"Squard has already left," said Curiel, the 10th division commander, in a low voice.
"We couldn’t stop him. He said he couldn’t face us anymore. He wants to use the rest of his life to protect the dignity of the Whitebeard Pirates," added Kingdew, the 11th division commander, with a helpless look.
"Marco, is Ace still the sa?" Blanco, the 6th division commander, turned to Marco and asked quietly.
Marco gave a small nod. "Yeah."
Blanco frowned and said heavily, "Just like Squard, Ace is blaming himself for Pops’ death."
Marco let out a sigh. "Yeah. Ever since we buried Pops, he’s been sitting in front of the grave this whole ti. I’m really worried about his health..."
He looked visibly frustrated.
"Sigh..." Blanco sighed too. "I hope he can pull himself together soon. We really need him right now..."
At that mont, Rakuyo, the 7th division commander, walked over and spoke in a serious tone, "Let’s talk about the situation first."
He looked around with a grim face. "Things aren’t looking good for the Whitebeard Pirates. Since Pops died, both the Marines and other pirates have been eyeing our territory like it’s a big piece of at."
"Several islands have already been taken over by other pirate crews."
Hearing that, Vista, the 5th division commander, looked worried. He clenched his fists and said firmly, "We have to do sothing! We can’t let everything Pops built just fall apart like this!"
Everyone nodded. A sense of urgency and responsibility filled the air.
They all knew the Whitebeard Pirates were facing their biggest crisis ever. One wrong move and they could lose everything.
As Pops’ sons, they had to protect the sea he left behind.
"No," Marco shook his head. "We can’t just blindly defend everything. Our territory is too big. When Pops was alive, his na alone kept people from ssing with us."
"But now..."
"Our reputation isn’t even close to the other three Yonko crews anymore."
"Even though we’re still strong, and no one but a few can beat us, the truth is... so people just don’t fear the Whitebeard Pirates like they used to."
Marco’s words made everyone go quiet. The mood turned heavy.
It was true. With Pops gone, they had lost their strongest shield. Now they had to face reality and rethink their position.
"So what do we do now?" asked Jozu, the 3rd division commander, clearly anxious.
The other commanders all looked toward Marco. Right now, he was the only one who could lead them.
Marco took a deep breath and looked each of them in the eye. Then he said slowly, "We give up so of the poorer territories. If the people there want to leave too, we take them with us."
"And we need to strike first. We have to hit hard and show everyone that the Whitebeard Pirates still an business!"
Everyone nodded in agreent.
They knew this was the only way. Only through action could they prove their strength and make those who challenged them pay the price.
"Leave the most dangerous place to ," a voice suddenly ca from outside.
"Ace!"
"You’ve finally pulled yourself together!"
"Ace..."
As soon as Ace appeared, the eting ca to a halt. Everyone turned to look at him, clearly excited.
"Hey everyone~"
"Sorry for making you worry~" Ace looked at the group with a smile, like he had finally gotten over what was weighing him down.
"In that case, Ace, head to the seas around Kanaila Island. That area is part of Whitebeard’s territory, and right now, it’s the most dangerous spot."
"Ace, this ti you don’t need to hold back. Just wipe out all the enemies," Marco said bluntly, giving Ace his mission.
"Gladly!" Ace replied, his eyes flashing with deadly intent.
Then Marco kept assigning tasks. The remaining division commanders, along with the allied crews under the Whitebeard Pirates, all set out.
They were going to teach the world a bloody lesson—just because Whitebeard was gone didn’t an any of the trash roaming the seas could lay a hand on what he left behind!
```
Back to the Dream Exploration Team.
They had just arrived at Punk Hazard, and the scene in front of them left everyone stunned.
Once a normal island, Punk Hazard was now strange and eerie. One half was covered in thick black smoke, while the other gave off an icy chill that could pierce the bones.
The battle between Akainu and Aokiji had completely changed the island’s landscape and climate.
"Whoa..."
"They really went at it..." Nami stared at the island of fire and ice, unable to believe her eyes.
Nojiko stood beside her with the sa look. Her eyes stayed fixed on Punk Hazard, her face serious.
"Ryuen, do you think Aokiji and Akainu’s powers have awakened?" Daisy turned and asked.
"Isn’t it obvious? Both of their Devil Fruits have awakened. Only with awakening could they reshape an island like this," Ryuen said calmly.
"What a sha. The island’s historical sites are probably all gone now..." Robin said softly, looking disappointed.
"This is terrifying..." Liv said, clearly shocked.
It was her first ti seeing sothing like this. It was far beyond what she thought was possible for soone strong.
But then she rembered what the Marine Fleet Admiral had said—that once he was done with the Majiatzka Kingdom, he was coming to challenge Ryuen.
Suddenly, her face filled with worry.
Everyone else was still focused on the strange sight of the island, so they didn’t notice Liv’s expression. And even if they had, they probably wouldn’t have thought much of it.
After all, with their current strength, they had more than enough power to take on Akainu.
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