Chapter 176: Blackbeard's Premonition
"Pops!"
Marco walked over quickly, followed by Whitebeard Pirates crew members excitedly carrying meat and washing barrels.
He looked up at the familiar giant silhouette. "Teach suggested we go to that island for a party. What do you think..."
Whitebeard slowly lowered the sake jug in his hand, droplets of liquor glistening on his mustache in the sunlight.
His cloudy yet sharp gaze swept toward the desolate island in the distance. After a moment of silence, he spoke in a low voice.
"Since the children are looking forward to it... let's go take a look."
Marco nodded and left. He didn't notice—Whitebeard's fingers gripping the jug tightened imperceptibly for a split second.
He also didn't see the complex light flashing deep within the old man's pupils—vigilance, worry, and a faint trace of battle intent.
The Moby Dick adjusted course swiftly. The sails filled with wind, the wind speed eerily steady. The waves weren't high, the wind wasn't chaotic; it was as if the entire sea was making way for their "arrival."
On the Other Side of the Deck
Blackbeard stood at the very front, gripping the railing with both hands. His dark, thick knuckles turned white, trembling slightly.
His right eyelid had been twitching all day, and his heart felt bound by invisible chains, beating with increasing unease.
But what made him most restless—was the voice echoing continuously in his mind:
"...Come here... come here..."
"...I... belong to you..."
This voice wasn't heard through his ears but implanted directly into the depths of his consciousness. Like the tide, it rose and fell, as if something deep within the island was waiting for him to approach... waiting for "it" to awaken.
Blackbeard licked his cracked lips, his throat tight.
He could have found a reasonable excuse—like repairing the hull or gathering intel...
But when he woke up this morning, he didn't think at all. Like a ghost at work, he blurted out the suggestion to Marco about "wanting to have a party on that island."
Thinking back now—it didn't feel like a "decision," but more like being "guided."
"Teach."
An aged yet heavy voice came suddenly, seemingly surging from the bottom of the sea, making Blackbeard tense all over.
He switched expressions rapidly, grinning. "Pops! Why did you come over personally?"
Whitebeard's towering figure approached slowly. Under the sun, his figure, draped with IV drips, still possessed the majesty of a mountain.
He didn't answer immediately. He just looked up, taking a deep breath of the sea breeze, and frowned. "This island... is very special."
"Even Sea Kings... dare not approach these waters."
Blackbeard swallowed instinctively, his back soaked in cold sweat. "I-Is that so? I didn't notice..."
Whitebeard didn't look at him. He just stared quietly at the horizon, suddenly asking in a low voice, "Have you... been sleeping well lately?"
Blackbeard's heart skipped a beat, his smile nearly faltering. "Zehahaha! Maybe I'm just too excited! Being able to party with my brothers, of course I'm too excited to sleep!"
Whitebeard gave a soft "Mm," slowly raising his jug and taking another swig.
Liquor dripped down his white mustache, landing on the deck and staining it dark.
"Go prepare for landing."
Before the old man turned to leave, he stopped abruptly. With his back to Blackbeard, his tone was heavy.
"Remember—"
"No matter what is on the island... there should be no secrets between family."
Blackbeard stood frozen, unable to move for a long time.
That sentence was light, but it struck like a giant hammer, piercing his disguised shell.
He forced a smile and turned toward the crowd.
"Brother Teach! The roast meat is almost ready!" Crew members cheered, bringing out barrels and meat racks, laughter filling the deck.
Yet the calling in Blackbeard's mind rose wave after wave like the tide:
"Come... return to the origin..."
"Bring me... resurrection..."
He had to stay calm. Since he was already here, he had to figure out what exactly was calling him.
Whitebeard returned to his special seat on the deck, placing the empty jug aside. He closed his eyes, letting the sea breeze blow through his white mustache and IV tubes.
He sensed not only the abnormality of the wind but also that eerie "pressure"—ancient, chaotic, and extremely familiar.
"Teach... Xebec..." he murmured low.
A bitter and mocking smile flashed across his lips.
"What exactly did you sense..."
Far out at sea, the wind stopped, and the waves stilled.
The Moby Dick continued forward in this eerie silence, carrying a ship full of unsuspecting laughter, sailing toward the center of the vortex where fates converged.
Meanwhile, New World - Unnamed Deserted Island
The sun scorched the barren rock layers. The air on the island seemed twisted by the heat; the wind carried only scorching sand and dust.
Ace, dressed in a casual short-sleeved shirt and jeans, hat pulled low, carried a heavy large briefcase on his shoulder. He walked leisurely along the island path, like a tourist on an outing.
"Big Bro Roy wanted to come, but in the end, he makes me carry the money for the trade..."
He pouted, complaining lazily. "It's just 3 billion Belly. Anyone could have made the delivery."
Under the sun, the briefcase glinted with a metallic sheen, pressing heavily on his shoulder, but Ace didn't care at all. He even hummed a tune.
He picked a blade of grass and chewed on it, looking around at the scorching yellow rocks as he walked. "This island is too broken... not even a single coconut."
Island High Ground - Rock Scout Point
A scout with dark skin and sharp eyes lay prone on the burning rock, sweat dripping from his forehead like a faucet.
He raised his binoculars, carefully scanning the coast and island paths.
"Only... one person?!!"
In the binoculars, a young man wearing an orange hat was carrying a briefcase, strolling slowly up the mountain path. His pace was casual, completely defenseless.
Behind him... no one!
A crazed smile appeared on his face instantly. Lowering his voice, he urgently signaled tactically to his companions behind him:
"Confirmed! Only one person carrying the money landed! Lightly equipped, ability unknown!"
Pirate Base - Inside the Cave
A skull flag hung on the gloomy rock wall. The cave was dim, lit by a few black oil torches. The air reeked of sea stench and gunpowder.
Dozens of pirates were laughing wildly around a crude wooden table covered with guns and knives. The atmosphere was restless.
"Hahahaha!! Only one brat came!"
"Did the Golden Emperor lose his mind?! 3 billion!! Just this box of money is enough for us to buy an island and live like kings!"
"I told you this deal was a pie falling from the sky! The Golden Emperor got desperate and didn't even send a full team!"
"Kill the guy, take the money, keep the fruit for ourselves. Pure profit!!!"
Spit flew as they laughed raucously, like a pack of hyenas about to divide treasure.
Only Captain Red, sitting deepest inside, remained motionless in his stone chair.
His features were cold and hard. One hand tapped slowly on the armrest, his gaze unpredictable.
"...Too smooth," he murmured. "Is Gild Tesoro the kind of person who would casually hand 3 billion to a brat?"
Everyone paused.
"Wait until he arrives," Red narrowed his eyes. "See clearly first... who exactly he is."
Island Center - Transaction Point
Weathered rocks formed a natural plaza. The center was open, scorching like a steamer.
Ace walked carelessly into the clearing, placing the 3-billion-Belly briefcase on the ground with a THUD, then sat on it.
"Oiii—!"
He shouted a few times, his voice echoing between the rock walls.
"I'm here for the trade! Is anyone home—?"
No answer.
Ace scratched his head. "What a crappy place... what the hell, do I have to wait for you guys to come out first?"
Click-clack—!
The next second, dozens of flintlocks slowly extended from behind the surrounding rocks, all aiming uniformly at him!
In the dark muzzles, firelight flickered faintly.
The air froze instantly.
Footsteps rang out—Thump... thump... thump...
A burly man with a face full of scars walked out from behind the rocks. Wearing a leather hat and a serrated longsword at his waist, his copper-bell-like eyes stared fixedly at Ace.
He sneered. "Brat... the Golden Emperor sent you alone?"
Ace tilted his head, flashing his signature grin, seemingly completely unconcerned by the killing intent before him.
"Yeah, what's wrong with being alone?"
He patted the briefcase. "I brought the 3 billion. Why don't you bring out the fruit first?"
Red's eye twitched slightly.
This boy—
Showed no fear from start to finish.
Not even a hint of wariness...
Was he really just here to trade?
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