The Whitebeard Pirates moved quickly.
Their trip to Wanokuni had three clear objectives. First, to pay respects to their fallen comrade and brother, Kozuki Oden. Second, to retrieve Ace, the captain of Whitebeard's Second Division. And finally, to witness the legendary Fairy Tail for themselves.
Now, with all three objectives achieved, it was naturally time to depart.
After Kozuki Oden's death, Wanokuni no longer had ties to the Whitebeard Pirates. Moreover, according to the unwritten laws among the Four Emperors, the land now rightfully belonged to Sugisawa Yuuto, the new Emperor who had defeated Kaido of the Beasts. Even the Whitebeard Pirates, themselves a faction of the Four Emperors, could not linger for long.
The massive whale ship Moby Dick set sail, slicing through the waterfall and leaving Wanokuni behind.
"Dad… does that man really have the same strength as you?"
As Marco, Joz, Vista, and the other captains watched Wanokuni drift into the distance, they could no longer contain their curiosity.
"Ha ha ha! Do you think I was joking?" Whitebeard replied. "Even I would struggle to defeat that bastard Kaido one-on-one!"
Ace's expression was grave. "Even I can't deny it… President Sugisawa Yuuto's strength surpasses anything ordinary. In the duel just now, he didn't even unleash his full power!"
"What?!" The Whitebeard Pirates collectively gasped.
"Are you saying…"
"That man didn't even use his full strength against Dad?"
"What kind of joke is that? That's insane!"
The crew of the Whitebeard Pirates could barely comprehend it. Sabo filled in the story.
"During the Battle of Ghost Island, President Sugisawa Yuuto defeated twenty thousand Beasts Pirates in a single strike. And he didn't even use Conqueror's Haki—just his other abilities."
A stunned silence followed.
Even the legendary Conqueror's Haki would shock them, but Yuuto? Killing twenty thousand enemies in one blow without Conqueror's Haki was simply beyond imagination. Everything about Sugisawa Yuuto and Fairy Tail was shrouded in mystery, and now the legends seemed even more unbelievable.
Meanwhile, Blackbeard Teach turned to Sabo. "By the way, little blond brother here… you're the one Captain Ace found, right?"
"Ah… hello," Sabo said politely.
Ace laughed, delighted. "Everyone, I almost forgot to introduce him! This is Sabo, my brother—and Luffy's brother too. We thought he died ten years ago, attacked by the Celestial Dragons. But we reunited at Dressrosa!"
The Whitebeard Pirates cheered. "Brothers reunited after so many years? That's incredible!"
Ace's reunion with Sabo stole the spotlight. The pirates put aside thoughts of Fairy Tail and celebrated the moment.
"Ha ha ha ha! Little ones, prepare a banquet!" Whitebeard boomed.
And so, Wanokuni slowly faded from view. Ace and Sabo left with Whitebeard, while the Revolutionary girl Koala chose to stay behind.
Three days later, Wanokuni's affairs were fully resolved. Orders for seastone armor were complete, and the excavation of the Ancient Weapon Pluton was progressing on schedule. Fairy Tail, too, resumed its work.
Since entering the New World, Fairy Tail had undertaken two massive missions: first Dressrosa, then Wanokuni. But the small, everyday jobs could not be ignored. After leaving Wanokuni, they quickly returned to work.
Due to the expansion of the guild, besides the original Erza Team and Wendy Team, Sugisawa Yuuto had established a third squad, led by Yamato with Junti as vice-captain. In total, Fairy Tail now had five active squads. The remaining two teams had not yet returned: the father-daughter duo of Gildas and Kanna, and the mother-daughter duo of Ulu and Urrutia.
At present, the Ulu team was transporting children safely home, having just returned the last healthy child. Only the giantized children sent to Vegapunk for treatment remained.
"I've already filed the request. As agreed, we'll take you directly to Vegapunk's location," Gion said.
"Understood, Vice Admiral Gion," Ulu nodded. A warship, accompanied by a power-boosted vessel, headed toward Egghead Island, the future home of Vegapunk.
However, two days later, disaster struck.
A massive warship suddenly blocked their path.
"Sakazuki… what are you doing here?" Gion demanded, eyes locked on the crimson-suited man at the ship's bow.
"This should have been my line, Gion. Where are you taking these bounty criminals? To Vegapunk, perhaps?" Admiral Akainu's voice rumbled.
"Even if that's the case… what of it? We have permission from your superiors. We're taking them to Egghead Island. Not even you can stop us!" Bonney shouted defiantly, raising her tiny pink fist.
Akainu's gaze fell on her. "Jewelry Bonney… I was shocked when I heard of your escape. I didn't expect you to join Fairy Tail."
Urrutia frowned. "Bonney… do you know him?"
Bonney pursed her lips and glared at Akainu, clearly some past conflict simmering between them.
At the same time, a few thousand meters away, a small boat rocked on the waves.
A man in a dark green coat stood with his hands behind his back, unmoved by the wind and waves.
It was Dragon, the commander of the Revolutionary Army.