30 Years in Whitebeard’s Crew, I Became Invincible

The Whitebeard Pirates were now split into two factions.

Former 2nd Division Commander Portgas D. Ace was expelled from the Whitebeard Pirates. He led the original Spade Pirates, along with members of Whitebeard's 2nd Division, to reestablish the Spade Pirates.

The Whitebeard Pirates retained sixteen divisions, but Whitebeard stepped down and passed leadership to the Vice Captain, Roy.

Sixteen of the Whitebeard Pirates' subordinate crews chose to leave and pledged their loyalty to Ace instead, becoming affiliates of the Spade Pirates.

"Pops… take care!"

One of the Moby Dicks had its flag replaced, now flying the Spade Pirates' Jolly Roger.

Everyone on board turned back to look at the Whitebeard Pirates still on Egghead Island.

Ace stood before Whitebeard, wearing black clothes, covering the tattoo of the Whitebeard Pirates on his back.

"Fool…go on. I'll be waiting for you to return with good news," Whitebeard waved him off.

"Pops…"

Ace dropped to his knees and bowed deeply.

"I'll never forget your kindness in this life. I'll always be your son!!"

"Get outta here."

Whitebeard kicked him, sending him flying onto the ship.

A horn blared, this modified Moby Dick, powered by external paddlewheels, slowly began to move.

"POPS, TAKE CARE!!!"

Ace knelt on the deck, leading all his crew in kneeling to Whitebeard in farewell.

Behind Whitebeard stood the fifteen division commanders and the rest of the crew, all waving goodbye.

As Ace's ship pulled away, the sixteen former allied crews also knelt to Whitebeard once more, then set sail.

From this moment on, they were no longer part of the Whitebeard Pirates.

"Alright, those who needed to leave have gone. It's time for us to move on, too," Whitebeard said as he turned around.

"Let's move out!!"

Marco and the others followed behind him.

They couldn't walk the same path as Ace. Ace was still young, just 20 years old, with a long future ahead.

He had the power to conquer the seas, to become an Emperor in his own right.

Keeping him confined in the Whitebeard Pirates would only limit his future.

From the beginning, it had been destined: Ace would leave the Whitebeard Pirates and venture into the wider seas, to face the storms of the outside world.

A bird must leave the nest to truly fly.

If Whitebeard were to pass away, the Whitebeard Pirates would eventually disband. Or perhaps Ace would step up.

In Whitebeard's heart, there were two people who could lead the Whitebeard Pirates: Roy and Ace.

Roy was clearly the more capable of the two. Ace was suited to journey outward, Roy to lead and guard the family.

This decision to let Ace go had been discussed and agreed upon by Whitebeard and Roy, ever since Ace began secretly preparing to leave, it had already been decided.

"Sigh…"

After walking a few steps, Whitebeard let out a deep sigh.

"WAAAAAH! ACE!!"

Whitebeard turned at the noise behind him. Everyone was wiping their tears.

"He's not dead! What the hell are you crying for?!" Whitebeard scolded angrily.

"Didn't think we'd really part ways with Ace…" Rakuyo wiped his tears.

"He left. He didn't die." Whitebeard rolled his eyes.

'These sentimental foolish sons of mine.'

Only after Ace left did the tears start falling.

"Pops, you're the worst."

"Yeah, if Pops hadn't agreed, Ace wouldn't have left."

"Now the 2nd Division's gone."

"Ace will become the Pirate King one day."

"He'll surpass even Pops!"

The more Whitebeard listened, the more off it sounded. They were all venting their true feelings, blaming him.

"IT WAS ROY'S IDEA! It had nothing to do with me, you brats talking nonsense!"

"Oh! Right! Big Bro!"

"Wait… where is Big Bro?"

"Haven't seen him since earlier."

"Where'd he go?"

On the other side of Egghead Island, Roy was confronting someone.

"Big Bro."

"Did you want to kill Ace?"

Roy sat on a piece of scrap metal, legs crossed, looking at the man before him.

The man wouldn't meet Roy's eyes, clearly uneasy.

"Maybe. Years ago, your crew was slaughtered by Roger. You became a stray dog until Newgate took you in. Since then, you've followed the Whitebeard Pirates. But deep down, you've never accepted the fact that the son of the man who murdered your comrades is now your brother.

"I understand how you feel, but… This is between you and Roger. And Roger is dead."

"Ace is not Roger. Never forget Ace is Edward Newgate's son. He has never acknowledged Roger as his father. He never even saw Roger's face. You can't transfer your hatred onto him just because of his blood."

"Big Bro, but I…" Squard still couldn't accept it.

Ever since learning Ace was Roger's son, Squard had been haunted by the past.

Back then, they'd faced the Roger Pirates full of confidence, only to be utterly defeated; he'd been the only one to survive.

When Roger died, his vengeance had nowhere to be directed. Until Whitebeard reached out to him, giving him purpose once again.

He'd vowed to serve Whitebeard, even die for him.

But when he found out Ace was Roger's son, the fire of vengeance reignited.

He even began to resent Whitebeard.

If Whitebeard hadn't protected Ace, Ace would've died at the hands of the Marines.

Why was he still alive?

Why did Whitebeard protect Roger's son?

Squard's heart twisted in conflict. When he heard Whitebeard and Roy planned to cast Ace out, he thought it was his chance.

Once Ace left the Whitebeard Pirates, Squard could join his crew and find an opportunity to kill him in revenge for his fallen comrades.

But Roy saw through his intentions and stopped him from joining the Spade Pirates.

Hearing Roy's words calmed Squard a bit, but he still couldn't fully accept it.

"This sea is full of grudges. Everyone has someone they want dead. But Roger is gone. If you seek vengeance, it should be against the Roger Pirates, not the Whitebeard Pirates."

"Remember this. The Whitebeard Pirates owe you nothing. Ace owes you nothing."

"You've gained new comrades, a new start, and a group of brothers. Look, they're calling you now." Roy turned his head.

"ROY! SQUARD! WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING?! GET MOVING, YOU LAZY BASTARDS!! GURARARARA!!" Whitebeard laughed loudly.

"Squard! Come on!"

"Squard!!"

Squard looked up at his smiling crewmates calling his name, and tears welled up in his eyes.

"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry, Pops! Ahhhhh!!"

He fell to his knees, sobbing uncontrollably.

...

If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.

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