Chapter 168: Shanks meet Whitebeard

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Time is like the vast ocean—unpredictable and ever-changing. The old passes away, the new rises and the cycle continues. 

In this world, there is no eternal ruler nor an undefeatable warrior. Time eventually brings every strong individual to their destined end. 

After all, who can escape death? Youth fades, beauty withers, and no matter how glorious one may be, even the greatest hero will one day return to dust. 

Because of this, eras shift, the world evolves, and change is the only constant. In the New World, aboard the Moby Dick, an atmosphere of tension silently spread.

Figures that had once been at ease suddenly shot to their feet, eyes widening in shock as they looked ahead. "That figurehead… it's Red-Haired's ship!" 

"Why is that man coming here?" 

"Quick, prepare for battle!" 

"Even if he only became an Emperor six years ago, we can't underestimate him!" As nervous voices rang out, the fleet ahead suddenly parted. 

A crimson ship approached, causing the waters to ripple. Then, a figure slowly stepped down.

Tap! His footsteps were steady, the wooden steps creaking under the weight, making every member of the Whitebeard Pirates tense up.

The very air seemed to waver when his second foot touched the deck.

Buzz!

A surging, overwhelming, and suffocating aura exploded, instantly sweeping the entire sea. 

Seated on his grand chair, the tall figure of the crescent-mustached Whitebeard narrowed his eyes before letting out a hearty laugh. 

"Still as domineering as ever, Red-Haired! I've only ever seen that level of Conqueror's Haki from one other person before," Flower Sword Vista muttered.

Tap!

Another step forward, and the waves of Haki spread like a tidal wave, causing some of the younger crewmates to groan as their eyes rolled back, collapsing onto the deck.

"Hey, kids, move back!" Marco shouted as he lightly leaped onto the ship's railing, his sharp gaze fixed on the approaching figure. 

"You can't handle this guy's Haki!"

Tap!

With yet another step, the overwhelming force cracked the very walls of the ship, splintering them with a sharp snap. 

The sheer intensity of the Haki made every pirate on board tense up.

Such terrifying mastery of Conqueror's Haki was a rarity in the world, only possessed by the strongest individuals.

Yet among them, the only one who remained completely unfazed was the old man sitting in his chair.

Moments later, a tall man with a single arm, red hair, and a Western-style sword at his waist finally arrived. 

He carried a sake jug in his hand, which he placed down before Whitebeard. Then, he lifted his gaze to meet the old man's.

"Gurarararara!"

"Even if you bring me a jug of sake, I wouldn't believe for a second that you've come in peace, Red-Haired Shanks!" Whitebeard laughed heartily.

"I'm not here to start a war," Shanks said firmly.

At these words, Marco and the others narrowed their eyes, though they secretly breathed a sigh of relief. 

To be an Emperor on these seas meant clashing with other Emperors. Only by surviving such battles could one truly claim the title. 

Because of this, they were all well aware of Red-Haired Shanks' strength. 

His crew, who were said to be the most impenetrable "Iron Wall" among all pirate crews, was made up of terrifyingly strong individuals.

"Oh? If not for war, then why have you come?" Whitebeard asked, intrigued.

"Your Second Division Commander, Fire Fist Ace… he's chasing after Blackbeard, Marshall D. Teach, isn't he?" Shanks said seriously.

"And what of it?" Whitebeard replied calmly.

"Call him back. You may have miscalculated the danger that man represents," Shanks said, his expression growing heavy.

Whitebeard, however, only let out a cold chuckle. Slowly, he stood up, towering over the one-armed pirate.

"Looking at you… reminds me of the pain from my old wounds," he muttered. "The little apprentice from Roger's ship!"

Despite Whitebeard's imposing presence, Shanks remained firm, his tone unwavering. 

"Ace will lose to Blackbeard. And that… may just be the prelude to a world-shaking catastrophe."

Whitebeard, however, paid no heed to these words. Or rather, he simply didn't believe them. He burst into laughter before his gaze turned sharp.

"I've already said it before," his voice dropped into a low growl. "The matters of the Whitebeard Pirates are not for you to meddle in!"

When his words fell, he swung his naginata, Murakumogiri, with immense force. The very air trembled as a powerful gust swept toward Shanks.

Shanks' eyes flashed as he drew his sword in an instant.

BOOM!

Their blades collided, shaking the entire Moby Dick with a deep tremor. Their cloaks billowed violently under the shockwave, their hair dancing wildly in the wind.

Above them, the thick clouds in the sky suddenly split apart, torn by the sheer force of their clash.

"The sky… has been split!"

A stunned pirate looked up in horror, his voice trembling.

Marco, Jozu, and the other division commanders stared at the scene with grave expressions. 

It was a sight they had seen once before, but the man from back then… had disappeared from the world for a long time.

The howling winds roared across the deck. Then, unexpectedly, Whitebeard withdrew his naginata and stood still, locking eyes with the red-haired pirate.

"If that's all you came for, then you can leave now," he said firmly.

Shanks sheathed his sword before calmly sitting down. Taking a sake cup from Marco, he poured them both a drink.

"Of course, that's not my only reason for coming." He took a slow sip before lowering his voice. 

"Ace and Blackbeard… are important, but there's someone else I must speak of."

Whitebeard raised an eyebrow as Shanks set the sake jug down.

"There's another man," Shanks said gravely. "A Marine by the name of Arashi."

A sudden gust of wind blew past the Moby Dick, and for a moment, the entire ship fell silent.

"What?! That man… has appeared again?!" Jozu shouted in shock.

Marco, Vista, and the other commanders all wore grave expressions. The mere thought of that man brought beads of sweat to their brows.

"Arashi…"

A rare look of reminiscence crossed Whitebeard's face. His mind drifted back to a battle from the past, the memory of their fierce clash resurfacing vividly.

"It's been a long time since I last saw him," Whitebeard murmured, his voice deep. "That was one hell of a fight."

Shanks could see the weight in Whitebeard's expression. He, too, now had a new understanding of Arashi's strength.

"If the world descends into chaos in the near future, that man will undoubtedly be at the center of it." His gaze turned solemn. 

"For the pirates of this world… the return of Arashi as a Marine is a heavy, heavy burden to bear."

Whitebeard raised an eyebrow, lifted his sake bowl, and drank it all. Then, he laughed and said, "So? Red-Haired brat. What exactly are you trying to say?"

Red-Haired Shanks finished his sake in one gulp, his eyes locking onto the old man before him. He slowly spoke.

"Whitebeard."

"Let's join forces!"

Boom!!!

A bolt of lightning tore through the sky above. 

Aboard the Moby Dick, everyone felt as if they had been struck by the thunder, sinking into a long silence. 

Many of them even showed expressions of shock and disbelief. Even Whitebeard himself paused for a moment, falling into silence.

"Gurarararara!"

After a while, Whitebeard suddenly burst into laughter, his eyes peering down at the red-haired man before him.

"Brat, did I hear you wrong?"

His voice suddenly dropped, becoming impossibly heavy. "Did you just say… join forces?"

Shanks nodded, his voice firm and unwavering. "That's right. Join forces!"

"With the Marine's current strength, we can only face the coming storm and tsunami if we stand together!"

"This concerns not just our two pirate crews but every pirate on the seas!"

"It could even affect the stability of the entire world!"

Whitebeard narrowed his eyes, seeming to fall into deep thought, contemplating the meaning behind Shanks' words. 

After a long silence, he finally spoke in a low voice.

"I have no interest in the world or other pirates."

"As for the matter of our two crews? The affairs of the Whitebeard Pirates are none of your concern."

He then let out a chuckle. "Are you trembling in fear just because of a mere name like Arashi?"

"Red-Haired, I thought you were one of the new Emperors, the most domineering man in the world."

"But now, it seems you're still just that apprentice brat from Roger's ship!"

There was mockery in his words, yet Shanks remained completely unfazed. His expression remained serious, his gaze fixed on the legendary pirate before him.

"Do not underestimate the storm that is about to engulf the seas! Whitebeard!!"

Whitebeard's pupils shrank as he fell into silence once more. After a long pause, he finally spoke again, his tone indifferent.

"If the time truly comes when I need to join forces with you… Then we'll talk about it then!"

Upon hearing this, a small smile finally appeared on Shanks' face. Though he did not receive a definite answer, getting this response from Whitebeard was already a result.

.....

The Ship did not stop at Water 7 but sailed straight toward Marine Headquarters, Marineford. 

On the third day, after emergency medical treatment and thanks to his naturally strong physique, Rob Lucci finally regained consciousness.

Lying in the hospital bed, the first person he saw upon opening his eyes was Arashi.

His pupils shrank briefly, but he quickly regained his composure.

"I admire you, Rob Lucci."

Arashi smiled. "You will become an incredibly sharp blade under my command."

"You will fight for true justice in this world!"

Rob Lucci's expression remained calm as he spoke slowly. "It is my honor!"

"Sir!"

Arashi gazed at the man lying in bed, his body wrapped in bandages, and a smile appeared. Men like Rob Lucci were the ones who adapted most easily to changes in identity.

Switching from CP9 to the Marines did not seem to trouble him at all. 

Or rather, people like him had long been accustomed to serving under the government, carrying out their superior's orders.

And for someone as full of potential as this subordinate, Arashi naturally appreciated it. 

Rob Lucci, hailed as the strongest CP9 agent in 800 years, was not just an empty title. 

He adhered to a dark justice, and even in his normal state, his Doriki had already reached a staggering 4000.

Such an individual could only be described as a monster. 

He would undoubtedly stand among the world's strongest warriors once he underwent proper training, mastered Haki, and developed further.

And that meant Arashi's ranks would gain another formidable force.

"What is my mission?"

Rob Lucci quickly adapted to his new role, his voice steady as he asked.

"Mission?"

Arashi raised an eyebrow slightly, a faint smile appearing on his lips. He liked subordinates like this—clear in their purpose, executing orders precisely. Rob Lucci's professionalism set him apart from people like Crocodile.

And right now, this was exactly what Arashi needed most.

"Your mission for now is to recover and heal properly!"

With a light chuckle, Arashi turned and left. Rob Lucci was momentarily stunned, watching Arashi's departing figure in silence.

After a long pause, his ice-cold expression softened slightly, forming the faintest hint of a smile. But just as quickly, it disappeared again.

"Recover first, huh?"

Muttering to himself, Rob Lucci's eyes flickered with thought. He wasn't sure what he was feeling at the moment. 

This was one of the rare moments in his life where he had felt even the slightest warmth, even if it was just a single sentence from a superior.

Looking back on his past, his eyes once again turned cold. During his years in CP9, his superiors had never once shown concern. 

They had treated him as nothing more than an emotionless tool.

Moments later, Kaku and the others, now dressed in Marine recruit uniforms, entered the room. 

Seeing Rob Lucci awake, their faces immediately filled with joy and excitement.

"Lucci, you're finally awake! That's great! We thought you wouldn't survive this ordeal!"

"Damn the World Government, they abandoned us without hesitation." Listening to the words of his comrades, Rob Lucci's once-icy face softened once again.

"I'm fine. What about you all?" After briefly hesitating, he asked, "How has he treated you?"

Hearing this, Kaku and the others exchanged glances before smiling. "Very well! Here, we have no shortage of food, and we train alongside them every day!"

Jabra lowered his voice and said, "They're all incredibly strong! I've seen them train in Rokushiki, and some are even more formidable than us."

"And a few among them… have terrifying auras."

Rob Lucci's eyes narrowed slightly. "They've all mastered Rokushiki?"

"Yes!"

"The elite forces under Admiral Arashi are immensely powerful. Mastering Rokushiki is just the beginning!" Kaku said seriously.

"Chababa, the strong here are as numerous as clouds, unfathomable in depth!"

Owl unzipped his mouth and spoke. Hearing this, Rob Lucci's eyes narrowed again, falling into silence.

After a long pause, he slowly said, "Perhaps… this is our opportunity to reach greater heights."

On a Marine warship, finding so many elite warriors in one place proved the overwhelming power that Arashi commanded.

"Yes! These past few days, we've been learning from them, gaining insights into our future training paths." Kaku nodded firmly.

"And we've come to understand what lies ahead for us in our training." Jabra added. Rob Lucci turned his head, a look of confusion on his face. 

The next step in his training? He believed he had already reached the limit of physical conditioning and development. 

Combined with the power of his Devil Fruit, he was undeniably strong. However, he had no idea how to surpass his current strength. 

The World Government had also shown no intention of further nurturing them. Otherwise, they wouldn't have sent them on infiltration missions so soon.

"According to Admiral Arashi's adjutant, the former Warlord of the Sea, Crocodile…"

"Rokushiki are merely the most common techniques within the Marines. Most officers at the rank of captain and above have mastered them."

"Beyond that, one must temper their body, awaken their inner potential, and master Haki!" Kalifa adjusted her glasses and spoke in a low voice.

"Haki…" Lucci muttered. This was the first time he had encountered this term. Certain aspects of the training were never disclosed to them. 

Or rather, only by seeing the vastness of the world could one begin to comprehend such things.

"And in this regard, Admiral Arashi will personally instruct us. Lucci, this is personal guidance from the strongest Admiral!" Jabra said excitedly.

Before boarding this warship, none of CP9 had expected to be valued so highly. 

Plenty of food, comfortable accommodations, and a friendly atmosphere among their peers—compared to their previous days, this was paradise.

"Rosinante said that under Commander Arashi's command, there is only one requirement for us, and that is to train and strive to become stronger!" Blueno said in his deep voice.

"They're all incredibly strong! They're practically monsters!" Kaku exclaimed.

Lucci stared at him, his expression making his meaning clear. 

"I fought a man named Buggy, but I couldn't last more than three exchanges and that was without him even using his Devil Fruit ability."

Hearing this, Lucci's pupils shrank, shock filling his heart. "Are you serious?"

"Yes! Buggy is powerful! His combat skills, physical strength, and Doriki are all insane. He might even surpass you." Kumadori said.

Lucci scanned the faces of those around him, noting their uneasy expressions. 

At that moment, he understood. "You've all fought them?"

"Only Buggy made a move. But we were completely defeated!" Kaku took a deep breath and sighed. 

Though they had lost, the members of CP9 held no resentment. The gap in strength between them was simply overwhelming.

"This is a truly formidable unit," Kalifa commented.

Rob Lucci remained silent for a long time. Then, after a moment, a smile appeared on his face.

"This is starting to get interesting."

Kaku and the others exchanged glances before smiling as well. "We feel the same way as you! Because this place is our path to greater strength!"

"If we have any questions about training, we can ask any of them!" Lucci's smile widened, and he exhaled deeply. 

At the time, he had made his decision under pressure from their reputation. But he had also worried that this might be another den of wolves.

He had heard of Arashi's name, of course, but he didn't know what kind of person he truly was. Was he another Spandam?

Now, after learning more about the people aboard this ship, he finally felt at ease. This decision had not been a mistake.

Since he had only just woken up, Lucci was still unable to move freely. His comrades massaged his body, helping his circulation recover. 

Finally, by the afternoon, Lucci was able to get out of bed. His steps were still unsteady, but he could move. 

As he once again saw the blue sky and the endless ocean stretching before him, Rob Lucci took a deep breath.

Not far away, a group of oddly dressed people in Marine uniforms were undergoing training, their battle cries ringing out.

"They were once members of Baroque Works. Now, they serve under Admiral Arashi," Kaku said with a smile.

"Are we supposed to train like them?" Lucci asked. As he spoke, a pigeon flapped its wings excitedly and landed on his shoulder.

"No need!"

"Admiral Arashi seems to appreciate us. He's letting us train freely. If we have any questions, we can ask any of the Marine officers ranked captain or higher."

Jabra said excitedly.

Lucci nodded, feeling an odd sensation in his heart. This kind of concern from a superior was something he wasn't used to. It had never happened before.

"Chababa… Admiral Arashi is really good to us," Kumadori murmured. Lucci was silent for a moment before stepping forward toward the ship's bow.

Soon, he saw several people standing there—relaxed but still disciplined. Their gazes turned toward him, locking onto him. 

"The newbie just woke up, and he's already walking? What a monster… That kind of willpower is impressive. With a bit of training, he could become a truly reliable powerhouse."

Hearing these unfiltered comments, Lucci's eyes flickered slightly. Then, he turned his gaze forward—to the man sitting in a chair, his eyes closed as if resting.

"With your injuries, moving so soon isn't good for your recovery," Arashi said with a faint smile, opening his eyes.

"It's just a minor wound, nothing to worry about," Lucci said in a deep voice.

"Interesting." Arashi chuckled at his response. Then, he looked at him and asked, "Did you come to see me for something important?"

Lucci took a deep breath before saying, "It's about information regarding Pluton."

He hadn't lowered his voice, so those around them naturally heard as well. Buggy and the others didn't react, but Crocodile's pupils contracted. 

To him, Pluton was nothing short of an obsession. "I have no interest in Pluton."

Arashi, however, waved his hand dismissively, cutting him off directly. "Tell me about something else instead."

Lucci was momentarily stunned, both surprised and caught off guard.

He had assumed that Arashi had taken them in to obtain information about the ancient weapon Pluton. He hadn't expected this man to show any interest at all.

For a moment, Lucci fell into silence. "Something else…" he murmured.

Then, suddenly, he bent at the waist in a deep bow. "Thank you for saving my life, nd one more thing!"

After a brief pause, Lucci clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. "I want to become stronger!"

Arashi looked at the young man bowing deeply before him and laughed. "As you wish!"

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