One Piece: The Cryo Doctor on the Straw Hat Ship

It was as if everything that had just happened was just an illusion.

But the lingering tremor on the deck, a shiver that seemed to originate from the depths of one's soul, silently told everyone—

That's true.

"What is that!?"

The captain of the Sixth Division, Bramank, raised his head and looked up at the sky.

In mid-air, several figures tore through the clouds like divine warriors descending from the heavens, leaving behind a soft whooshing sound as they traced smooth arcs, precisely—

It landed on the deck of the Moby Dick.

thump—

A foot wearing straw sandals stepped onto the deck first.

Luffy straightened up, grinned, and gave a signature big laugh. His gaze swept over the Whitebeard Pirates and landed directly on Whitebeard, who was sitting in the center.

He raised his hand to press down the brim of his straw hat, his voice carrying the unique exuberance and frankness of youth:

"Nice to meet you, please take care of me."

"Everyone in the Whitebeard Pirates!"

Chapter 251 Whitebeard

"Straw Hat Boy!?"

Upon seeing Luffy's iconic straw hat, the Whitebeard Pirates' officers immediately gasped in surprise.

Nowadays, in any place in the world where newspapers are available, there is probably no one who doesn't recognize the Straw Hat Pirates.

Some people have even started thinking about how to add a separate title between the Four Emperors and the Pirate King, specifically for the Straw Hat crew.

However, before the Whitebeard Pirates could recover from their shock—

In the sky, an even more unrestrained and domineering pressure suddenly descended!

Her long, golden hair fluttered in the wind, as flamboyant as a lion's mane.

It was none other than Shiki the Golden Lion, the Straw Hat Pirates' Heavenly Demon and Transport Captain!

The Conqueror's Haki that he just clashed with Whitebeard on was actually unleashed from him!

"Guhahaha—!"

"It's been a long time, Whitebeard!"

The smile on the white-bearded man's lips deepened.

"I never imagined that our reunion would be like this."

As he spoke, his gaze returned to the Straw Hat crew.

Because he understood that the main decision-makers today were not the golden lions who had roamed the seas for many years, but the group of young people in front of him.

"So, why did the now-famous Straw Hat Pirates come without warning?"

Whitebeard's voice was deep and authoritative.

While there may be a connection, such a sudden intrusion into the territory of a Yonko can easily be mistaken for a declaration of war in the world of One Piece.

Luffy stood on the deck, his signature big smile undiminished.

He raised his hand to adjust the brim of his straw hat, about to speak, when V stepped forward first:

"Don't misunderstand, Whitebeard-senpai."

"We're not here to fight a war."

Whitebeard narrowed his eyes slightly, and an invisible sense of oppression spread across the deck like a tide, making the surrounding air feel heavier.

However, V seemed completely oblivious and continued to laugh:

"In fact—we're here to make a deal with you."

"trade?"

Before Whitebeard could even speak, the squad leaders beside him had already frowned.

"What kind of deal would warrant your Straw Hat Pirates coming all the way to our Moby Dick to discuss it during such a sensitive time?"

You should know that... right now, almost everyone in the underworld is searching for news of the Straw Hat Pirates.

Some coveted the Straw Hat crew's skills, some admired their strength, and some were simply afraid of them and wanted to escape.

For a moment, even the captains who were still able to stand began to wonder about the details of the deal V had mentioned.

"The details of the transaction are very simple."

V smiled slightly, her tone calm and confident:

"I'm sure everyone here has already witnessed our performance in Marineford."

"Of course, we understand that we have mastered the technology to allow the same life form to simultaneously bear the abilities of multiple fruits."

"The reason I'm visiting you today is to ask that all of you capable individuals present here provide proof of your trust."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, a meaningful smile playing at the corners of his lips:

"And in return... I will bring you unprecedented new power."

Whitebeard remained silent, offering no immediate reply, only his deep eyes swirling with complex and indescribable emotions.

However, the squad leaders standing to the side suddenly had a bright idea in their eyes.

The Straw Hat Pirates' strength is undeniable.

It wasn't just those two bursts of Conqueror's Haki that were enough to rival the old man's, but also the monumental achievement of destroying Impel Down overnight, which even shocked the World Government.

To be honest, as members of one of the Four Emperors' pirate crews, they still confidently believe that the Whitebeard Pirates are the strongest pirate crew on this sea.

But they also knew in their hearts that this power was largely built on Whitebeard himself.

"Old Man" is the strongest man in the world, but that doesn't mean every one of them is.

The light is so dazzling that it often makes people forget the existence of the candlelight.

If they could gain the power of the Straw Hat Pirates...

Even if it's far less monstrous than the Straw Hat crew, it will undoubtedly greatly enhance the overall strength of the Whitebeard Pirates.

By then—

They are no longer just "Dad's burden," but truly his arms that can fight alongside him!

Upon realizing this, the squad captains exchanged glances, each seeing a hint of interest and anticipation in the other's eyes.

however--

Just as Whitebeard was still pondering, a wild voice suddenly boomed across the deck:

"What are you still hesitating for, Newgate!?"

Shiki the Golden Lion stepped forward, his eyes fixed on the white-bearded man seated in his chair, his voice filled with a burning, almost manic fervor:

"Look at how sickly you are now! Where is the vigor you had in your youth?!"

"Is this all the courage Edward Newgate, the Whitebeard who once boasted of being able to destroy the world, has left—this much hesitation and fear?!"

On the deck, everyone held their breath.

Golden Lion's voice grew even louder, and the domineering and mad aura of a legendary pirate surged forth without reservation at this moment:

"A new era has now arrived!"

"The Straw Hat Pirates will inevitably become stronger than Rocks, Roger, and all the pirates of the past!"

He suddenly raised his hand and pointed to the grinning boy wearing a straw hat in the center of the deck:

"If you still have even the slightest bit of a kingly spirit—"

"Come join this glorious evolution!!!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the sea breeze suddenly stopped.

The entire Moby Dick was plunged into an almost frozen silence.

All eyes turned to the man sitting upright in the chair—

The world's strongest man, Edward Newgate with white beard.

For a long time—so long that time itself seemed to become heavy.

The white-bearded man slowly raised his head.

A complex and indescribable light surged within those pale eyes.

There is nostalgia, emotion, reflection, and a touch of passion that has been frozen for many years but is now reignited.

He looked at Shiki, at Luffy, at V, at this pirate crew made up of young people who were changing the world.

Then--

He smiled.

"Gurala la la—!"

"Shiki, you... even at your age, you still like to act so arrogantly."

The golden lion grinned and did not refute.

Whitebeard ripped off his medical syringes and slammed the Murakumogiri heavily onto the deck with a dull thud.

He slowly stood up, his towering figure casting a huge shadow in the sunlight.

"The Straw Hat Pirates..."

“You are indeed different from any other pirates of this era.”

Whitebeard slowly raised his right hand and extended it towards V:

"Since it's a transaction—let me see what kind of power you can bring me."

The sea breeze is blowing again.