On the deck of the Whitebeard Pirates' ship, the Moby Dick.
Whitebeard sat boldly in the center, his posture as imposing as a mountain. Beside him was a massive wine jug that had already been emptied.
Around him, many of his sons sat quietly in a circle, seemingly waiting for something. The atmosphere was heavy and subdued.
All of this was because they had received news that the Adventurers' group would soon be visiting their pirate crew.
Due to some of Leno's previous exploits, many among them held a cautious attitude toward his sudden visit.
As a result, even those who normally wouldn't care much were influenced by the tense mood around them.
Whitebeard looked at the tightly wound expressions of the people around him and felt somewhat helpless. He laughed loudly.
"Everyone relax a little. It's not a big deal."
"Yeah, that Thunder God guy is actually pretty nice. You're all making too big a fuss about it."
Ace had been rather gloomy as well, but when he heard his old man speak, he couldn't hold back anymore.
When he met Leno before, the guy seemed quite easy to get along with.
He couldn't understand why everyone's attitude changed the moment they heard Leno was coming.
Marco wrapped an arm around his neck and warned him with a serious expression.
"Hey, Ace. The other party is a powerhouse on the same level as Pops. Get your attitude straight!"
"Tch… you guys are just overthinking it."
Ace turned his face away. He had nothing to say in response to Marco's words, only muttering quietly to himself.
Deep down, he didn't really care. He still trusted his own intuition.
With Whitebeard's reassurance, the atmosphere finally eased up a little. People began chatting in small groups.
Just then, a lookout hurried over.
He raised his head toward Whitebeard, his arm pointing behind him as he nervously reported,
"Pops! Pops! The Thunder God and his group have arrived!"
"Ah, let him come. Hopefully that brat brought some good wine."
After hearing the report, Whitebeard lazily lifted his eyelids. His right hand unconsciously reached toward the empty wine jug beside him.
At the same time, he was pondering the reason that brat had suddenly come looking for him.
As for the idea that he came to challenge him, Whitebeard immediately dismissed it.
With the other party's current reputation and strength, there was absolutely no need to use such methods to gain fame.
If he wanted to know the reason, he could only wait until Leno arrived.
Meanwhile, as the Gale drew closer, the women on board also grew much more serious.
After all, this was a famous pirate crew of the New World. The proper attitude had to be shown.
Looking at the massive ship right in front of them, everyone felt surprisingly calm.
After all, they had just come down from Tesoro's ten-thousand-meter-long ship.
When the stairs from the other ship extended toward them, Leno turned around and said to the group,
"Everyone stay on the ship for now. I'll go and come back soon."
"Be careful."
The women all reminded him, though there was little worry in their eyes.
Once Leno stepped onto the stairs, they quickly spread out across the deck to guard against any sudden incidents.
As Leno climbed the steps, a loud announcing voice suddenly rang out.
"Welcome Captain Thunder God!"
Leno carried a wine jug in his hand, his aura beginning to rise.
Just as he stepped onto the deck and was about to put on a show—
A familiar voice suddenly rang out, instantly breaking the atmosphere.
He looked up and realized it was his old acquaintance, Jinbe.
"Mr. Leno, long time no see."
"Oh? Jinbe. We meet again." Leno paused for a moment before smiling in greeting. "When did you get back?"
"I just arrived not long ago." Jinbe seemed to be in a very good mood. He made a welcoming gesture. "Please, Mr. Leno. I'll take you to see Pops."
"Alright, thank you."
Leno nodded with a smile as the two of them walked forward while chatting.
With the arrival of the legendary Thunder God, countless gazes turned toward them.
Normally, Leno wouldn't care about such looks.
But among them was one gaze that was so burning it was almost greedy, causing him to slightly frown.
Turning his head toward that gaze, he saw a large, dark, pot-bellied man with his chest exposed, staring at him with a foolish grin.
Leno narrowed his eyes slightly. Then, as if realizing something, a playful smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Interesting… so you've set your sights on me?
What a… bold move.
Little blackie, you've chosen death.
Beside him, Jinbe noticed that Leno had suddenly stopped and asked with some confusion,
"What's wrong, Mr. Leno?"
"Oh, nothing. Just noticed an interesting guy."
Leno waved his hand casually before continuing forward.
Jinbe glanced around. They were all familiar companions. Shaking his head, he quickly followed behind him.
Watching the two figures walk away, the large dark man's previously simple smile instantly filled with vicious intent.
As if he had discovered prey he liked, he let out a quiet "heh heh" laugh.
A companion beside him nudged him with an elbow and asked curiously,
"Hey, Teach, what are you laughing about? Did you get scared?"
"Huh? Oh, I was just surprised that the Thunder God is so young."
Teach scratched the back of his head and looked at his companion with a foolish grin before asking back,
"Don't you think so, Captain Thatch?"
"Yeah. Seeing him in person really lives up to the reputation—and even exceeds it."
Thatch stared at the young figure ahead with a face full of astonishment.
When Leno passed by earlier, the natural pressure radiating from him had made Thatch's heart pound in fear.
It was hard to imagine someone so young possessing such terrifying strength.
When they arrived before Whitebeard, Jinbe quickly introduced him first.
"Pops, this is Mr. Leno."
"Mm, I know."
Whitebeard looked down at Leno. A trace of surprise flashed through his eyes before he burst into laughter.
"Thunder God brat, what are you carrying in your hand? Hurry up and bring it over!"
Hearing that, Leno—who had been about to speak—immediately darkened his face.
He replied somewhat irritably,
"You're kidding me, old man. You're trying to rob me the moment I arrive?"
"Gurararara…"
Whitebeard laughed loudly and said naturally,
"I'm a pirate. Isn't robbing things perfectly justified?"
Leno froze for a moment, not expecting the old guy to be so shameless.
He tossed the wine jug over with a flick of his wrist, feeling utterly speechless inside.
Whitebeard caught the jug, pulled out the stopper, and took a sniff.
His expression immediately turned disdainful.
"What's this? Why is it Fish-Man Island wine? Jinbe brought back plenty of that stuff already. I'm getting sick of it!"
"..."
...
...