Some crew members cleared the human traffickers off the deck, while others headed toward the cabins to collect today’s spoils.
“Boss, there are quite a few slaves locked inside, probably over a hundred.” A crew member walked out of the cabin to report to Whitebeard.
“Gurarara, let’s go in and take a look.” Whitebeard immediately entered the cabin.
The dim room was filled with many iron cages, inside of which were numerous boys and girls in tattered clothes, shivering as they gazed at Whitebeard and his crew who had walked into the cabin.
There were dozens of such cabins, and the situation inside was roughly the same.
“Brats, you are free.
You can use the lifeboats on the ship to leave in a while.” Whitebeard ignored their fearful gazes and announced.
However, several tens of seconds passed without any response; the slaves still looked at Whitebeard and his crew with fear.
It was likely because they had suffered a great deal of torture during this time.
Whitebeard didn’t mind and ordered his men to open all the cages.
After they had all left the cages, someone finally dared to speak up, “My lords, are you really going to let us go?” Whitebeard glanced at them.
“Yes, you are free.
Go home.” “Yay, that’s great!
We’re finally free!” The cabin instantly erupted into an uproar; some cheered and jumped for joy, while others wept with joy.
…
Watching the slaves leaving in groups on lifeboats from time to time, Allen drank his wine with a faint smile on his lips.
“People who yearn for freedom have returned to the sea once again.” Hearing Allen’s words, Whitebeard also laughed.
“Gurarara, my boys, we need to prepare to set sail again.” “Oh!” The crew members who had obtained the treasures from the slave ship were obviously very happy.
They carried the spoils back to their own ship with their hands and shoulders.
By the time the cargo was moved and Allen and the others were preparing to return to their ship…
A crew member from the Second Division ran up to Whitebeard with a child.
“Boss, there’s still one child here who hasn’t left.” Whitebeard looked behind the crew member with a puzzled expression.
Allen heard this and looked over too.
One look was all it took—dead fish eyes, yellow pineapple head.
“Isn’t this damn Marco?” In the original work, he was the First Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, a user of the Bird-Bird Fruit, Mythical Zoan Model: Phoenix, and Whitebeard’s right-hand man.
“So this is where we met, fate is truly mysterious!” Allen couldn’t help but exclaim.
“Kid, why didn’t you go home?” Whitebeard asked, looking at the little runt in front of him.
“I am a person abandoned by the world, and I have nowhere to go back to.” Marco drooped his eyelids and answered Whitebeard lifelessly.
Whitebeard looked at Marco deeply, his eyes showing a touch of emotion.
After a long while, the corners of his mouth curled into a slight smile, and he reached out his hand to Marco.
“Do you want to be my son, kid?” !!!
Allen, standing on the side, had his eyelids twitching wildly.
“It’s here, the most classic line has arrived: ‘Be my son.'” Allen couldn’t help but feel fortunate that he was born seven or eight years earlier; otherwise, when he first joined Whitebeard’s division, he would have definitely been hit with that “Be my son” line by Whitebeard.
If that had happened, he might have drawn his sword and attacked.
In his original world, the title of ‘foster father’ was only deserved by someone who brought food to their roommates in the dead of winter.
Little Marco’s eyes lit up upon hearing this.
Just like what he said to Ace in the original work, because he calls us sons, even if it’s just a title, it makes people happy.
Marco, whose parents had died early, often stole things from villagers to fill his stomach.
Over time, he was detested by the villagers, driven out of the town, and went to live by the sea.
Because he was so hungry, he snuck onto a slave ship that was docked at the shore for supplies, only to be discovered by Hank and his crew and forced into slavery.
…
The next morning, after finishing his physical training, Allen was sitting on the railing, fishing.
“Big Brother Allen, can you take me fishing with you?” A shout came from behind; it was Marco, who had become Whitebeard’s son.
Hearing the call, a vein popped on Allen’s forehead.
He suppressed the urge to draw his sword and shouted at the little pineapple head.
“It’s your business to call Whitebeard ‘Pops’, but can you not call me ‘Big Brother’?
I’ve become Newgate’s nephew for no reason.” Hearing this, Marco awkwardly scratched his head.
“Then…
Uncle Allen?” “Sigh, forget it.
Let’s just stick to our own ways.
Call me whatever you want!” Allen felt exhausted; at seventeen, he didn’t want to be aged up.
At this moment, Whitebeard stretched and walked toward Allen.
“Marco, Allen isn’t fishing for fish; he’s doing it to train his special Observation Haki.” “What is Observation Haki?” Marco asked, scratching his head in confusion.
“Observation Haki is a type of ability to perceive enemy attacks.
It’s still too early for you.” Whitebeard rubbed Marco’s pineapple head.
Hearing Whitebeard’s words, a flash of realization appeared in Allen’s eyes.
“Brother Newgate, you noticed?
Indeed, my Observation Haki allows me to communicate with all things.” “So amazing!” Marco’s eyes sparkled with stars.
It must be said that having someone around who can help you show off is excellent.
A bit of flattery made Allen feel a bit carried away.
Whitebeard, on the other hand, looked shocked.
“I thought you could only communicate with animals.
Listening to the Voice of All Things, just like that man.” Allen raised an eyebrow and sighed inwardly, “Roger, huh?
It seems these two have already met.
The world is truly small.” “For this voyage, let’s assign Marco to your Third Division first.
You should guide him more.” Whitebeard didn’t dwell on the Haki issue anymore.
Everyone had their own trump cards, and prying too deeply was a rude thing to do.
Instead, he spoke to Allen about the arrangements for Marco.
“Isn’t that not so good?
I don’t have any experience teaching others.” Allen replied helplessly.
Had he just become a guardian?
This guy’s speed of adopting sons in the future would be terrifying; he might end up becoming the director of a nursery.
“What’s wrong with that?
I believe you can do it.
It’s settled, Gurarara.” Whitebeard made the decision directly, giving Allen no chance to object.
“Got it, got it.” You trust me?
You’re just finding it troublesome yourself, I’m too embarrassed to point it out.
In consideration of you teaching me Haki quite diligently, I’ll take care of the kid for a year.
Anyway, after the God Valley battle ends next year, the entire Rocks Pirates will disband.
Marco was quite sensible for his young age; knowing he couldn’t help in other areas, he took the initiative to take over the cleaning duties on the ship.
This was also one of the few moments of peace Allen had since Marco boarded the ship.
“Big Brother Allen, can you teach me how to fight?” “Big Brother Allen, what is Observation Haki?” “Big Brother Allen, what is Armament Haki?” “Big Brother Allen, what is Conqueror’s Haki?” …
“Are you a walking question mark?
Can you quiet down for a moment?
Kids should just eat and drink more to grow; why ask so much?” It wasn’t that Allen was unwilling to teach, but what could you expect a nine-year-old child to do?
Just like that, Allen began his irritating life on the ship, constantly pestered by Marco.