Vice-captain of Whitebeard pirates

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On the warship, everyone boarded the vessel.

Once aboard, Zephyr ignored everyone and entered the cabin alone.

His tightly clenched fists revealed that he was not yet at ease; he had been suppressing the anger boiling within him.

This reaction was understandable. Zephyr was the most opposed to the conditions granted to the Whitebeard Pirates. To him, pirates should be imprisoned, not coddled.

The notion that as long as they did not commit evil they would not be apprehended raised a troubling question: could all the crimes committed by pirates simply be erased?

As Zephyr remained silent, an awkward atmosphere settled on the ship.

Garp sighed in relief and said, "I'm going to take a nap. Don't forget to wake me when we arrive."

"Don't worry, Vice Admiral Garp," Kuzan waved dismissively.

Sengoku glanced at Tsuru: "I'm going to take a rest, too."

"Go ahead," Tsuru replied, feeling a bit fatigued.

This operation had yielded results that were difficult to categorize as entirely good or bad. It was complex, depending on one's perspective.

First and foremost, the primary target of this operation, Gion, had been successfully rescued. From this standpoint, the operation was a success.

As for agreeing to Whitebeard's terms, Tsuru had her rationale.

First, those conditions could help stabilize the Whitebeard Pirates. The Navy was reluctant to provoke someone like Whitebeard, who wielded the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit.

The most terrifying aspect of Whitebeard was not just his formidable strength but also his Devil Fruit powers.

To offend Whitebeard was to invite chaos, as they might not know when a tsunami would strike.

Although that agreement gave the Whitebeard Pirates a special status, it also helped mend the deteriorating relationship between the Navy and the pirates.

This was why Larson did not worry that Tsuru would change her mind after agreeing to the terms.

Tsuru looked at Sakazuki and said, "The sea surface is frozen. You need to melt the sea ice."

"I understand."

Sakazuki did not take offense at being treated as a tool; he walked to the stern of the ship and began to release magma to melt the ice.

Kuzan and Porusalino also stepped aside, leaving only Tsuru and Gion on the ship.

Tsuru inquired, "What happened to you on their ship? Did they hurt you?"

"No, I wasn't harmed," Gion hesitated before producing a photo. "Sister Tsuru, there's something I've never told you. I joined the Navy because..."

She recounted the entire story of what had happened on the pirate ship. For Gion, if she could only find one person to trust in this world, it would undoubtedly be Tsuru.

Although they were not biological sisters, Tsuru was closer to her than her own sister.

Tsuru examined the photo, falling silent. "Why have you never mentioned this before?"

Gion buried her head deeper in shame.

"Ugh." Tsuru sighed. "I will help you investigate when we return—don't worry."

"Yes."

On the other side, Larson and Whitebeard returned to their ship.

As soon as they boarded, they were met with the sight of two ice sculptures in awkward poses on the deck.

Larson ground his teeth in frustration and exclaimed, "These two were defeated so easily! If they dare to whine to me again about being tired from training, I swear I'll teach them a lesson!"

Whitebeard chuckled, "They are just kids. It's only natural they couldn't defeat that little Navy guy."

"Don't make excuses for them."

Larson retorted, "You witnessed what happened today. You know how dangerous they are. If it had been Sakazuki who boarded the ship, I fear the two of them would be dead by now."

Whitebeard glared, "He wouldn't dare!"

Taking advantage of the last moments of the magma's warmth, Larson approached the two ice sculptures, Marco and Plank, and began to use magma to gradually melt the ice encasing them. "It's been so long, and they still haven't broken free. It seems they've forgotten everything I've taught them!"

"Don't waste your efforts."

A shockwave emanating from the Tremor-Tremor Fruit appeared on one of Whitebeard's fingers. "Let me crush them!"

Larson replied, "Their limbs are frozen solid; you could shatter their bodies in one fell swoop."

"Well, you'd better take care of it."

Whitebeard reclined comfortably in the Grand Master's chair. A battle had just concluded, and he was in dire need of strong liquor to soothe his restless mood.

Taking a swig of wine, he expressed great enjoyment, saying, "That kid is pretty impressive."

"Which one are you talking about?" Larson asked.

"The one playing on the ice."

Larson chuckled, "You seem quite pleased with him, don't you?"

Whitebeard sighed, "I froze those two after boarding the ship and didn't kill them. Now I owe him a favor!"

"Your favor is too great; he might not be able to handle it," Larson replied coolly. "I'll help you change it later."

Whitebeard smiled and said, "Then it's settled."

Larson raised an eyebrow. "Why do I feel like you're just waiting for my words?"

"How could that be? Who do you think I am?"

Larson rolled his eyes, realizing that this guy with thick eyebrows and big eyes, like Whitebeard, had started to scheme and play tricks with him.

Carefully, he continued to melt the ice covering Marco and Plank. Finally, with his efforts, Marco and Plank successfully emerged.

"It's so cold! So cold!" Marco whined and complained as he tumbled out of the ice.

Plank shivered, sneezing from the chill.

Larson stood aside, smirking, "Two of you faced one opponent and were taken down so easily. After you both get out, don't you dare claim to be members of the Whitebeard Pirates. You'll make me embarrassed."

Marco dashed into the cabin, grabbed a quilt, and wrapped himself up. Shrinking in response to Larson's words, he retorted, "Who made that guy's ability so weird? Gangplank and I were frozen even though our powers didn't work!"

Plank, with a runny nose, added, "My fruit ability had no effect on that guy. I tried to defend against his attack, but he froze my entire body."

Upon hearing their complaints, Larson realized that Kuzan's ability was indeed highly effective against them.

One of them had absolute defense, and the other had ultimate recovery; yet, they had encountered an opponent with full-level control.

Their physical skills did not confer any advantage, so the outcome against Kuzan was predictable.

But Larson could not admit that it was their fault. He exclaimed with a stern face, "That's because you're not strong enough. If you were strong enough, could he still freeze you?"

He sounded like a parent arguing with their child, realizing the child was right but unwilling to concede, thus seeking excuses to blame the other party.

Marco and Plank fell silent, lowering their heads and not daring to retort against Larson.

Whitebeard watched the scene with amusement, finding it particularly entertaining each time Marco was lectured by Larson until he could barely speak.

This felt like home to him.

Suddenly, Marco snapped back to reality. "Wait, weren't you fighting the Navy? Why are you back? Is the battle over?"

Larson answered, "The battle is over."

"Where are the Marines?"

"They're all gone."

"Gone?"

"Stop worrying about them."

Larson's expression remained impassive. "Compared to this battle, shouldn't you be more concerned about your own strength?"

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