“Hey, hey, Marco, keep your punches steady.
Don’t hesitate, and adjust your movements faster.
Why are you so stiff?
You’re nothing like me.”
Shaq moved effortlessly across the deck, weaving through Marco’s attacks with ease, casually offering commentary as if he were watching a performance rather than participating in it.
“I’m not fighting anymore!
I can’t even touch you it’s pointless!”
Twelve-year-old Marco dropped onto the deck in frustration, clearly dissatisfied with Shaq’s “training.”
Shaq snorted.
“That’s because you’re too clumsy.”
Marco immediately sprang up, ran into the cabin, and complained, “Pops!
Look at Big Brother Shaq!”
Newgate, reclining with a sake jug in hand, didn’t even need to look up.
“Gurararara, bullied again?”
Marco puffed his cheeks, eyes watering slightly.
“Am I really that clumsy?”
Newgate chuckled and waved him over.
“Don’t listen to that brat.
Come here I’ve got something for you.”
He handed over a small chest.
Marco opened it cautiously, revealing a strange blue fruit patterned like swirling flames.
“A Devil Fruit?”
Newgate nodded.
“A rare one.
A Mythical Zoan the Phoenix.
Shaq told me to save it for you.”
At that moment, Shaq stepped into the cabin.
“Running to Pops again?
You really are a kid.”
Marco clenched his fists.
“When I get stronger, I’ll beat you for sure!”
Shaq waved it off lazily.
“We’ll see.
For now, eat it.
It suits you.”
Marco hesitated only briefly before taking a bite.
The next second, his face twisted violently.
The taste was indescribably awful.
He nearly spat it out, but Shaq immediately clamped a hand over his mouth.
“Don’t waste it!
Swallow!”
Marco forced himself to comply, tears nearly forming as he gulped it down.
Once finished, Shaq released him with a grin.
“Delicious, right?”
Marco’s face was pale, but he forced a stubborn reply.
“It… tasted great.”
Shaq burst out laughing.
“Show us what you’ve got.”
With a determined nod, Marco jumped up.
His arms transformed into wings of blue flame, lifting him into the air.
“Wow… a flying chick?”
“I’m a phoenix, not a chick!”
…
“Pops!
We’ve spotted a pirate ship ahead!”
Marco descended from the sky, now acting as lookout thanks to his newfound ability.
“Captain Bryant of the Blacksmith Pirates bounty 80 million!”
Newgate grinned.
“Then let’s move.
Full speed ahead!”
Shaq immediately adjusted the sails, pushing their ship forward.
Within moments, they closed the distance.
Shaq leapt onto the enemy vessel first.
In his massive hand, his blade looked deceptively small, but the power behind it was anything but.
One-Sword Style: Flower Whale Shark!
A barrage of slashes swept forward, cutting through enemies in an instant.
Meanwhile, Newgate had already reached the captain, knocking him out with a single punch.
Shaq quickly began gathering valuables, leaving nothing behind.
By the end, he had collected treasure worth tens of millions of Berries.
“Pops, look at this.”
He handed over a scroll.
Newgate opened it and examined the contents carefully.
It was a treasure map, marking a location not too far from their current route.
“Gurararara!
Looks like we’ve got ourselves a treasure hunt.”
By the time Shaq returned, Marco was still struggling against a single opponent.
With a sigh, Shaq stepped forward and ended the fight in one blow.
“You took that long?”
Marco landed, breathing heavily, but his eyes burned with determination.
“Train me properly.
I want to get stronger.”
Shaq smirked.
“You asked for it.”
…
When the three returned to their ship, something was off.
Inside, a large figure was rummaging through their supplies, casually eating as if it were his own home.
Before they could react, he grabbed a fruit from the table and swallowed it whole.
“Hey!” Shaq rushed forward, but it was too late.
The man swallowed, then grabbed a drink to wash it down.
Newgate’s expression darkened slightly.
“Who are you?” Shaq demanded.
The man hesitated, clearly nervous.
“I… I was hungry…”
As he stepped forward, his full appearance became visible huge, muscular, yet carrying a strangely timid demeanor.
Shaq’s anger faded instantly.
“What’s your name?”
“Jozu… I was forced to work by those pirates.
I escaped during the chaos.”
Newgate crossed his arms.
“That fruit you ate was worth a fortune.
How do you plan to repay it?”
Jozu froze, clearly overwhelmed.
After a moment, Newgate sighed.
“Never mind.
If you’ve got nowhere else to go, join us.”
Marco blinked.
“Pops… he looks older than you.”
Jozu shook his head nervously.
“I’m… nine.”
Silence fell.
Marco stared in disbelief.
Shaq burst out laughing.
“Not everyone’s as short as you.”
Turning back to Jozu, he grinned.
“Join us.
You’ll never go hungry again.”
At the mention of food, Jozu’s eyes lit up.
He immediately agreed, addressing Newgate the same way Marco did.
Newgate laughed loudly.
“Gurararara!
Then it’s settled.
Another son!”
He raised his voice.
“Let’s celebrate!”
And just like that, their small crew grew once more.