The enormous whale head, the striking Whitebeard skull emblem on the mast.
In the New World, everyone knew it. This was the exclusive symbol of the emperor of the seas, Edward Newgate.
Compared to Marineford, where forces were continuously gathering and a sense of grave impending war permeated everywhere, the atmosphere on the Moby Dick was somewhat relaxed.
"Pops, do you think that strange bird is going to stand us up?" A burly man in cloth armor spoke, his voice deep and resonant.
Hearing Jozu's words, the delinquent with a pineapple-yellow tuft of hair on his head glared, his eyes unfriendly. "Heh heh, on this sea, no one dares to treat us Whitebeard Pirates that way."
On his chest was tattooed the exclusive emblem of the Whitebeard Pirates, and his abdominal muscles were exceptionally defined. If not for that peculiar yellow hairstyle, he would have captivated countless young women.
"If he really dares to do that, I wouldn't mind personally going to the newspaper office and turning him into a roasted bird."
"Gurararara! Marco, don't be so agitated. It's not good for young people to always be so bloodthirsty."
In the very center, a giant-like figure sat on a chair, numerous needles inserted into him for an IV drip. Judging by the speed of the fluid's flow, his physical condition was likely not optimistic. For an ordinary person, simply staying conscious would probably only be possible in dreams.
Yet, despite this physical state, Whitebeard still drank heavily, ignoring all warnings, causing concern among the nurses and his sons by his side.
"Pops, how many times have we told you? Drink less alcohol." Vista's eyebrows were furrowed.
Marco, though also disapproving of the drinking, was helpless. "Pops, can't you exercise a little restraint?"
Whitebeard laughed heartily, completely unconcerned. "Gurararara! Don't worry, my sons, what's a little drink? I am Whitebeard!"
"Pops! Captain Marco! There's a guy who looks like a strange bird saying he wants to see pops."
"Tch, he's here, huh. I thought he wouldn't dare. Let him come over." Marco pouted.
"Oh! Esteemed Mr. Newgate. It's true that hearing is not as good as seeing. I've only just arrived today, please forgive my impoliteness." Before he was fully visible, his voice arrived.
As soon as Morgans stepped onto the deck, he took off his top hat as a sign of respect.
Marco's voice suddenly rang in Morgans' ear, "He's a polite fellow, at least. If you dare to disrespect pops, I'll be the first to pluck all your bird feathers."
Morgans was startled. With his keen observation skills, he hadn't even noticed Marco's movements.
"His speed is astonishing. As expected of the Commander of Whitebeard-sama's First Division." Morgans opened his mouth again for another round of flattery.
"Whitebeard-sama is truly mighty and awe-inspiring. From afar, I was already trembling and short of breath from your Haki. I presume your combat power is still undiminished from back in the day."
As he spoke, Morgans' gaze subtly flickered towards Whitebeard, secretly observing his reaction. With so many tubes inserted, it seemed Whitebeard's body was indeed, as rumored, no longer what it once was. Therefore, his combat power must be greatly diminished.
But... what was this oppressive feeling that made one shiver?
Morgans was a man who had weathered many storms, yet in front of Whitebeard, he still felt a mountain-like pressure.
Listening to Morgans' flattery, Whitebeard continued to drink, his expression unchanged. "Alright, put away your newspaper reporter tricks. Get straight to the point. My sons and I have a feast later."
Seeing Whitebeard's straightforwardness, Morgans wasted no time and immediately pulled out a small notebook from behind him.
"Haha, Whitebeard-sama saw through my little intentions at a glance. Then I'll begin the interview directly."
"First question, Mr. Newgate, Marineford has mobilized 100,000 elite troops, all three Admirals are present, plus the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and the main battlefield is Marineford itself."
"Facing such a lineup, does Mr. Newgate truly have the confidence to rescue Ace?"
After speaking, Morgans' large eyes stared directly at Whitebeard, as if to capture every detailed expression on his face.
Upon hearing Morgans' question, everyone turned their gaze to Whitebeard.
To say there was no emotional reaction to such a formidable lineup would naturally be false.
As battle-hardened, veteran pirates, they understood even more clearly the terror of an Admiral. Moreover, this time, all three Admirals were present, which was unprecedented.
Facing such opponents, even a Four Emperors pirate crew reigning over the seas felt unprecedented pressure.
However, Whitebeard merely grinned and took a large gulp of sake.
"Gurararara, that's my son!"
Morgans' body stiffened at the words.
The meaning of this...
After a moment of silence, he chose to press on, "You think you can rescue him?"
Marco interrupted with an unfriendly tone, "Of course. Can't you understand that?"
Morgans quickly wrote something down, then continued, "Alright, next question. Facing the Marine's highest combat power, the Admirals, with Mr. Newgate's current physical condition, can you win?"
"Gurararara, I am Whitebeard!"
Morgans paused, then continued, "If Marine Hero Garp were to make a move, what do you think your chances of victory are?"
"Gurararara, I am Whitebeard!"
Whitebeard merely drank, leaving Morgans nothing to write.
"Alright, Mr. Newgate, I greatly admire your confidence, but Marine has a remarkable newcomer that I think you might find interesting."
"Pfft!"
Everyone immediately burst into laughter.
Marco said with some mockery, "Just a newcomer, can he really turn the world upside down?"
Morgans said, "No, no, Mr. Marco, this newcomer is not simple. He joined Marine less than a month ago, and has already displayed astonishing combat power, defeating three Supernovas in a row, and even thwarting the recently prominent Straw Hats, and he can even fight Silvers Rayleigh and injure him."
"Even Fleet Admiral Sengoku sent people to contact me, wanting him to be on tomorrow's front page news, to build him into a future Marine benchmark."
Marco had only just heard this last piece of news.
Whitebeard still repeated the same words. "Gurararara, I am Whitebeard!"
Morgans was helpless. It seemed that this dangerous interview, which he had gone through so much trouble for, had yielded unsatisfactory results.
"Last question, when the man hailed as the strongest in the modern era, the Whitebeard Pirates reigning over the New World, confronts the sea's overlord, Marine, who do you believe is the challenger?"
Hearing this, Whitebeard drained the remaining sake and said, "Marine is the challenger."
Marco, equally confident, crossed his arms over his chest. "Pops, we'll win, right."
Whitebeard bared a grin of white teeth. "We'll win, because I am the strongest."