Whitebeard's movements were, of course, traceable.
In the original story, he had been wandering the New World without much going on, which was how he accidentally stumbled into Wano Country.
But things were different now. Because of the connection between Shiki and Ren, John, Wang Zhi, and Silver Axe — three pirates who had controlled vast territories in the New World — had been killed. This had sparked a frenzy to carve up the New World, and even Whitebeard, who had not cared much for such things, had been drawn in.
Under those circumstances, how could he have found the time to visit Wano Country?
Later, when the various powers had finally managed to establish a fragile balance, Roger had become the Pirate King. Two years ago, Roger — having just disbanded his crew — had specifically sought Whitebeard out for one last drink together, before vanishing from the public eye.
Unlike what Ren had guessed, however, Whitebeard had actually come here this time to conduct a trade with him. The consecutive wars over the past few years had allowed him to claim a considerable number of islands.
Unlike other unscrupulous pirates, Whitebeard was the type who believed that if you took someone's money, you delivered. Having accepted the treasures those islands offered as tribute, he felt obligated to protect them.
And not just the deterrent effect of flying his flag — he wanted real, tangible forces capable of defending the safety of those civilians.
But the number of islands was simply too great. He could not protect every single one simultaneously. That was when his sons had suggested the Ruin Guards.
He had seen those machines in action numerous times during the recent wars. They were more than sufficient against ordinary attackers — especially the Ruin Heavy Machines, whose combat power was nearly on par with the Giant race. They were incredibly effective.
So he had come here to purchase a few, then deliver them to those islands as a double layer of protection.
Whitebeard was a strange individual. Standing over six meters tall, he had a head of golden curly hair that looked like instant ramen noodles, yet his beard was a white crescent moon shape.
Moreover, his physique was rare in the pirate world for being well-proportioned — not the grotesque type with a massive upper body and stick-thin legs. He simply looked like someone you would instinctively like.
Of course, Ren's own nostalgia filter might have been playing a part in that perception.
"Gurararara! So you're that lightning Ren, huh? Even that guy Shiki took a loss against you — impressive!" Whitebeard laughed the moment he saw Ren.
He acted as though they were old friends who had known each other for years.
'Well, at least his opening line wasn't "become my son."' Ren grumbled inwardly.
To be honest, Whitebeard at this point in time was not yet the obsessive son-collector he would become. What he wanted was family — but family was not the same as sons.
It was only because those bratty kids he brought onto his ship started calling him "Pops" one by one that things gradually evolved into what they became.
Just as that one writer put it.
"There was no such thing as a son-collecting maniac in this world. Collect enough sons, and one naturally appears."
Zhou: I definitely said that!
"What business does the Whitebeard Pirates crew have with me?" Ren ignored Whitebeard's flattery and cut straight to the chase.
"What do you think? We're here to buy those big weapons of yours, obviously." A fresh, unripe pineapple head popped out from the crowd, looking at Ren with a face full of skepticism.
Marco did not think Ren looked like anyone impressive at all.
The guy was so tiny. He thought to himself, completely forgetting that he was currently a pint-sized brat who barely reached a meter and a half.
"Shut it, Marco. An intern doesn't get to speak out of turn here!" Whitey Bay had no intention of letting Marco ruin things.
She grabbed him by the ear and dragged him toward the back.
Following the direction those two had gone, Ren also spotted the thoroughly unremarkable Blackbeard among Whitebeard's sons. Marshall D. Teach.
"Rude little brat." Yukiko shot a displeased look in their direction. Her icy gaze made even Marco, who had already returned to the crowd, shudder — as if the temperature around him had suddenly dropped.
'Scary woman...'
He instantly straightened up, placing both hands on his knees like a model student, sitting perfectly rigid.
Marco desperately wanted to demand an explanation from Whitey Bay. The woman called the Ice Witch was supposed to be her — but compared to Yukiko, Whitey Bay was not even in the same league.
Whitey Bay was not feeling relaxed either. Her eyes were warily fixed on Yukiko beside Ren, and she had instinctively assumed a combat stance. It was like a small animal instinctively bristling when it sensed a threat.
"So that's Yukiko, the one they call the 'Snow Woman'..."
Whitebeard's lineup was actually not bad. Whitey Bay was, after all, a pirate who had made a name for herself long ago. Even if she was no match for Yukiko, she should not have been so thoroughly overwhelmed by mere aura.
Besides, there was no reason for things to get so tense between them. The atmosphere quickly eased up. Ren was actually surprised that Whitebeard had genuinely come to do business, so he threw a banquet on the island and completed the deal in the process.
Whitebeard placed an order for five Ruin Heavy Machines and twenty Ruin Guards. The total was a substantial sum, though it would not have covered a Celestial Dragon's expenses for even a single year.
Then again, this was also the wealthiest period the Whitebeard Pirates had ever enjoyed. They had recently plundered a fortune and received tribute from all those islands. A figure under ten billion Belly was well within their means.
Doing business with pirates was simple. They had money, they spent it, and they did not haggle. The Marines and the World Government, on the other hand, would penny-pinch and argue for half a day.
After the banquet, Whitebeard and his crew loaded the machines onto their ship and departed.
Ren watched them leave, but did not breathe a single word about Blackbeard. No matter how much goodwill he harbored toward the Whitebeard Pirates, that matter had nothing to do with him.
Besides, if he brought it up now, no one would believe him. It would only make him look petty — a man of his stature gossiping about a kid behind his back. That was beneath him.
In any relationship between people, the greatest taboo was getting too familiar, too fast.
...
Sea Circle Calendar 1496, West Blue. The first child of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, was born this year.
It was a girl with cherry-blossom-colored hair who resembled Rouge greatly. Roger and Rouge, as they had previously decided, named her — Ann.
Two years later, his second child was born — a boy this time. Roger named this child after his sword.
The boy's name was — Ace.
One could easily imagine that when this child grew up, he would be a hot-tempered guy who loved to slice people apart and was skilled in all manner of beheading sword techniques.