As the sea's overlord of this era, if Magnus were willing to train them, they would make tremendous gains in a short time.
And all they needed to pay was a favor—stand with Magnus in one war.
They didn't even have to swear loyalty.
Sounded great.
So why did Rayleigh feel… off?
Watching Magnus's easy smile, Rayleigh suddenly realized—weren't Rocks's people members of the White Wolf Pirates? Magnus's subordinate crew beat them, and to "get even" they'd go to the White Wolf captain for guidance—then end up owing him a favor.
Rayleigh couldn't help wondering if this whole thing had been a setup by Magnus from the start.
"Don't look at me like that."
Magnus swirled his cup and chuckled. "I just value your potential, so I'm willing to give some guidance. Whether you can earn Rocks's respect—that's on you."
"As for scheming?"
As if reading his mind, Magnus glanced at Rayleigh, half smiling. "A bunch of rookies who've barely set sail—what exactly is there for me to scheme over?"
Even if the Roger Pirates would one day stand at the summit, that was the future. At Roger and Rayleigh's age, they'd need at least a dozen years to peak. Under Magnus's shadow, whether they could still reach that original summit was unknown.
And Magnus felt the final showdown with the World Government drawing near.
Maybe a year. Maybe two.
In so little time, forget the summit—whether Roger and Rayleigh could even reach Admiral-level was a serious question.
So Magnus was just taking a shot—and unexpectedly ran into the chance.
"…"
Rayleigh studied him. He couldn't tell if Magnus was bluffing. But as the New World's master, Magnus had no reason to lie to a small-time pirate. If he wished, a finger's twitch could doom the entire Roger Pirates.
After all, the White Wolf Pirates and Rocks's crew—
Were worlds apart.
Roger's crew might slip Rocks's net—
But escaping a full White Wolf sweep would be another matter.
"I understand."
Rayleigh finally made his call.
"I'll relay this to my captain."
Just "relay"—no clear answer.
Magnus didn't mind the hedging. As he said, he was preparing for the last war.
If the Roger Pirates could help, he'd gladly lend a hand. If they chose to be enemies, he'd strangle that threat in the cradle long before it could touch him.
Three years ago, he might have wanted to see Roger at his peak.
But now—
He only had eyes for Imu, and that legend called Joyboy.
Joyboy—he likely wouldn't meet.
Imu—was close at hand.
What Magnus didn't expect was that as he began "collecting stamps," Newgate was starting a "stamp collection" of his own.
Back when those Marines disguised as pirates attacked, Evan had already signaled for help from a nearby White Wolf detachment.
The one who showed up—
Was none other than Newgate, who had left the White Wolf Pirates to found the Whitebeard Pirates.
Like Rocks, he'd formed his own crew, but Newgate still returned to Sphinx every so often.
Not just because Sphinx was his hometown—
But because Magnus and the rest were there.
Just as Magnus had thought—
Since Magnus treated Newgate with a father's warmth, Newgate regarded him as true family.
Hearing someone dared attack a White Wolf Alliance merchantman, Newgate, passing nearby, rushed over on his own ship.
"Captain!"
Seeing Magnus, Newgate was surprised—then grinned.
"Gurararara! Didn't think you'd left Sphinx, Captain. The Marines and the Government won't be sleeping well now."
From the boy they'd first met to the man before him, Newgate had fully grown—over six meters tall, a giant next to Magnus.
But he knew height wasn't strength. If Magnus wished, his fruit could turn him into a giant wolf tens of meters tall.
"Newgate, why are you here?"
"Gurararara! I was headed back to Sphinx to bring you news, Captain."
At twenty-two, Newgate already had his iconic mustache and that signature laugh—slowly overlapping with the image in Magnus's memory.
But this world's Newgate, at this age, wielded power his counterpart never had.
Half a year ago, out at sea, Newgate met the current Marine Admiral Hines Oran. With a single blow he shattered the ice prison Hines had conjured—scaring the Admiral off pursuit.
The old man had agreed to be an Admiral to enjoy life, not to die for it. For what salary, exactly, should a man in his sixties gamble his life against a twenty-something like Newgate?
Win, and he might still be injured—and might draw White King Magnus himself. Lose, and a lifetime's name would be stomped into the mud.
So after failing to stop Newgate with a little show of force, Hines simply waved for musicians to keep the party going.
He only hoped Magnus wouldn't stir up another war for two years more—then he'd retire gracefully.
Not stopping Newgate still sent a message—
Hines had admitted he couldn't help it.
For a time—
The White Wolf Pirates shone brighter, and Marine morale sagged lower.
If not for two Marine super rookies—both barely past twenty—who captured big-name pirates, several member nations might have lost faith entirely.
As for Newgate's "news"—
"Kaido, get over here!"
Newgate beckoned proudly. "This is my newly adopted son. Don't be fooled by his age—he's no worse than Linlin was as a kid!"
Pfft!
At Newgate's words, Magnus sprayed wine across Evan's face.
"Who did you say?"
(End of Chapter)
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