Newgate had roamed the seas for many years and had even joined pirate crews, witnessing countless conflicts and betrayals.
The Rocks Pirates, in particular despite their overwhelming strength and the presence of Captain Rocks D.
Xebec himself, along with monsters like Whitebeard, Golden Lion Shiki, Charlotte Linlin, Wang Zhi, Captain John, and many other infamous figures ultimately fell apart at God Valley.
When Rocks was pushed into a desperate situation, no one stepped forward to save him.
The root of it all was simple: there were no bonds among the crew, only ambition, treachery, and self-interest.
That pirate crew had only managed to hold together because of Rocks’ absolute strength, a power great enough to suppress every single member beneath him.
He gathered monsters under his flag through sheer force but once that force was no longer absolute, everything collapsed.
He ruled the seas for a time with overwhelming might, but in the end, his era sank along with him.
Newgate had no intention of walking that same path.
What he desired… was something entirely different.
A family.
A crew bound not by fear, but by kinship.
A ship where every man could call another brother and call him father.
Soon, night fell over the endless sea.
A bright moon hung high in the sky, surrounded by countless stars.
Flying fish occasionally leaped from the calm waters, rippling the surface as a small sailboat drifted along with the cool ocean breeze.
“Ugh… I’m starving…”
Shaq rubbed his head as he woke up, his stomach growling loudly in protest.
Ever since he arrived in this world, he had barely eaten anything decent only that disgusting slop those pirates fed him, something closer to dirty water mixed with scraps than actual food.
“Gurararara, Kid, you’re finally awake.”
Newgate’s voice came from outside the cabin.
“Get out here and eat something.”
Hearing the voice, Shaq instantly remembered everything and realized he was aboard Whitebeard’s ship.
Excited, he tried to jump off the bed but his frail body failed him, and he stumbled straight onto the floor.
Hearing the noise, Newgate stepped inside and looked down at the fallen boy with a helpless expression.
“Your body is too weak, brat.
Eat first, then talk.”
As he spoke, he casually picked Shaq up with one hand and carried him toward the deck.
“Hey!
Can’t you be a little gentler?!”
Shaq protested as his skinny body was lifted like cargo.
“Gurararara!
I’m a pirate, not your caretaker.”
Ignoring the complaint, Newgate walked out onto the deck, where two portions of roasted meat one massive, one smaller were placed on a large platter.
“Hey, hey slow down!
I’m gonna fall!”
Shaq clung tightly to Newgate’s arm as they moved.
“Gurararara!
You’re a noisy one.
Hurry up and eat.”
Newgate laughed as he set Shaq down and shoved a large piece of roasted meat into his arms.
The aroma hit instantly.
Shaq’s eyes widened as his mouth began to water uncontrollably.
Without hesitation, he bit down barely chewing before swallowing.
Watching the boy devour the meat like a starving beast, Newgate burst into laughter.
“Gurararara!
Not bad, right?”
“Mmm good really good!”
Shaq replied between mouthfuls.
In what felt like moments, the entire chunk of meat nearly his own size was gone.
Yet… he still wasn’t satisfied.
His eyes slowly drifted toward the even larger portion in Newgate’s hand.
Noticing the gaze, Newgate raised a brow then laughed and tossed it over.
“Here, eat.”
Seeing the mountain of meat flying toward him, Shaq practically pounced on it.
He clung to it and began eating wildly.
Finally, after consuming an absurd amount, he lay flat on the deck, completely full.
“Phew… I’m full… this feels amazing…”
In his memory, this body had never once known what it meant to be full.
“Gurararara… what an appetite.”
Newgate nodded in satisfaction.
In this world, those who could eat were the ones who could grow strong.
“Hey, Kid… what’s your name?”
“Wei Yimin”
Shaq answered reflexively, pulling from his past life.
Newgate blinked.
That name clearly didn’t belong to this sea.
Realizing his mistake, Shaq quickly jumped up.
“Ah wrong one!
I mean Shaq!
My name is Shaq!”
Newgate stared at him for a moment.
…This kid might be a little strange.
But he didn’t dwell on it.
Shaq, on the other hand, was already burning with anticipation.
He was waiting.
Waiting for that one line.
That legendary line.
But to his surprise, Newgate turned away, staring out at the sea in silence.
Shaq immediately panicked.
“Why isn’t he saying it?!
Come on, old man, say it already!”
As if hearing his thoughts, Newgate scratched his head awkwardly, then turned back.
He slowly extended his large hand toward Shaq.
A grin spread across his face.
“Gurararara… Shaq.”
“Become my son.”
“Carry my name… and sail the seas!”
Hearing it finally hearing those words Shaq felt his chest tighten.
“Okay… Pops!”
Newgate froze.
“Eh?!
You’re not even going to think about it?!”
Shaq dropped back onto the deck, patting his full stomach.
“What’s there to think about?
You saved me.
That makes you family.”
For a moment, there was silence.
Then “GURARARARARA!”
Newgate roared with laughter.
“Shaq!
From today onward you are my son!”
His massive hand came down, patting Shaq’s round belly.
“Burp!”
Shaq let out an involuntary burp and immediately pushed the hand away.
“Hey, Pops… pat yourself instead!”
“Gurararara, you insolent brat!”