The New World, a certain sea area.
A massive four-masted warship drifted on the ocean's surface.
This four-masted warship was extremely large, resembling a small island, with a white whale-shaped bow as its most iconic feature.
This ship was world-renowned—it was Whitebeard's flagship, the Moby Dick!
Onboard the Moby Dick lived many important figures of the Whitebeard Pirates. On the deck, a tall chair was placed.
A giant standing 666cm tall sat upon it. His hair was white, yet he maintained an exceptionally muscular physique.
His upper body was perpetually bare, his chest crisscrossed with old scars, and his back bore the tattoo of the Whitebeard Pirates' skull flag.
This man was none other than the world's acknowledged strongest man—Whitebeard!
At that moment, Whitebeard tore the IV line from his arm and looked at the resigned Marco beside him, asking:
"Marco, that kid Namul should be back soon, right?"
Marco didn't respond immediately, only sighing helplessly:
"Old Man, the medicine hasn't finished yet... Please don't just pull out the IV like that again."
"Guhahahaha, that's no big deal. More importantly, how is Namul doing?"
Marco wore an expression of utter resignation. "If nothing goes wrong, Namul will return today."
"Hmm, right. I heard someone from the Shadow Garden came back with him?"
Marco paused. "Yes, he's the Azure Dragon of the Shadow Garden. On the way back, Namul encountered Jack, the Drought Calamity, who attacked us. He helped us kill Jack."
"Guhahahaha, that kid's strength is impressive. When I see him, I'll ask if he wants to be my son."
"Uh, Old Man, that's probably unlikely. He possesses Conqueror's Haki, so he likely won't abandon his own dreams."
Hearing about the Conqueror's Haki, Whitebeard finally showed a look of surprise. "What a fine kid. But I'll still try—after all, how would I know if I don't ask?"
Splash, splash...
The sound of a ship cutting through waves soon followed. A relatively small and cute shark-shaped ship approached the Moby Dick.
When the two ships were about a hundred meters apart, Namul, standing on the shark ship's deck, excitedly said to Ivan, "Mr. Azure Dragon, please follow me. I'll take you to meet Old Man."
Ivan nodded, and the two leaped together, landing on the deck of the Moby Dick.
The moment they landed, Observation Color sent a warning to Ivan.
It wasn't sensing hostility, but rather the instinctive vigilance a strong individual feels when facing another powerful being.
Ivan scanned the area and immediately recognized many familiar faces.
First Division Commander and ship's doctor, "Phoenix" Marco; Third Division Commander, "Diamond" Jozu; Fifth Division Commander, "Flower Sword" Vista... all were powerful figures capable of dominating the seas.
Any one of them possessed strength at the level of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. So many powerful individuals gathered together, led by the strongest man on the seas—this was the Four Emperors crew, the Whitebeard Pirates.
And currently, without a doubt, the strongest pirate crew!
"Old Man, I'm back!" Namul said with a smile.
The Whitebeard Pirates were bound together as a family, with its core members being like brothers and sisters—each other's closest companions.
Namul returned to the Moby Dick as if coming home, overjoyed.
"Guhahaha, it's good to have you back. You've worked hard, Namul. By the way, is this the one from Shadow Garden?" Whitebeard turned his gaze toward Ivan.
The moment Whitebeard's eyes fell on him, Ivan felt a pressure as immense as a mountain.
It was still some time before Luffy would set sail. Although Whitebeard's physical condition had begun to decline, he was far from the exhausted state he would be in during the Summit War.
Even now, when facing Ace's challenges, he could casually knock out Ace—who possessed the strength of a Seven Warlords of the Sea—with a single punch while sleeping. Truly terrifying.
If one lacked sufficient strength, they might tremble under such immense pressure, unable to even speak. However, this pressure was clearly not enough to threaten Ivan.
He took a step forward, looked directly into Whitebeard's eyes, and spoke plainly: "The world's strongest man, Whitebeard. Seeing you today, your reputation is well-deserved."
"Guhahaha, kid, you're quite a little monster too!" The moment Whitebeard saw Ivan, waves of surprise stirred within him.
In his perception, this kid, the Azure Dragon, carried a faint yet undeniable sense of threat.
Though slight, it was enough to prove that the Azure Dragon's strength was sufficient to injure an Emperor of the Sea!
He had the potential to become one of the Four Emperors!
A slight smile curled at the corner of Ivan's lips; he didn't refute it.
He too believed he was a monster—one even more terrifying than Whitebeard or Roger!
Seeing that the Azure Dragon didn't deny it and observing Whitebeard's serious expression, the other division captains collectively took a deep breath.
To be called a "little monster" by Whitebeard meant the Azure Dragon's strength was unimaginable!
His power likely surpassed that of an ordinary division captain and might not be far from Marco's.
If Shadow Garden could casually send out someone with such formidable strength, how terrifying must the organization's overall power be? And what about their leader, Shadow?
Perhaps they truly had the potential to overthrow the World Government in the future!
"Guhahaha, what a lively generation!" Whitebeard laughed heartily. "Well then, Azure Dragon, become my son!"
Ivan raised an eyebrow slightly, not expecting Whitebeard to invite him to join the Whitebeard Pirates.
If anyone else had told him to become their son, Ivan would have immediately flown into a rage.
But if it was Whitebeard, it was different.
He knew this wasn't mockery—Whitebeard sincerely wanted him to join the Whitebeard Pirates.
If he joined, Whitebeard would protect him at all costs, even if it meant risking everything against the World Government.
But Ivan couldn't join. Not only was the Azure Dragon identity just a cover, but he himself had no intention of joining any pirate crew.
Ivan shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I'm very fond of my current organization. We're working together toward the same dream, and I could never betray them by leaving early."
Whitebeard wasn't disappointed. "Guhahaha, Marco, you guessed right! A kid with Conqueror's Haki would never abandon his own dreams!"
After laughing for a moment, Whitebeard's expression suddenly turned serious. He stared at Ivan and said solemnly:
"Since you have no desire to become my son, I will not force you. Now you can tell me your purpose for coming to the Whitebeard Pirates."
As soon as these words were spoken, silence fell over the Moby Dick.
Everyone knew that whenever Shadow Garden appeared, it inevitably brought great turmoil without exception.
So what was the Azure Dragon's purpose in coming to the Whitebeard Pirates this time?
Amid the increasingly tense atmosphere, Ivan smiled and said, "On behalf of Shadow Garden, I wish to cooperate with the Whitebeard Pirates to jointly oppose the World Government!"
--Enjoying the story? Want more chapters? Check out my Patreon and support me for 40+ advance chapters.
Just search for "GoddessTL" on Patreon!"
Thanks!