30 Years in Whitebeard’s Crew, I Became Invincible

Unfortunately…

Their opponent this time wasn't Golden Lion Shiki; it was Kaido.

Despite their combined assault, once the dust from the cannon fire settled, what greeted them was a completely unscathed face and a pair of cold, indifferent eyes staring back.

"Is this all you've got? So that's how it is, being able to wield two Devil Fruit powers at once, capable of actually nullifying my abilities."

Kaido reached behind him and pulled out a massive iron club.

"Thunder... Bagua!"

Bang!

Teach had never felt anything like it. The lightning-infused spiked club smashed into his skull, and all he could feel was the world spinning before he was sent flying.

"Captain!!!" Burgess and the others turned around, stunned, as they saw Blackbeard lying on the ground.

But before any of them could react, Kaido spun his club again, sweeping through the rest of the Blackbeard Pirates like mowing down grass.

"Tch. That's your level? Looks like that old man Shiki really did grow weak. If he was that weak, then Newgate probably isn't far behind. What a waste of my time. Once I finish off that brat, I'll go take down Newgate too."

With disappointment written all over his face, Kaido slung his club over his shoulder and left.

"What a bore. Just a bunch of weaklings."

Behind him lay a field of devastation; the Blackbeard Pirates had been reduced to nothing before him. Utterly weak.

This battle happened in the skies, so no one else knew about it. Kaido turned into a blue dragon and flew off.

Only after a long time did Blackbeard crawl out from the rubble.

"Kaido... I swear... I'll make you pay for this..."

His voice, filled with hatred, echoed into the sky.

Meanwhile, Roy was still busy in the lab, conducting research while also training and improving his strength.

Truth be told, his method worked. He had even thought of using it on Whitebeard, but...

"I'm already an old man. Stop fussing over me," Whitebeard said with a side glance at Roy.

"Alright," Roy sighed helplessly.

"Wait!!" Roy suddenly called out to Whitebeard, who was about to walk away.

"What?" Whitebeard turned back to look at him.

"Are you stealing something?" Roy squinted suspiciously.

"Stealing? What are you talking about? When did I ever steal?" Whitebeard exclaimed.

"Then turn around. Your hands behind your back, huh? What's in them?" Roy questioned.

"I said I didn't steal anything!" Whitebeard pulled out his empty hands angrily.

Roy narrowed his eyes but decided to drop it. If it made the old man happy, so be it.

After Roy turned around, Whitebeard let out a sigh of relief, then pulled out a bottle of booze from behind his back.

"Whew! Almost got caught."

Crack

 He opened the bottle and drank with joy.

"What's life without alcohol? Gurararara!!" Whitebeard laughed and walked off.

Of course, Roy knew he was hiding liquor, but he just let him enjoy it.

....

"Pops! Bad news!!!"

While Roy was still in the lab, Whitebeard received urgent news.

"What is it? Why all the noise?" Whitebeard had been napping and lazily opened one eye.

"Kaido attacked the Spade Pirates! He's fighting Ace right now!"

At that, Whitebeard immediately sat up, grinning.

"Damn it… that bastard finally couldn't hold himself back. Tell the others to go support them!"

"Pops, don't forget, they've already left the Whitebeard Pirates," Marco reminded him.

Whitebeard looked troubled and displeased.

"Still, he's my son. I won't let him be bullied."

"But Ace started this. He attacked the Beasts Pirates and defeated Jack the Drought. This is his own fight; we shouldn't get involved."

"Hmph. And what if I insist on stepping in?" Whitebeard asked.

"Even Big Bro wouldn't agree. From the moment they left the Whitebeard Pirates, their path became their own. Big bro said it himself, young birds must learn to fly by falling. Since Ace chose to challenge Kaido, he should've been fully prepared."

"Go talk to him," Whitebeard said. "Loxus is on Ace's ship, too."

"Yeah, I know." Marco nodded and flew off.

Whitebeard watched him go. Of course, he was worried, but Marco wasn't wrong either.

Pirates have their own rules.

Ace was no longer a member of the Whitebeard Pirates. His fate was his own choice; life or death, it was all up to him.

After that last battle, he should've grown. He shouldn't be reckless anymore.

Back in the lab, Roy paused after hearing Marco's words.

"If that's the path they choose. Let them walk it. You can't protect a fledgling forever," Roy said.

"I told Pops the same thing," Marco replied.

"Then let them be," Roy said.

Whether they would die or not, Roy didn't know. Even if Loxus were to die, Roy wouldn't interfere. If that day came, he would just kill Kaido in revenge, that's all he'd do.

Now that Roy had fully integrated into this world, he understood how it worked.

The young have to endure trials to grow. If they fail, at worst, they die.

Luffy had faced death numerous times. Did Dragon or Garp ever step in?

Not at all. Growth must happen naturally.

Roy was simply waiting for the results. Once they came, then he'd act.

After defeating Blackbeard, Kaido headed to Mechanical Island. There were many such islands around the world. Kaido had several high-tech islands of his own.

This particular one had once been one of Queen's research bases, now claimed by Ace after defeating Jack, who escaped and disappeared.

A violent wind howled.

Thunder rolled across the skies. Ace and his crew exited the building and looked up.

They all felt a heavy pressure.

"What's going on? Why the sudden change in weather?" Loxus asked, confused.

"If I'm right… that guy's here." Ace looked up grimly.

Lightning danced through the clouds. A massive body moved within the storm.

"What is that?!" Loxus gasped.

The creature above was gigantic, long and coiling, stirring the wind and clouds.

Crack!

A bolt of thunder exploded nearby. The pressure of the low-hanging clouds felt like it might crush the island beneath them.

Everyone in the Spade Pirates wore serious expressions, looking skyward.

And then, out of the swirling clouds, a massive dragon head emerged, staring straight at them.

"Roger's son," Kaido muttered, recognizing Ace. He immediately recalled Roger; it was unmistakable.

But Kaido's words enraged Ace.

The only "father" he acknowledged was Whitebeard, not Roger.

Flames burst from his legs, launching him skyward.

"Shut your damn mouth!!!"

...

If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.

[email protected]/DaoistJinzu