Whitebeard

---

"..."

Finally having departed from Wano country.

However...

Joey and Linlin stared at each other, wide-eyed, caught in a silent face-off.

Zeus.

Prometheus.

Napoleon.

The three Homies were trembling in fear, terrified of getting caught up in the mess.

Joey opened his mouth but could only sigh helplessly. "Mom! Can't you use your head for once? How are we supposed to get home?"

Linlin replied matter-of-factly, "How would I know? I don't know! Don't know! Joey, you're the head of the family. You decide! I don't know anything!"

"Hmph!"

With a cute little huff, Linlin turned away in a childish pout.

"I…"

Joey was at a loss for words. He felt like shouting WTF but wasn't sure if it was the right moment. Usually, it's the parents setting their kids up for failure, but in his case? His mother was outright sabotaging her own son!

This trip had been fruitful for both mother and son: Famous swords, Devil Fruits, rare specialties. They had gained plenty of treasures.

But the problem was...

They were lost!

Completely, hopelessly lost!

"How are we supposed to fix this?" Joey groaned, rubbing his temples.

"Argh!"

He let out a frustrated growl, causing the three Homies to tremble even harder.

Joey glared at them menacingly, "You three, either figure out where we are, or I'll turn you all into desserts and eat you!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Right away, sir!"

The Homies scurried into action.

They knew their young master wasn't joking. If he said he'd eat them, not even crumbs would be left behind.

Joey rubbed his temples in frustration, feeling truly at his wit's end.

Joey was truly at his wit's end. Two days had passed since they'd left Wano, and while they'd cleared the island's waters, they were utterly disoriented.

Joey had no sense of the geography.

As for Linlin? She was even worse—clueless and carefree.

The route from their home to the Rocks Pirates' rendezvous was something Prometheus who barely remembered it, was the one leading the way for Linlin.

But now?

Even Prometheus was useless, left with no idea where they were.

"Damn it!" Joey gritted his teeth and cursed.

"From now on, every family member must keep track of their position at all times. Ha!! Wait... I think our family crest has a feature for that!"

Suddenly, Joey's thoughts clicked. He pulled out the family crest and started tinkering with it.

The family crest.

The family crest wasn't just an ornament—it was a functional tool. Apart from Joey, Linlin, and Perospero, even Kurozumi Higurashi had one.

But while Higurashi's was decorative, the crests Joey's immediate family used had additional features like communication and location tracking.

Joey quickly activated the crest, and a holographic map appeared in front of him. It resembled a game map—clear and easy to navigate.

"Mom! Mom! I found the route!" Joey shouted.

"Come steer the ship!"

"I'm coming!" Linlin hurried over, and the mother-son duo studied the map. Once they locked in their target, they set off immediately.

Based on the distance, they estimated it would take five days to return home— Not too far, thankfully.

Besides, with their sweets stash depleted, their patience was wearing thin. They were desperate to get back for more desserts.

---

"Ugh!"

"Sigh!"

"What do we do now?"

"Wait... What's that?"

"Whitebeard?!"

Prometheus and Zeus sighed in frustration but suddenly noticed something—a pirate ship in the distance.

And its captain was someone they recognized.

None other than a member of the Rocks Pirates: Edward Newgate, Whitebeard.

"Young Master!"

"Mom!"

"We've spotted Whitebeard!"

"Huh?" Joey blinked in surprise.

"What's Whitebeard doing here?"

"Gurararararara~~~"

Laughter echoed across the sea, deep and hearty.

A pirate ship slowly approached, and on its deck stood a young man with golden hair—Edward Newgate. He exuded energy, his youth apparent as he laughed boisterously.

Clap!

Linlin stood abruptly, her demeanor shifting entirely. Gone was her goofy, adorable attitude.

In its place was a sharp, murderous intent.

Make no mistake—the Rocks Pirates weren't a group to take lightly. They were a cutthroat bunch where only the strong survived.

Linlin may act like a doting mother in front of Joey, but when faced with a fellow Rocks crew member, she didn't let her guard down.

"Linlin!"

"Relax. I don't have any intention of fighting you."

"After all," Edward smirked, waving a hand casually,

"The captain strictly forbids clashes between officers."

"Hmph!" Linlin snorted, but her tension didn't ease.

Joey, meanwhile, carefully observed Edward. Using the Eye of the Family, he analyzed the man before him.

[Edward Newgate]

Affiliation: Rocks Pirates (Officer)

Strength: Silver Tier 2

Potential: Gold Tier 1

Ability: Paramecia-type Devil Fruit: Tremor-Tremor Fruit

Weapon: Supreme Grade Sword: Murakumogiri

Summary: A future monster of the seas, armed with a top-tier Devil Fruit, unparalleled potential, and an exceptional weapon. A force to be reckoned with as he grows.

---

Joey clicked his tongue in amazement.

"No wonder he becomes the pinnacle of the Four Emperors and earns the title of the world's strongest man. Even at this young age, he's already terrifyingly powerful."

"Hmm?"

Edward studied Joey in turn. Despite the boy's young age, there was a faint but potent aura surrounding him.

Even though it flickered intermittently, it was enough to make Edward take notice.

For a child of five or six, this was unheard of.

"Kid," Edward asked directly, "who are you?"

Joey's expression remained calm. "Charlotte Joey, patriarch of the Charlotte Family. A pleasure to meet you, Whitebeard."

"The Charlotte Family's patriarch?"

Edward's eyes widened in surprise, glancing between Joey and Linlin.

.

.

.