Hearing Lucas agree, a brilliant smile appeared on Whitebeard's face.
"Gurararara!! That's right!"
"Also, you brat, what's with that expression? I'm one of the Four Emperors of the New World. Vice-Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates—countless people want this position but can't get it, yet you're unwilling?"
Of course Lucas was unwilling. The position of Vice-Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates might be an unattainable dream for many.
But for him, it was just trouble.
Lucas wore a wry smile.
This made Marco curious. Lucas was indeed strong, but surely not enough for Pops to hold him in such high regard.
After all, Pops wasn't an ordinary person; he held the title of the World's Strongest Man.
Looking across the entire world, anyone who heard the name Whitebeard would tremble three times.
At the same time, he could see that Lucas really didn't seem to care about the Vice-Captain position. Who exactly was this boy?
With such powerful strength, he was unknown in the world, which was simply unscientific.
Fire Fist Ace, who was defeated by Lucas, was a famous new generation pirate even before becoming the Second Division Commander.
Yet they had never heard Lucas's name. Moreover, they were very curious how Pops knew these people.
In recent years, due to Pops' age and declining health, Marco had been by his side almost twenty-four hours a day. He could be certain Pops hadn't contacted outsiders.
But asking these questions now was obviously inappropriate.
Whitebeard drank and ate meat happily.
Making Lucas the second-in-command was indeed his own little scheme.
He knew his body well. He didn't know when he would be gone.
His biggest worry was these sons.
These sons had enjoyed honor because of him all these years, but they also bore the risks.
While he was alive, the World Government, other Emperors, and major powers dared not touch them.
Once he died, those guys would pounce like jackals and devour the Whitebeard Pirates completely.
So he needed insurance.
This insurance was Lucas.
Lucas was the most monstrous kid he had ever seen. Possessing such strength at this age, imagine when he grew up.
Once he made a name for himself in this world, Lucas wouldn't even need to show his face in the future to guarantee the safety of his sons.
Meanwhile, far away from the island, a Marine warship was anchored at sea.
"That guy Whitebeard actually cares about spectacle at a time like this."
Garp ate donuts discontentedly. Honestly, he didn't care at first, but seeing the scale of the celebration, he couldn't help feeling a bit sour.
"Mr. Garp, do you want me to go..."
Aokiji was also somewhat annoyed. A group of pirates celebrating a birthday so arrogantly in front of a Marine Admiral was simply disregarding the Marines too much. Since they couldn't take down Whitebeard, ruining the birthday banquet wouldn't be bad.
"Let them be. That guy Whitebeard isn't so easy to deal with. If he were, the World Government would have moved long ago. The title 'World's Strongest Man' isn't just for show."
Suddenly!
Puru puru! Puru puru!
The Den Den Mushi rang. Garp picked it up.
The Den Den Mushi's head turned into Fleet Admiral Sengoku's appearance.
"Sengoku, what is it again?"
Sengoku said with an ugly expression, "Garp! Intelligence reports say that Kaido is heading towards Whitebeard! You and Aokiji must be extra careful! If anything happens, report immediately!"
"?!"
Garp bared his teeth upon hearing this. "That bastard Kaido, coming to cause trouble now?"
Whitebeard alone was fine, but two Emperors meeting would make the World Government nervous.
"Should we go stop him?"
Aokiji frowned and asked Garp, realizing the severity of the problem.
"No need. That guy Kaido just wants chaos. On Whitebeard's 70th birthday, he's definitely not coming to offer congratulations."
"Besides, we can't stop him now anyway. Let's watch and see. If they wipe each other out, it would save us trouble."
Meanwhile, everyone on the island was happily enjoying the banquet.
Erica, Kanae, Rin, Whitebeard, and Lucas.
It was the first offline meeting for the five of them, so naturally, they had endless things to talk about.
Just then, someone ran over hurriedly with a drastically changed expression.
"Pops!!"
"Hm? What's wrong? Why the panic?"
"Kai... Kaido of the Beasts is coming with his pirate crew!!"
"?!!"
Everyone in the Whitebeard Pirates turned pale upon hearing this.
Lucas raised an eyebrow. Unexpectedly, he would meet not only Whitebeard but also Kaido this time?
"That guy, what is he doing here now?"
Marco's face was very grim. Kaido of the Beasts? That was the man known as the "World's Strongest Creature," one of the Four Emperors of the New World, just like Pops.
And unlike Pops, who was plagued by illness, Kaido was currently in his prime, at the peak of his strength.
Coming here on Pops' 70th birthday, Kaido obviously had bad intentions.
"Kaido of the Beasts?"
Rin looked at Whitebeard curiously. As someone from another world, she naturally didn't know who Kaido was.
Whitebeard said nonchalantly, "Nothing, just an annoying fellow."
Erica noticed the worried expressions of the people around them. "Pops Whitebeard, is Kaido powerful?"
Ace was very surprised. "You don't even know Kaido? Where are you guys from? That guy Kaido is one of the Four Emperors of the New World, same as Pops. But in terms of strength, he's definitely not Pops' match."
Marco said seriously, "Pops, should I go stop him?"
Pops was in poor health. He couldn't let Kaido fight Pops again, or Pops' condition would deteriorate further.
Whitebeard waved his hand unconcernedly. "No need. Since he's coming, let him come."
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