"Whitebeard Retires, New Captain Revealed"
The news of the Whitebeard Pirates changing captains spread across the seas and stirred the entire world.
On a busy street on Malacca New Singapore Island in the South Sea, crowds gathered as pirates and civilians argued over the shocking report.
A pirate with a scarred face, a massive centipede shaped mark stretching from his left cheek down to his chest, gripped a newspaper tightly. His voice carried disbelief.
"What is going on here? The Whitebeard Pirates actually changed their captain?"
Nearby, a three meter tall fat man nodded, equally stunned.
"Exactly. Whitebeard is still alive, so how did Ace become the new captain?"
Their conversation quickly drew attention. Other pirates joined in, all focused on the same question.
"During the Marineford war, Whitebeard didn't look weak at all. How did he suddenly step down?"
For a while, the entire street buzzed with speculation.
Then a small time pirate wearing a straw hat, a red vest, and a scar on his left cheek spoke with a smug grin.
"You guys don't get it. At Marineford, the Ion Pirates were the real center of everything. I heard the Whitebeard Pirates have already formed some kind of alliance with them. And Ace, he is Rolan's disciple, the strongest man in the world right now. Whitebeard handing over command might not have been his choice."
The crowd fell into thought, many nodding as if that explanation made sense.
"So Rolan had a hand in this."
"That guy is ambitious. Back at Marineford, he sounded righteous. Now it looks like he is just another schemer."
"Feels like Rocks all over again, aiming to rule the world."
One pirate yawned and waved them off.
"Talk all you want. Whether it is the World Government or someone else ruling, it does not change anything for us. Even if Rolan takes over, will Maria finally accept me?"
Laughter broke out, though not everyone agreed with the darker interpretation.
Some people studied the newspaper more carefully.
"I don't see it that way. Look at this picture. The Whitebeard Pirates don't look forced. They look like they support Ace completely."
"Yeah, Ace was always important to them. The Marineford war proved that. Maybe Whitebeard just wants to retire while he still can."
The same discussions echoed across islands everywhere. The topic quickly became the most talked about subject in taverns and streets alike.
...
New World, Marineford.
Inside a small office, Garp and Sengoku sat across from each other, eating ramen. A pile of newspapers lay between them, all carrying the same headline.
Garp slurped his noodles loudly and burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, so Newgate finally stepped down?"
Sengoku exhaled, cheeks slightly puffed as he spoke.
"Handing everything over to Ace is not a bad decision."
Neither of them had expected this. During the war, Whitebeard had shown strength that rivaled his prime. There had been no clear sign that he needed to retire.
Garp leaned back, still amused.
"You are overthinking it. Newgate was never chasing the Pirate King title. Maybe he just wants to enjoy himself now."
Unlike Sengoku, Garp understood Whitebeard's nature well.
Ace had already proven himself powerful enough to stand among the Four Emperors. With that, Whitebeard had every reason to step away, leaving the burden behind while he relaxed, drank, and lived freely.
Sengoku paused, then shook his head with a faint smile.
"Looks like I complicated things again."
...
New World, an uninhabited desert island.
A group of marines stood scattered across the rocky terrain. Their uniforms did not carry the word Justice. Instead, the word NEO was printed boldly on their backs.
At the center, a purple haired old man sat on a rock, holding a newspaper.
"Newgate, choosing to retire now makes sense. You finally found a successor. After a lifetime of fighting, you can rest."
He raised his head and looked at the dim sky.
"I should move faster too."
Beside him stood a blue haired girl in short shorts. She spoke calmly.
"Teacher Zephyr, should we depart now?"
The old man stood, brushing off dust.
"Let's go, Binz, Ain."
"Yes, sir."
They had just finished dealing with a group of pirates on the island. The news pushed their plans forward sooner than expected.
...
New World, Peach Garden Shandora.
"Whitebeard actually handed everything to Ace?"
Rolan stared at the newspaper in his hand, his expression unchanged but his thoughts turning.
Whitebeard's hidden injuries had already been healed. With his giant lineage, his lifespan far exceeded normal humans. There was no reason for him to step down now.
He could have continued for decades.
Rolan narrowed his eyes slightly.
Was it something tied to the past, maybe an agreement with Roger? Or simply a move to let the new era rise?
After a moment, he stopped thinking about it.
Speculation was pointless. He could always ask directly.
Footsteps echoed nearby.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The sharp sound of heels approached.
Rolan looked up.
Robin walked toward him, her posture relaxed, her gaze steady. In her hand was a small Den Den Mushi used for mechanical armor communication.
"Rolan, I have some bad news."