The banquet stretched on far longer than usual, something rarely seen among the Whitebeard Pirates despite their long history. Laughter, shouting, and the clinking of cups filled the night until it finally burned out.
By the end of it, most of the crew had drunk far too much. They lay scattered across the deck in all directions, some snoring loudly, others barely moving as they slipped into deep sleep.
Ace had kept himself in check. He knew his limits well. Alcohol loosened his tongue, and he had no intention of saying something reckless in front of everyone. Normally, it would not matter much, but things were different now with Yamato. He was not about to risk embarrassing himself or her.
Yamato, on the other hand, had clearly lost that battle. She lay sprawled on the deck, completely out.
Ace walked over quietly, crouched beside her, and lifted her into his arms. He held her securely before glancing around for Whitebeard, intending to say something first. Instead, he found the old man already asleep, sitting upright with his massive frame leaning slightly.
Ace let out a small breath and headed inside, carrying Yamato to the cabin.
The next morning, when Ace and Yamato stepped back onto the deck together, they immediately felt something was off.
Everyone was already gathered.
Not only that, every single pair of eyes turned toward them the moment they appeared.
Ace paused slightly. Yamato stiffened beside him.
The entire crew was seated in an orderly way. Those without space had taken spots along the railings. It looked nothing like their usual chaotic atmosphere. This was clearly a meeting.
Whitebeard sat at the front beneath the mast, his massive presence impossible to ignore.
"Gurararara, Ace, Yamato, you finally decided to show up. As the main figures today, you are a bit late."
Ace glanced around again, confusion settling in. Gatherings like this only happened when something important was about to be announced.
Main figures?
His thoughts shifted quickly.
Is this about me and Yamato?
He felt a slight tension build, though Whitebeard and Marco did not look troubled. If anything, there was a calm certainty in their expressions.
Beside him, Yamato's grip tightened around his hand. Her palm was damp, her nerves obvious despite her usual bold nature.
She had noticed it too. Everyone already had an idea about their relationship after last night's banquet. But words spoken over drinks were often unreliable. Still, this situation felt like standing before judgment.
Would they be accepted, or torn apart?
Her thoughts spiraled, and her grip grew tighter.
Ace noticed immediately. He raised his free hand and gently brushed the back of hers, giving her a steady look. It was simple, but enough to anchor her.
Whitebeard watched the two of them, his gaze filled with approval.
"Ace, come here."
He gestured to the space at his side.
Ace nodded and walked forward with Yamato.
Once they stood before him, Whitebeard asked, "How long have you been on this ship?"
Ace tilted his head slightly, thinking it over.
"Almost three years."
Whitebeard let out a quiet breath.
"Three years… time moves fast. You are no longer that reckless kid."
His eyes drifted slightly, as if recalling something distant.
Back then, Marco had brought him a newspaper. The headline had been about the Celestial Dragons being attacked in East Blue. While everyone else focused on cursing Rolan, his attention had gone elsewhere.
A young man wearing an orange hat.
The more he looked, the more familiar the boy seemed. The resemblance was not something he could ignore.
Then came the name. Portgas.
That was when it started to connect.
After looking deeper into it, he confirmed what he had suspected. Ace was the son of Gol D. Roger.
He remembered their final meeting. Roger had laughed as always, speaking as if death meant nothing.
Whitebeard, are you feeling sorry for me? Hahaha, I will not truly die. My will already has someone to carry it. If you meet him, lend him a hand.
Not long after, Ace made his name across the seas, earning the title Gold Emperor. Then he came directly to challenge him.
Ace had been strong even then. Strong enough that defeating him was not effortless.
But strength alone would not protect him if his identity was exposed. The hatred toward Roger had not faded, and both the Marines and the World Government would move without hesitation.
So Whitebeard did what he always did.
He extended his hand.
Ace accepted it and became his son.
Now things had changed.
Ace had grown far beyond what he once was. His strength stood at the level of the Emperors themselves. With Rolan's presence also shaping the seas, Ace no longer needed protection.
His wings were fully formed.
Whitebeard spoke again, his tone steady.
"This world belongs to you younger ones now. People like me have reached the point where stepping aside makes more sense."
Ace frowned slightly.
"Your body is fully recovered. With Giant blood, you are still in your prime. You are not old."
Whitebeard shook his head.
"I am old."
His voice carried weight.
"Roger is gone. Rayleigh stepped away. Zephyr vanished. Sengoku and Garp have already retired. My era is ending too."
The words hit the crew hard.
Voices rose immediately.
"Whitebeard…"
"You are not old!"
"What are you planning to do?"
Some of them could not even hide the emotion in their voices.
Whitebeard's expression shifted, and he roared.
"What is wrong with all of you? I am not dying. Can I not choose to retire?"
"But you are our captain!"
"If you step down, what happens to the crew?"
"Will we just disband?"
The tension grew heavier. A few had already begun to tear up.
Even Yamato spoke.
"You are still at your peak. Why leave now?"
Whitebeard burst into laughter.
"Gurararara! I have fought my whole life. Is it wrong to want to enjoy myself for once? If Garp and the others can step away, why must I stay until I die?"
He paused briefly, then added,
"I am not going anywhere. I will still be on this ship. You are all still my sons."
That statement stunned many into silence.
Some of the sharper minds among them began to understand.
Whitebeard raised his hand, bringing the noise down.
"I have already found the one who will take over."
The deck went completely quiet.
"I will no longer serve as captain of the Whitebeard Pirates."
His gaze locked onto Ace.
"From this moment on, Portgas D. Ace will be the captain of the Whitebeard Pirates."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Then shock spread across every face.
No one spoke, but the impact of those words hit harder than anything else that morning.