Chapter 102

The New World, the Moby Dick.

Compared to their enthusiastic spirits before departure, most members of the Whitebeard Pirates now looked somewhat dejected.

It was because they had dispatched most of their allied crews to scout for information, yet after so many days, they hadn’t found so much as a trace of the Morning Star Pirates.

This feeling was simply unbearable.

Their dear friend, now famous and returned to the New World, deserved a warm welcome from old comrades.

But their dear friend had vanished!

“Old man,” Marco muttered.

“Those two ships of Barzab Seven keep appearing like ghost ships—now near Lei Shen Island, now near Dressrosa.”

“Old man, is our ship too slow?”

At this, Whitebeard shook his head.

“Guraguragura, it’s them that are too fast.”

“Silly sons, haven’t you forgotten that Golden Lion is aboard Little Barzab’s ship right now?”

Marco’s eyes lit up as he pointed to the sky.

“You mean the East Sea Emperor hasn’t been found because both ships are currently flying above us?”

By flying their vessels to bypass all sightlines and strike directly at their destination—Little Barzab—

You never fail to amaze me. Always as clever as ever.

“Where exactly is Little Barzab headed?”

Whitebeard spread out the navigator’s sea chart, his gaze sweeping over Lei Shen Island, Dressrosa, Wano, Whole Cake Island, Beehive Island, Elbaf…

Finally settling again on Beehive Island.

“Guraguraguragura, this kid.”

Dreamgirl’s taste is excellent—he deliberately avoided areas controlled by Whitebeard Pirates, Kaido, and Luffy, choosing Beehive Island as his base.

Although Lei Shen Island matches Little Barzab’s title, it’s too close to the Red Line and Mary Geoise, and near Marine Base G-5.

As a pirate base, it would face the Marines head-on; conflict with them would be unavoidable.

Once dragged into a war, it would become a fight to the death with the Marines.

Dressrosa is a World Government member state.

With Little Barzab’s cleverness, he’d never openly break ties with the World Government now—he follows a low-profile growth path.

Wano is closed off, but after Oden’s brothers returned, there should be no issue, and Little Barzab once sailed with Oden on Roger’s ship for years…

He wouldn’t choose Wano.

Luffy’s Whole Cake Island has too many islands; with the Morning Star Pirates’ current manpower, even if they captured it, they couldn’t manage it.

They’d inevitably be dragged into war with Luffy.

Only Beehive Island, once the base of the Rocks Pirates and known as the Pirate Paradise, holds vast gold mines and boasts superior geography.

From here, they can advance toward Wano or Whole Cake Island, or retreat to defend Beehive Island, securing an unbeatable position.

They can also head to Elbaf or Mercury First Island.

For the Morning Star Pirates at present, Beehive Island is undoubtedly the most perfect base among all islands in the New World.

Wang Zhi, though called the Pirate Patriarch, would likely be crushed by Little Barzab and probably die on the spot.

With these thoughts clear, Whitebeard waved his hand.

“Marco, notify all major crews—we’re returning home for a feast.”

With all factions unable to locate the Morning Star Pirates, they’d inevitably deduce Little Barzab’s whereabouts from Whitebeard Pirates’ movements.

If so—

Whitebeard had no objection to ordering all his crews back to headquarters, creating a grand spectacle to draw everyone’s attention.

By the time Wang Zhi realized it, Little Barzab would already have reached Beehive Island.

“Old man, aren’t we going to keep looking?”

Whitebeard grinned.

“Guraguragura, Little Barzab will come.”

Sigh, my sons—you still can’t see through Little Barzab’s intentions. What a bunch of fools. Fortunately, my prestige still lets me protect you.

Whitebeard suddenly had a ridiculous thought: someday, when he retired, he’d return to his hometown and leave all these fools in Little Barzab’s care.

With Dreamgirl’s character, he’d never mistreat these fools.

You won’t be my son? Fine—I’ll send all my fools to serve under you.

The only thing Whitebeard regretted: the most beautiful member of the Whitebeard Pirates was a man—otherwise, he could’ve been Dreamgirl’s father-in-law.

A son-in-law is still a son!!!

The Moby Dick and Whitebeard’s crews returned en masse to headquarters; upon hearing this, all factions grew even more eager.

The Morning Star Pirates, like a prehistoric great white shark, had stormed into the New World and were about to unleash a bloody storm and rewrite its power structure.

Headquarters of the World Economic News.

Morgans had even moved his headquarters temporarily above the New World, just to personally capture this earth-shattering battle.

“Barzab, charge already!”

If Barzab defeats Whitebeard this time, he’ll surpass him as the strongest man alive, and the Morning Star Pirates will become the strongest pirate crew.

No one has ever achieved this before.

…

Pirate Paradise, Beehive Island.

Upon hearing the news, Wang Zhi let out a sinister laugh. “Whitebeard, go on! Fight him!”

“Fight! Hurry up and start fighting!”

Since the Edogawa War, the New World hadn’t seen a war between two great pirates vying for the title of strongest.

Wang Zhi already imagined the scene—

It would be utterly brutal.

Whitebeard Pirates had overwhelming numbers; though their division commanders weren’t as strong as Morning Star’s top officers, they could still overwhelm with sheer numbers!

Ten or so division commanders, three per group.

They’d surely hold off Mihawk, Issho, and Shiki—the three great swordsmen—

Not to mention the thirty-plus allied crews, nearly thirty thousand pirates—taking down the Morning Star Pirates would be no problem.

(At the Marineford War, Whitebeard Pirates had 16 division commanders and 43 allied crews, but this is twenty years ago—there’s still room to grow.)

Of course, the main battle would be between Barzab and Whitebeard.

“Tsk tsk tsk tsk.”

Wang Zhi flicked his forked tongue.

“What a spectacle—I wish I could be there to see it: who’s stronger, Whitebeard or Barzab?”

Outside the window, sunlight shone brightly, mirroring Wang Zhi’s elated mood: delighted, utterly delighted.

Yet the previously clear, cloudless sky suddenly erupted with thunder and lightning—

Thick bolts of red, white, yellow, and purple lightning instantly filled the entire sky, forming a dome-like half-circle that completely covered Beehive Island.

Wang Zhi froze, whispering to himself.

“Damn it… is this aimed at me?!”