Chapter 75: Challenge, The Whitebeard Pirates Split

"Ace, all of this happened because you disobeyed the captain's orders and left the crew without permission. You must bear the consequences.

"You saw the outcome of the war; both sides suffered casualties, and we lost many comrades as well.

"You are responsible for this war."

"From now on, you are no longer the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates. Anyone who wishes to leave with Ace may do so."

Roy's words silenced everyone present.

"Big bro, I still want to stay with the Whitebeard Pirates. I want to fight for myself," Ace said.

"Ace!!"

Jinbe shouted in worry.

"Good. I admire your courage. Make way, everyone. According to pirate rules, if you want to remain in the Whitebeard Pirates, there's one option: defeat me."

Roy stood up and walked to the side.

Everyone stepped aside to make a path for Roy.

"Ace!!"

Marco and the others were still anxious.

In their eyes, this fight was meaningless.

Ace was strong, yes, but compared to Roy?

Not even close.

Ace firmly followed Roy to the open area.

"Come. If you win, you can do as you please," Roy said.

"Forgive me, big bro!"

Ace's body burst into flames, his fists turning into blazing fire as he struck at Roy.

"Fire Fist!"

Roy took a deep breath and exhaled.

WHOOSH!

Facing Ace's fire fist, Roy blew it out with a single breath. Before Ace could continue his attack, his body suddenly froze.

"Too slow. At this rate, you wouldn't even stand a chance against Teach, and in two years, you won't even be a match for your little brother Luffy.

"You're weak right now. If you stay with the Whitebeard Pirates, you'll just be a flower in a greenhouse, destined to wither into nothing."

"The Whitebeard Pirates don't need dead weight. The future Whitebeard Pirates won't acknowledge you as the Second Division Commander."

Ace's flames roared. He unleashed his Conqueror's Haki, colliding head-on with Roy's own.

But it only lasted a moment, Ace's Haki was crushed against Roy's overwhelming force.

Just like Doflamingo, Ace had shown signs of Conqueror's Haki from a young age, but it paled in comparison to Luffy's combat-born Haki.

'So much potential, wasted by his own hands.'

'He would've been better off never eating the Flame-Flame Fruit.'

"I won't leave the Whitebeard Pirates!" Ace gasped, struggling to rise.

"The Whitebeard Pirates no longer acknowledge you. Newgate's protection over you is over. Did you really think he begged you to join? He only took you in out of pity.

"Without him, the Marines would have discovered your identity the moment you entered the New World. Do you think they didn't know?"

"You should be grateful for the care Newgate gave you these past three years. From now on, you walk your own path. You have nothing to do with the Whitebeard Pirates anymore."

Roy raised his fist in front of Ace's face. Ace stared blankly at him.

Only after Roy walked away did Ace kneel in the sand, motionless.

"Those who want to leave with him can stay. Marco, leave one ship for them. The rest of you, choose. Stay, or go," Roy said to the commanders and captains of the Whitebeard Pirates.

"I want to leave with Commander Ace."

The first voice caused Roy's expression to freeze.

"Loxus!"

In a moment of distraction, Roy's son, Loxus, ran out first. As he passed Roy, he didn't even glance at him.

"I'll follow Commander Ace. I'm a Second Division member. From now on, I'm no longer part of the Whitebeard Pirates," Loxus said, running to Ace.

"Loxus!!!"

Ace was stunned that the first to follow him was Loxus.

"We were all originally members of the Spade Pirates. Of course, we'll follow our captain."

Deuce, a former member of the Spade Pirates who had joined the Second Division, stepped forward.

Mihar, Skull, Wallace, Banshee, and even their pet Kotatsu, all members of the former Spade Pirates, also stepped out to join Ace.

"We're willing to follow Commander Ace, too."

More Second Division members stepped forward. After nearly three years with Ace, they knew him well. He had earned their loyalty.

After all, Whitebeard was a distant figure. Their commander was their true leader.

Each squad was, in essence, its own pirate crew.

People kept stepping forward, over fifty in total.

"You all...!!"

Ace looked up at the familiar faces. All of them were his comrades.

"Pops, I'm sorry."

Suddenly, the ground shook. There was no need to guess who it was.

Little Oars knelt before Whitebeard, bowing deeply, holding a tiny cup.

"Pops, I won't be part of the Whitebeard Pirates anymore. Please... take care of yourself."

"Idiot. You'll always be my son," Whitebeard said softly.

"Pops!"

Following Oars' lead, the Decalvan Brothers, Doma, Zodia, and other subordinate captains all knelt down.

They were officially leaving the Whitebeard Pirates; from now on, they would follow Ace.

Ace watched as sixteen captains knelt. Their message was clear: they were no longer under Whitebeard and would serve Ace instead.

"Even you guys...?"

Ace was overwhelmed by shock and emotion.

His eyes were filled with disbelief and deep gratitude.

"Since you've all made your choice, I have nothing more to say," said Whitebeard.

The captains pulled small sake cups from their clothes.

The moment everyone saw the cups, they knew what was about to happen.

The captains knelt down and placed their cups on the ground.

"Pops, thank you for everything. We'll repay you in the future."

All sixteen captains knelt in front of Whitebeard and bowed.

This scene was recorded by Morgans. The Whitebeard Pirates had split.

"You damn fools." Whitebeard's eyes glistened with tears as he looked up slightly.

"Go on. A new era has arrived. The ship of the Whitebeard Pirates is too old; it can no longer carry new dreams. The future belongs to you. Follow your own path. Don't look back. Don't dwell on the past.

"As for me, Roy and the others will take care of me. He's more reliable than all of you combined!"

Then, his voice boomed.

"ACE! GROW STRONGER! FIND THE ONE PIECE! FINISH WHAT I COULDN'T!"

"THE ONE PIECE IS REAL. FIND IT BEFORE I DIE, AND SHOW IT TO ME. YOU HEAR?"

"YOU STUPID, STUBBORN SONS OF MINE!!!"

"POPS!!!"

Ace was sobbing uncontrollably. Everyone who had left the Whitebeard Pirates knelt down before him in unison.

"THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!!!"

...

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