So, it has come to this after all.
Marco's forehead broke out in a cold sweat as he stared unblinkingly at the Old Man and the Azure Dragon.
He didn't know whether the Old Man would agree, but he knew this answer was crucial for the Whitebeard Pirates!
The longer the silence dragged on, the heavier the atmosphere grew.
Whitebeard did not give an answer immediately. Instead, he suddenly raised his scar-covered hand, slapped his thigh hard, and burst into loud laughter:
"Gurarararara! You've got guts, kid. But not everyone in the World Government is as useless as the Celestial Dragons!
To think that taking out a few trash is enough to oppose the World Government—it seems you still don't know the true depth of their power!"
Clearly, Whitebeard did not believe Ivan.
During the Battle of the Valley of the End, he had witnessed the fall of Rocks and knew part of the hidden strength of the World Government.
In the face of that power, his title as the world's strongest man felt like a joke.
Even he felt powerless against it—what made Shadow Garden think they could overthrow the World Government?
Whitebeard's reaction was within Ivan's expectations. He couldn't possibly stake the lives of his family on something he knew was unbeatable.
Ivan knew it was time for him to show his hand!
The corner of his mouth lifted, the curve growing wider until he let out an unrestrained laugh:
"Hahahahaha! Whitebeard, do you really think Shadow Garden lacks the power to match them?"
"Oh? What is it?" Aside from Whitebeard, the others also looked at Ivan curiously, wanting to know what kind of power this organization that dared to challenge the World Government was hiding.
Ivan said nothing, only demonstrating.
His figure suddenly vanished from where he stood, reappeared at the bow of the Moby Dick, and then reappeared before Whitebeard and the others.
He then extended one finger: "This is the first ability!"
Next, he brought his palms together like a blade and swung toward the sea, instantly splitting the ocean with that strike.
This time, Ivan raised a second finger: "This is the second ability!"
Ivan spread his arms, floating in the low air, his body rising steadily until he was level with Whitebeard.
Only then did he continue: "This is the third ability!"
At this moment, the members of the Whitebeard Pirates began to breathe heavily.
They suddenly realized what Ivan was trying to say.
Sure enough, Ivan's low voice rang out, striking the ears of the Whitebeard Pirates like thunder:
"I believe you know the abilities of the other members of Shadow Garden. Every member of Shadow Garden possesses the abilities of flight and spatial movement, along with their own unique powers.
Some on the seas speculate that Shadow Garden has overcome the rule that a person can only eat one Devil Fruit. Today, I tell you—this is true!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire place erupted in an uproar!
They certainly knew what this meant. When a person masters multiple abilities, their strength undergoes a dramatic transformation.
Just like Shadow Garden's Tanuki.
His strength was far from a match for Kizaru, yet through spatial movement, he gained mobility surpassing Kizaru's.
It was precisely because of this extreme speed that he was able to accomplish the astonishing feat of slaughtering the entire upper echelon of Water 7 under Kizaru's pursuit.
And this was just with a tanuki.
If multiple abilities were fused and bestowed upon the top-tier powerhouses of the sea, their strength would undoubtedly rise to unprecedented new heights!
Take Whitebeard, for example. If he were to gain teleportation and flight abilities on top of his Tremor-Tremor Fruit, he alone would be enough to level Marineford.
At that point, his power would be enough to completely destabilize the entire sea!
Realizing this, the members of the Whitebeard Pirates immediately looked at Ivan with fervent eyes.
Of course, there were also clever minds among the Whitebeard Pirates.
Marco stepped forward, his gaze fixed intently on Ivan. "This ability must have certain limitations, right? Otherwise, Shadow Garden would have already launched a full-scale assault on Mary Geoise."
Ivan nodded, adjusting part of the Apocalypse Enhancement's settings. "That's correct. The stronger the individual, the greater the cost of enhancing them.
For someone of Whitebeard's caliber, Shadow Garden currently lacks the means to enhance him."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. If even the sea's top-tier powerhouses could be further enhanced, they dared not imagine how terrifying Shadow Garden's future strength might become!
This single bargaining chip alone had genuinely piqued Whitebeard's interest.
Once, Shadow Garden had only the dream of shaking the world. Now, they finally possessed the power to match it.
Just as Whitebeard was about to speak, the smile on Ivan's face grew even brighter as he played his trump card.
The already heavily tilted scales completely lost balance at that moment, crashing down until they stood perpendicular to the ground!
"By the way, you might not know this, but aside from flight and teleportation, Shadow Garden possesses other abilities that can be used for enhancement.
And that ability is—Agelessness!"
"Agelessness!" Marco's voice trembled slightly.
He was the first to realize what this ability meant for the Whitebeard Pirates. "What... what does it do?"
Ivan smiled and nodded. "Exactly what you're thinking. It can significantly extend a person's lifespan, nearly to the point of immortality! Oh, and this ability works on the elderly as well."
At this, the atmosphere completely erupted. Every member of the Whitebeard Pirates looked at Ivan with unprecedented fervor. Ace even leaped out from the crowd, shouting excitedly:
"Amazing! Now Old Man can be saved!"
Marco also declared outright:
"Mr. Azure Dragon, the Whitebeard Pirates agree to form an alliance with Shadow Garden.
As long as you can enhance Old Man and grant him the 'Agelessness' ability, we will spare no effort to help you defeat the World Government!"
Whitebeard did not object. Ivan had indeed offered him a price he simply could not refuse.
Next, the two sides signed the alliance treaty.
When Shadow Garden attacks Mary Geoise, the Whitebeard Pirates shall provide their full assistance.
Shadow Garden must enhance Whitebeard, granting him the 'Immortality' ability and restoring him to his peak condition.
With the grand scheme now set, Ivan raised his wine bowl to Whitebeard. "In that case, let's have a pleasant partnership!"
"Gurararara! Kid, a pleasant partnership it is!" Whitebeard clinked his bowl with Ivan's, in high spirits.
At this moment, a new dream took root in Whitebeard's heart: to grant all his family the power of 'Agelessness.'
This way, the precious family he cherished would never have to face separation again.
However, it seemed someone did not wish to see such harmony aboard the Moby Dick.
Before long, thunder rumbled across the sky, and dark clouds blotted out the once-azure heavens.
Whitebeard was the first to look up, veins bulging on his forehead.
Damn it, that guy is causing trouble again!
Right then, amid dazzling flashes of lightning, a massive eight-hundred-meter-long figure descended from the sky, charging straight toward the Moby Dick.
The next moment, the newcomer's roar echoed louder than thunder:
"Whitebeard, hand over the Azure Dragon!"