"What are you trying to say?" Crocodile asked.

"How about joining the Whitebeard Pirates? My goal is to build a nation, too," Roy said.

"Hah. After all that talk, you just want us to be your underlings." Crocodile replied.

"Unless you think you can lead instead? Do you have the strength for that?" Roy smirked

Crocodile fell silent. Strength dictated everything. He couldn't claim equality with Roy.

Sure, he had wealth and the Buggy Pirates under him, but running a nation required more than just thugs. He needed infrastructure, control, and legitimacy.

Pirates could help with construction, but to truly have a nation-sized operation, he needed to seize control of an existing one, just like Doflamingo did.

Crocodile was good at that. He had almost succeeded in Alabasta.

If he had, Alabasta would've become his territory, his nation.

Now that he was cooperating with Mihawk, if he could find a few more allies, they really could unite into a powerful force.

"I choose to do it on my own," Crocodile said.

"And you? Want to come with me? All you want is a quiet place to live in peace. If that's all you want, I think it's simple. If you joined the Whitebeard Pirates, no one would dare bother you," Roy invited Mihawk.

Crocodile looked uneasy. Roy could hear the change in his heartbeat, as if Crocodile noticed Roy was probing him, and let out a cold snort, ignoring him.

Mihawk was silent for a moment before looking up at Roy. "I'll pass. The Whitebeard Pirates are indeed strong right now, but the tallest tree catches the wind. You're too big a target."

"You may have dodged the World Government and Marines' pursuit last year, but that doesn't mean you'll escape again. I believe you intend to achieve your goal through war. Joining now would only drag me into that conflict."

"You're not wrong. But have you heard this saying? Sending charcoal in the snow is more valuable than adding flowers to brocade."

"Yes, we're a target right now. But if you join us now and go through war and hardship together, only then will you earn a share of the victory. If you join later, you won't get the same treatment."

"I understand your point, but I just want a safe place to live. I don't have big ambitions. All that talk of high rank and wealth doesn't interest me," Mihawk replied.

"Alright then. Consider it as me owing you a meal. If you ever find yourself in trouble, come find me," Roy said.

Buggy seemed like he wanted to speak, but Crocodile turned and gave him a sharp glare. Buggy immediately shut his mouth. Crocodile's eyes were murderous; he'd clearly seen through Buggy's thoughts and crushed them.

Seeing this, Roy chuckled and left Karai Bari Island.

He returned directly to White Whale Island.

Meanwhile, the World Government's campaign against the Seven Warlords of the Sea had officially begun. Buggy had been rescued by Crocodile, Mihawk carved a bloody path out, and teamed up with Crocodile; three former Warlords were now united.

As for the Pirate Empress Boa Hancock, the Marines had a hard time against her, and the appearance of Dark King Rayleigh caused them to fail.

The only success came from Admiral Ryokogyu, who personally defeated and captured Weevil.

When Roy returned to Moby Dick Island, he found that Miss Bakkin was there too.

It was hard to imagine , thirty-eight years ago in God Valley, she looked just like Stussy does now.

"Big bro's back!"

"This time you did great, big bro!"

"We're ready to swallow up the New World!"

Roy hadn't even landed when he heard the cheering below.

Clearly, morale was boiling over to a dangerous extent. People had forgotten the past.

Atmos landed on the ground, and Roy jumped off its back. Miro and Atmos followed behind him.

The thousands of Whitebeard Pirates made way for Roy.

They were cheering at first, but when they saw Roy's cold face and indifferent eyes, they suddenly remembered the old Roy.

Especially the division commanders and the older crew members, they had known Roy the longest.

Whenever he looked like this, it meant he was in a terrible mood.

His presence alone made them tremble.

"Big bro…"

Someone tried to speak to Roy but was pulled back by someone else, a silent gesture to keep quiet.

Everyone fell dead silent.

Roy didn't even glance at them. The once joyful scene instantly turned cold.

"Two-faced brats," Marco muttered with a wry smile, hands in his pockets. "They used to look down on big bro, but now that he's here, they're scared stiff."

Ever since the Phoenix Fruit had been cloned, not only had commanders received one, but many strong members had gotten one too.

Marco, once the only phoenix in the crew, had lost his uniqueness. Some even began to think they could replace him.

They claimed to be a family, but when personal interests and power started growing, people wanted more.

But seeing Roy like this, seeing the true source of their power, they suddenly realized something:

Everything they had came from Roy. And in front of Roy, all their strength was meaningless. One glare from him could erase them completely.

That forced them to calm down. The crowd turned deathly quiet.

Looking at these former companions and family, now behaving like this, Marco and the others couldn't help but feel disheartened.

Maybe Blackbeard wasn't the only traitor. Others had just hidden it better.

Of course, not all were like this. But hearts do change.

"The Whitebeard Pirates are not just a pirate crew. We're a family!"

Roy's voice suddenly rang out to everyone.

"We were once people abandoned by the world, orphans without parents, without food or clothing. To the world, we were trash. If, after gaining power, we forget to protect the weak, and they, filled with the same hatred, one day stand before us. Then what makes us any different from the Celestial Dragons?"

"The Whitebeard Pirates are a family. We are not blood brothers, but closer than blood. I hope you all remember this: You were once weak. Don't turn your suffering into someone else's. The people you protect now... were once who you used to be, before you joined the Whitebeard Pirates."

...

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

[email protected]/DaoistJinzu