Marco's exclamation immediately drew the attention of the surrounding pirates.
"A billion Belly?"
"What billion, who? Captain Marco?"
"Idiot! Captain Marco's current bounty is thirteen billion Belly! It must be Captain Jozu, after all, in this war, Captain Jozu made a huge contribution!"
"Indeed, Captain Jozu's bounty has increased a lot! Treat us, Jozu!"
"Hey, hey, hey, stop guessing wildly."
Marco turned around helplessly, waving the newspaper in his hand, "It's got nothing to do with us, it's probably news of the war ending that hasn't reached the World Economic News Agency yet."
With this movement, all the warrants from the newspaper fell out, scattering in the wind, and the surrounding pirates quickly reached to catch them.
[DEAD OR ALIVE]
[Great Blade Sword Master: Shano]
[$ 1,000,000,000]
This was the first warrant to fall out from the newspaper, and it was the most eye-catching one.
Whitebeard squinted his eyes, calling out with a large hand and caught Shano's warrant firmly, while Marco immediately handed over the newspaper.
Very soon, Whitebeard finished reading the newspaper, his eyes revealing a look of astonishment.
"Gurararara!"
Whitebeard casually tossed the newspaper aside, his hearty laughter echoed across the deck, "No wonder he has a bounty of a billion, this kid has indeed done something extraordinary!"
"Father?" Marco leaned closer in confusion, "Are you very interested in this guy?"
He clearly remembered.
Last time when this guy's bounty was published in the newspaper, Father obviously wasn't much interested in recruiting him, merely considering him as a newcomer with some fame.
But this time, the situation seemed entirely different…
"Gurararara! Of course!"
Whitebeard unfolded the warrant for everyone to see, pointing at the confident smile of the black-haired youth in the photo with his thick fingers:
"Look at this smile, Marco, what an arrogant little brat, killing two of the Seven Warlords of the Sea in a row, and straightforwardly refusing the World Government's Seven Warlords offer! Even that Garp guy couldn't capture him when he went himself!"
"Such courage, such spirit, such rebellious demeanor, reminds me of Oden back in the day!"
Whitebeard grinned, "If this kid, after entering the New World, is willing to become my son, what do you think about making him Captain of Squad 2? Gurararara!"
Captain of Squad 2?
Does Father hold this kid in such high regard?
Among them, including Marco, several captains exchanged glances, a bit surprised.
After all, within their Whitebeard Pirates, the position of Captain of Squad 2 was very special.
Since Oden left, this position has been kept vacant, and it's been many years now.
Even though many strong partners joined later, Father never mentioned filling this vacant position.
But now, Father actually wants to make an exception?
"Gurararara! Seems like no one has any objections, then I've decided!"
Whitebeard patted the armrest of the chair, causing the whole ship to slightly shake, "When this kid enters the New World, I want to personally meet him!"
"If he is willing to become my son, the position of Captain of Squad 2 is his!"
"If he refuses…"
Whitebeard grinned, gripping Murakumogiri firmly in his hand, "Then I'll let him see how dangerous and brutal the New World really is, that Garp guy can no longer represent the remnants of our old era!"
The deck came to life again, with the crew excitedly discussing.
"Hey! Father is serious about this!"
"Hahaha, this will be a good show!"
"But, will that kid really agree? I heard he even refused the Seven Warlords…"
"Hmph, what is the Seven Warlords compared to this? This is Captain Oden's position, a thousand times more precious than the Seven Warlords!
In this lively and noisy atmosphere.
No one noticed.
In the shadows on the outskirts of the crowd, Teach somehow picked up the newspaper that had fallen to the ground, squatting silently to unfold it.
His eyes, flickering with sinister light in the fire, fixed on the headline featuring the high-spirited young man.
"Zehahahaha…"
Teach let out a low laugh, the sound carrying an unmistakable mix of jealousy and desire.
Eighteen years old?
Just an eighteen-year-old brat, already so renowned, even Father has to regard him so highly!
And me?
I'm still obscure, wasting away on this ship… The fruit I've been waiting for so long hasn't shown any sign.
Am I really going to waste my whole second half of life on this ship that doesn't belong to me?
This damned fate…
So unfair!
......
New World, Tokushima Island.
In a grand theater, the velvet curtain slowly rose.
On stage, an ancient Dressrosa court play was being performed, actors in splendid masks sang in exaggerated arias, celebrating the glory of the old royal family from nine hundred years ago.
"Great king of Donquixote!"
The lead actor raised his arms, his voice under the mask was full of modulations, "Your brilliance shines on Dressrosa like the sun~"
But in the VIP box on the second floor.
Doflamingo lay on the sofa, not appreciating the play, his attention completely captured by the newspaper in his hands.
"Fufufufu… A billion Belly, that's really something!"
He couldn't help but lift his sunglasses with his index finger, raising an eyebrow, a wide grin stretching across his face:
"Should I say the old guys at Navy Headquarters were scared senseless by this little punk, or that they worked themselves into a rage?"