Deep within the volatile waters of the New World, the sea churned with a restless energy, mirroring the power of the vessel cutting through its waves.
This was the Moby Dick, a ship that dominated the ocean.
On the main deck, the atmosphere was heavy, thick with the scent of brine and high-grade sake. S
itting there like a titan among men was Edward Newgate—Whitebeard.
Standing at a colossal 6.66 meters, his sheer presence warped the air around him.
Despite the web of medical IVs hooked into his massive frame—a testament to his failing health—his vitality remained terrifying.
He threw back a massive bowl of sake, wiping his mouth as his golden eyes scanned several crumpled bounty posters.
"Pops," a voice drawled from beside him.
"This Monkey D. Luffy... he's Ace's younger brother, right?"
The speaker was Marco, the Commander of the 1st Division.
With half-lidded eyes and a head of blonde hair that famously resembled a pineapple, he looked perpetually relaxed, though his bounty of 1.374 billion Belly suggested a lethality that contradicted his stance.
Whitebeard, the World's Strongest Man whose head carried a price of over 5 billion Belly, let out a laugh that rumbled through the ship's timber.
"Gurararara! Indeed."
His expression shifted, becoming more contemplative.
"Marco, listen well. We should keep a close eye on this pirate crew moving forward. Those who carry the Will of D... they are never ordinary men. They are storms waiting to break."
Marco nodded, leaning against the railing. "Understood, Pops. Speaking of storms, Red Hair sent a word. He says he wants to come personally to discuss Ace's situation with you soon. What are your thoughts?"
A shadow of worry flickered across Marco's face.
When two Emperors met, the skies usually split.
Whitebeard, however, merely gulped down another ocean of alcohol as a confident, predatory grin stretching across his scarred face.
"That brat Shanks," he scoffed, his voice dripping with casual arrogance. "He seems to have gotten a bit too full of himself since he climbed to the seat of a Yonko."
He slammed the sake bowl down. "He is still a hundred years too early to think he can influence Whitebeard's decisions!"
Marco glanced sideways at his captain.
Personally, he agreed with Shanks' concerns regarding Ace and Blackbeard, but looking at the titan beside him, his anxiety eased.
No matter what happened, no matter what conspiracy the Marines might be cooking up, there was nothing the Whitebeard Pirates couldn't handle.
So what if the world turned upside down? They were the rulers of these seas.
...
Meanwhile, in a starkly different part of the world, the Going Merry sailed under the tranquil azure of a clear sky.
Two days had passed since the Straw Hat Pirates left the nameless island.
For these two days, everyone had been training diligently.
After witnessing Aokiji's bizarre freezing ability, everyone had focused their efforts on Haki training.
If all of them could master the advanced Armament Haki technique - Ryuo, they would be able to find opportunities to counterattack against Aokiji's assaults.
Otherwise, they would still end up being a burden to their comrades.
Of course, Armament Haki training inevitably required physical growth.
Under the scorching sun, everyone's sweat from their intense training had soaked the Going Merry's deck.
Zoro had brought several large rocks onto the deck, cutting them into different weights to facilitate training for Nami, Robin, and Usopp.
As for the others, they all used the 3-ton heavy rock.
At this moment, they actually found themselves missing Miss Valentine, that Kilo-kilo Fruit user named Mikita.
Usopp, looking at his dwindling supply of powerful bombs, also missed Mr. 5, the Bomb-Bomb Fruit user Gem.
They wondered how those two were doing in Alabasta.
...
One week earlier, in Alabasta's royal palace.
King Cobra and Princess Vivi were chatting with a group of old acquaintances in the rear garden.
Standing before them were former members of Baroque Works.
Namely, Miss Goldenweek Marianne, who possessed the miraculous ability to use pigments for hypnosis.
Mr. 3 Galdino, a user of the Wax-Wax Fruit.
Mr. 2 Bon Clay, a master of Okama Kenpo and a user of the Clone-clone Fruit.
As well as Miss Valentine Mikita and Mr. 5 Gem.
The five of them had now abandoned their former Miss and Mr. titles, addressing each other solely by their names or nicknames.
Cobra looked at the group before him and earnestly asked the question.
"Are you certain you wish to set sail? As a subordinate crew of that pirate group?"
Vivi also expressed concern.
"They're currently in the eye of the storm, you know. By doing this, you'll be placing yourselves in a very dangerous position."
Hearing the king and princess's inquiry, Galdino chuckled and responded first.
"I don't mind. I've got nowhere else to go anyway. Besides, if they hadn't defeated Crocodile, Marianne and I would have definitely been killed by this okama here."
Bon Clay stopped twirling, looking genuinely bashful.
"Oh, Little 3! Little Marianne! Don't be so harsh~!" He pressed his hands to his cheeks. "I was just following the Boss's orders at the time! But honestly, I think Mikita and Gem have a wonderful idea."
Bon Clay's expression turned serious, tears welling in his eyes.
"I really admire the Straw Hat Pirates. They are true friends! Except for that vicious little thief cat... she almost destroyed my family jewels!"
The group ignored the outburst; they were used to Bon's theatrics.
Mikita stepped forward, flanked by Gem.
Her voice was steady. "It's the only path for us."
She explained their reasoning.
As former high-ranking agents of a fallen Shichibukai, they were now wanted criminals.
The Marines wouldn't let them retire to a quiet life of farming.
They were hunted.
Their individual strength was decent, but against the World Government, they were nothing.
They needed a banner.
"We spent time on their ship," Mikita said softly. "Gem and I... we barely counted as unofficial members, but they treated us like people. We want to form a crew and seek them out."
Among the five, Three had direct, positive ties to the Straw Hats.
The other two, Galdino and Marianne, were pragmatists who respected power and character.
"Although the big brothers are currently walking into the jaws of death," Mikita continued, clearing her throat with a confident smile, "we understand one principle very well."
"Hehehe," she laughed. "Offering help when someone is already on top is meaningless. Offering help in times of need... that is what proves sincerity."
Galdino adjusted his glasses with a gleam of calculation in his eyes.
"If we want to live under their protection in the future, we have to take a gamble. And gambling is my specialty."
He looked at the others, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
"You should know... the greater the storm, the more valuable the fish. How can we invest in future legends without taking a few risks?"
The logic was sound. It was high risk, but the return on investment could be freedom and glory.
Vivi and Cobra sighed, realizing their minds were made up.
In truth, they were reluctant to see them go.
During the post-war chaos, these five had used their influence to wrangle the leaderless Baroque Works mercenaries, effectively ending the remnants of the conflict.
They had ruthlessly eliminated looters and opportunists, cleaning up the darkness so the light could return to Alabasta.
They had paid their debts to the country.
Now, they were paying it forward to their future captains.
At the port, Vivi handed them supplies and a Log Pose pointing toward the Straw Hats' trajectory.
"Good luck," she whispered.
...
Several hours later, the harbor of Alabasta bustled with activity.
A massive fleet was assembling.
Thirty large ships, manned by 1,000 former bounty hunters and mercenaries, prepared to cast off.
They had rebranded themselves. They were no longer a secret criminal syndicate.
They were the Floating Artists.
Captain: Mikita.
Vice Captains: Bon Clay, Gem.
Officers: Marianne, Galdino.
Standing on the bow of the lead ship, the five officers looked out toward the horizon where the Grand Line beckoned.
The wind whipped at their clothes, carrying the scent of salt and adventure.
They were on a mission to find the Straw Hat Pirates and help them conquer the world.
As the sails unfurled, snapping loudly in the wind, the five officers shared a look of yearning and ambition.
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