Two pirate crews were having a lively banquet on Egghead Island.
Morgans was having the worst luck; he had just reached the shore and witnessed the historic eting between the two pirate crews, only to be knocked out by the overwhelming clash of Conqueror's Haki between Roy and Shanks.
He didn't capture anything on film. By the ti the banquet was over, he had finally found his lost cara.
And discovered an extrely valuable piece of footage.
A man nad Buggy was about to throw down with Shanks.
"GYAHAHA!! Ace, my friend! Good to see you again!"
Buggy threw his arm around Ace and laughed heartily.
"So it's you, Buggy! I heard you got caught by the Marines and then broke out again," Ace said happily.
"What do you an caught? I heard you got caught and ca to rescue you," Buggy laughed.
Mr. 3, standing nearby, ntally facepald. 'You just wanted free food and drink, and Bartholow Kuma just dumped you here. Stop making it sound noble.'
"Oh, really? Thanks, Buggy!" Ace clapped him on the back.
Buggy laughed on the outside, but inside he was thinking: 'Thank goodness Shanks showed up. If we really had to fight the Whitebeard Pirates, I'd be digging my own grave.'
"No need to thank , brother! Co, let's drink!" Buggy raised his glass.
While Buggy and Ace were drinking, Crocodile and Jinbe looked on with disdain. Suddenly, a voice called out:
"Hey, red nose over there."
"Are they talking to ?" Buggy turned with a smile, then suddenly realized sothing.
"Who are you calling red nose?! I'll kill, wait, y-you… Whitebeard?!"
Buggy was terrified. He turned and saw Whitebeard staring right at him.
"Gurararara! I thought I was mistaken, but I guess I'm not. Back then, there were two punks who shouted they'd take my head, one with red hair and one with a red nose. I can't believe you're still alive," Whitebeard laughed.
Buggy was so scared he couldn't speak. Back in the day, at least he had Roger, Rayleigh, and Gabban backing him up. Now… not so much. Well, Shanks was still around, sure, but still.
"Gurarara, looks like you and Ace are quite close. Here, have a drink. If you don't drink now, you won't get another chance when I'm gone. It's a blessing to see an old acquaintance again."
Whitebeard raised a glass and held it out to Buggy.
Buggy, dumbfoundedly accepted and clinked glasses with him.
"You see that?"
"We saw it."
"Captain Buggy…"
"Whitebeard considers Captain Buggy an old friend."
"Whitebeard even toasted him. As expected of Captain Buggy, earning Whitebeard's respect."
"Which part of that looked like respect to you?"
Mr. 3 was completely lost. He couldn't understand what was going on in these people's heads. What exactly about Buggy attracted these people?
After enough drinks, emotions ran high. Whitebeard's offering a toast was really just an excuse to drink more.
"Roy, more booze! Gurararara! I'm happy today—let's drink more!" Whitebeard laughed.
"Let him drink, but we'll need to start limiting him," Roy said.
Jozu then filled Whitebeard's cup again.
"Gurararara! Live for today, drink for today, you said it yourself! A banquet should be joyful!" Whitebeard laughed again.
That night was lively. Eventually, the Red-Haired Pirates left. Buggy also left, along with Crocodile.
Jinbe stayed behind.
All commanders and captains of the Whitebeard Pirates were present.
By noon the next day, they had eaten, packed their gear, and were ready to leave Egghead.
Whitebeard summoned everyone.
"I've told you before, I'm old and it's ti for to step down. From now on, Roy will take over as the head of the Whitebeard Pirates."
No one objected. Yesterday's battle made it clear, Whitebeard's body could no longer lead them anymore.
Roy had already proven his strength. He would carry the crew forward.
"Pops!"
Still, many were reluctant. Whitebeard was their savior, their guiding light.
"Now, regarding the future of this crew… I know so of you don't accept . I don't need you to. Whether you stay or leave, that's up to you.
"Now I'll announce the punishnt for Second Division Commander Portgas D. Ace, who disobeyed orders and left the crew without permission."
Roy spoke calmly, and everyone straightened up.
Ace looked up at him, worry in his eyes.
"What Roy says is the captain's command now. I've handed the crew over to him," Whitebeard said, seated nearby.
"Pops!" The others looked between Ace and Whitebeard.
"For openly disobeying his captain's command and leaving the crew without permission…" Roy's voice was iron. "I, as acting captain, hereby sentence Portgas D. Ace to expulsion from the Whitebeard Pirates. From this day forward, he is no longer the 2nd Division Commander."
"WHAT?!"
Everyone was stunned, eyes fixed on Roy in disbelief.
Ace was completely shocked.
"E-expelled… from the crew?!"
"BIG BRO!!"
"BIG BRO!!"
Marco and others rushed toward Roy in disbelief, thinking they'd misheard.
"Big bro, you're joking, right? You're kicking Ace out?" Namur asked nervously.
"Yes, Ace made a mistake, but he doesn't deserve to be expelled!" Thatch protested.
"Yeah! Punish him if you must, beat him even, but don't kick him out!" Rakuyo said.
"Big bro, Ace is family. We're a family—how can we drive him away?" Jozu added.
All the commanders and captains were worked up.
"We don't accept this! Why kick Ace out?!" the Decalvan Brothers shouted.
"Yeah, it's not Ace's fault. It's Teach's!" Each brother took turns yelling.
"Pops! You can't let Ace go! He's one of us!" Little Oars Jr. pleaded.
"Oars…" Whitebeard looked at him.
"Old man, what the hell are you saying?! Who gave you the right to expel our commander?!" Loxus, who had been eavesdropping, jumped out and pointed at Roy.
"Loxus, shut your mouth!!" Whitey Bay grabbed his ear.
"Mom, let go of !" Loxus struggled.
"You damn brats, quiet down!!"
Whitebeard shouted, silencing the crowd.
Everyone turned to Whitebeard, who said calmly:
"Didn't you hear what I said? From now on, the Whitebeard Pirates will follow Roy. If you don't like that, you're free to leave."
"POPS!!"
...
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu
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