter echoed across the deck.
"Gurarara! Keep an eye on this brat. I want to know more about him."
The captains exchanged surprised glances. It wasn't often their old man took an interest in a newcomer.
Without delay, Whitebeard dispatched a crew to gather more information on Ace.
Meanwhile, in the Frozen North
Far to the north of the New World, on an icy, desolate island, a fierce blizzard raged. Snowflakes whipped through the air, carried by a biting wind that seemed to pierce even the thickest jackets. Pirates huddled outside the entrance to a cave, their padded coats pulled tight as they tried to stave off the bitter cold.
Inside the cave, the atmosphere was completely different. Warmth radiated from a roaring bonfire, and the cave resounded with laughter and the clinking of mugs. It was as though the pirates had stepped into a haven amidst the frozen chaos outside.
"Ace," Shanks said, raising his mug with a grin. "How's that kid Luffy doing these days?"
The Red-Haired Pirate had thrown this banquet in honor of Ace's visit, his curiosity about the younger generation evident in his warm demeanor.
Ace, sipping from his own cup, smiled at the thought of his little brother. "He's still running around yelling about becoming the Pirate King. But I'm confident I'll beat him to it!" he said with a mix of fondness and determination.
Shanks laughed heartily. "That's the kind of spirit pirates of the new era should have. I'm rooting for both of you—you and Luffy!"
Ace tilted his head slightly, his expression thoughtful. "What about you, Mr. Shanks? You're one of the Four Emperors. Don't you have any interest in the One Piece?"
Shanks' smile turned wistful as he swirled the drink in his mug. "The One Piece... It's not my goal anymore. There's something else—something more important—that I want to achieve."
Ace nodded, respecting the man's sentiment. For Ace, the title of Pirate King wasn't about power or treasure; it was about understanding his place in the world. He sought to uncover the meaning of his birth and the legacy of the man who had left it behind.
Shanks, sensing the conversation turning serious, broke into a hearty laugh. "Enough of that! Let's not ruin the party atmosphere. When the time comes for us to face off, maybe I'll go easy on you for Luffy's sake!"
Ace chuckled and replied with a grin, "Don't worry, you're at the bottom of my list. Before I get to you, I plan to challenge Whitebeard—or maybe even Alex. They'll be my first targets in the New World!"