The moment Marco shouted, every member of the Whitebeard Pirates snapped their heads up in unison.
All eyes turned in the same direction.
That aura...
They knew it all too well!
In the next instant, a golden light descended and stopped above Ryugu Castle's plaza.
The light faded.
And then—
Lucian Thorn's figure appeared before everyone.
Still wearing his usual black trousers and shirt—only now, golden motes sparkled around him like diamond dust.
There wasn't a trace of fatigue on his body—not even a wrinkle in his clothes.
He didn't look like someone who had just fought a war against Emperors.
He looked more like someone who had gone for a stroll.
"Lucian!"
"You're back!"
Marco was the first to rush forward, his usually laid-back expression twisted by both worry and excitement.
He raised a hand to pat Lucian on the shoulder, but before he could—
Diamond Jozu shoved ahead, his massive frame bulldozing through. His rugged face was a mixture of anxiety and joy as he let out a muffled shout:
"You bastard… you're alright?!
That was Kaido and Charlotte Linlin, for god's sake!"
Flower Sword Vista, the other commanders, and all the crew surged forward in an instant.
A wall of urgent gazes surrounded Lucian from every direction.
Lucian scanned each familiar face—saw the unfiltered concern in their eyes—and the corner of his mouth lifted into a small smile.
Then his gaze passed over everyone, settling at the very center—
Where the man who hadn't moved from his seat the entire time sat calmly.
Whitebeard.
Edward Newgate.
He hadn't stood, but his eyes had never left Lucian since he appeared.
He could feel it—Lucian had become even stronger.
But what mattered most to him was this:
His son had returned, safe and whole.
Their eyes met.
And Whitebeard's weathered face split into a wide grin.
He lifted the towering sake gourd beside him, took a swig—
Then said:
"Gurararara… So, my son—
How'd it go?"
"Did you knock some sense into those two bastards—Kaido and Linlin?"
The plaza went silent.
Everyone waited for Lucian's response.
Lucian met Whitebeard's gaze, his smile widening.
He didn't brag.
Didn't explain.
He just responded like it was a casual conversation at home:
"You guys still don't know my strength?"
He paused, sweeping his gaze across every face, then added lightly:
"Even the Gorosei and the Navy couldn't stop me.
What are Kaido and Charlotte Linlin in comparison?"
"Not worth mentioning."
Those four words…
Everyone's minds went blank.
Kaido… Charlotte Linlin…
The two Emperors who had ruled the seas for decades.
Monsters whose names alone could shake the world.
And in Lucian's mouth, they were reduced to:
"Not worth mentioning"?
How arrogant.
How confident.
Three seconds later—
"OOOOOOOOHHHHH!!!"
A thunderous cheer erupted from every corner of the plaza!
"We won! We actually won!"
"Lucian took down two Emperors all by himself!"
"Lucian really is unbeatable!"
"Hahahaha! I knew it! I knew Lucian was the strongest!"
Crew members laughed, hugged each other, shouted, and even tossed their swords skyward—releasing their pride in the most primal way possible!
Marco stood dazed for a second, then smacked his own forehead.
A mix of helplessness and laughter crossed his face.
'Yeah… What was I even worried about?'
'This is the guy who can cross time and beat the Gorosei at Marineford…
Of course he'd be fine.'
Jozu's huge frame shook with emotion.
He slammed his fist into the ground—the hard plaza cracked instantly.
But he didn't care.
He just threw his head back and roared.
"You're amazing, Lucian!"
And at the center, Whitebeard's body trembled when he heard Lucian's words.
In his eyes—first came shock.
Then, pride—so overwhelming it nearly spilled over.
"Gurararara… Gurararara!!"
He lifted his head and let out his trademark laugh—
Louder than ever.
More joyful than ever.
He looked at the son standing in the center of the crowd, surrounded by love and loyalty.
His gaze was full of praise.
"No doubt about it…
You really are my son."
Amid the deafening cheers, Lucian simply smiled calmly.
He walked through the excited crowd and came to stand before Whitebeard.
"Pops."
"Gurarara… Well done, Lucian!"
Whitebeard slapped Lucian's shoulder hard.
It looked rough, but the force behind it was gentle.
But then—
Lucian's next words brought the laughter and cheering to an abrupt halt.
"But, Pops," Lucian said, his tone shifting slightly, "I didn't kill them."
"Hmm?"
Whitebeard's grin faded a little, confusion flickering in his eyes.
The commanders around them went quiet too, exchanging uncertain glances.
That kind of blood feud… and he didn't finish them off?
It didn't add up.
Lucian's gaze drifted into the distance—as if he were looking through the deep sea, into the far-off future.
He spoke, his voice soft—but every person heard it clearly.
"I left those two old bastards—and their thrones—as experience points for Ace and Luffy."
"This new era…
shouldn't end with me."
A faint smile curved his lips.
"It should be Ace and Luffy who open the next chapter…
with their own fists."
The moment he said that, Marco and the others froze.
They had thought Lucian toppled the Emperors to claim the top seat—
To make the Whitebeard Pirates the only kings left.
But now…
Lucian's vision had gone far beyond that.
He wasn't thinking about Four Emperors battling for supremacy.
He was thinking about an era shift.
He had turned two world-shaking Sea Emperors into training dummies for Ace and Luffy.
What kind of spirit was that?
Whitebeard stared at Lucian.
The confusion in his eyes turned into deep, emotional shock.
Suddenly, he understood.
Everything Lucian had done—
Wasn't just for the pirate crew.
It was for the future of the family.
For Ace.
For Luffy.
"Gurararara…"
Whitebeard laughed again—
This time, the laughter was full of relief and satisfaction.
He looked at Lucian like he was seeing a true eagle—one who had finally taken flight.
"So that's how it is…
That's what it all meant…"
And just then—
While everyone was still talking and celebrating, Lucian leaned close to Whitebeard's ear.
There was a mischievous look on his face as he whispered just loud enough for the two of them to hear:
"And Pops, by the way…"
"I heard… Ace had a little thing with Kaido's daughter before he joined us."
"...Huh?"
Whitebeard blinked.
Lucian winked—grinning like a devil.
"And from what I've heard, that girl is really strong.
So who knows… maybe, someday…
you'll be a grandpa."
Whitebeard's massive frame froze for a second.
His eyes widened—as if struggling to process the sheer amount of gossip he had just absorbed.
Then—
A strange, meaningful grin spread across his serious face.
"Gurarara…
Gurararara!!!"
Ace, you little brat!
You've even got romantic drama now, huh?