Chapter 125: Ace's Reluctance

There's only one place in the world where the Adam Tree can be found:

The Warland, the Giant Kingdom, Elbaf.

The most powerful nation in the world, populated entirely by giants, who live atop the Adam Tree itself.

Obtaining Adam Wood means destroying the homeland of the giants. And the giants will never forgive anyone who dares trespass and steal from their sacred land.

But where there was profit, war was inevitable.

Roy had once told Kuzan on Fishman Island: "The history of the world is a history of war between races."

When resources are unevenly distributed, one side will inevitably resort to plundering the other.

This was an inescapable truth, a reality the entire world faced.

Those who controlled resources would defend them. Those who hunger for them will find a way to take them.

Wano possesses the world's largest deposits of seastone. And the Land of War, no matter how many battles it endured, remained standing at the pinnacle of the world.

That was the territory of the giants. To steal a branch of the Adam Tree was to steal their land itself.

The Whitebeard Pirates' relationship with the giants was neutral, not friendly, but not hostile either. Roy even knew the two captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates.

But even with good relations, stealing their land was unforgivable.

That was a matter of principle. Unless there was someone like Kaido in Elbaf, someone willing to sell the Adam Trees as a resource.

But that was impossible. Even the infamous Prince Loki wouldn't dare sell the Adam Trees.

The consequences of stealing them would be catastrophic, it would provoke the wrath of all Elbaf.

Now Roy had both seastone and Adam Wood, two of the world's rarest materials, and he hadn't spent a single berry.

Kuzan, naturally curious about Roy's goals with these materials, wanted to follow.

"You planning to tag along with me?" Roy asked.

"…Forget it. What am I gonna do at the Whitebeard Pirates' base?" Kuzan gave up on the idea and chose to continue wandering.

....

The events at Hachinosu spread across the globe within two days.

The Blackbeard Pirates had been wiped out. Teach the real culprit behind the Egghead incident and the Impel Down prison break, dead.

Roy, Vice-Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates, personally executed them.

Marine Lieutenant Commander Koby rescued the civilians aboard the Rocku port, earning commendations.

Trafalgar Law, one of the Worst Generation, became a new Warlord after handing over a hundred pirate hearts and playing a key role in the Rocky Port incident.

He also appeared to have reached some kind of deal with the Whitebeard Pirates.

Former Admiral Aokiji was seen with the Whitebeard Pirates, confirming rumors that he had joined them.

In just a few days, the events on Hachinosu were shaking the entire world.

.....

"Teach… is dead?"

When Ace heard the news, he was in total shock. He never imagined that Teach would actually die.

"I'm going back," Ace said.

"Going back?"

"Big bro will definitely bring back Teach's body," Ace said firmly.

"Alright."

The Spade Pirates set sail for the Whitebeard Pirates' base.

Meanwhile, Whitebeard himself had already received the news. He sat in silence, oxygen mask over his face.

"You all kept this from me… was it because you were worried?" he asked as he looked at Marco and the others.

"No! It was Big Bro's idea. Probably wanted you to see it for yourself," Marco said nervously.

"He's dead, so be it. You think I'd grieve over a traitor? You really underestimate me. Don't even get me started, if you little brats died, I wouldn't lose sleep over it either!" Whitebeard grumbled.

The others just smiled awkwardly and waited for Roy to return.

"Pops! Ace is back!" a few crew members came rushing in excitedly.

"He got the news earlier than I did, huh?" Whitebeard said casually.

"He probably can't let it go," Marco chuckled.

"That's not true," came a familiar voice from the entrance. "Sure, I really wanted to be the one to take him down myself. But if Big Bro already did it, I've got no regrets."

All sixteen commanders were present. When they turned and saw Ace, they all smiled brightly.

"Ace!!"

"Everyone… long time no see! Pops!" Ace grinned, locking eyes with Whitebeard.

Whitebeard grinned. "Only a few months and you already look more mature."

"I failed twice… but I won't give up." Ace said.

"That's the spirit. A moment of failure doesn't mean a life of failure," Whitebeard replied.

"Big Bro should be back soon, right?" Ace asked.

"Should be soon. That guy's been running around nonstop." Whitebeard feigned annoyance.

The others chuckled. Roy had carried the Whitebeard Pirates through their early days, keeping everything running.

Later, as they grew stronger, Roy started fading into the background, but when Whitebeard's age caught up to him, Roy stepped forward again.

Despite Whitebeard's grumpy expressions, everyone knew that without Roy, the Whitebeard Pirates might not even exist today.

"Pops! Big Bro's back! He wants us to unload the cargo, oh, Ace is here too!"

"Where is he?"

"At the docks."

"Let's go."

Whitebeard got to his feet.

Marco flew ahead to help carry Whitebeard's medical equipment.

Whitebeard grabbed his naginata and stepped forward. All sixteen commanders followed behind him.

At the dock, Roy was directing people to move cargo into a processing facility. He had set it up specifically to manufacture the sea train.

Seeing Whitebeard and the others arrive, Roy just gave them a wave.

"Big Bro, that sword you're holding… something's off about it," Vista said.

"It's a war trophy, used to belong to Shiryu of the Rain, former head jailer of Impel Down. Forgot the name," Roy replied.

"Raiu," Vista replied.

"Oh, right. Does anyone want it? It's yours," Roy said, casually tossing the blade.

Many crew members used swords. The moment they heard it was a famed blade, they started fighting over it.

Shiryu was over three meters tall, and his sword matched his size. It would suit someone like Vista, who was also nearly three meters.

Blenheim, Atmos, Fossa, and Vista wrestled for it. 

A named sword like that was worth a fortune. Even those already used to their weapons were eager to fight over it.

In the end, Ninth Division Commander Blenheim snagged it.

"Blenheim, that's a cursed sword. Be careful."

"No problem, Big Bro! I've got this!" Blenheim grinned.

"Shiryu was Teach's subordinate, right? Where's Teach?" Whitebeard asked.

"Bring the body down," Roy called to the ship.

.....

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