30 Years in Whitebeard’s Crew, I Became Invincible

Roy's back had been through hell recently, and in the end, he had no choice but to agree to go check on Loxus. If this kept up, whether someone got pregnant or not wouldn't matter; he might just die first.

"What's there to see? So he joined the Beasts Pirates. It's not like he died," Roy muttered on the ship.

"You're not worried at all, Big bro?" Izo asked from beside him.

After hearing that Roy was returning to Wano, Izo hesitated for a long time before finally accepting the invitation to accompany him. Otherwise, he would never have considered going back—Wano was no longer the homeland he remembered. What was the point of returning?

"What's there to be worried about? This is just Whitey Bay overthinking things. When Loxus decided to join the Spade Pirates, that was him stepping away from home and becoming independent. You did the same. From the moment you joined the Whitebeard Pirates, your identity changed," Roy explained.

Izo lowered his head. He understood what Roy meant.

Back then, he didn't choose to return to Wano and fight alongside Oden because he was already a member of the Whitebeard Pirates. Unless Whitebeard himself gave the order, he would remain a Whitebeard Pirate for life.

The same applied to Loxus. He wasn't part of the Whitebeard Pirates; he was a Spade Pirate. Now that he'd been coerced into joining the Beasts Pirates, that made a member of their crew.

When Ace was captured by the Marines, the ones who stepped in weren't Roger's former crew; it was the Whitebeard Pirates, because that was his crew.

That's how the rules worked. That was their responsibility.

This time, Roy didn't bring any members of the Whitebeard Pirates, only Izo, who was from Wano. He needed someone to guide him there.

And Roy, as Loxus's father, had every right to go check on his son. If Loxus was doing well with the Beasts Pirates, Roy would turn right back around without saying a word.

"Big bro still cares about Loxus's safety," Izo said with a smile.

"No matter what, he's still my son. I watched him grow up. Sure, he's annoying as hell now, but who didn't go through a phase where even dogs avoided them? I'm not expecting him to take care of me in my old age. Just as long as he doesn't worry his mother too much, and stops giving me trouble, I'll be fine. Honestly, I just wanted to take a quick trip and go back, but… well, you see how that turned out."

Roy glanced back. A bunch of pirates were watching them, Whitey Bay's crew. This time Whitey bay hadn't come, but she sent plenty of her subordinates. These were uncles and elders who had watched Loxus grow up. Loxus probably felt closer to them than to his own father.

If they really met up, Roy was sure Loxus would call out to them first, and only then to him.

"Well, maybe if you'd treated Loxus better when he was a kid, he'd be closer to you," Izo joked.

"He's had enough people loving him. He's grown up surrounded by flowers and sunshine. We're different, we had to struggle since we were young. Too many people loved him; one less didn't matter. But because I was the only one who didn't dote on him, doesn't that make me the most special?" Roy said smugly.

"That's… the first time I've ever heard that logic," Izo replied, speechless. This dad was something else.

"The seas have been turbulent lately. The Marines are about to be in chaos," Roy said, suddenly serious.

"Yeah, it's obvious. The Marines' presence in the New World is growing," Izo replied, frowning.

"There are two candidates for Fleet Admiral. Looks like they're going to have to fight it out," Roy chuckled.

"A fight?" Izo exclaimed.

"How else do you think they'll decide? Strength determines everything. Whoever's stronger wins. Whoever's fist is bigger gets the final say."

"I never thought the Marines would settle leadership with their fists."

"If nothing unexpected happens, it should be decided soon. Dragging it out any longer won't do the Marine any good."

"Who are you rooting for, big bro?"

"I'm obviously hoping Akainu gets it."

"Why?"

"Because if Aokiji wins, Akainu will stay in the Marines no matter what—he's not the type to leave. But Akainu's will to become Fleet Admiral far surpasses Aokiji's. If they fight seriously, Akainu is bound to win. Aokiji's conviction isn't as strong."

To put it bluntly, Aokiji's faith had been shaken ever since Ohara.

He used to be hot-blooded and reckless in his youth, but after Ohara, he started questioning the World Government, questioning the Marines.

Aokiji wanted to reform the Marines.

Akainu, on the other hand, was a soldier through and through. He followed orders and eliminated enemies.

That made him a fine blade, one that the World Government preferred.

Aokiji had too many ideals to be the leader they wanted.

"Big bro, we're almost there."

The sea's condition changed rapidly. The winds howled, and whirlpools appeared.

"Take the safe route," Roy ordered.

"I thought you'd want to climb the waterfall."

"That's for idiots. Don't compare me to them," Roy laughed.

"You're too calm sometimes," Izo said, looking up at the towering Wano, anxiety gnawing at him.

Roy looked up as well. Perhaps, long ago, when sea levels rose by 200 meters, Wano had feared they would keep rising.

So they walled off their entire country and moved everyone to the mountains.

Like Inuarashi and Nekomamushi said, there were only five true landmasses in the world. Rising sea levels had fractured the land into countless islands.

Wano stood so tall because it was waiting. Waiting for the day it could resist again.

Both Wano and Elbaf were built high. They knew long ago what kind of world was coming and were already preparing.

19 of the twenty royal families that formed the World Government made a beeline for the Red Line because they were afraid of it, too.

And the original inhabitants of the Red Line, the Lunarians, had paid the price, driven to near extinction, with only King remaining.

There was a safe passage into Wano, a massive lift system controlled by the Beasts Pirates.

Getting up was nearly impossible without it. Most people had to take the waterfall route.

"What do we do, big bro?" Izo asked.

"What's there to think about? Just go straight in." Roy replied.

"Huh? We're really doing it like this?"

"Yeah. Oh, and change the flag."

"Wait, what?"

Izo had been with Roy long enough to understand him, but he still underestimated how casual Roy could be. Unlike other pirates who cared about their pride, Roy didn't give a damn.

He had only one goal: get the job done.

So they raised the Beasts Pirates' flag and approached the lift.

The lift was a giant water container pulled up by steel chains from the seafloor. Once the ship was inside, it would be hauled to the top. Then the tank would be lowered again.

As the ship rose and the towering wall of Wano loomed ahead, Izo's heart grew heavier.

...

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

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