One Piece: Scourge of the Seas

Whitebeard, now plagued by illness, was reliant on medical equipment just to breathe.

Shiki couldn't help but sigh.

This former comrade and rival was nearing the end of his journey.

Time showed no mercy.

Whitebeard met Shiki's gaze and seemed to know what he was thinking but showed no concern.

"Here to spout more tedious nonsense, Golden Lion?"

"Gyahahaha! Whitebeard, you're as irritating as ever."

Shiki crossed his sword-legs and sat on the deck, laughing heartily. "But before we start our 'chat,' shouldn't we have some drinks first?"

"..."

Whitebeard didn't think there was much to discuss with Shiki, but he still signaled to his crew to bring out some fine liquor.

The nurses who had been tending to him tactfully withdrew from the scene.

Moments later, the crew brought out the drinks.

Two bottles, each holding ten liters of strong liquor, stood over a meter tall.

The nurses, who had retreated to the sidelines, hesitated when they saw Whitebeard lifting one of the bottles. But in this situation, they knew better than to speak up.

Shiki popped the cork off his bottle with his thumb, and a familiar yet distant aroma filled the air.

"This…"

He sniffed the liquor, his eyes pausing slightly. "The last time I had this was over thirty years ago. If I remember right, the ones who loved this drink the most on the crew—besides you—were Shakky and Buckin."

"If you came just for idle chatter, then get lost."

Whitebeard remained unfazed, pried open the bottle cap, and took several deep gulps.

"Gyahahaha."

Shiki didn't mind Whitebeard's harsh tone in the slightest. He too lifted his bottle and took several long swigs.

After setting the bottle down, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

"I heard the news… Roger, that bastard… actually left behind a bloodline. And not just anywhere—his son is your Second Division Commander. But from the looks of things… Roger's boy isn't in a good situation."

Seeing that Whitebeard had no interest in reminiscing, Shiki skipped the pleasantries and got straight to the point.

Whitebeard momentarily paused his drinking, his gaze turning cold as he looked at Shiki without responding.

Shiki met Whitebeard's sharp gaze and smirked as if silently laughing.

"So, Whitebeard, what's your plan? Gyahahaha! I guess that's a dumb question. Of course, you're going to march straight into Marineford, aren't you?"

"Finished?"

"Hmm?"

"Then get lost."

Whitebeard slowly put his drink down, expressionless.

"Don't be so cold."

Shiki remained seated, looking up at Whitebeard.

"I know, just like Roger, you have no interest in ruling the world. And honestly, I've given up on that dream too. But… this half-assed era is just too damn boring."

"What are you plotting now?"

Whitebeard's eyes narrowed.

"Gyahahaha."

Shiki's lips curled upward as he spread his arms wide, emphasizing each word:

"I want this world to witness the true terror of pirates. So, let's join forces, Whitebeard. You want to save Roger's son, and I want to destroy Marineford."

"For once, our goals actually align. Surely, you won't refuse?"

Glug, glug, glug…

The sound of Whitebeard gulping down more liquor filled the air.

Thud.

Then, he finished the bottle in one swig and casually tossed the empty container at Shiki's feet.

The bottle rolled to a stop in front of Shiki, and for a moment, his overwhelming aura slightly wavered.

He understood Whitebeard's response.

Narrowing his eyes, Shiki said, "Whitebeard, you're not some stubborn old fool. This alliance would be nothing but beneficial for you."

"It certainly sounds that way."

Whitebeard looked down at the Golden Lion, his voice cold. "But there's no place for you behind me."

"..."

Shiki's brow furrowed. He caught the underlying mockery in Whitebeard's words and shrugged. "So, you still remember what happened thirty-eight years ago so clearly? But… survival of the fittest is the iron rule of this world. Back then…"

He paused for a moment before continuing, deliberately leaving out a certain name.

"Back then, the tides had turned. 'Betrayal' was just a natural outcome of the situation. Besides, in the world of pirates, betrayal is nothing unusual."

"Gurararara!"

Whitebeard threw his head back and laughed as if he had just heard the funniest joke in the world.

Shiki silently watched him.

Moments later, Whitebeard stopped laughing and looked at him with a blank expression.

"I won't say it twice."

"So, there's no convincing you, huh?"

Shiki lifted his bottle and downed the remaining liquor in one go.

"Well, whatever. I mainly came here just to inform you."

With that, he stood up and casually tossed the empty bottle aside.

As the crew of the Whitebeard Pirates watched, Shiki slowly levitated into the air. He only stopped when he was level with Whitebeard's seated height.

"Whitebeard, whether or not you agree to work together, I won't be missing that public execution. Gyahahaha!"

Laughing wildly, Shiki soared higher into the sky.

Before long, his figure disappeared beyond the horizon.

"Gone for twenty years… and still just as much of a fool, Shiki…"

Whitebeard silently gazed in the direction Shiki had departed.

...

New World – Onigashima, Wano Country.

In a dimly lit room, the sound of gurgling echoed.

Someone was drinking heavily.

Empty sake jugs were scattered across the floor.

The rich aroma of alcohol filled the air.

This was the bedroom of Kaido, one of the Four Emperors.

"Ha—"

Kaido pulled the jug away from his lips, exhaling a long breath laden with the scent of alcohol.

Not far in front of him stood three towering figures, their physiques as massive as giants.

These were the Three Calamities, Kaido's top commanders.

Standing in a row before him were King the Wildfire, clad in black, a longsword at his waist, Queen the Plague, round and bloated, with two long golden mustaches, and Jack the Drought, draped in a feathered coat, his mouth covered by a massive metal jaw.

They stood in formation, silently watching as their captain lounged on his bed, drinking in large gulps.

"Hiccup..."

Kaido let out a drunken burp, then set the jug aside. Lowering his head, he peered at his three trusted commanders, a sharp gleam flashing through his intoxicated gaze.

"I know Whitebeard. If it's him, he'll throw everything he has into rescuing Fire Fist Ace from Marineford. That's going to be one hell of a war."

"Muahaha, Kaido-sama, are you planning to crash the party?"

Queen the Plague's eyes sparkled as he looked at his captain with excitement.

Jack the Drought stood slightly hunched, as silent as ever.

King the Wildfire shot Queen a brief glance but said nothing.

"Hurh hurh..."

Kaido's eyes glowed with savage intent as he sneered coldly, "A spectacle like this? No way I'm sitting it out. Spread the word… We're going to war!!! Hurh hurh hurh!!!"

His booming laughter echoed across the entire island of Onigashima.

All around the island, the Beasts Pirates turned their heads toward the source of the voice—toward their captain.

...

New World – A Certain Island.

Seated on a rock at the edge of a cliff, Shanks held a newspaper in his hands.

Above him, dark storm clouds churned, and the salty sea breeze carried a damp chill.

In just a few minutes, torrential rain would fall.

"...We couldn't stop it."

Shanks gazed at the waves crashing against the jagged rocks below, his expression deep and contemplative.

Tap. Tap.

The senior officers of the Red-Haired Pirates approached, stopping behind him.

"Boss, the rain's about to start," Yasopp remarked, glancing up at the darkened sky.

"Yeah... a storm is coming."

Shanks looked up at the sky as well, then turned toward his navigator. "Can we set sail now?"

"Of course."

The navigator's confident tone carried the ease of someone who could navigate through any storm.

Shanks smiled.

"Then let's set sail immediately. Things are about to get busy."

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