Shanks' gaze finally settled on the silhouette of the Moby Dick as it sailed into the distance.
"If I get the chance…"
He retracted his gaze, the corner of his mouth curving into a faint smile.
"…I ought to pay that kid named Lucian Thorn a visit."
This era… was becoming more and more interesting.
Holy Land – Mary Geoise.
The space twisted—
and five battered figures tumbled heavily onto the cold stone floor, spat out by a wave of inky black energy.
They were the Five Elders, rescued by Imu from Marineford just moments ago.
Each of them was injured. Their breathing ragged. Their faces still etched with terror.
"Huff… huff… We're safe…"
Saturn clutched his cracked chest, which was slowly regenerating, his eyes filled with lingering fear.
"That brat… that Lucian kid is a complete monster!"
"Agreed," said Venus (Bakotsu), still shaken.
"That golden flame turning black… burning us continuously… If not for Lord Imu's intervention, we really would've died there!"
Mercury (Sunaworm) added grimly, "And Lord Imu gave no orders afterward…"
"…Which means our master is still in slumber. That attack might've been a reflex—a subconscious act of protection."
"…Indeed."
The five fell silent for a moment, suppressing their fear and regaining the composure expected of the world's highest authorities.
Since Imu was still asleep, they'd have to plan slowly how to deal with Lucian and Straw Hat Luffy.
For now, stabilizing the situation came first.
"Let's start with the bounties."
Shepherd's eyes gleamed coldly.
The other four instantly understood.
"How much?"
"That Lucian… his power far exceeds anything we've known. We must make the world understand how dangerous he is."
"I propose… 7.5 billion berries."
The others inhaled sharply.
That figure… surpassed even Roger, the Pirate King.
But when they remembered the towering golden sword and that godfire capable of burning anything, it felt… justified.
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
"And as for Straw Hat Luffy…"
"The Sun God Nika… he's equally unpredictable and dangerous."
"4 billion berries."
"Agreed."
"Then it's settled. Publish these two new bounty posters worldwide—immediately!"
They acted without hesitation.
"What about the Marines?"
"Let them focus on postwar reconstruction."
"Add 5 billion berries to Marine HQ's budget. Get them back on their feet as soon as possible."
"Also—issue a top-level classified directive:
Any information regarding Lucian summoning Peak Whitebeard and Rayleigh, and Luffy awakening the Nika form—is to be considered top secret."
"Not a single word is to leak."
"Understood!"
Somewhere in Whitebeard Pirates' territory—on a quiet island.
The mood was solemn and still.
The crew had gathered in a large circle.
At the center stood a brand-new gravestone.
Carved into its surface was a name—
Thatch.
The two Whitebeards stood side by side before the grave. Behind them stood Marco, Jozu, Vista, and all the division commanders.
Even Rayleigh and Zoro watched silently from the side.
There was no celebration of victory—
Only mourning for a lost brother.
"Bring the traitor forward."
Elder Whitebeard's voice, though hoarse, carried chilling coldness.
"Yes!"
At his word, Ace stepped forward, dragging a man wrapped in layers of Seastone chains and shoved him roughly to his knees before the grave.
Marshall D. Teach—Blackbeard.
All arrogance and swagger were gone.
Wounded. Trembling. His face twisted in fear, he kowtowed frantically.
"Pops! Please! I was wrong! Give me another chance!"
"For the sake of our father-son bond… Please—I'll never do it again!"
His pleas were met only with cold, unfeeling eyes.
Prime Whitebeard looked down from above, his grin devoid of any warmth.
"Teach… you killed my son.
And you think you deserve to live?"
Elder Whitebeard slowly raised his naginata.
"The Whitebeard Pirates have no place for traitorous, unfilial scum like you."
Just then, a rather out-of-place scene unfolded nearby.
Lucian Thorn squatted to the side with a large wicker basket in front of him.
It was filled with colorful fruits—apples, bananas, oranges, watermelons… all kinds.
He was holding one up, turning it over and inspecting it like it was some rare treasure.
"Hey! Lucian!"
"What are you doing?"
Both Luffys wandered over, drooling over the fruit.
With their shameless charm, they had long since gotten comfortable around Lucian.
Without looking up, Lucian waved them off.
"Running an experiment."
"What experiment? Let us help!"
"You wouldn't get it even if I explained," he grumbled. "Go play somewhere else."
"Okay…"
The two Luffys exchanged glances and ran off.
Meanwhile, the two Whitebeards, having finished mourning Thatch, raised their weapons high.
"Teach."
"Use your life… to atone before Thatch—before all our fallen sons!"
Slash!
Slash!
Two massive naginata swung down simultaneously.
A massive head flew skyward—face frozen in terror—then rolled to a stop at Thatch's grave.
Blood drenched the stone.
Vengeance complete.
The Whitebeard crew finally released a collective breath.
"Gurararara!"
"Alright, boys—time to celebrate!"
With Teach executed, the two Whitebeards roared with hearty laughter, the heavy burden finally lifted.
The grim air vanished.
"Party time!"
"Drinks! Meat! Let's go!"
The crew erupted with joy, rushing back toward the ship.
One by one, everyone drifted away.
Only Lucian remained.
Still squatting.
Brow furrowed.
He glanced at the basket of fruit…
then back at the decapitated corpse.
His eyes narrowed.
"…That's strange."
"By Devil Fruit reincarnation logic, the Dark-Dark Fruit should've attached itself to a nearby fruit…"
"But none of these… changed."
He looked again at Teach's body.
"…Could it be… he's not fully dead?"
Lucian suddenly recalled something from the original timeline—
That Teach's body was said to be "unusual", possibly even having more than one heart.
"…Interesting."
A smirk crept across Lucian's face.
He stood up, walked over to Teach's corpse, and extended his right hand.
Palm up.
Whoosh!
"Amaterasu."
A golden flame ignited from thin air, instantly consuming the body and severed head.
No screams.
No resistance.
The divine flame devoured Teach completely—leaving behind only a small pile of black ash.
Suddenly—
A plain apple in the fruit basket began to twist and morph!
Strange spiral patterns appeared on its surface. Its color turned deep purple, emanating a sinister aura.
The Dark-Dark Fruit!
Lucian turned, eyes falling on the transformed fruit.
He smiled knowingly.
He picked it up and rolled it in his hand.
"…Now, what to do with this?"
He pondered for a moment, then shrugged.
With a casual wave, he sent the fruit into his System Inventory.
"Whatever. Let's party first."
Clapping his hands, he jogged after the others who were already long gone.