Chapter 60 The Turbulent Waves Unleashed by the Players
"What did you say?"
Crane stared in disbelief at the female soldier from the intelligence department in front of her. She stood up, her voice trembling with shock.
Say it again.
"Whitebeard..." The female soldier also had a shocked expression, her mind unable to process it. She mechanically repeated what He had just said when she heard He's voice.
"Whitebeard, was photographed, looks younger."
Having just finished an outing, Gion and Tsuru, who were discussing the recent changes in Marineford, looked at each other in bewilderment.
In the conference room at Naval Headquarters.
Sengoku, Garp, Tsuru, along with Borsalino, Akainu, Aokiji, and other mid- to high-ranking Navy officers, all sat in the conference room with serious expressions.
Sengoku: "Have you informed Zefa?"
Two weeks ago, Zephyr took the new recruits who were about to graduate from the naval academy to the New World for training, and also took the opportunity to bring some newly formed islands in the New World with unclear ownership after the earthquake under the naval sphere of influence.
But now, the explosive news gathered by the intelligence department has greatly challenged the safety of Zephyr and the students he led.
Sengoku: "There's no need for him to gather any information. Just take the fleet and the new recruits to the nearest naval base as soon as possible."
Behind Sengoku was a photograph that occupied almost an entire wall—a tall man wearing a snow-white cloak and holding a naginata stood at the bow of the huge Moby Dick ship, looking up as if he had discovered the paparazzi, staring blankly at the people outside the frame.
That gaze was calm, composed, and impassive, yet it was like a sharp blade tearing through the air, freezing the blood of anyone who saw those golden eyes.
According to the intelligence department, Whitebeard did not attack the camera in the distance, but the Navy, who was remotely controlling the camera and staring at it without any precautions, still failed to take a second, closer photo. Under immense pressure, he hurriedly fled the scene.
Crane's expression was somewhat unfocused; in that instant, she was thinking about many things.
She recalled the time when she first joined the Navy, when Rocks was the one who single-handedly dominated his contemporaries at sea.
Later, Rocks died in God Valley, and his body fell into the deep sea and was never seen again. Just when everyone thought that the situation on the sea would finally be calm for a while, Roger arrived at the final island and became the undisputed Pirate King.
Roger then surrendered and died on the execution platform. Edward Newgate, Charlotte Linlin, and Kaido, who had previously broken away from the Rocks Pirates, rose to fame, divided the New World, and earned the titles of Emperors of the Sea.
The same applies to the Navy. After Rocks' death, the Air Admiral stepped down, and a new generation of Navy, including Sengoku, Zephyr, Tsuru, and Garp, took center stage. Behind them were Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan, who had already demonstrated their extraordinary strength.
If you were to overlay the rise and fall of pirates and the navy onto a single image, a startling fact would be revealed—the development of the navy and pirates was synchronized to a chilling degree.
If the creator of this world doesn't have a strange, perverse sense of humor, then there's only one reason for this behavior.
There is a force deliberately guiding all of this, for the sake of balance, or rather, to make the navy and pirates wear each other down.
The crane raised its head and looked at its old friend and rival in the photo.
How many people in this world are hoping for the fall of this "strongest man" and the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the ocean?
Even Charlotte Linlin and Kaido, who shared a ship with Newgate, were probably looking forward to the day when old age and disease would bring this invincible uncrowned king down from his pedestal, when he would end an old era with his death, and when the emperor would fall, and the long-balanced sea would once again be stirred up.
But now, everyone's "plans" have been disrupted, and Whitebeard has returned to his prime, when he was at his strongest.
That was by no means a smokescreen; with Whitebeard's pride, he would disdain using such deceptive methods to mislead others.
Sengoku: "A-He, has the intelligence department compiled any possible reasons?"
Tsuru took a deep breath to bring her scattered thoughts back: "No, the Whitebeard Pirates are quite cautious. Whether it's some kind of fortuitous encounter or the result of a Devil Fruit ability, they keep the real reason very well hidden."
Compared to the pirates' greed for keeping the treasure for themselves, Tsuru's intuition told her that this behavior was more like a form of protection.
"The intelligence department has established a special team to analyze the movements of the Whitebeard Pirates' main ship and all division commanders' ships over the past six months."
"Hmm, Kuzan?" Borsalino looked at his junior with a puzzled expression. "Why are your legs shaking?"
"Oh, yes, is there?"
Kuzan placed his large hands on his knees: "Maybe it's because we're too bored. Whitebeard suddenly becoming younger and all that... it's like a story from a third-rate script."
"Huh?" Borsalino uttered a long, disbelieving sound, "Is it like this?"
Kuzan, whose heart was pounding with Borsalino's voice, felt a cold sweat break out on his back: "That's it, that's it."
"That's terrifying, Kuzan." Borsalino looked surprised, as if he had just met this junior. "I didn't expect you to be so brave, junior, not even putting Whitebeard in your eyes?"
Is that what he meant?!
Kuzan was getting goosebumps from Borsalino's constant "Nip~" and "Eh~", but he had no choice but to brace himself and deal with this unusually perceptive colleague.
“Oh, what I mean is, Whitebeard should be dealt with by Garp or Sengoku, after all, we are only vice admirals.”
“Just a lieutenant general, huh? So you still remember, junior.” Borsalino narrowed his eyes. Kuzan couldn’t tell how much he knew from his always smiling expression. “I thought you’d forgotten about it.”
What, what does that mean?
Kuzan looked at Borsalino with a puzzled expression, but Borsalino had already turned back around. On the surface, he seemed to be listening attentively to Mr. Sengoku and Ms. Tsuru discussing countermeasures, but in reality, he was holding a pen and daydreaming, drawing all sorts of bananas in his notebook.
I don't think we found anything, right?
Whenever Kuzan recalls his earlier speculation, he feels an urge to cover his face and escape reality.
Whitebeard suddenly becoming younger, a new Devil Fruit user appearing on the high seas, unusual movements of the Whitebeard Pirates... No matter how unwilling Kuzan may be to admit it, when these clues are connected, an obvious answer becomes clear.
Vieille.
Kuzan felt like his hair was about to stand on end.
Robin is one, and so is Violet. Is he particularly destined to be associated with "extraordinary little girls"?
I'm so worried, so very worried.
Kuzan had no idea that if it was really Violet who did all this, then who was the real thorn in the side of the World Government: Violet or Robin?
Fortunately, Violet was smart enough, and the Whitebeard Pirates were reliable enough not to reveal her identity directly. Otherwise, given the World Government's track record, Violet's bounty would definitely have increased by a zero, and perhaps even more!
Thanks to his relatively rich experience in helping people hide their identities, Kuzan thought with a wry smile. Thinking back to how flustered he was when he first helped Robin hide her identity, and then looking at his current attitude that even one more little girl wouldn't be a problem, Mr. Garp has really grown a lot.
No problem. Right now, everyone's attention is drawn to Whitebeard. As long as Violet stays quiet and doesn't cause any trouble, the risk of her being exposed is not high!
——
Achoo!
Violet sneezed loudly, and Izang, who was standing behind her helping her choose a hairpin, quickly withdrew his hand so as not to hurt her hair.
"Are you sick? Should we let the nurses take a look?"
Meeting Izang's concerned gaze, Vera shook her head: "It's nothing."
Violet: "Maybe someone is thinking about me."
Yizang shook his head helplessly, took out another hairpin and placed it on Vera's head to compare: "Which do you think is better, this piece of white jade or this piece of coral?"
Looking in the mirror at the hairpins that looked exactly the same to her, making it impossible for her to tell which one was which, Violet felt a pang of heartache.
While new clothes are great, isn't changing them every day a bit too frequent? Violet tried to tell Izou that thrift is a virtue, but he smiled and twirled her with a few words, and by the time she realized what he meant, she had changed into several more outfits that Izou had chosen for her.
Recalling Izan's unforgettable face, gentle words, and irresistible gestures...
What was that saying again? Violet always felt that Izang played with her like he was playing with a dog.
"What are you thinking about? Your expression is strange."
After comparing them, Zang finally decided to use both hairpins, inserting one into Vera's hair and the other into it: "Shouldn't we add some other decorations?"
Vera shifted uncomfortably under her buttocks as if she had a nail in it, but luckily Luo appeared and saved her.
“Vell, Mr. Sachi has compiled a list of all the fruit and vegetable prices. We’ve tallied up the total price of this shipment together.”
Verten leaped from his seat and into the air: "I'm coming!"
Violet rushed too fast and didn't notice the person standing next to the door. She bumped into him with a thud.
"Be careful, be careful."
A thick, dark arm reached out to help Vera up, but Luo caught her by the back first.
Luo looked up at the man. He was wearing a black headscarf, his curly black hair fell loosely behind his head, his skin was dark, and he was wearing a simple beige shirt. He was holding a steaming cherry pie in one hand.
"Oh, sorry I couldn't dodge it. Are you alright?" He then looked at Luo. "Thanks to you. If I had accidentally injured an important guest on the ship, Dad and the captains would definitely be angry, hahaha."
"You're really quick. I haven't seen you before. Are you a new crew member?"
Vera covered her sore nose and straightened up with Luo's support. Luo's attention was completely focused on Vera, and he showed no intention of answering the man's question.
He scratched his head awkwardly.
"Teach!" Izo came out of the room, frowned when he saw the scene outside the door, and asked, "What happened?"
The man called Teach looked around in a panic: "Ah, Captain Izo..."
He crouched down in front of Violet and said, "Come on, put your hand down so I can see it."
Feeling like her nose was about to be flattened, Violet lowered her hand and looked at Izou with teary eyes.
With a serious expression, Izang carefully reached out and pinched Vera's nose, then breathed a sigh of relief.
"It's alright, I should be fine."
"Teach, that was so careless, and what did you do here?"
The man in front of me, with the stereotypical rugged appearance of a pirate, is a member of the Second Division. Given that the Second Division currently does not have a captain, they are currently under the command of Marco and Jozu, and should be waiting for orders on the island occupied by the old man.
Vera sniffed: "It has nothing to do with him, I bumped into him by accident."
"Hahaha, what a beautiful and adorable little girl! No wonder Dad and the captains like you so much!" Teach laughed. "That's how it was supposed to be, but Captain Miu seems to have said he'll be going back to Fishman Island in a few days, so the Eighth Division and the Second Division swapped missions."
Izang frowned: "Watch your words, Titch."
"Sorry, sorry, I'm really not good at talking." Teach scratched his head and handed the remaining half of the cherry pie to Vera. "Would you like some cherry pie? It's Captain Satch's specialty dessert, fresh out of the oven."
The thin pancake, with its crispy, caramelized edges, was topped with a thick layer of deep purple cherries... If it weren't for Teach's teeth marks, it would certainly be quite tempting.
Vera: "...No, thank you."
"Oh, that's a real shame. Only I can enjoy it." Teach, as if afraid that Violet would regret it, quickly finished the cherry pie. "Captain Satch's cherry pie is really delicious. He even prepared an extra one for you. If you don't eat it, Captain Satch will be very sad."
"Of course, I'm just guessing, hahaha!"
Teach said, "I'm here to deliver a message. It seems that Dad has found a clue to... something. Ah, I'm not quite sure. Anyway, it seems that Dad wants Val to go to the captain's cabin to find him."
Luo blinked in confusion as he watched Teach's departing figure. Teach had come specifically to remind the island lord that Mr. Satch had prepared a special cherry pie for her, and that Vera should try it so as not to disappoint Mr. Satch's kindness.
Moreover, even though it wasn't mealtime, Teach managed to get a freshly baked cherry pie, suggesting that Teach and Satchel have a very good relationship.
but……
Luo: "Mr. Izo, isn't this Mr. Teach a squad leader?"
Thanks to Toveel, although Law was young, he had already seen many powerful figures on this sea. In addition, with the doctor's keen sense of human muscles, Law deduced that the man named Teach was definitely not weak.
“Teach, he was Dad’s adopted son a long time ago,” Izo recalled. “In terms of experience and ability, he should be able to be the captain. Marco mentioned it to him, but Teach himself had no such intention.”
"He's probably the kind of person who doesn't have much ambition and just wants to get along well with his brothers on his father's ship."
Being a team leader is tiring. In the first few years of his tenure, he even developed dark circles under his eyes, which was quite unbelievable for Yizang, who was extremely strict with himself in terms of appearance and clothing.
Vera: "Hmm..."
Having sufficient strength and experience means being just as effective as other team leaders.
Not being the captain means being cheaper than other captains.
Lack of ambition = suitable for unscrupulous island owners to drive down prices.
Vera: "To hide, to hide, can we let Teach be in charge of protecting the 'R'lyeh Fruit and Vegetable Transport Line' from now on?"
This job was practically made for Teach!
I believe that Teach, who has no ambition, will thrive in R'lyeh's farming business.
It's giving my career a second spring!
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Author's Note: Teach can forget about becoming the Pirate King; he can be the King of Bodyguards instead! [Exaggerated praise]
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