Babysitting Whitebeard’s Crew:How I Accidentally Became a Teen Emperor

Marco, usually calm and collected, found himself pacing nervously. His mind was still reeling from Jozu's demonstration of the Eight Inner Gates technique. 

"You're saying Lucas's comics taught you that insane move? Are you serious?" Marco's voice carried a mix of disbelief and awe. 

Jozu, sitting cross-legged on a barrel and grinning like a child with a secret, gave a nonchalant shrug. "Believe it or not, Marco, it's true. I wouldn't have mastered it without Lucas's comic, The Legend of Might Guy. It's insane how real it feels when you're in the comic world." 

Marco stopped mid-step, staring at Jozu like he'd grown another head. "So you're telling me this Eight Inner Gates wasn't some ancient technique passed down through generations, but something Lucas came up with?" 

Jozu laughed, clapping Marco on the shoulder. "Exactly! Lucas might look low-key on the surface, but he's got this crazy hidden talent. You've got to see it for yourself." 

Marco still found it hard to swallow. "Alright, fine. Let's go find him. I need to see what kind of magic this comic really holds." 

With that, Marco's hands transformed into blue-flame wings, and he took off. Jozu, not wanting to be left behind, jumped up and grabbed Marco's ankles. "Wait for me!" 

.......

In the cozy cabin of the Moby Dick, Lucas was lounging at his desk, idly sketching away. His mind wandered as the system chimed in with an update: 

[Ding! Jozu completed the training of the second gate of the Eight Inner Gates. Host obtained 40,000 mysterious energy points.] 

Lucas blinked, momentarily stunned. "Already? This guy's a monster!" He set his pen down and leaned back, contemplating the possibilities. If Jozu could advance so quickly, how far could the rest of the crew go? 

Just as Lucas was reveling in the thought of bright future, the door burst open. Jozu and Marco entered, the former brimming with excitement and the latter looking slightly skeptical but intrigued. 

"Lucas! Thank you so much!" Jozu's gratitude was genuine but clumsy, as he nearly knocked over a stack of sketches in his enthusiasm. 

"Careful!" Marco quickly steadied the wobbling pile, giving Jozu a pointed look. 

"It's alright," Lucas said with a chuckle. "You're both family. If something breaks, we can always make it again." 

Marco smirked. "That's generous of you. But if you asked Jozu to draw something, he might just faint on the spot." 

Jozu groaned. "Fighting's my thing, not art. Please, don't make me do that." 

The three of them shared a hearty laugh, the camaraderie easing any lingering tension. Once the room settled, Jozu launched into his story, recounting his experience in the comic world and his progress with the Eight Inner Gates. 

"Lucas, I swear, when I open that eighth gate, no Marine Admiral will stand a chance!" Jozu's voice was filled with determination, his earlier skepticism long gone. 

Lucas nodded approvingly. "You've done well, Jozu. Keep at it, and you'll become someone the entire world will fear. Your progress has been astounding." 

After a moment of silence, Marco cleared his throat. "Lucas… I also read The Legend of Might Guy, but I couldn't grasp the Eight Inner Gates. Does that mean I'm not talented enough?" 

Lucas waved off the concern. "It's not about talent, Marco. It's about compatibility. Maybe that technique wasn't meant for you. But don't worry—there are other comics in my collection. Your chance might be waiting in one of those." 

Marco's mood immediately brightened. "Really? Then I'll find it. Thanks, Lucas!" 

With renewed hope, Marco and Jozu left the cabin, heading toward Lucas's studio at the cliffs. As they walked, Marco couldn't help but smile. For the first time in a while, he felt like he was on the verge of discovering something extraordinary.