"Pops, Marco."
"The Gate of Time and Space can now be opened."
That single sentence struck Marco's mind like a thunderclap!
He jerked his head up, eyes locked firmly on Lucian Thorn. Those drowsy eyes of his were now wide with shock and excitement!
"You… what did you just say?"
The Gate of Time and Space could be opened?
Even Whitebeard's booming laughter came to an abrupt halt.
In his emperor-like eyes surged a brilliance never seen before, locking tightly onto Lucian Thorn.
He could tell—Lucian wasn't joking.
This brat… he's telling the truth!
"When?"
Lucian grinned.
"Now."
"Anytime."
Whitebeard's aura surged violently upon hearing that, as if he was ready to set out the very next moment.
"Then what are we waiting for! We—"
"Wait, Pops!"
Marco finally tore himself free from his shock. In a flash, he appeared in front of Whitebeard, his face tense with urgency.
"No! Not now!"
Whitebeard frowned, displeased. "Why not?"
Marco was sweating bullets, words tumbling out in haste:
"The commotion was too big! Just now, your fight with Lucian—everyone aboard the Moby Dick saw it!"
"They were all awakened!"
"If we just vanish in front of everyone right now, the news will definitely spread!
If the Navy gets wind of it, they'll strengthen Ace's guard—maybe even execute him early!"
Marco's words hit Whitebeard like a bucket of cold water, dousing his fiery resolve.
He fell silent.
He knew Marco was right.
Saving Ace came first. Any risk that might endanger the plan had to be eliminated.
Lucian nodded in agreement. "Captain Marco is right. The fewer who know of this, the better."
Whitebeard thought for a moment, then asked Marco, "So what do you suggest?"
Marco drew a deep breath, forcing himself calm, his mind racing.
Soon, he gave his answer.
"Wait!"
"Wait until midnight, when everyone's asleep. Then we quietly leave and regroup here!"
"This way, no one will notice a thing!"
Whitebeard's tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed.
"Gurararara… good idea!"
Lucian agreed as well. "We'll do it that way."
The three reached a consensus and wasted no more time.
Whitebeard and Lucian leapt into the air with Moonwalk, while Marco transformed into his phoenix form. The three swiftly returned to the quietly anchored Moby Dick.
By the time they set foot on deck, it was already packed with people.
All the division commanders, all the crew—they had gathered there, faces still pale from fright, staring into the distance toward the island reduced to rubble.
When they saw Whitebeard, Marco, and Lucian return unharmed, everyone breathed a long sigh of relief.
But confusion and shock soon followed.
Especially when their gazes fell upon Lucian Thorn.
Something about him had changed.
They couldn't say what exactly, but there was now a terrifying aura around him that made even them shudder.
"Pops, just now you and Lucian…?" Jozu couldn't hold back, taking a heavy step forward to ask.
Whitebeard waved a massive hand, cutting him off. His voice boomed across the entire ship:
"It's nothing! Just me feeling itchy and giving the new son a bit of guidance!"
"Now get the hell back to sleep!"
"We've still got a journey tomorrow!"
His words, domineering and unquestionable.
Though many felt that "guidance" had caused a little too much destruction, with Pops having spoken, they dared not press further. They dispersed with their doubts, heading back to their quarters.
The deck soon returned to silence.
Midnight.
The sea breeze was cool, the moonlight like flowing water.
Most of the crew aboard the Moby Dick were fast asleep. Only a few watchmen remained on patrol.
Three shadows, ghostly and silent, slipped away from the ship, flying toward the ruined island where the battle had raged earlier.
Whitebeard, Marco, and Lucian.
The three landed once again upon the shattered reefs.
This time, there was no wasted talk.
Both Whitebeard and Marco fixed their eyes on Lucian, heavy with expectation.
Meeting their gaze, Lucian inhaled deeply.
Closing his eyes, he issued the system command that could alter the course of the world itself.
"System!"
"Open the Gate of Time and Space!"
"Target: Edward Newgate, peak era!"
The very next instant—
A cold, mechanical voice echoed in his mind:
『SSR · Peak Whitebeard resolution 100%. Traversal condition met.』
『Temporal landmark locking…』
『Lock complete! Target era: The time of Peak Whitebeard clashing with Roger for the Pirate King's throne!』
『Gate of Time and Space… opening!』
BOOOOM!
An indescribable ancient, boundless aura erupted out of thin air!
Before Lucian, Whitebeard, and Marco, the calm night sky suddenly split apart, as if torn open by an invisible hand!
Golden light spilled from the rift!
The glow grew stronger and stronger, twisting, spiraling, interweaving—
Until, under their stunned eyes, a colossal gate of pure golden light took shape with a deep, resonant hum, towering before them!
It bore no intricate carvings, no mysterious runes—only simple, radiant brilliance. But all three could sense it: this was a door steeped in the breath of another time.
And beyond the gate—
Not the midnight sea.
But a dazzling blue world under the midday sun!
Seagulls soared, the air brimmed with freedom and adventure!
Whitebeard's weathered eyes fixed upon that scene, and a wave of complex nostalgia rippled within them.
He could feel it.
This was his era.
The age of legends—when countless strong men rose, when the seas were untamed by today's order!
He could even feel the presence of Roger, of Golden Lion, of old friends and rivals alike upon those seas!
"Gurararara…"
Whitebeard's deep laughter rumbled. He turned, glanced at Lucian and Marco.
Then, without hesitation, he strode forward.
The first to step into the golden Gate of Time and Space.
His figure vanished in the glow.
Marco stared at the grand portal, then at Lucian beside him, throat tight, heart pounding against his chest.
Lucian smiled at him.
"Come on, big brother Marco."
"Let's relive… the true Legendary Era."
And with that, he too stepped forward.
Marco gritted his teeth, transformed into a phoenix, and dove headlong into the golden light!