The spacious conference hall fell into complete silence.
Every Marine officer wore a bitter expression.
After serving in the Marines for so many years, this was the first time they realized just how thrilling the job could be.
It was far more nerve-racking than responding to a midnight emergency.
Who in their right mind would voluntarily seek out Whitebeard?
And all for a mere ten-million-Berry Performance Bonus.
Was it really worth it?
"Ahem... Sengoku, you really do know me well," Garp said awkwardly with a dry cough. "You even know what I was about to say."
"Garp, stuff those words back into your mouth!"
Sengoku shot him another glare.
If looks could kill, Garp would have died ten thousand times over.
But thinking of Lucas’s current situation, Sengoku quickly suppressed his irritation. Clenching the Den Den Mushi tightly, he said through gritted teeth,
"That brat has gone completely insane over a ten-million-Berry Performance Bonus."
"But he’s still one of Marine Headquarters’ Admirals."
"We can’t just stand by and watch him die at the hands of Whitebeard and Red-Haired Shanks!"
"Kizaru!"
"Head for the Sicily Sea ahead of schedule and prepare to support Lucas."
"Gion!"
"I’ve known Whitebeard for many years."
"Find a way to hand the Den Den Mushi to him."
"Even if I have to throw away every shred of my pride, I’ll do everything I can to bring that brat back alive."
His voice was low but utterly resolute.
Lucas’s methods were undeniably reckless.
But as long as Lucas still wore the Marine uniform...
They would never abandon him so easily.
Even the Marine officers present couldn’t help but feel their spirits lift.
They all understood the saying:
When the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold.
If Sengoku abandoned Lucas today...
Who was to say he wouldn’t abandon them tomorrow?
His determination to save Lucas was reassurance to everyone present.
"F-Fleet Admiral Sengoku..."
"I don’t think you’ll need to use your influence anymore."
"Admiral Lucas has stopped."
"And Whitebeard has lowered his weapon as well."
Gion’s hurried report came through the Den Den Mushi once again.
No one had expected the two men, who had been locked in such an overwhelming clash moments ago, to suddenly stop fighting.
Even Garp was momentarily stunned.
Though a completely different thought crossed his mind.
Aboard the Moby Dick, everyone’s attention remained fixed on Lucas.
He was an uninvited guest from the enemy camp.
Yet he had risked his life to board Whitebeard’s ship.
Naturally, everyone was curious.
What could possibly drive someone to such madness?
More importantly...
How did he expect to leave this ship alive?
"Brat."
Whitebeard remained standing, his naginata planted firmly on the deck.
"You can talk now."
"And don’t waste my time."
"Or I might decide to cut you down after all."
He narrowed his eyes.
"If I remember correctly..."
"You seemed to agree with what Red Hair said."
"So are you saying Ace isn’t even as capable as that traitor?"
Marco and the others immediately tensed.
Over the years, Whitebeard’s health had steadily declined.
His body was plagued by illness, and only constant medication kept him going.
Unfortunately...
Aside from Whitebeard himself, no one in the Whitebeard Pirates—not even Marco, hailed as the strongest first division commander—possessed the incredibly rare Conqueror’s Haki.
As a result, the crew lacked someone capable of inheriting Whitebeard’s position.
Ace’s arrival had changed that.
He represented hope.
Hope that someone would one day succeed Whitebeard.
But now...
Someone was claiming that all of those hopes were misplaced.
That Ace wasn’t even as capable as a traitor.
Were all those years of nurturing him meaningless?
Lucas didn’t answer immediately.
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, he took a sip of strong liquor from his gourd before calmly saying,
"Ace is indeed inferior to Blackbeard."
BOOM!
The Conqueror’s Haki that Whitebeard had just withdrawn erupted once more, sweeping across the sea like a devastating hurricane.
Everyone’s hearts tightened again.
They feared Whitebeard was about to attack once more.
Standing calmly within the crushing pressure, Lucas adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and said indifferently,
"What?"
"Didn’t you like hearing that?"
"The truth is..."
"You aren’t completely confident that Ace can win either."
"Otherwise, why would you be this angry?"
"As captain of this ship..."
"I’m sure you know better than anyone what secrets Blackbeard has been hiding."
"A man who endured for decades..."
"Has undoubtedly honed his physical abilities to a terrifying level."
"And now he possesses the incredibly rare Dark-Dark Fruit."
"Sending Ace after him alone..."
"If you want to put it nicely, it’s loyalty."
"If you want to put it bluntly, it’s recklessness."
"And to put it even more bluntly..."
"You’re sending him to his death."
"Don’t forget."
"Blackbeard endured all these years before making his move."
"He must already have made thorough preparations."
"And he’s gathered plenty of followers."
"If you still think Ace isn’t walking into a death trap..."
"Then I’d say you’re not just old."
"You’re being foolish."
"That’s why I came."
"I’ve said everything I needed to say."
"If there’s nothing else..."
"I still need to get off work before five-thirty."
Marco and the others were completely dumbfounded.
No one had expected Lucas to unleash such a series of blunt judgments.
Most shocking of all...
Was the final remark directed at Whitebeard himself.
Even Red-Haired Shanks would think twice before saying something like that to Whitebeard.
Watching Lucas turn around without the slightest intention of staying, Marco immediately tensed.
At the same time, Shanks quietly tightened his grip on Gryphon, the saber at his waist.
"Stay alert."
"I never expected this new Marine Admiral to come here because of Fire Fist Ace."
"What he said makes sense."
"But saying those things to Whitebeard right now..."
"He’s dancing on the edge of death."
"If things go wrong..."
"It’ll finally be my turn to ask Whitebeard to give me some face."
Benn Beckman and the others also grew serious.
An enraged Whitebeard was someone none of them could afford to underestimate.
Yet despite the increasingly tense atmosphere...
Lucas showed no sign of concern.
From the very beginning...
He had known exactly why Shanks came to meet Whitebeard.
His own visit had simply been to ensure Sengoku and the others would believe the report he planned to deliver afterward.
That way...
He could successfully earn his ten-million-Berry Performance Bonus and exchange it for a ten-pull of Silver Treasure Chests.
As for bringing up Ace...
That was simply to avoid future trouble.
He didn’t want Whitebeard causing unnecessary complications later.
Otherwise...
If official business dragged past quitting time...
He might be forced into unpaid overtime again.
That was something Lucas absolutely refused to allow.
Whitebeard tightened his grip on his naginata.
"So..."
"You came all the way into my territory..."
"Just to belittle Ace?"
His voice grew colder.
"I want to know..."
"Why are you meddling in something like this?"
"Don’t you think you’re sticking your nose in too far?"
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