RPAGF Chapter 317: Farewell Between Emperors
Chapter 317: Farewell Between Emperors
The sea breeze is salty and damp.
The wind dispersed the stench of blood and alcohol that had filled the island overnight.
As dawn broke over the eastern horizon, the first rays of golden light pierced the night sky and illuminated the new world.
Light pierced through the thin mist, illuminating the two legendary giant ships in the harbor.
Moby Dick.
The warship, like a giant white whale, emitted a deep, rumbling sound.
The massive anchor was pulled up by the winch, and the thick iron chains rubbed against the hull, the metallic clanging sound making one's teeth ache.
"Splash—splash—"
Seawater dripped down the iron chain.
Edward Newgate, the "world's strongest man," stands on the massive whale-shaped bow of the Moby Dick.
He wasn't wearing his signature overcoat, but only a loose vest that revealed the crisscrossing scars all over his body.
He leaned his Supreme Grade Sword "Murakumogiri" on the deck, its blade reflecting a cold light in the morning sun, slicing through the air.
He looked down at the dock with his golden eyes.
There was a group of people standing there.
The entire Red-Haired Pirates crew, and the man who just found his mother.
Whitebeard didn't speak.
He just watched quietly.
The sea breeze ruffled his signature crescent-shaped mustache and fluttered the pirate flag behind him.
There were no weaklings present.
Shanks stood on the rocks on the shore, the waves lapping against his boots.
He looked up to meet the white-bearded man's gaze, his eyes clear and resolute.
The madness, collapse, and murderous intent of last night have settled into my eyes, transforming into a deeper power.
The composure of an emperor.
His left hand gently supported his mother, Fiona, as if she were a rare treasure.
Their eyes met in mid-air.
There were no pleasantries, no farewells.
Finally, the white-bearded man broke the silence.
"Gurala la la..."
His unique laughter echoed throughout the harbor, causing ripples to spread across the sea.
"Red-haired brat."
The white-bearded man's voice was deep and resonant, like thunder in his chest.
He didn't say "take care" or "goodbye".
His gaze passed over Shanks and landed on the woman with fiery red hair.
The woman looked young, but the weariness in her eyes and the noble air in her bones made her appear both gentle and resilient when facing the world's strongest man.
The white-bearded man's eyes softened for a moment.
"Take good care of your mother."
In short.
It weighs as much as a thousand pounds.
"Don't let her suffer any more injustice."
The white-bearded man withdrew his gaze, and his Murakumogiri sword slammed heavily against his hand.
"If you can't even protect your own family, you might as well give up on this ocean!"
Shanks paused for a moment.
Then, his mouth widened into a wide grin, revealing that signature silly yet incredibly sincere smile.
He released his mother's hand and took a step forward.
His only remaining right arm was raised high and swung forcefully.
"Ah! I understand!"
Shanks responded loudly, his voice cutting through the roar of the waves.
"Thanks, Newgate!"
He didn't call him "Whitebeard," but called him by his first name.
This is a form of equal respect, a promise between men.
"I, Shanks, will remember this favor!"
"Next time we meet, I'll bring the best wine! I definitely won't try to fool you with that cheap stuff again!"
Shanks shouted loudly, wanting to express all the gratitude in his heart.
He doesn't need to say anything more.
Because the white-bearded man understands.
Standing behind Shanks, Fiona looked at the towering ship and the mountain-like old man.
She doesn't understand the rules of the pirate world, nor the majesty of the Four Emperors.
But she instinctively knew that the person in front of her was her son's benefactor.
She gently pulled away from Shanks's hand, which he was trying to use to support her again.
She straightened her skirt, which had been ruffled by the sea breeze; it was a new skirt that the young men of the Red Hair Gang had found for her overnight.
Then, facing the direction of the Moby Dick, she bowed deeply to Whitebeard.
His waist was bent at a ninety-degree angle.
He didn't get up for a long time.
This is a mother's most simple and profound expression of gratitude.
"Gurarara! What a polite woman! Much better than your wretched son!"
Whitebeard laughed even harder as he watched this scene unfold.
He turned around, no longer looking at the people on the shore, and waved to them with his back to them.
"My little ones! Set sail!"
"Back to the New World!"
"oh!"
The crew of the Moby Dick erupted in thunderous cheers.
The huge sails were raised, catching the wind.
The ship began to move, cutting through the waves and heading into the deep sea.
Just then.
A blue-green flame shot into the sky from the deck of the Moby Dick.
"Hey——!"
A loud and clear bird song resounded through the sky.
Marco.
He transformed into a giant phoenix, burning with azure flames of regeneration, circling and soaring in the dawn.
He drew a magnificent arc in the air, circling the Red Fox and the dock once.
The tail feathers scattered sparks, like a dreamlike farewell.
The First Division Captain salutes "Red Hair".
It is also a blessing for the mother who has returned.
Then, the phoenix folded its wings, transformed into a streak of light, and landed steadily on the railing behind the white-bearded man.
The Moby Dick accelerated.
Like a moving island, it gradually receded into the distance, eventually becoming a small black dot on the horizon.
The docks returned to calm.
The only sound was the waves crashing against the rocks.
Shanks kept waving until the Moby Dick was out of sight, then slowly lowered his arm.
His eyes held a hint of melancholy, but more so a sense of relief.
"They're gone..."
He murmured softly.
"We should go too."
A lazy voice sounded beside him.
Shanks turned his head.
Chen Ye walked over at some point.
He remained as nonchalant as ever, a blade of grass dangling from his mouth, his hands in his pockets.
Chen Ye didn't look at the sea, but at what he was holding.
A permanent pointer.
The glass ball refracted a mesmerizing halo of light under the sunlight, and the compass needle inside pointed steadily in a certain direction.
"Karin Sei isn't stupid."
Chen Ye said casually as he fiddled with the pointer.
"Last night's 'gift' was explosive enough to make him so angry he wanted to vomit blood, but it also completely stirred up a hornet's nest."
"The arrogance of the Celestial Dragons has been trampled upon, and the dignity of the Knights of God has been challenged."
"More importantly, your mother's existence is an absolute stain that must be erased from his mind."
Chen Ye turned his head and looked at Shanks, his tone becoming more serious.
"Retaliation is inevitable. And it will come faster and more fiercely than you imagine."
"You cannot stay here during this window of opportunity when they are gathering their forces, mobilizing the Buster Call, and even deploying the main force of the Knights of God."
"This place has been exposed. To the crazed Celestial Dragons, no island is invincible."
Shanks' expression turned serious.
He nodded.
Of course he understands.