The plaza fell silent in an instant.
Almost everyone was taken aback, staring in shock at the tall old man.
Even Brook, who was trying to chat with Nami, was so surprised his eyes bulged and his jaw dropped to the ground.
Though he had neither eyes nor a jaw.
"Fa, Father?!"
Jozu accidentally knocked over the table in front of him, spilling drinks everywhere, but he didn't care. He shouted, "Why, retirement? You're joking, right?"
"Exactly, Father!"
"Gurarararara, how could I joke about something like this, you foolish sons!"
Whitebeard laughed heartily, "These years of running around with you, fighting and battling, these old bones of mine are tired! Now it's just the right time, while I can still move around, to find a quiet little island, bask in the sun, have some drinks, do some fishing, how relaxing!"
"As for you all."
Whitebeard grinned:
"You're still young, and the road ahead is long. Even I can't protect you for a lifetime. If you want to keep adventuring the seas and achieve greater things in the future, you punks need to get used to days without me."
"Father!"
Izou couldn't help but shout, "We don't care about that! We just want to be with you!"
"Yeah, Father!"
"We don't want to disband!"
The other captains also stood up excitedly.
"Don't talk nonsense!"
Whitebeard slammed the table suddenly, causing the entire plaza to tremble. He swept his gaze over each son's face, snorting:
"Don't be so naive, you bunch of foolish sons. Did you think I was asking for your opinion? This is an order, the final order as your captain!"
These words carried a magical power, making all the captains of the Whitebeard Team tear up.
They knew, once Father used this term, there was no room for negotiation.
"Enough! Don't act like you're attending my funeral, I'm doing just fine, not dead yet! The coming years, you all have plenty of time to visit me, plenty of chances to reunite, right?"
"As for now, hey! All of you, open your eyes wide, and watch closely!!!"
Whitebeard raised his volume, pointing to Shano across from him:
"The man sitting opposite me is someone who can truly be chronicled in history, even after thousands of years he'll still shine brightly! As a person, he's unquestionably trustworthy, and following him, your future is wide open, it'll be good!"
"So starting this year, you'll join the Endgame! Regard this man as your captain, stand behind him, and create a whole new era!"
This was what Whitebeard cared about the most!
He was genuinely worried about these foolish sons, concerned they might lose their way in this ever-changing era, worried about what might happen to them without his protection.
And himself, he wouldn't live for a few more years...
Therefore.
He must find them a sufficiently strong haven, someone he could trustingly entrust them to.
And Shano, this man destined to suppress an era and destined to usher in a new one, was undoubtedly the best candidate!
"Shano!"
Whitebeard looked at Shano again, raised his cup, and laughed, "I said I would repay you, but ended up loading you with a lot of trouble, it's quite embarrassing, but no matter what, I'll leave these sons of mine in your care from now on!"
"Newgate."
Shano looked at the bold old man before him, sighing quietly in his heart.
Of course, he understood Whitebeard's intent, and he knew how heavy this entrustment was.
The territories, routes, trades, and all the other assets under the control of the Whitebeard Pirates...
After all, it was all just foreshadowing for these few words.
"You really know how to give me a headache, huh."
Shano also stood up, clinking glasses with Whitebeard, solemnly saying, "But since you've said it like that, I won't be coy anymore."
"From today, all of the Whitebeard Pirates are now part of my Endgame!"
"I, Shano, hereby promise that I will never betray Newgate's trust, nor mistreat any one of you! As long as you abide by the regulations of Endgame, from now on, newcomers and veterans alike, everyone will be treated equally!"
"Gurararara!"
Whitebeard laughed, patting Shano on the shoulder, "You all heard? What are you waiting for, little ones, come greet your new captain!"
"Father…"
Jozu and the others' eyes were red, but eventually, they wiped away their tears, responding in unison:
"Yes! We understand!"
"Captain!"
"Lord Shano!"
With Marco taking the lead, all the captains raised their glasses towards Shano, pledging their allegiance.
Even someone as stubborn as Jozu, even if his face was still wet with tears and he couldn't bear to part, after struggling for ages, he did the same.
As Whitebeard's sons, they understood!
This was Father's final wish, and in his mind, it was the best arrangement for them.
If they couldn't bear to leave Father, they could visit him more in the future, spend more time with him.
But if, at a time like this, they led the charge in resisting, acting like weaned children insisting on staying with Father forever…
It would only make Father sad and worried.
"Alright! Stop standing around!"
Seeing this scene, Whitebeard finally felt at ease, chuckled, waved his hand, and shouted:
"Little ones, tonight's not only a celebration of victory but also our final farewell banquet for the Whitebeard Pirates! Cheer up and keep drinking your fill!"