The Marine warship departed. Jack, who had sunk to the seafloor, was swept away by the ocean current. It took the Beasts Pirates some time before they were able to find him.

When Jack finally awoke, he was on Zou, bandaged, furious, and immediately planning his next attack.

Naturally, the outcome was a failure. He was ordered to be driven away by Momonosuke.

Facing a creature of that magnitude, Jack stood no chance. An Ancient Mammoth was one thing, Zou was something else entirely.

Zou moved, albeit slowly, within a fixed range. Scholars who studied its patterns found a deliberate rhythm to its steps.

The fact that such a colossal being could survive, and even recognize a master, spoke volumes about the Kozuki family's former power.

Yet looking at the Kozuki now…

Pathetic.

Three generations of incompetence. Not a single capable ruler among them.

It was a miracle Wano hadn't collapsed sooner.

Even with Oden as a former ally, Roy had zero respect for the Kozuki clan.

This time, Loxus intervened, rescuing Jack and dragging him back to Wano.

.....

Meanwhile – The Straw Hats Split Up

While Luffy and Nami headed to Whole Cake Island to retrieve Sanji, Zoro and Law set course for Wano.

Or so Zoro thought.

"We're heading to Wano, right?" Zoro asked.

"No," Law replied.

All of Law's subordinates were on Zou. Zou was Bepo's hometown, and five years ago, Bepo's older brother had died at the hands of Big Mom.

That brother, Jeppo, was the white bear who had traveled with Pedro.

Because Jeppo had bullied Bepo growing up, Bepo developed a timid personality and later left Zou. He met the young Law and became his companion.

"No? Then where are we going? Where are you taking us?" Franky, now on high alert, questioned Law seriously.

On the ship were also Robin, Usopp, Kin'emon, and Momonosuke, all looking to Law for answers.

They had agreed on Dressrosa. So why the change?

Zoro placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, glaring at Law with a look that said, "Explain, or I'll cut you down." The others tensed up as well.

Unfazed, Law replied calmly, "We're going somewhere else first. Then we'll head to Wano."

"Where exactly? Be specific," Franky said, raising his hand to reveal a cannon under his palm.

"Calm down, Franky," Usopp said hurriedly, pushing his arm down.

"Moby Dick Island," Law said.

"Moby Dick Island?" Zoro, Franky, and Usopp were all stunned, they had never heard of it.

But Robin's eyes widened in shock. She quickly asked, "Moby Dick Island? What are you going there for?"

"Hey, Robin, what's Moby Dick Island? What kind of place is that?" Franky asked.

"Moby Dick Island is the territory of the Whitebeard Pirates," Robin answered.

"The Whitebeard Pirates…" Zoro's breathing grew lighter. That name alone carried terrifying weight.

"WHY ARE WE GOING THERE?!" Usopp shrieked.

"I'm going to meet Whitebeard. After all, I'm part of the Whitebeard fleet. If I'm going to make a move on Kaido, I need their approval, maybe even cut ties, to avoid sparking a war between two pirate crews," Law explained.

Pirates had their own code of conduct. As a subordinate, making a move against another Emperor without permission could lead to full-scale war. So Law needed to inform the Whitebeard Pirates in advance.

"You're part of Whitebeard's crew?" Zoro asked, surprised.

"What? Weren't you a Warlord? Why are you under Whitebeard?" Usopp asked.

"I didn't really have a choice. If I refused, we probably all would've died," Law replied.

"Sounds like you've been through a lot. You all seem pretty familiar with that guy Roy, maybe he can help smooth things over," Franky said.

"Doubt it. We traveled with him for a while, but it wasn't a pleasant experience," Zoro frowned.

"Why not?" Franky asked.

"He just gives off this feeling, like he knew everything. Creepy," Zoro replied.

"Agreed. Being around him gives that kind of vibe," Robin nodded.

"I didn't think he was that bad. Roy seemed like a good guy to me," Usopp said, scratching his chin.

"What if the Whitebeard Pirates don't approve?" Franky asked.

"I don't know. Either way, I need their consent," Law said.

Worried but resolved, the group made their way to Whale Island.

…..

Meanwhile, Luffy and his team hadn't reached Totto Land yet. Something had gone wrong en route, but thankfully, they encountered the Vinsmoke family.

"Boss, the Heart Pirates have arrived."

"Oh?" Roy smiled. He hadn't expected Law to come.

"This should be interesting, the twisted etiquette of the pirate world."

Roy was still doting on his daughter daily, guarding against Whitebeard and the others trying to snatch her away. With his daughter perched on his shoulder, he stepped outside.

As Law and his crew landed on the island, they were all curious about Whale Island. The place was still under reconstruction and looked desolate.

"Did a war happen here?" Franky asked curiously.

"A year ago, Fleet Admiral Akainu personally led an assault. But the Whitebeard Pirates left beforehand. In a rage, the Marines issued a Buster Call, sixty warships bombarded Whale Island for an entire day," Law replied flatly.

"Sixty warships?!" Usopp's jaw dropped.

"Wait, isn't a Buster Call supposed to be just ten warships? Why sixty?!"

"Don't compare an Emperor crew to other pirate crews. Their strength is beyond your imagination. Especially the Whitebeard Pirates, after a year, they're without question the strongest force in the sea," Law explained.

"Are the Whitebeard Pirates really that powerful? I didn't get that feeling when we traveled with Roy before," Usopp said.

"You all seem pretty close to him?" Law asked.

"Of course! We were friends once, traveled together for a while. Plus, Ace is Luffy's brother, and Ace was the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates," Usopp explained.

"That was two years ago. After Sabaody, Fire Fist Ace left the Whitebeard Pirates," Law said.

"Ace left the Whitebeard Pirates?" Zoro asked, confused.

"I don't know the exact reason, just that he was kicked out. Didn't you see the news at the time?" Law asked.

"Nope," Zoro and Usopp said in unison.

Law sighed deeply, mentally reminding himself not to argue with these idiots.

"Lalala!!"

Just then, they heard a laugh, like a baby's giggle, from the dock.

Moments later, they saw a small baby, sitting on the shoulders of a man being held by the hair.

"That's… one of the Emperors??"

...

If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.

[email protected]/DaoistJinzu