It was all that damned bunch of pirates’ fault.
This time, he would definitely make them pay with interest.
What made the situation even stranger was that the Whitebeard Pirates had apparently succeeded in something even Dr. Vegapunk had yet to fully achieve.
Not only had they developed it first—
They had successfully put it into practice.
And the results were obvious.
Even Aokiji had been injured.
Jaya
A group of Division Commanders returned to the Whitebeard Pirates’ base in high spirits.
Their grins stretched from ear to ear as they laughed and slung arms over one another’s shoulders.
Meanwhile, Whitebeard was in the courtyard practicing with his naginata.
Murakumogiri moved through the air like a living dragon.
Every swing was smooth, powerful, and perfectly controlled.
The weapon seemed to roar with thunder and wind.
Under the sunlight, Whitebeard’s towering figure appeared especially imposing.
The massive blade danced effortlessly in his hands.
Sometimes it spiraled through the air.
Sometimes it descended in devastating strikes.
Each movement was filled with both overwhelming strength and elegant precision.
"Haa..."
Whitebeard exhaled.
As his final strike landed, he came to a complete stop.
After finishing the entire routine, his breathing remained perfectly steady.
There wasn’t the slightest sign of exhaustion.
Instead, excitement shone in his eyes.
He was clearly very satisfied.
Looking down at Murakumogiri, a sense of fulfillment rose within him.
This was more than a weapon.
It was a companion that had accompanied him for decades.
The courtyard fell silent.
Only the occasional chirping of birds interrupted the tranquility.
Whitebeard stood there quietly, feeling the immense power flowing through his body.
For a moment, it felt as though time itself had stopped.
Then he tightened his grip on Murakumogiri again.
Apparently, he intended to start another round.
At that moment, Ace and the others arrived.
"Pops!"
Ace hurried forward.
"Even though you’ve recovered, you still need to rest!"
Jozu also stepped up with a grin.
"That’s right, Pops. We all know you’re still as mighty as ever, but you should listen to Ace and take it easy."
"Gurarararara!"
Whitebeard laughed loudly.
"Since when did you brats start lecturing me?"
With one hand, he drove Murakumogiri into the ground.
BOOM!
The earth instantly collapsed.
Cracks spread outward like a giant spiderweb.
The shockwave rippled through the surrounding air.
It was as though the land itself had been torn apart.
"My body is my own concern."
"You don’t need to worry."
Only then did he notice how excited everyone seemed.
"What happened?"
Looking at their expressions, he chuckled.
"Judging by those faces, Aokiji didn’t have a good day."
That only made them more excited.
Everyone began talking at once.
The courtyard instantly descended into chaos.
After listening for quite a while, Whitebeard finally pieced together the full story.
"Gurarararara!"
"You brats did well!"
Then his expression became slightly more serious.
"However, once Aokiji returns to Marine Headquarters, Sengoku, Garp, and the rest of those old men won’t let this matter go so easily."
"This sea isn’t going to stay peaceful."
Even so, Whitebeard looked completely unconcerned.
The others felt the same.
Not a single person appeared worried.
They had Ron.
Who were they supposed to fear?
If anything, the Marines should be the ones afraid.
"Pops, we’re taking this blood to Ron."
"Yeah! Blood is best while it’s still fresh."
"Let’s see how Vice-Captain Ron’s research is progressing!"
"The Ice-Ice Fruit! That’s an Admiral’s power!"
"I never thought we’d be able to get it ourselves!"
"Hehehe, I can’t wait! I’m going ahead!"
Whitebeard’s interest was immediately piqued.
"Gurarararara!"
"Today has been a good day."
"I’ll come along and take a look too."
The group soon arrived at Ron’s Research Facility.
Inside, countless personnel were busy working.
The sight left the pirates deeply moved.
While they spent their days drinking and feasting—
Ron worked tirelessly in the laboratory from morning until night.
The more they thought about it, the guiltier they felt.
"Vice-Captain Ron is too selfless!"
"He works day and night just to make us stronger!"
"I’m so moved...!"
"Ron treats us too well!"
"How are we ever supposed to repay him?!"
A crowd gathered outside the laboratory entrance.
Some pounded their chests.
Others hugged one another while sobbing dramatically.
Several repeatedly shouted Ron’s name.
The scene looked less like gratitude and more like a funeral.
"Oi, oi, oi."
A helpless voice sounded.
"What are you idiots doing crying outside my lab?"
"It feels like you’re holding a memorial service for me."
Ron walked out wearing a pristine white lab coat.
His face was filled with confusion.
He looked like someone who had just finished an exhausting experiment and had no idea what was happening outside.
"Hahaha! Ron!"
The moment Ace spotted him, his eyes lit up.
He charged forward and wrapped Ron in an enormous bear hug.
"Cough—!"
Ron nearly stopped breathing.
The force behind the hug far exceeded his expectations.
He struggled desperately to free himself.
"Alright, alright!"
Ron finally escaped.
"I haven’t even notified you guys yet."
"Why are you here so early?"
He raised an eyebrow.
"Don’t tell me somebody found the Future-Future Fruit."
"Did you somehow know my experiment is about to succeed?"
The entire crowd froze.
Then—
"What?!"
"Vice-Captain, your experiment is almost complete?!"
"Does that mean I’m about to become a user with Two Devil Fruit Powers too?!"
One pirate looked so excited he was on the verge of losing his mind.
"Ron , you’re truly amazing!"
"Vice-Captain Ron is the greatest genius on the seas!"
Ron rolled his eyes.
More professional flattery.
Still...
He had to admit he enjoyed hearing it.
"Enough."
"What did you actually come here for?"
Only then did everyone remember the real reason for their visit.
They hurriedly produced a collection of small glass bottles.
Each contained varying amounts of blood.
"Blood?"
Ron blinked.
He had expected something important.
It was just blood.
Couldn’t they have sent an ordinary crew member to deliver it?
Then he glanced toward Whitebeard.
Whitebeard was smiling knowingly.
"Ron, my boy."
"Let me save them the trouble."
"The blood they’re holding belongs to Admiral Aokiji."
"And it’s still fresh."
For a brief moment, Ron froze.
Then he inhaled sharply.
"What?!"
His eyes widened dramatically.
"You mean that’s Aokiji’s blood?!"
A look of delight immediately spread across his face.
"This is incredible!"
"With this blood sample, we can create an Ice-Ice Fruit user as well!"
Most of Ron’s shock was an act.
But deep down, he truly was confused.
How had they managed to obtain Aokiji’s blood?
Had their secret already been exposed?
The possibility was alarmingly high.