Chapter 22: Whitebeard III Returns

Edward Teach wandered through the dense, frozen forests of Freezing Hell in Impel Down. He carried Inazuma in his grip as if holding a fragile chick, his immense strength rendering the Revolutionary Army officer completely powerless.

With a keen gaze, he activated Observation Haki, scanning the area for any disturbances. The frigid air crackled with faint traces of 'sounds', leading him toward areas where residual aura flickered—a clear sign that someone had been active here.

After a meticulous search, Edward Teach discovered a hidden passage buried deep within the ice-covered forest. His heightened senses allowed him to hear faint echoes of conversation from within, confirming his suspicions.

Unless something was amiss, this was the secret entrance to Newkama Land—the hidden haven on the 5.5th Level of Impel Down!

Inside the massive clay construct, Storm smirked. Hidden within his "Edward Teach" mecha, his true objective was the Newkama Land concealed behind this mysterious entrance.

Without hesitation, he advanced.

After navigating through the concealed passageway for several minutes, Edward Teach reached the entrance. Even without relying on Observation Haki, he could hear the unmistakable sounds of revelry echoing from inside.

'Sounds like a lively place,' Storm thought.

He stepped forward, pushing through the narrow path. At first, the space was constricted, but after a few dozen paces, the tunnel widened, revealing an enormous underground cavern.

The space was vast, though not as towering as the 5th Leveel Freezing Hell outside, yet still large enough to comfortably accommodate giants. The walls bore signs of intentional reinforcement, sculpted into a vast theater-like setting. Despite its crude structure, the atmosphere was lively, filled with echoes of celebration and uninhibited joy.

On the center stage, a performer with a towering afro and unusual body proportions danced passionately, captivating the audience with his exaggerated movements.

"…Here, you'll find everything you need!" the performer declared, his voice ringing through the cavern.

 "Wine! Food! Weapons! But most importantly… freedom!"

 "This is Impel Down's hidden paradise—New Kama La—La—"

The moment the performer turned around, his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. His mouth gaped open, tongue curling in a comical twist.

His entire body froze in shock as he saw the titanic figure standing in the audience.

"W-WHITEBEARD—?!"

A wave of pure chaos rippled through the crowd.

With the lighting now fully illuminating the cavern, every resident of Newkama Land laid eyes on the unexpected guest.

"Whitebeard?!"

 "Edward Newgate?!"

 "The Strongest Man in the World?!"

The festivity halted instantly. Panic spread like wildfire as gasps and shrieks echoed across the cavern.

Edward Teach —or rather, Storm—let out a deep, rumbling laugh.

"Gurararara... What a lively place."

With a flick of his wrist, he tossed Inazuma toward the stage, sending the battered, unconscious body hurtling through the air.

The audience instinctively recoiled, but one figure leaped forward in time to catch him—Emporio Ivankov, the Queen of Newkama Land.

"Inazuma?! What happened to you?!" Ivankov's eyes widened with concern.

Storm, still maintaining his Whitebeard persona, stretched his shoulders.

"No need for a long explanation. This guy belongs to you, right... Queen of the Newkamas?"

Ivankov examined Inazuma's injuries and swiftly injected him with a Healing Hormone. His expression shifted as he turned back toward the massive intruder.

"...And you are?" Ivankov questioned cautiously.

Storm ignored the question, his gaze sweeping the lavish feast set up for the celebration. His stomach rumbled.

"Enough talk. I'm hungry. Got anything to eat?"

A tense silence filled the cavern.

Ivankov's expression flickered, but he forced a broad, dramatic smile and quickly rushed forward.

"Of course! Right this way, please!" he said in a flourishing manner, leading the towering guest toward a lavish banquet table.

Storm settled into the seat, towering over the table as the Newkamas hurriedly piled food and drink before him.

Without hesitation, he delved into his system, distributing the trophies he had accumulated.

After the previous battles, he had amassed:

11 Gold Trophies and 3 Platinum Trophies

Before stepping into Newkama Land, he had already invested several trophies into strengthening his combat techniques:

[Moonwalk , Tempest Kick , Swordsmanship , Life Return] → ★★★★★

Now, with an entire feast laid before him, Storm shifted his focus to physical attributes.

'Time to level up again.'

He consumed the last three gold trophies, boosting his strength and speed significantly.

Next, he invested the three platinum trophies into enhancing endurance and speed.

His stats now stood at:

Strength: ★★★★★

Speed: ★★★★★☆

Endurance: ★★★★★★

The moment his physique underwent enhancement, an overwhelming sensation of hunger overtook him.

His body craved sustenance—and he wasted no time in satisfying it.

He tore into the massive slabs of Sea King meat, stuffing his face with an insatiable appetite. The towering pile of food rapidly diminished before the astonished onlookers.

The cavern was eerily silent, save for the beast-like sounds of devouring as Storm continued his monstrous feast.

No one dared to speak.

The Newkamas, usually boisterous and unbothered, now exchanged glances of pure shock.

Even Ivankov, the bold and fearless leader, didn't dare interrupt. He merely gestured frantically to the chefs, signaling them to bring more food immediately.

Minutes turned to half an hour—yet Storm didn't stop eating.

"H-How much has he eaten…?" a stunned bystander whispered.

"All of it!" someone else gasped.

Whispers spread among the crowd.

"That's an entire week's worth of food for Newkama Land!"

 "Is his stomach a black hole?!"

Even Ivankov found himself drenched in cold sweat. He had been observing closely, and something felt off.

'This isn't right…'

He had met Whitebeard before—over thirty years ago during the infamous God Valley Incident.

Back then, Whitebeard had been in his prime, a warrior of unstoppable might.

But according to the latest intelligence from the Revolutionary Army, the real Edward Newgate was gravely ill, far from the titan of his youth.

Yet the man before him…

He wasn't just strong—he was monstrously healthy!

'No... This isn't Whitebeard,' Ivankov realized, beads of sweat forming.

His eyes narrowed.

"Wait a minute! No way!"

A shocking idea suddenly surfaced in Ivankov's mind.

"This guy... could he be Whitebeard's son?!"

At that very moment, Storm, having completely devoured all the food reserves in Newkama Land, finally leaned back, satisfied.

Ivankov hesitated briefly before cautiously stepping forward.

"Mr. Whitebeard..."

The Okama King bent down slightly, forcing a flattering smile across his rough face.

"What do you want?"

"No need to be so reserved, Okama King. I've heard of your name."

Edward Teach stood up, towering over Ivankov, and extended his right hand toward him.

"Be my friend, Emporio Ivankov"

"I'm Edward Teach! Whitebeard the Third!"

Whitebeard III?!

Ivankov had heard of "Whitebeard Jr." before.

It was rumored that Whitebeard II possessed the same monstrous strength as Whitebeard in his prime.

But where did this "Whitebeard III" come from?!

That said, this so-called Whitebeard III undeniably resembled Edward Newgate more than the previous one...

"It would be nice to be your friend..."

Ivankov hesitantly reached out, his right hand trembling slightly, and gently touched Edward Teach's fingers.

"It's my pleasure."

"Gurararara!"

Edward Teach let out a hearty laugh.

"Since we're all friends, I'll be honest with you!

"Ivankov, I need your strength!"

Now that he had confirmed this Whitebeard III wasn't the real Whitebeard, Ivankov's courage gradually returned.

"Edward—"

"Call me Teach!"

"Alright, Teach!"

Ivankov immediately adjusted his tone.

"What do you need from me? More food?"

As long as Edward Teach's demands weren't outrageous, Ivankov and the others were willing to accommodate him.

After all, considering what had just happened...

Edward Teach had saved Inazuma!

"No! Not food!"

Edward Teach clenched his right fist and swung it heavily.

"Ivankov, I knew it the moment I saw you."

"You and I are the same kind of person!

"You abandoned your past identity and snuck into Impel Down to establish this new paradise, didn't you?!"

...Huh?

Ivankov blinked.

What Edward Teach said sounded a little... off.

But from his perspective, it wasn't entirely wrong.

Before his imprisonment, Ivankov had been the Queen of the Kamabakka Kingdom.

His purpose for entering Impel Down and establishing Newkama Land was clear—

To recruit prisoners and expand the Revolutionary Army's forces.

He was merely waiting for the day the Revolutionary Army outside would rise up—

Then, he would lead the people of Newkama Land back to the surface.

From this angle, Edward Teach's understanding wasn't incorrect.

"Yes, maybe... possibly... that's it."

Ivankov gave a vague response before flipping the question back.

"What about you, Teach?"

"I don't care about insignificant minions."

Edward Teach spread his arms wide, embracing the air as if seizing the world itself.

Then, with absolute confidence, he declared—

"My goal is the Sixth Level—Infinite Hell!"

"I will select the strongest and most elite subordinates from the worst criminals in the world!"

"I will form the most terrifying pirate crew in history!"

"I will defeat Whitebeard and become the world's strongest pirate!"

"The remnants of the old era have reached their end!"

"In my new era—there is no place for them!"

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