Whitebeard's ship slowly stabilized.
Marco landed beside Whitebeard, concern etched into his brow.
"Pops," he asked,
"You could've shattered that warship instantly.
Why did you stop?"
Whitebeard laughed heartily.
"Gurararara!
Didn't you hear him?"
"That brat said—
his name would echo across the seas."
"So I'm looking forward to it."
His eyes gleamed.
"What surprised me more…
was that his raw strength rivaled my younger self."
Marco's eyelid twitched.
A bad feeling rose.
"…Don't tell me—
you want to take him as a son?"
Silence.
Whitebeard froze.
Then laughed awkwardly.
"Gurarara—
caught me, huh?"
"POPS!!"
Marco facepalmed.
"He's a Marine!!
And a monster rookie who clashed with you using only fruit power and strength!"
Whitebeard waved him off.
"So what?
Didn't Roger wear Marine clothes once?"
"That was a disguise!!"
"Huh? Really?"
Whitebeard chuckled.
"Anyway…
I'm really looking forward to that kid."
Marco sighed—but smiled.
Then—
As Marco turned away—
Whitebeard's smile vanished.
His gaze hardened.
"That blade…"
Black.
Dark-red cracks.
That pressure—
"I won't mistake it…"
"That's Rocks' sword."
Rocks D. Xebec.
"How did it end up in a Marine's hands…?"
Whitebeard clenched Murakumogiri.
"How ironic…"
"You hated the Navy and the World Government…"
"Yet now your blade shakes the seas
in a Marine's hands."
Three Days Later — Medical Bay
Gern awoke, bandaged.
Pain throbbed everywhere.
Still—
his fingers moved.
"Too reckless…"
He reviewed the fight calmly.
If it had been Shiki—
he'd be dead.
But he won.
Outside—
"Did you hear?
He fought Whitebeard three exchanges!"
"Whitebeard admitted him!"
"That man will be an Admiral someday!"
Gern sat up.
Eight Desolations rested by the bed.
He rewrapped the blade in white cloth.
"Air-Quake Gern…"
Not a West Blue pirate hunter anymore—
But a name acknowledged by the world.
"Without background—
fame is my capital."
He clenched his fist.
Still—
It wasn't enough.
Whitebeard's final strike replayed endlessly.
"…I really can't wait to obtain Haki."
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What do yoou guys think can he learn haki? Does gern will is strong enough?
If you like the chapter please send power stones