"An irreplaceable key?"
Marco's voice once again brimmed with doubt.
He stared hard at Lucian Thorn, searching for even the slightest trace of a joke on that wildly grinning face.
But there was none.
Lucian's eyes held nothing but unwavering certainty—so resolute that it allowed for no dissent.
That made Marco feel an unfamiliar discomfort.
His reason screamed that what this young man was saying was pure fantasy.
"Lucian…"
Marco finally regained a sliver of composure, but every word sounded like it was being squeezed through clenched teeth.
"I admit he's a rookie with a lot of potential and guts. He's Ace's brother, so of course we'll pay attention to him."
"But…"
He stepped forward, his piercing blue eyes locked onto Lucian.
No matter how powerful he might become at his peak—
Even so!
"Comparing him to the peak of Dark King Rayleigh and Pops? I still think that's a stretch!"
"This isn't just a matter of potential! It's a chasm of time and experience! One is a living legend who stood at the summit of the old era, the other is a rookie who just stepped into the New World. The gap between them is obvious!"
Besides, Rayleigh and Pops earned their status by proving their strength at their peak. But Luffy? Even if he becomes strong in the future—have you seen it?
You can't bet everything on a greenhorn who just set out to sea!
"Marco."
Lucian suddenly spoke, calmly interrupting him.
His composure was in stark contrast to Marco's agitation.
Looking at the Phoenix who practically had the words "This is nonsense" carved into his face, Lucian's grin faded slightly. In its place was a deep, mysterious expression—like someone who had already seen the future.
"Don't underestimate him."
Lucian's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an odd power that choked off everything Marco had been about to say.
"Straw Hat Luffy, at his peak, is a force that will make the entire world tremble."
He paused, as if giving Marco and Whitebeard time to digest those words.
"Gurararara…"
A low rumble came from Whitebeard's throat. The aging man leaned against a broken wall, wine gourd still in hand but no longer raised. His seasoned eyes grew sharper, more probing.
He hadn't accepted it—but neither did he deny it.
He was simply observing. Judging.
Was this young man, daring to propose such a mad plan in front of him, truly a prophet—or just a fool drunk on power?
Of course, Lucian felt Whitebeard's gaze. But he didn't care.
After all, as a transmigrator, he knew the strength of Nika Luffy in the future!
He met Marco's still-doubtful stare and continued.
"As for how strong he'll become…"
"I'll open the Gate of Time and Space and let you see for yourselves."
That sentence hit Marco like a bolt of thunder.
See it with their own eyes?
Just like… just like when they met Peak Whitebeard earlier?
Meet the future Straw Hat Luffy at his peak?
Hearing this, Marco couldn't help but question again—
He's just a newbie who recently set sail… how strong could he possibly be?
"Enough. Now's not the time to debate this."
Lucian clapped his hands, snapping both of them back to focus.
The mystery in his expression vanished instantly, replaced with a sharp, decisive air.
"If we want this plan to succeed, every second counts."
He pointed into the air with his finger, as if sketching an invisible battle map.
"Same as with Pops—I need to fight them directly. Only then can the System fully analyze them, and once the analysis is maxed out, I can open the Gate of Time and Space to bring their peak versions into the present."
His gaze shifted back to Marco, sharp as a blade.
"That's why I need you to take me, Marco."
"We have two targets."
"First stop: Sabaody Archipelago, to find the current Dark King Rayleigh."
"Second stop: Amazon Lily. That's where Ace's brother, Straw Hat Luffy, is right now!"
Two crystal-clear locations. Two pinpointed targets. Lucian delivered them without pause.
Yet Marco's mind was still stuck on the last topic—he had just been debating whether Luffy was worthy, and in the blink of an eye, a plan to cross half of Paradise on a "recruitment mission" was laid out in front of him.
The mental whiplash made even the Whitebeard Pirates' first division commander feel breathless.
He instinctively looked toward Pops.
And saw that Whitebeard had already straightened up.
The weathered face of the world's strongest man now showed a long-lost flicker of excitement… and wildness.
"Gurararara!"
That bold laughter once again echoed across the ruins.
"Rayleigh, that old coot, huh? I'd love to see what he looks like nowadays."
"And Garp's grandson… Hmph, that brat—I'm curious too!"
The world's strongest man had made his decision.
He casually tossed aside the massive wine gourd, spilling its contents across the cracked earth with a hiss.
"Marco!"
Whitebeard called out in a deep, commanding voice.
"Yes, Pops!"
Marco straightened instinctively.
"Do as the Lucian kid says."
Whitebeard's tone allowed no argument. It brimmed with the absolute authority of a king.
"Take him!"
"Yes!"
All hesitation vanished from Marco's face. Every doubt and question he'd had evaporated the moment Pops gave the order.
Now, he only had one task: carry it out.
"Lucian!"
Marco looked at Lucian again—his gaze completely changed.
Now, it held only trust.
Lucian grinned, flashing his white teeth.
"Then I'll be counting on you, Marco."
"Hold on tight."
Marco spoke plainly.
In the next moment, he spread his arms wide, and brilliant blue flames erupted skyward, engulfing his body.
When the fire faded, a majestic blue phoenix stood where he'd been, its great wings unfurling with a rush of heated wind.
Lucian didn't hesitate—he leapt onto the wide back of the Phoenix.
"Let's go!"
At Lucian's command, the Phoenix let out a high-pitched cry.
Its giant blue wings flapped with force.
A howling gust surged through the ruins.
One man and one bird turned into a streak of sapphire light, shooting into the sky—disappearing beyond the horizon.