[Chat Group For The Death] Chapter 21 - 30

Chapter 21: Two Years? It Won’t Take That Long!

Ain approached Zephyr with a bright smile, her voice tinged with excitement. "Teacher Zephyr, are you thinking of taking him as your disciple?"

Zephyr’s gaze remained fixed on Lucas, who was locked in a fierce exchange with Garp. The elder marine let out a quiet sigh before nodding. "That’s right. I wanted him to be my last disciple and have him join the Pirate Guerrilla Team to refine his skills."

Ain offered eagerly, "Mr. Garp seems to be recruiting him as well. Would you like me to help persuade him?"

Zephyr turned his head slightly, eyeing her with an amused half-smile. "Why, has our Marine Flower taken an interest in him?"

Ain’s cheeks flushed, and she immediately fell silent, looking away in embarrassment.

Zephyr chuckled softly before his expression turned serious. "That was my original idea, but now... I’ve changed my mind."

Surprised, Ain asked, "Why?"

Zephyr tilted his chin toward the battle unfolding before them. "Look at him," he said. "I have nothing left to teach him. He’s already qualified to be called a master."

Ain's eyes widened as she studied Lucas. He moved with remarkable precision, seamlessly countering Garp’s blows. Despite the overwhelming power of his opponent, he only grew more composed and determined. Zephyr, the famed 'Black Arm' Zephyr, had to admit that Lucas had already surpassed the need for a mentor.

"Is he... a monster?" Ain muttered in disbelief.

Zephyr smiled knowingly. "There’s no shortage of monsters in this world. The sea breeds them constantly. But a prodigy who grows this strong at such a young age? That’s a rarity."

—

Boom!

The clash of fists sent shockwaves through the air. Garp grinned as he stepped back, noting Lucas’s waning stamina. "Not bad, kid. Give it another two years of training, and you’ll have the strength of a Marine Admiral."

Silence followed.

The marines watching the match were frozen in place. Did they hear that correctly?

A fresh recruit, possessing Admiral-level strength in just two years?

Had anyone else made such a claim, the Marine officers would have scoffed. But this was Garp—the Hero of the Marines—speaking. A man who once battled side by side with legends, a force of nature whose strength rivaled even the Admirals. If he said it, they believed it.

However, Lucas only smirked. He straightened his posture, taking a deep breath. Instantly, his muscles tensed, and a crackling sound echoed from within his body. A new surge of energy radiated from him.

"Two years? It won’t take that long!"

Garp’s eyes widened. "You—?!"

Even the seasoned marine was taken aback. How was this possible?

He couldn’t have known that Lucas possessed not just one but four advanced-level talents, along with an intermediate one, elevating his physique to an entirely different tier. His recovery ability was monstrous, almost unnatural.

Just look at Straw Hat Luffy—his absurd healing capabilities allowed him to bounce back from near-death simply by eating a meal and sleeping. And yet, Luffy's talent was only at an advanced level. Lucas? He was a whole tier beyond that.

With just a breath, his body had restored itself. The fatigue, the damage, the accumulated strain from fighting Garp—it was all melting away. Not only that, but every injury he had sustained pushed his body to adapt, making him even stronger.

Garp couldn’t help but grumble, "Kid, your physique is downright unfair! If you’re this durable already, your real strength should be even higher than what you’ve shown."

He scrutinized Lucas with a mixture of confusion and intrigue.

Lucas simply shook his head, unwilling to explain. Some things were better left a mystery.

What was he supposed to say? That he had just obtained an overwhelming talent boost? That would only raise more questions. It was easier to let others speculate and come to their own conclusions.

Taking a step forward, Lucas met Garp’s gaze with unwavering confidence. "Mr. Garp, do you still want to be my teacher? Because I’m not looking for a mentor—I want an equal match."

For a moment, Garp was silent. Then, a booming laugh erupted from his chest. "Hah! That’s easy. I’ll be your sparring partner instead!"

The old marine grinned before rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "You know... your fighting style feels familiar. It reminds me of an old friend. A shame he’s no longer around."

Somewhere, across the sea, a certain chat group fell into a brief silence.

Whitebeard: "..."

Lucas smirked to himself. He had been using techniques that mimicked Whitebeard’s martial prowess. It wasn’t surprising that Garp, an old rival, had picked up on it.

Lucas: "Heh. Good thing I didn’t use swordsmanship against him, or he’d feel even more nostalgic."

Golden Lion Shiki: "You mean using Roger’s sword techniques to duel Garp? Now that would be a sight."

Lucas: "No way! That’s a terrible idea. He’d recognize it instantly. Garp’s attachment to Roger isn’t any less than yours, you know."

Golden Lion Shiki: "..."

Damn it! Why did he always have to bring up Roger? Couldn’t he let a man have some dignity?

Whitebeard: "Gurarara! You’re not worried he’ll see through my fighting style?"

Lucas: "Not really. Garp doesn’t have any sentimental attachment to you."

Whitebeard: "..."

Damn brat!

He should have known better than to engage in banter with Lucas. That kid had a way of making even the strongest men lose their patience.

Lucas: "Just kidding! Your fighting style relies heavily on the Tremor-Tremor Fruit. As long as I don’t use its power, Garp won’t be able to connect the dots. At most, he’ll just think my technique is slightly familiar."

Chapter 22: The Combat Strength of the Generals and the Physical Strength of the Soldiers

Fleet Admiral's Office.

Black Arm Zephyr stood before Fleet Admiral Sengoku, his expression brimming with excitement. "Fleet Admiral, I have to report something extraordinary about Lucas," he announced. After explaining in detail, he sighed with emotion, "It seems that our Marine still has hope! Despite the rampant rise of piracy, we have a bright future ahead."

The current state of the world was grim. The death of Whitebeard had not curbed the ambitions of pirates but instead ignited their desire to claim the title of Pirate King. While Whitebeard was alive, his sheer strength and influence acted as a dam, holding back the tide of chaos. Now that he was gone, that dam had collapsed, and the Great Pirate Era, which had been brewing for over two decades, was now in full flood, overwhelming the Marine at every turn.

Zephyr, however, smiled confidently. "Lucas may still be young, but he is immensely gifted. He will reach his peak faster than anyone else. With Lucas, Issho, and Aramaki, we now have all three candidates for the next generation of admirals."

Sengoku raised an eyebrow. "Lucas's talent is truly that terrifying? You believe he’s already qualified to be considered for the rank of admiral?"

Zephyr chuckled. "Not just me. Even Garp thinks so. We both believe that at this rate, Lucas will attain admiral-level combat strength in a year and a half at most."

Intrigued, Sengoku ordered his men to bring Lucas’s records and called for someone to summon him.

Zephyr, however, shook his head with a smirk. "He won’t have time to come here now. If you want to see for yourself, just look out the window."

Curious, Sengoku walked to the window and peered outside. In the distance, a massive crowd had gathered. At the center of the commotion, two figures clashed in a fierce battle.

Sengoku squinted. "That’s Garp… but who is that fighting him? Wait—" His eyes widened in astonishment. "That’s Lucas?!"

Zephyr nodded proudly. "That’s right. Impressive, isn’t he?"

On the Battlefield

Lucas and Garp were locked in combat, exchanging blows with staggering force. Fighting was, without a doubt, the fastest way to grow stronger, and Lucas was proving that with every clash.

Meanwhile, in a certain chat group, Whitebeard’s voice rang out in frustration.

Whitebeard: "Why are you still messing around? You've tested your strength—now leave already! My sons are waiting for you to save them!"

Lucas: "Relax. I’m preparing. Even with the abilities you all have given me, granting me admiral-level combat power, it’s still not enough."

Whitebeard: "What more do you need?"

The old man sounded wary. Was this brat just looking for more benefits without taking action?

Lucas: "Calm down. None of you have what I need."

Golden Lion Shiki: "Now I’m curious. What exactly do you need?"

Lucas: "Endurance. Stamina. Physical resilience. Right now, I may have the combat strength of an admiral, but I still have the stamina of a regular soldier. Do you understand? If I go all out, I can rival a Captain, but I’ll burn out in under an hour."

Golden Lion Shiki: "That’s a serious problem."

Lucas: "Exactly. Look at you, Shiki. You fought both Garp and Sengoku at Marineford for three days and three nights. And that was a two-on-one battle. If it had been one-on-one, it could’ve lasted ten days or more."

Whitebeard: "And what does that have to do with rescuing my son?"

Lucas: "Everything. To save your son, I need to defeat Blackbeard. Can I outlast him with my current stamina? Don’t forget, you lost to Blackbeard because you ran out of stamina."

Golden Lion Shiki: "Wait, Whitebeard was killed by his own son because he ran out of stamina? Hahaha, that’s big news."

Fire Fist Ace: "Dad, is that true?"

Whitebeard: "It is. I had already defeated Teach at that time. I was about to finish him off, but my old injuries flared up, and my body gave out. That’s when Teach and his men managed to kill me."

Pirate King Roger: "Tsk, tsk, tsk! So close, yet so far. That must’ve been frustrating."

Whitebeard: "I don’t dwell on past failures. What truly disappoints me is that I couldn’t eliminate Teach when I had the chance. I left behind a threat to my sons, a villain they should never have had to deal with."

Lucas: "Exactly. Your death proves just how crucial stamina is. I don’t want to meet the same fate against Blackbeard. And stamina isn’t something any of you can give me."

Whitebeard: "No, I disagree. You don’t need to outlast Teach. Just finish him in one go. With all the abilities we’ve given you, you should be able to take him down in an instant."

The old man’s frustration was evident. He had nearly killed Blackbeard in minutes, so why would Lucas struggle against him?

Lucas: "Things have changed. Teach is no longer the man you once fought. Whitebeard, if you keep viewing him through the lens of the past, you’re going to underestimate him. And that’s a mistake I can’t afford to make."

Chapter 23: The Three Admirals of the Marine Are All Devil Fruit user

Lucas rejected Whitebeard's proposal. He had no intention of recklessly risking his life.

There was no mythical dragon in this world to magically replenish his stamina. Even if Kakarot were here, he would still be beaten to death by Majin Buu if he exhausted himself.

Lucas: "Blackbeard is now a dual-fruit ability user, a legitimate Emperor of the Sea, and he has a crew of formidable allies. I need to be more careful."

Whitebeard: "How long are you planning to be 'careful'? My sons won’t be able to hold out forever."

Lucas: "I understand... I have an idea. Shiki, send me your Float-Float Fruit."

Golden Lion Shiki: "Why should I?"

Lucas: "The remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates are hiding in your old hometown, Whitebeard. If I gain the power of the Float-Float Fruit, I can lift the entire island into the sky, keeping them out of Blackbeard's reach."

Golden Lion Shiki: "That’s an interesting plan, but why should I give up my fruit for you? I’m not Whitebeard—I don’t care about the fate of his crew!"

Whitebeard: "Shiki..."

Golden Lion Shiki: " Shihahaha! Whitebeard, if you want my help, beg me! Shihahaha!"

Even through the chat group screen, they could all feel Shiki’s smug tone and the satisfied grin that was surely on his face.

Fire Fist Ace: "Shut up! Dad, things haven’t reached that point yet. And even if Marco and the others knew about this, they would never allow you to lower yourself to beg the Golden Lion. You are our pride!"

Whitebeard: "Gurarara! Ace, you silly boy..."

Whitebeard sighed, but he didn’t say much more. If the Whitebeard Pirates truly faced annihilation, then his pride meant nothing.

Lucas: "Don’t worry. Give me a few more days. I can feel myself getting stronger. Soon, I’ll be able to fight for three days and three nights without rest."

While Lucas desired the Float-Float Fruit's power, he wasn’t in a hurry. After all, Shiki was in the chat group—how could the meat in the pot escape his grasp?

Fleet Admiral's Office

Fleet Admiral Sengoku furrowed his brows as he skimmed through Lucas’s file. "This Lucas... when he first joined the Marine, all his test results were unremarkable."

Black Arm Zephyr, intrigued, took the file and examined it. After a moment, he shook his head. "Maybe that was just a disguise. Perhaps he hadn't truly decided to commit to the Marine at the time."

Sengoku pondered this. "You think so?"

Zephyr spread his hands. "What other explanation is there? His talent and strength couldn’t have just appeared overnight."

He meant it as a joke, but ironically, he had spoken the truth—though it was a truth too absurd to believe.

Sengoku nodded. "Indeed. His power didn’t appear out of nowhere, so he must have been hiding it. If he was concealing his abilities, he may have had ulterior motives. Now that his strength is revealed, at least we can monitor him more closely."

Zephyr mused, "We all know how the World Government operates, and the Marine itself isn’t without its blemishes. Perhaps he experienced something that made him wary of trusting us."

Sengoku folded his arms. "If that’s the case, we need to take a more careful approach in guiding him."

Half a Month Later

Time passed quickly. Over the past two weeks, Lucas had fought both Garp and Zephyr every other day. The sheer physicality of these battles, along with his mastery of Haki, thrilled the two legendary marines, stirring memories of a bygone era.

This kind of direct, no-holds-barred combat reminded them of the old days—when the seas weren’t dominated by Devil Fruit users but by those who trained their bodies to perfection.

But times had changed.

Now, the three admirals of the Marine were all Devil Fruit users.

In addition to the training, Sengoku frequently checked in on Lucas, engaging him in what he called "cordial and friendly discussions." These conversations were filled with stories of the Marine’s glorious history and its noble mission. However, to those watching from the chat group, something felt off.

Whitebeard: "Lucas, you’re not seriously buying into their words, are you?"

Golden Lion Shiki: "Yeah! If you truly plan on becoming a loyal marine, we won’t know what to do with you."

Pirate King Roger: "No, I trust Lucas. He’s not the kind of man who would willingly serve the World Government."

Lucas: "No wonder among you three legendary pirates, Roger was the last to claim the title of Pirate King. When it comes to judging people, Whitebeard and Shiki still have a lot to learn."

Pirate King Roger: "See? What did I say? Lucas has too much power to let himself become a pawn for the Celestial Dragons."

Lucas: "That’s right. Sengoku and the others have been talking to me a lot lately, and I think my sudden increase in strength has caused some misunderstandings."

Whitebeard: "Misunderstandings?"

Lucas: "Yes. When I first joined the Marine, I hadn’t yet obtained the abilities I have now. Back then, I was just an average recruit. But after suddenly displaying this overwhelming strength, it’s natural for them to be suspicious."

Chapter 24: Well... No Rush, No Rush!

Pirate King Roger: "What do you mean?"
Golden Lion Shiki: "Same question!"
Whitebeard: "I want to know that, too."
Lucas: "…"

Lucas was speechless. After all, these were the three legends of the last era. Couldn’t they have just a little more brains?

Then again, when he thought about it carefully, none of these three were particularly known for their intelligence. It was doubtful they’d even read a book for more than a few days in their lives.

Honestly, expecting these guys—who likely never even experienced nine years of compulsory education—to have high IQs was a bit much.

Lucas sighed. "Look, based on what they’ve been telling me these past few days, don’t you get it?"

Pirate King Roger scratched his head. "What they’ve said to you these days… Let me think. Oh, Sengoku kept emphasizing how there’s a difference between the Marine and the World Government, and that the actions of the World Government don’t always represent the Marine, right?"

Golden Lion Shiki lit up. "I remember now! Sengoku also said that both the World Government and the Marine have their dark sides, and that no large organization is perfect. He seemed to think Lucas’s earlier mediocrity was because he’d seen the darkness within the Marine and the World Government. Is that it?"

Whitebeard nodded thoughtfully. "So he believes that Lucas deliberately concealed his strength, joined the Marine, and played the long game to assess them?"

Lucas gave a small, sarcastic clap. "Congratulations, you’ve got it. But here’s the twist—I understand the World Government and the Marine far better than they ever could. No one understands them better than me."

Golden Lion Shiki smirked. "Oh? From the way you’re talking, it sounds like you know some secrets about the World Government and the Marine that we don’t."

Lucas grinned. "Of course! Do you think I, as the group leader, am a fraud? I know plenty! So don’t worry—there’s no way I’d ever sincerely join the Marine."

Whitebeard narrowed his eyes. "Really? Then explain why you’ve been chatting so intimately with that young Marine girl, Ain, these past few days. Don’t tell me you’re falling for some honey trap set by that old man Zephyr."

Lucas looked offended. "What do you mean by a honey trap? Ain is clearly drawn to my charismatic personality. What does Zephyr have to do with that?"

Whitebeard stared at him, speechless.

Shiki laughed. "You sure are full of yourself! But have you thought about how to deal with her when you eventually betray the Marine? Don’t let your soft heart make you hesitate when this girl starts crying."

Lucas waved him off. "No need to worry about that. I’ve already thought it through. Trust me, Ain won’t stop me from leaving the Marine. In fact, she might even leave with me."

Roger raised an eyebrow. "Are you that sure? It’s not that I doubt your charm, but this girl seems to have a strong sense of loyalty to the Marine."

Lucas smirked. "Exactly. Ain does have a strong sense of belonging to the Marine. Even with all my charm, it’d be hard to convince her to leave outright. But… if the Marine does something to hurt her deeply, that’d change everything."

Shiki’s grin widened. "Oho! I smell a big story coming..."

Roger nodded. "Same here. Spill it!"

Whitebeard leaned forward. "What are you planning?"

Lucas leaned back and crossed his arms. "How about this—I’ll make a bet with you. Zephyr will lead a rebellion against the Marine."

Roger burst out laughing. "You’ve got to be joking! Zephyr joined the Marine as a teenager and dedicated his entire life to it. There’s no way he’d betray them."

Shiki added, "Exactly! That old guy Zephyr may not be as strong as Garp or Sengoku, but he’s steadfast in his beliefs. Betrayal isn’t in his nature."

Whitebeard shook his head. "I agree. Zephyr’s wife and children were killed by pirates, yet he didn’t blame the Marine for failing to protect them. His loyalty to the Marine is unshakable."

The three legendary pirates were unanimous—Zephyr would never betray the Marine.

Lucas chuckled darkly. "You’re all wrong. Zephyr will definitely betray the Marine. Just wait. The actions of the World Government will eventually push him over the edge!"

Whitebeard crossed his arms. "Fine. We’ll see. But while we’re on the subject, when are you planning to step in and protect my sons, you bastard? It’s been over a year since the Battle of Marineford, and I’m worried Teach is about to make his move."

Lucas waved dismissively. "Well… no rush, no rush! I’d say it’s only a matter of two more days before Zephyr defects and Blackbeard makes his move against the Whitebeard Pirates. Just wait a little longer."

Whitebeard slammed a fist on the table. "Damn it! Of course you’re not worried—he’s not your son. Haven’t you been reading the news these past few days? Blackbeard has already absorbed most of the territory I left behind. With nothing holding him back, it’s only a matter of time before he comes for my sons."

Whitebeard’s worries were valid.

Blackbeard Teach, a traitor to the Whitebeard Pirates, had always been a thorn that needed to be dealt with.

Not only that, but the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates held many valuable Devil Fruit abilities.

For Blackbeard, whether it was settling old grudges or acquiring more power, the Whitebeard Pirates were an inevitable target.

Chapter 25: Golden Lion, You Lose!

Lucas: "Your worry is reasonable, but my strength is my weakness. I can't just throw my life away to save your son, right?"

Whitebeard: "Damn it! That’s not what you said when you accepted my red envelope."

Lucas: "It’s true that I accepted your red envelope, but I also accepted Roger’s! If I end up dying to Blackbeard while saving your son, then who will fulfil Roger wish?"

Whitebeard: "..."

Lucas continued, "And what about Fisher Tiger? If I die, who will protect Fishman Island for him?"

Whitebeard sighed in exasperation. "You’re really something else. I don’t even know how to argue with you."

Lucas grinned. "If you’re that dissatisfied, I can always return the red envelope to you."

Of course, this was just talk.

The red envelope Whitebeard had given Lucas was meaningless to the old pirate himself. Even if his sons were in trouble, Whitebeard would never take it back. In fact, he’d probably offer even more help to Lucas, ensuring he had the means to take revenge should anything happen.

Whitebeard: "No need for that. Just hurry up and get stronger! @Golden Lion Shiki, how about giving Lucas the ability of the Float-Float Fruit?"

Golden Lion Shiki: "Hahaha! If you ask nicely, maybe I’ll consider it."

Whitebeard: "Please."

Fire Fist Ace: "Dad..."

Lucas: "Golden Lion Shiki, remember our bet? If Black Arm Zephyr really defects, you agreed to give me the Float-Float Fruit’s power."

Golden Lion Shiki laughed. "No problem! But on one condition—you have to use the Float-Float Fruit to cause some serious chaos here."

Lucas smirked. "Deal."

Shiki nodded. "Then it’s settled. Whitebeard, don’t think this has anything to do with you. Don’t take it for granted."

Shiki’s arrogance was undeniable.

Boom!

Just then, a deafening explosion rang out from the Marine Headquarters building in the distance, followed by a furious roar that unmistakably belonged to Black Arm Zephyr.

"Sengoku, are you serious?! You want HIM, the man who has slaughtered countless Marines, to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea? Are you kidding me?!"

Zephyr’s voice carried across the entire headquarters. Though he hadn’t intentionally raised his volume, his sheer rage amplified it. After all, he had already made quite a scene earlier, and now, every Marine with Observation Haki was straining to listen in.

Meanwhile, in the chat group—

Lucas: "Tsk, tsk. Zephyr’s defection happened even faster than I expected. Golden Lion, you lose."

Golden Lion Shiki: "Meh, a loss is a loss. No big deal. @Whitebeard, did you hear that just now? The reason Zephyr’s pissed—it’s incredible!"

Pirate King Roger: "I heard it loud and clear. So the World Government is appointing some pirate nicknamed ‘Whitebeard Jr.’ as a Warlord… Seriously? Another Warlord? Have they learned nothing? That position has already caused them enough headaches."

Lucas: "They don’t have much of a choice. At this point, the World Government still needs the Seven Warlords to maintain the delicate balance of power."

Fisher Tiger: "Who is this ‘Whitebeard Jr.’?"

Golden Lion Shiki: "Yeah, I’m curious too. Why is Zephyr so enraged? Lucas, you mentioned he might defect because of this. Care to explain?"

Lucas: "Whitebeard Jr.—Edward Weevil. A pirate with monstrous strength. He’s the one who chopped off Zephyr’s arm."

Pirate King Roger: "Wait, so Zephyr’s anger is just personal vengeance? That doesn’t sound right. That man isn’t the type to throw away his career over something like that."

Roger knew Zephyr well enough. He wasn’t the kind of person who’d turn his back on the Marine for personal reasons. There had to be more to it.

Lucas: "You’re right! Zephyr doesn’t hate Whitebeard Jr. just because he cut off his arm. It’s because, when he did, he also slaughtered Zephyr’s students—the ones he had trained for years. Only two of them survived."

Whitebeard: "So you’re saying Zephyr’s rage is because of his students?"

Lucas: "Exactly! After stepping down as an admiral, Zephyr dedicated himself to training the next generation of Marines. His feelings toward his students are much like yours toward your sons, Whitebeard."

Lucas: "Then, during a training mission, his recruits were wiped out—except for two survivors. Now the World Government wants to form an alliance with the man responsible for their deaths. Imagine how that must feel."

Whitebeard: "...I understand."

It was the equivalent of someone slaughtering Whitebeard’s sons, only for the World Government to turn around and shake hands with the killer. If Whitebeard were in Zephyr’s shoes, he would have already started a war. No questions asked.

Golden Lion Shiki: "Dedicating his entire life to the Marine, only to be treated like this… If Zephyr hadn’t defected, I would’ve looked down on him!"

Though Shiki didn’t fully grasp Zephyr’s devotion to his students, he at least respected his decision to leave the Marine. If the World Government had treated him like a disposable pawn after decades of service, then defecting was the only dignified course of action.

Pirate King Roger: "Yet another reason why being a pirate is the smarter choice. The sooner we wipe out the World Government, the better."

Chapter 26: Only Akainu Fights Hard!

Pirate King Roger: "I have a question—who is this Whitebeard Jr.? Judging by the name, he seems related to Whitebeard!"

Golden Lion Shiki: "Hmm~ Just from the name, it sounds like he’s Whitebeard’s son."

Whitebeard: "Don’t talk nonsense. My sons are all in the Whitebeard Pirates!"

Fire Fist Ace: "The name doesn’t mean anything. There are plenty of pirates who try to ride on the fame of their predecessors. I’ve heard of Tea Beard, Red Beard, No Beard… There are more than a dozen of them."

Pirate King Roger: "Is that really a thing?"

Whitebeard: "Yes, and not just me. Kaido has the title of the Beast, so there are pirates calling themselves Red Beasts, Fierce Beasts, Demon Beasts, and War Beasts roaming the seas. Lingling is known as Big Mom, and now you have pirates nicknamed Stepmom, Foster Mom, and even Biological Mom. The year Red-Haired Shanks became one of the Four Emperors, suddenly, a bunch of black-haired, purple-haired, and blue-haired pirates showed up…"

Pirate King Roger: "Young people these days really know how to have fun!"

Golden Lion Shiki: "What did I say? Pirates nowadays are just a bunch of fanboys drifting aimlessly at sea, doing shameless things like using famous nicknames for clout. And it’s all your fault, Roger!"

Pirate King Roger: "Hey, I’m already dead!"

Golden Lion Shiki: "Doesn’t change the fact that you polluted the pirate world! Even if you died ten thousand times, you couldn’t atone for it."

Lucas: "@Whitebeard, you really don’t know Whitebeard Jr.? I thought he had some connection to you."

Golden Lion Shiki: "Yoho~ Look at his expression! He’s starting to realize something’s off."

Whitebeard: "Lucas, what are you implying?"

Lucas: "Whitebeard Jr. looks a lot like you—same burly build, same white beard [in Japan they refer moustache as beard], and terrifying strength comparable to your younger days. Even his weapon, the naginata, is nearly identical."

Whitebeard: "That doesn’t prove anything. Maybe it’s just a coincidence."

Pirate King Roger: "How many coincidences can there be? Whitebeard, a man should take responsibility! If he looks just like you and wields the same weapon, how can you still deny it?"

Whitebeard: "Pah! Just because someone has a white beard doesn’t mean they’re my child! Ace is your biological son, yet he doesn’t have disgusting nose hair like you! If you didn’t know better, you’d mistake it for a beard!"

Pirate King Roger: "…"

I am offended!

Golden Lion Shiki: "Damn, Whitebeard, you really went for a personal attack! Shameless!"

Golden Lion Shiki spoke in righteous indignation, which almost moved Roger.

Golden Lion Shiki: "It’s fine if you attack him personally, but at least make sense! How is Roger supposed to keep his dignity now?"

Pirate King Roger: "…"

Unbelievable.

I should have known better than to expect reason from Golden Lion Shiki!

Lucas: "Whitebeard Jr. isn’t just some random imitator. Aside from his resemblance to you, he’s also accompanied by a woman."

Pirate King Roger: "A woman? Is she important?"

Lucas: "Of course! She claims to be Whitebeard Jr.’s mother—the woman Whitebeard once loved deeply."

Pirate King Roger: "Yoho~ Exciting! @Whitebeard, you never told us you had such a romantic past! Come on, don’t be shy. We won’t judge."

Whitebeard: "No!"

Lucas: "Her name is Buckingham Stussy. It’s said she was once a close companion of Whitebeard."

Golden Lion Shiki: "Stussy? I remember her! She was in the Rocks Pirates. Whitebeard, I never expected you to hook up with her."

Whitebeard: "Nonsense! True pirates don’t do love, and I have no feelings for Stussy."

Golden Lion Shiki: "Hehe! Just because you didn’t have feelings for her doesn’t mean she didn’t have feelings for you! I remember she was a ship’s doctor. Maybe, when she was treating you, she slipped you something… and, well, did something unspeakable to you…"

Shiki grinned mischievously, enjoying Whitebeard’s growing irritation.

Whitebeard: "@Golden Lion Shiki, you know what? The one thing I regret most is not capturing you and sinking you into the sea when you came looking for me."

Fire Fist Ace: "I can vouch that Dad has nothing to do with Whitebeard Jr. or Stussy. Otherwise, why didn’t they seek him out before?"

Pirate King Roger: "That’s a good point. If Whitebeard Jr. had shown up during Marineford to help the Whitebeard Pirates, would the war have ended differently?"

Lucas: "You’re overthinking things. The Marine is the true overlord of the sea. No single Four Emperors crew can contend with them. It would take all Four Emperors joining forces to stand a chance. Whitebeard Jr. alone wouldn’t have changed the outcome."

Fire Fist Ace: "It would take all Four Emperors to challenge the Marine? Is the Marine really that strong?"

Lucas: "What do you think? During Marineford, most of the Marine wasn’t even going all out. If it weren’t for Garp’s intervention, Straw Hat Luffy would’ve been dead long ago. Do you think he was truly qualified to be there?"

Fire Fist Ace: "…"

Ace found that difficult to accept.

Fire Fist Ace: "Dad, is what he’s saying true?"

Whitebeard laughed. "Gurarara! Yes, it’s true. Don’t underestimate the Marine. Any one of their admirals is strong enough to match a Yonko. During Marineford, only Akainu was truly fighting seriously."

Chapter 27: The Meaning of Pirates' Existence

Golden Lion Shiki: "The quarrel between Sengoku and Zephyr is getting more and more intense. @Lucas, it's your turn!"

Lucas: "Give me the power of the Float-Float Fruit!"

"Ding! Golden Lion Shiki sent an exclusive red envelope [Float-Float Fruit - Top Level] to group leader Lucas."

Lucas: "Received. Thank you for the reward, Golden Lion Shiki. Now, let's see how I teach these fools a lesson!"

Lucas chuckled and used his ability, soon arriving at the office of Fleet Admiral Sengoku. Gathered there were high-ranking marine officials, including Garp, Sengoku, Zephyr, Akainu, Aokiji, Kizaru, and Tsuru.

Sengoku frowned as he saw Lucas appear and waved his hand dismissively. "Lucas, why are you here? Get out. This is not something you should be involved in."

Staff Officer Tsuru smiled and added, "You're not in a position to participate in discussions of this level."

They all knew Lucas probably had a bad impression of both the Marine and the World Government. And right now, they were about to discuss the very darkness within those institutions.

Lucas merely smirked. "Really? From what I just overheard, you’re not making any grand decisions—you’re just trying to persuade Zephyr, aren’t you?"

Zephyr looked at Lucas and sighed. "You heard everything?"

Lucas grinned. "Of course I did. The World Government intends to recruit Whitebeard Jr. as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and they're willing to offend you to make it happen. Even though he's a pirate who has caused you great harm."

Sengoku frowned. "It’s not as simple as you think. Recruiting Whitebeard Jr. is just a temporary measure. Not only him, but even the entire Warlord system is temporary."

Sengoku turned to Zephyr with a solemn expression. "Zephyr, I know this wounds you deeply, but please endure it for now. In two years at most, Whitebeard Jr. and the rest of the Warlords will be stripped of their status. When the time comes, I will personally help you take him down."

Zephyr’s expression remained cold. "No need. If the Marine's idea of justice involves compromising with pirates, then such justice is not worth upholding."

Though Zephyr could intellectually understand Sengoku’s reasoning, he couldn’t accept it emotionally. If Whitebeard Jr. became a Warlord, what would his decades of dedication to the Marine mean? What about the countless Marines who had sacrificed their lives?

This decision by the World Government felt like an outright insult, trampling on everything Zephyr and his fallen comrades had stood for.

Akainu frowned. "Teacher Zephyr, can’t you just be patient? If we wait two years, we’ll have the power to wipe out all the pirates on the sea."

Lucas burst into laughter. "Wipe out all pirates? Don't make me laugh!"

Akainu’s eyes gleamed red with fury as he glared at Lucas. "What do you mean by that?"

Lucas sneered. "I've only been in the Marine for a few days, but even I understand that eliminating pirates is a terrifying notion. In fact, it would be disastrous for the Marine. Do you seriously believe you can rid the world of pirates?"

Akainu’s eyes narrowed. "What are you implying? Speak clearly."

Lucas spread his arms, glanced around at everyone present, and smirked. "Let me ask you all—what do you think pirates are to the World Government?"

Everyone frowned, remaining silent.

Lucas answered his own question. "They are a tool. A tool to intimidate countries, a tool to justify the Marine’s existence, and a tool to control the world. Do you understand now?"

"Countries that join the World Government are required to pay a massive tribute—the Heavenly Tribute. But why are so many nations willing to pay? Because of pirates."

"If a country refuses to join the World Government, the Marine won’t protect them. Without that protection, pirates will ravage their lands. So, even though the tribute is exorbitant, they have no choice but to pay."

"And despite all the corruption, why do so many righteous Marines still defend the World Government?"

"Because of pirates! If the World Government collapses, pirates will run rampant, and the world will plunge into even greater suffering. So, the righteous Marines are forced to uphold a rotten system in order to prevent even greater chaos."

"But what happens if pirates disappear?"

"Without the pirate threat, even the nations under the World Government’s rule would refuse to keep paying the Heavenly Tribute."

"Without pirates causing chaos, would those same righteous Marines still be willing to serve the corrupt World Government? Or would they finally turn their blades against the Celestial Dragons?"

"The truth is simple: for the World Government, pirates can never be completely eradicated. That’s why, even after 800 years, the Marine has never succeeded in wiping them out."

Lucas leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with certainty. "But if the day ever comes when the World Government truly intends to eliminate all pirates, it can only mean one thing…"

"The World Government no longer needs them as a tool."

Chapter 28: Talking Nonsense and Shaking the Morale of the Marine!

Lucas wore a mocking expression as he spoke. "I heard that the World Government have Vegapunk, the man whose intellect is said to be 500 years ahead of the world. He's the one who invented the Pacifistas, right?"

"These Pacifistas can eliminate pirates with bounties exceeding 100 million. Their power is enough to replace all combat forces below the rank of Vice Admiral in the Marine."

"And from what I've heard, Vegapunk is still researching even more advanced weapons to replace the Shichibukai. If he succeeds, will these new weapons surpass even the elite Vice Admirals?"

"Give him a few more years, and who knows? Maybe he’ll create robots powerful enough to replace the Admirals. By then, will the Marine even have a purpose anymore?"

"You all know that the Marine's ideology of justice often contradicts that of the World Government. In many cases, the Marine only pretends to obey while actually resisting in secret. But if the World Government ever gains the ability to replace the Marine, do you think they will continue tolerating you? No, they'll eliminate you just like they do pirates!"

"The reason the World Government has tolerated pirates until now is because they serve as a tool to control the world. But what if they no longer need that tool?"

"With Vegapunk’s advancements, the World Government won’t just eradicate pirates—they'll also wipe out rebels and any Marine members who refuse to be their lapdogs."

Lucas’s voice rang with confidence as he laid out his analysis of the future.

Of course, expecting this group of people—many of whom had never received a structured education—to fully understand was a stretch. Even back on earth in Lucas’s previous life, only a handful of schools dared to include such 'dragon-slaying techniques' in their curriculum. Most nations wouldn’t dream of teaching these perspectives openly.

His words didn’t just leave Sengoku and the others stunned; they also sparked a heated discussion in the chat group.

Golden Lion Shiki: "Damn it! Lucas, are you serious?!"

Lucas: "Of course I am!"

Whitebeard: "If this is true, then the World Government is far more terrifying than we ever imagined."

Pirate King Roger: "I always knew they were despicable, but now I finally understand why they're so dangerous."

Fisher Tiger: "If they’ll have the power to replace the Seven Warlords of the Sea in just years, how can we hope to resist them? Is there even a way to fight back?"

Lucas: "Fisher Tiger, don’t underestimate me! One day, I’ll destroy the World Government."

Lucas wasn’t just boasting—he truly had the power to make it happen.

There were countless powerful beings across different worlds. If he could call upon a single formidable dead strongman, he could shake the very foundation of this world.

"Impossible!"

A low growl interrupted the conversation. Lucas turned his gaze toward Akainu, whose eyes were bloodshot with fury.

"You're spewing lies! You're shaking the morale of the marine!"

Akainu’s rage boiled over. "The Marine doesn’t need soldiers who are corrupt and weak-willed. Die!"

Without hesitation, his right arm morphed into molten lava, and he launched a devastating punch at Lucas. The sheer force of the attack sent shockwaves through the air, making the faces of the surrounding Marines pale.

Akainu was serious!

"How stubborn." Lucas sighed, raising his hand to meet the attack.

His advanced Armament Haki formed an invisible barrier, blocking Akainu’s magma-infused fist effortlessly.

"My turn."

Lucas was never one to take a hit without responding. Since Akainu dared to attack him, he had to be prepared for retaliation.

Clenching his right fist, a white halo of energy formed around it—the unmistakable power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit.

"This is…"

"Whitebeard’s…"

"The ability of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit?!"

Shock spread through the crowd as they recognized the telltale glow. None of them were unfamiliar with this power.

Boom!

Lucas’s fist, infused with both the Tremor-Tremor Fruit and advanced Armament Haki, struck Akainu head-on, sending him flying.

The force was overwhelming. The very foundations of Marineford trembled, and the Marine Headquarters building suffered massive destruction from the shockwave alone.

"Damn it!"

"Lucas, what the hell?!"

"How do you have the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit?!"

"Why have you never shown this ability before?!"

Sengoku's voice rang out in shock as he stared at Lucas, demanding an explanation.

Lucas glanced at his hand, still glowing with power, and smirked. "Oh, this? It was a gift from the dead."

Garp frowned. "Whitebeard’s Tremor-Tremor Fruit should have been taken by Blackbeard. How in the world do you possess it?"

Lucas chuckled. "Do you really think I’m going to tell you?"

Akainu, battered but still standing, roared, "Then we have no choice but to capture you and force the truth out!"

The tension in the air thickened as powerful Marine officers moved in, surrounding Lucas.

Lucas sighed. He had known from the start that these were all men of strong conviction—convincing them with mere words was impossible.

Still, it wasn’t all in vain. At the very least, one person had been completely shaken by his words.

Zephyr.

And that was enough… for now.

Chapter 29: Do You Think You Are Gandalf?

"What's going on?" "Why did the Marine Headquarters building collapse again? It was just repaired this year, and now it’s been destroyed for the second time!"

"I just heard Mr. Zephyr and Fleet Admiral Sengoku arguing. Could it be that they lost their tempers and started fighting?"

"No, look over there!"

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Mr. Garp, the three Admirals... Who are they surrounding?"

"That new recruit who's been making a name for himself—Lucas!"

"The one who can go head-to-head with Mr. Garp? He’s so young! But why is he surrounded like that?"

"Maybe I’m misunderstanding something..."

...

Lucas ignored the murmurs around him. Keeping his expression calm, he looked at Garp and the others with a faint smile.

"What’s this about? I merely shared my thoughts, yet Akainu attacked me first, forcing me to fight back. Now, are you planning to throw me in impel down?"

Sengoku snorted. "Don’t try to change the subject. You know very well why we’re targeting you. It’s because of your Devil Fruit ability. Why did you hide the fact that you’re the user of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit?"

Lucas shrugged nonchalantly. "Hide? As a Marine, am I not allowed to have my own secrets?"

Akainu’s voice was icy. "Enough talk. Take him down!"

Without hesitation, he lunged forward, his body turning into molten magma. A gigantic fist of lava hurtled toward Lucas.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

A deafening roar erupted as the ground between Lucas and Akainu trembled violently. Suddenly, an earthen wall shot up, separating them.

Snort!

Akainu sneered. Did Lucas really think a simple mud wall could block his lava? Ridiculous.

His Magma-Magma Fruit allowed him to turn the ground into molten fire in an instant, turning the battlefield into his domain.

Boom!

His magma-infused fist slammed into the wall, melting it within seconds.

But before he could launch another strike, the very ground beneath him rebelled—rising up and tossing him off balance.

"Damn it!" Akainu roared, looking momentarily disheveled.

Whoosh!

A golden light flickered behind Lucas, forming into tiny shimmering particles.

"Speed is weight!"

"Young man, have you ever been kicked by the speed of light?"

Kizaru’s voice rang out in a lazy, mocking tone as his leg, glowing with a golden flash, swung toward Lucas.

Boom!

Lucas raised his hand, his Armament Haki forming an invisible barrier that absorbed Kizaru’s kick.

"Troublesome guy!" Lucas muttered.

He retaliated immediately, his punch reinforced with both Armament Haki and the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit. The impact forced Kizaru to retreat several steps.

"Ice Age!"

Aokiji slammed his hands to the ground, sending waves of ice surging toward Lucas in an attempt to freeze him solid.

Meanwhile, golden light shimmered across Sengoku’s body—he was ready to transform into his massive Buddha form at any moment.

Garp and Zephyr, however, remained still, observing the situation without making a move.

Lucas chuckled, glancing around. "Tsk, tsk, tsk! Quite the lineup! Even Whitebeard didn’t receive this level of attention!"

His voice hardened as he declared, "But no matter how many of you there are, you can’t stop me if I want to leave."

With that, Lucas stomped the ground. A white halo burst outward, sending tremors rippling through the battlefield. The vibrations shattered Aokiji’s ice instantly.

Then, he reached out and grasped the air itself—pulling as if tugging at the fabric of reality.

Suddenly, the entire world began to shake, tremble, and shift.

The Tremor-Tremor Fruit had awakened!

Before awakening, its power was limited to the user’s direct attacks—striking the air to create earthquakes, seaquakes, and airquakes.

But after awakening, merely pulling at the atmosphere could cause the sky, land, and sea to convulse, creating a nightmarish scene of shifting continents and tilting oceans.

"Traitor!" Akainu bellowed, launching himself toward Lucas. His magma-coated fist, enhanced with Armament Haki, was devastatingly powerful—capable of trading blows with Whitebeard himself.

But Lucas had no intention of facing him directly.

With a thought, he activated the awakened power of the Float-Float Fruit. The ground beneath their feet rose into the air, forming torrents of mud that blotted out the sky.

At the same time, the battlefield tilted.

Akainu, who had been mid-charge, suddenly lost his footing. His momentum faltered, and his attack was thrown off course.

Never underestimate unstable footing!

Even Big Mom had struggled to fight properly on a tilted battlefield. Compared to her, Akainu was no different.

Lucas smirked to himself. "Golden Lion, what a waste of power!"

"The Float-Float Fruit is terrifying!"

"Standing on land, you become a god of the earth. Standing on the sea, you wield the power of the ocean itself."

"And yet, you wasted this gift on close combat... What did you think you were, Gandalf?"

With that, Lucas unleashed the full power of the Float-Float Fruit.

The once-solid ground of Marineford collapsed, replaced by rivers of swirling mud that shot into the sky like massive pillars.

Sharp, spiraling earth formations—reinforced with Armament Haki—pierced through the battlefield, forcing even seasoned Moon Step users like Kizaru and Aokiji into evasive maneuvers.

Chapter 30: Want to Stop Me? God

In the chat group.

Whitebeard: "Damn! Can the ability of the Float-Float Fruit be used like this?"

Lucas: "This is the correct way to use the Float-Float Fruit. The ability to control whatever you touch is really overpowered."

Pirate King Roger: "Shiki has never used the Float-Float Fruit like this. He always manipulates mud or debris to form those ridiculous lion constructs to attack others."

Whitebeard: "Those lions? Other than looking a little impressive, they’re completely useless. I can crush them with a single punch. That’s why the Golden Lion usually fights us with swordsmanship instead."

Lucas: "So you’re lucky. The Golden Lion never used the Float-Float Fruit’s real potential. If he had controlled the sea itself, who at sea could have been his equal?"

Golden Lion Shiki: "..."

Damn it!

That actually makes sense. Why didn't I ever think of that before?

If I had used the Float-Float Fruit’s power to control seawater, wouldn’t I have been just like that bastard Whitebeard—able to summon tsunamis at will?

Heartbreaking!

"Mr. Zephyr, do you want to leave with me?"

The chaotic mudslide, which had been surging like an uncontrollable force of nature, suddenly parted, retreating in front of Lucas as if it recognized its master’s command. A clear pathway emerged, leading directly to Zephyr, who stood motionless in the eye of the storm.

Zephyr remained still, his expression unreadable. The raging mud sprayed violently around him, yet it never touched him, almost as if an invisible barrier shielded him from harm. He gazed at Lucas with deep, contemplative eyes before finally speaking.

"Whitebeard’s Tremor-Tremor Fruit, Golden Lion’s Float-Float Fruit... I must say, I’m very curious. What other abilities do you possess?"

Lucas chuckled. "If you agree to leave with me, I’ll show you all my abilities one by one."

Zephyr studied him for a moment before asking, "Why do you want to take me away?"

Lucas considered his words before answering honestly, "You’ve always looked out for me. And I need a sparring partner. Besides... don’t you plan to leave the Marine?"

Zephyr fell silent, as if weighing the weight of Lucas’s words. After a moment, he slowly shook his head. "Even if I wanted to leave the Marine, I couldn’t leave with you."

Lucas sighed, a trace of disappointment in his expression. "I understand. Then, if fate wills it, we’ll meet again."

As his words fell, a dazzling golden light suddenly erupted from below, dispersing the mudslides in an instant. A towering figure bathed in radiant gold now stood before them—the formidable form of the Golden Buddha.

"Ice Age!"

A deep, commanding voice rang out, and in the next instant, an overwhelming wave of frost spread across the battlefield. Thick ice, more than two meters deep, coated the ground, instantly sealing away the mud and stopping its destructive rampage.

Lucas sighed, shaking his head. "Still not giving up, huh?"

His gaze swept over the battlefield, landing on Sengoku and Aokiji, who had stepped forward with unwavering determination.

Reaching out, Lucas lightly tapped the ice beside him. A chorus of crackling sounds echoed as the ice began to writhe unnaturally. Within moments, translucent ice lions emerged, their ferocious forms looming ominously in the frozen landscape.

"Lava, ice, light... what a coincidence that all three Marine admirals wield Logia-type Devil Fruits. Unfortunately for you, I can control everything you create."

His words sent a wave of unease through the Marine ranks. The implications were clear—if a battle truly erupted, the entire island of Marineford might not survive.

"If we fight, I don’t know whether I’ll be able to leave or not," Lucas admitted with a smirk. "But I do know that Marineford will be completely destroyed. Are you sure you want to continue this?"

The ice next to him shifted again, forming into the hilt of a blade. Lucas grasped it, pulling out a sword made entirely of shimmering ice.

Aokiji’s expression darkened. He could feel it—Lucas’s control over ice was superior to his own. Even though Lucas couldn't generate ice like the Ice-Ice Fruit allowed, his mastery over existing ice was terrifying.

Sengoku’s face tensed, his eyes flickering with complex emotions.

Akainu, his body swirling with molten magma, growled coldly, "You’re delusional if you think the Marine will ever compromise with a pirate!"

Lucas shifted his gaze to Akainu, his smirk widening. "If the Marine had people who knew how to talk properly, maybe I wouldn’t have left. But it’s thanks to lapdogs like you—blindly loyal to the World Government—that I can’t trust the Marine. That’s why I hid my abilities from you all."

His words struck like a hammer, causing a momentary silence.

Sengoku and the other high-ranking officers turned toward Akainu with an unreadable look. If what Lucas said was true, then Akainu had just unwittingly become responsible for driving away one of the strongest potential forces in the Marine’s history.

"Nonsense!" Akainu snapped, his anger flaring.

Lucas, however, had no interest in continuing the verbal sparring. With a sneer, he soared into the sky, the power of the Float-Float Fruit carrying him upward at an alarming speed.

"Borusalino!" Akainu barked urgently. "Don’t let him escape!"

"You sure like ordering people around," Kizaru muttered with an exaggerated sigh. Still, he obeyed, his body transforming into golden light as he shot toward the sky, aiming to intercept Lucas.

Among the present Marines, many were capable of using Moon Walk to take to the air, but none of them could fight effectively midair. Against Lucas, whose Float-Float Fruit granted him complete aerial superiority, they would be at a severe disadvantage. Thus, the only one who could pursue him was Kizaru, whose speed and flight capabilities gave him a fighting chance.

Lucas watched as the light-speed admiral shot toward him, a playful smile curving his lips.

"Want to stop me? Divine Departure!"

As Kizaru closed the distance, Lucas’s grip tightened on his icy sword. His armament Haki surged, coating the blade in a darkened aura of pure lethality. With a swift yet unpredictable slash, he executed a technique so precise, so elusive, that Kizaru found himself unable to evade it.

A devastating flying slash, infused with Haki, tore through the air, striking Kizaru squarely before he could react.