As the Den Den Mushi's eyes slowly closed, Luffy's performance before the entire world came to a complete end.
Amid the shocked, exchanging glances of those present, Luffy descended from the high platform and walked toward the Starry Sky.
The crowd immediately parted, forming two lines, creating a straight path for this godlike man.
"… brat…"
"What did you just mean by that!?"
Seeing Luffy pass by him, Whitebeard hesitated, speaking out on behalf of everyone present.
"What do you mean?"
Luffy pursed his lips, smiled faintly, and shook his head in regret, replying to Whitebeard and all the other strong figures present:
"Just like I said before!"
"From the very beginning, I never set my eyes on the title of Pirate King!"
"That's far too narrow-minded!!!"
Hmph!
Whitebeard's expression instantly darkened, a mix of embarrassment and anger.
The great pirate, who had always regarded the title of "Pirate King" as the highest honor, couldn't tolerate Luffy's disdainful attitude toward it.
Yet he didn't know how to respond.
Because, as it appeared, these people before him were the true dreamers—the real achievers!!!
Compared to the Starry Sky crew, Whitebeard indeed seemed somewhat outdated.
"Stop dwelling on the past, Old Man Whitebeard!"
Luffy teased him lightly.
Given Whitebeard and Garp's age, calling him "Dad" alongside Ace gave Garp a slight advantage in the familial comparison.
"You never understood from the beginning what true power really is!"
"And you never understood why Pirate King Roger embarked on his journey in the first place!!"
These weren't empty words from Luffy.
From ancient diaries, it was clear that people of that era possessed power far beyond the Four Emperors.
Yet in today's seas, the common knowledge is that the Four Emperors represent the peak of strength!
Otherwise…
How could titles like "World's Strongest Man" or "World's Strongest Creature" even exist?
Perspective is deceptive. It may seem disconnected from reality, yet it decisively shapes what people can achieve.
Does the pirate world lack technology!?
Bloodline factors, artificial Devil Fruits, cola energy, laser guns, cloning…
The pirate world has no shortage of science or brilliant scientists.
Yet for centuries, technology was always applied to power, always aimed at conquering the seas.
No one thought to look beyond… to the sky above.
It was… absurdly strange!
Luffy knew that somewhere on this planet, a powerful force controlled all of this.
And that would be the true challenge they would face next.
...
...
"Roger???"
Hearing Luffy mention his dear friend, Whitebeard's confusion returned.
Luffy shook his head and continued:
"Talking about that now is meaningless!"
"But…"
"Do you really think Roger, risking his life to create the Golden Age of Pirates, did it just to awaken people's hearts to freedom!?"
"Stop joking!"
"True freedom… doesn't exist!"
"Everything he did…"
"…was a mission and task granted to him by time itself!"
"He could not avoid it. He could not resist it!"
"And I…"
"…hate being chosen by history!"
"I refuse to live under someone else's design!"
"So I will design my own life!"
"W-wait, Luffy!"
"You're saying Roger…"
Confused, Ace suddenly interrupted Luffy.
From Luffy's words, he felt as if the world itself had become a stranger, mocking him.
Not just Ace; only a few present could truly understand what Luffy meant.
Even Whitebeard now seemed lost in a fog.
Like the Golden Lion, once one of the three great powers of the seas, he had always been suspicious of Roger's voluntary surrender.
But he possessed wisdom.
He knew Roger's actions must have had a special purpose.
Now, it seemed someone had discovered his intention… Roger…
Monkey D. Luffy, bearing the will of the D.
A terrifying child indeed.
Luffy cast a reassuring glance at Ace:
"Don't worry, Ace."
"Soon, you'll understand."
"The Starry Sky Pirates will pave the way, exploring this soaring path for you to the very end!!!"
"Oh! Right!"
As if suddenly remembering something, Luffy shifted his tone toward Whitebeard and Ace:
"On the way here, I had an unexpected encounter!"
"Captain Buggy! Could you bring him here?"
"Huh!?"
Buggy, who had been drifting along the sidelines and never quite keeping pace with Luffy, blinked in surprise, then suddenly understood and ordered his crew:
"Go bring those guys here!"
"Yes, Captain Buggy!"
"Yes, Captain Buggy!"
...
A few pirates hurried to the ship's hold, discussing as they moved:
"Did you hear that? That big shot actually said 'please' to Captain Buggy!!!"
"Captain Buggy has that kind of authority? We never realized the true power of our captain!"
"Captain Buggy is far too low-key!!!"
...
Soon, under the pirates' guidance, all of Blackbeard's crew was brought before Whitebeard.
Since Luffy and Shanks had been catching up on Buggy's ship, Blackbeard's crew had been held there after encountering Koby.
Meanwhile, with the silent approval of the Marines, Whitebeard's crew rescued Marco.
After all, the sheer amount of information Luffy brought left even the Marines unsure of what to do next.
"Ol… old man…"
Even Blackbeard, a strong man himself, was left half-alive after the terrifying mental shock, squinting and barely focusing on Whitebeard.
"Teach!!!!"
Seeing the man who had murdered his allies before him, Whitebeard's fury erupted instantly.
In his entire life, Whitebeard had never truly hated anyone.
But Teach… was the first to earn such hatred from him!!!
"I… I'm sorry, Old Man Whitebeard…"
Blackbeard slowly rose, slumping, arms resting on half-bent knees, his head bowed, apologizing to Whitebeard.
Yet…
Unlike others "purified" by Koby, Blackbeard's essence remained largely unchanged.
The only noticeable difference was his formerly arrogant personality, now drastically altered.
"Don't call me 'Old Man.' I don't have a son like you!!!"
"You…"
Seeing the Teach before him, completely different from the man he knew, Whitebeard was momentarily speechless.
He silently looked at Luffy, as if asking what had happened to Blackbeard.
Luffy couldn't reveal Koby's involvement, shrugging, indicating he didn't know either.
"Don't worry, Old Man!"
Before Whitebeard could question further, Blackbeard spoke:
"After all these years, you should know what kind of man I am…"
"Killing Thatch—I am truly sorry for that!"
"But I, Marshall D. Teach, never regret my actions!"
"If I hadn't done it, I could never have severed ties with the Whitebeard Pirates, after over twenty years together!"
"I could never have stood at the top!"
"I did many wrong things before, but I never thought killing pirates who burned and looted on the seas was wrong!"
"I am a villain!"
"But I have my dreams, my ambitions!"
"This world is sick! If I don't break the rules, I'll never carve my own path!"
"Nothing to say! I'm not a good man; too many innocent lives have died by my hands!"
"At this point, I can only atone with my death!"
"Come, Old Man!"
"I wronged you in the past! Betrayed your love!"
"Die by your sword—I have no regrets!!!"
Blackbeard lifted his head, a grim smile of satisfaction spreading across his battered face.
Purified, his personality had completely changed.
From ruthless pragmatism to approachable wisdom…
His ambitions and dreams were unchanged, yet his behavior now radiated the demeanor of a chivalrous hero.
His proud eyes, fearless smile, calm acceptance of death!
"You… you…"
Seeing Blackbeard's clear eyes, Whitebeard found himself conflicted.
This familiar yet unfamiliar face left him unable to adjust.
Even his hatred for lost family began to fade.
But!
Remembering Thatch's shocked expression as he died, Whitebeard's anger flared once more.
Those who kill their comrades must be punished!!!
His Murakumogiri was raised high, striking down toward Teach.
Teach closed his eyes calmly, waiting for the blow.
Swish!
A cold light cut through, blood flying skyward!
A thick arm landed on the ground.
"Men! Let's go!!!"
Whitebeard turned sharply, briefly pained, then let out a mighty roar, striding toward the devastated harbor.
Behind him, Teach clutched his severed arm, blood and tears streaming.
"Thank you…"
"Old Man…"