Chapter 106: If There

The Grand Line, the Moby Dick.

On the open-air banquet deck, the sons gathered around Whitebeard, all sighing in disbelief.

“Wang Zhi… just gone like that?”

He was a pirate of Whitebeard’s era, had ruled the Hive Island for years, commanded tens of thousands of pirates—gone just like that?

Marco frowned.

“I thought Barzab Seven would’ve taken Wang Zhi under his wing, like he did with the Golden Lion—never expected he killed them all.”

Marco had to admit, Barzab Seven’s actions displayed the brutality of a pirate to the fullest—Whitebeard himself had never been so bloodthirsty.

“Guraguragura.”

Whitebeard was extremely satisfied: if you become a pirate, you must accept the pirate’s way—mercy toward enemies is cruelty toward yourself.

If you yield, they’ll push further.

If you retreat, they’ll slaughter you to the last.

If you’re soft-hearted, they’ll act without restraint.

Whitebeard was just old, and had no ambition to rule the world—his only goal was to protect his family.

Otherwise, he’d be just like little Barzab.

“Silly sons, little Barzab just entered the New World—his first step must make a statement—make every bastard who dares harbor ill intent think twice about whether their bones are hard enough.”

“Compared to taking the Hive Island only to be harassed constantly by other factions, he did this perfectly.”

Whitebeard’s smile widened.

“Even you should now think carefully—Barzab Seven… is he still the same little Barzab you used to know?”

Marco shrugged.

Bista and the others burst into laughter.

“Old man, as long as you’re here, we’re not afraid of little Barzab—besides, the Whitebeard Pirates and little Barzab are friends.”

“That’s right, Old Man,” Marco added, “I’ll go to the Hive Island first and deliver a formal greeting.”

Whitebeard nodded in approval.

“Go.”

“Tell little Barzab to stock up on good liquor—Old Man hasn’t drunk his brew in ages.”

Whitebeard was very pleased with Marco’s conduct—he no longer saw little Barzab as Roger’s cook, but treated him as a Sea Emperor, sending a formal greeting first.

To avoid any bad misunderstandings.

So we just seized our base, and now the Moby Dick arrives with everyone—do you plan to fight?

With the Golden Lion around, Whitebeard knew the old man would gladly see the Whitebeard Pirates clash with the Morning Star Pirates.

Of course, a fight would come eventually.

First send the greeting, eat and drink well, then fight.

At the back of the crowd, the fat black man Doflamingo finally received the latest news report.

The moment he took the paper, Doflamingo stared intently at Wang Zhi’s head hanging at the Hive Island’s gate, his eyes hiding deep satisfaction.

Thanks, little Bai Mao.

The blood feud from years ago had never left Doflamingo’s mind, but under current circumstances, killing Wang Zhi himself might take forever.

Now, Wang Zhi had been slain by little Bai Mao.

His ten thousand pirates had been wiped out entirely—filling Doflamingo with satisfaction, yet also deep unease.

From now on, unless he had a hundred percent certainty, he must never provoke little Bai Mao Barzab Seven.

His killing streak was too damn heavy.

This wasn’t dozens of pirates, nor hundreds or even thousands—it was thirteen thousand pirates who had ruled the Hive Island for years, all turned into a landscape of skulls.

So terrifying.

When Doflamingo finally realized the Hive Island—once the legacy left by his father Rocks—was now under new ownership, he felt no resentment.

As a pirate, you can steal others’ treasure, and you can lose everything to others.

If there’s a chance someday…

After long consideration, Doflamingo decided: even if a chance arose, he would never provoke little Bai Mao—after all, they’d already had bad blood over two teeth.

If he angered him further, would he even live to see tomorrow?

If there’s a chance later, just pick another base.

The New World is vast—there must be a suitable base for the Blackbeard Pirates. Whitebeard’s territory looks quite nice.

He’d called him Old Man for so many years,

As one of Whitebeard’s many sons, Blackbeard Doflamingo naturally had the right to inherit Old Man Whitebeard’s legacy.

That was perfectly reasonable.

Doflamingo quietly slipped the newspaper into his pocket, and as he raised his head, the chief cook Sachi wrapped an arm around his neck and teased him.

“Doflamingo, are you that obsessed with Barzab?”

Sachi knew that for the past half-year, Doflamingo had collected every single news report featuring Barzab and pasted them on his wall.

“Heh…”

Doflamingo grinned a simple, foolish smile.

“Captain Sachi, you know—I’ve known Barzab for years, we’re about the same age—I’m just happy for an old friend.”

“Don’t rush,” Sachi chuckled.

“When Marco returns with the greeting, Old Man will probably take us to the Hive Island—then we’ll all learn to make cherry pie with Barzab.”

Thinking of that cherry pie from years ago, Doflamingo swallowed hard and grinned.

“That would be perfect.”

…

East Blue, Orange Town.

Buggy Pirates’ headquarters.

Buggy shoved the latest news report into his satchel, wiped the tears from his eyes, and cheered himself on.

“Buggy, you can do this.”

“It’s just the New World—haven’t I been there before? Once I reach the Hive Island, I’ll never have to worry about being captured by the Marines again.”

Even so, his trembling body betrayed him.

The New World was simply too dangerous.

This wasn’t the old days, when Roger, Rayleigh, Jia Ba, and everyone else were there—he and Barzab could just hide behind the ship’s doctor Crocus.

Now, he was going to the New World alone.

His crew, who had shouted loyalty so loudly in the past, all turned into wilted eggplants the moment they heard they were heading to the New World.

No wonder when Barzab told stories back then, he’d sometimes say:

Everyone claims loyalty—but when it’s time to go, no one moves.

Loyalty without absolute commitment is absolute disloyalty.

As Buggy, tears streaming, slung his satchel over his shoulder, his crew rushed to surround him.

“Captain Buggy, have you changed your mind?”

This question struck Buggy’s nerve—he instantly turned red with rage.

What nonsense! I’m not Shanks, that coward—he promised to become Pirate King, then changed his mind.

“I’m going to the New World, no matter what.”

“Even the Marine Admiral can’t stop me!”

After a brief silence, Buggy’s crew erupted in deafening cheers, their faces alight with fanaticism.

“Only you could do this, Captain Buggy!”

“We’ll follow you to the death, Captain Buggy!”

“We’re going to the New World!!”

After a moment of stunned disbelief, Buggy opened his mouth in a triumphant grin—Barzab was right, Buggy the Great’s charm was irresistible.

The enthusiastic atmosphere seemed to infect Buggy too, temporarily suppressing his fear of the New World—he raised his arm and shouted.

“Set sail for the New World!”