One Piece: Nobody knows Devil Fruits better than me.

Chapter 97 Black Xie and Whitebeard!
Loy Amos.

This name became known to the world after the World Economic News Agency's report on "fighting to a draw with the Seven Warlords of the Sea".

The military exercises, conducted by the three armed forces, undoubtedly shook the sea once again.

However, it's different from before.

Previously, in any sea around the world, Roy was known as "Admiral Zephyr's disciple" and "the Navy's supernova".

What is a supernova?
That is to say, the younger generation.

Being able to fight to a draw with a Shichibukai is undoubtedly commendable, but some people will always think that this is the Navy promoting Roy, or that Hanafuda did not go all out against Roy because of Zephyr.

However, in the present
No one will call Roy a 'supernova' anymore.

The three-army military exercise has concluded, with 'Roy Amos' emerging victorious.

[Fleet Admiral Sengoku has confirmed after the tournament that he will be promoted to Vice Admiral and given the title of 'Admiral Candidate,' inheriting the name of his mentor, Black Arm Zephyr, and his title will be 'Black Xie.']

The Xie is a legendary mythical beast, said to be able to distinguish between good and evil with its single horn. Many believe it symbolizes the new candidate for general's understanding and adherence to justice.

[Of course, there are also legends that although the Xie can distinguish between good and evil, it will also disregard the limitations of the law and strike evil with its horn at the first sign of trouble—perhaps this suggests that the justice followed by this future general was not so gentle?]

However, viewers who watched the live broadcast of the joint military exercises will understand that regardless of the justice that the admiral candidate follows, the power he possesses will inevitably make him the next legend of the navy.

A week after the military exercises, the World Economic News published a lengthy report on the outcome of the exercises—a rare occurrence given that their headlines have recently been dominated by the 'twelve zodiac signs'.

Therefore, it was only natural that the name 'Black Xie' Roy spread throughout the sea at an extremely rapid pace.

And it was precisely at this moment
New World, Night.

The ship, resembling a giant whale, sails on the sea.

A pirate flag flew from the ship's mainmast—its grinning skull with a crescent-shaped beard was extremely conspicuous.

That was the symbol of the 'strongest' ocean in this era.

Yes—this ship is the flagship of the Whitebeard Pirates, the Moby Dick.

"A new generation of legend? Isn't that a bit too much?"

Meanwhile, on the deck, a man dressed in a chef's uniform and sporting a pompadour hairstyle was reading a newspaper.

He is Thatch, the fourth division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates.

"It's not excessive."

Right in front of him, the First Division Captain 'Marco' with the pineapple head shook his head: "I watched the live stream too. That Marine named Roy is indeed ridiculously strong, fighting 'Black Arm' Zephyr to a standstill in a head-on fight."

"Zeffa? That old man must be at least seventy years old, right?"

"Even at seventy, he was once a great general, and even my father acknowledges that his strength is 'monster'."

Marco shook his head.

"Really? That's certainly very strong."

So Sachi muttered to himself, turned to another page of the newspaper, and said with some surprise, "Oh, not just that Marine—look at this one, 'Fire Fist' Ace. This newcomer is pretty good too."

"Not only did they sink Hanafuda's fleet before, but now they've actually started actively hunting down Hanafuda's pirates?"

As he said this, the swordsman wearing a top hat next to him also laughed and said, "I've been keeping an eye on that newcomer for a while now. It seems that his ship was attacked not long ago, and his companions suffered heavy losses. I guess that's what really angered him, right?"

Do you care a lot about your companions?

Satchel's eyes lit up even more: "Sounds like a good guy, doesn't he, Teach?"

"Yes, that's true, Captain Sachi."

The chubby guy next to him, grinning as he munched on his pizza.

And it was precisely at this moment.
"Goo la la la la!"

A deafening, unique laugh interrupted the discussion.

They all looked up at the tall man in the center of the deck who had just walked out of the medical room, still covered in IV tubes.

His white, crescent-shaped beard, tall and strong physique, and the unanimous "Old Man" from everyone on the ship were enough to prove his identity.

Edward Newgate, the Whitebeard – undoubtedly the strongest pirate of this era.

"'Black Xie' Roy".

He sat down in his captain's seat in the middle of the deck, then took the newspaper and saw the devastated Martial Island and Zephyr being helped up by Roy.

Then, a smile, as perfect as his beard, curved his lips: "So, Zephyr has finally found his true successor?"

He had no worries or concerns whatsoever.

This is only natural.

After all, there has never been a shortage of powerful figures on the seas for decades.

Whether it's the current three admirals or the other Yonko, new people emerge in every era.

But Whitebeard always stands at the top of this sea.

"This brings back so many memories, doesn't it! Marco, bring me some wine!"

Upon hearing this, Marco's eyes widened: "That won't do, Dad—you need to drink less alcohol lately."

"what?"

But the white-bearded man rolled his eyes at him: "You stupid son, what nonsense are you talking about?"

"If I can't even drink freely and unrestrainedly, what kind of pirate am I? Bring me some wine!"

He roared.

"Hahahaha!"

"Captain Marco, just take the bar, or Dad won't let it go."

"Hey, Vista, come here quickly, or Dad will scold you too."

Then, a burst of laughter erupted from the Whitebeard Pirates.

Amidst everyone's laughter and chatter, Marco reluctantly handed his father a drink: "Only one glass. Hmm, two glasses? Oh well, never mind."

He knew his father's personality well—as the patriarch of the ship, he wouldn't compromise on matters of drinking.

So the white-bearded man raised the enormous jug and began to drink heartily. "Glug glug."

After downing the entire jug of wine in one gulp, he exhaled a breath and picked up the newspaper again: "Speaking of which—Marco, how's the matter I asked you to investigate going?"

Hearing his father ask about serious matters, Marco also said solemnly, "Regarding the 'Twelve Constellations,' I have already asked Squard and Waibedi to inquire about information through their own channels, but the results have been minimal."

"Besides the information that has already spread across the sea, the only additional information is that before the three-army exercise, 'Naval Hero' Garp seems to have encountered a member of the Twelve Constellations who has never appeared before in the East China Sea, suspected to be 'Boar'."

He handed the intelligence to Whitebeard, which contained photos of Garp's dilapidated warship and a picture of him with bandages wrapped around his hand during a military exercise.

"Garp?"

Whitebeard glanced at the face in the photo.

The veteran members of the Whitebeard Pirates all looked serious at this moment.

Garp—they are obviously more familiar with this name than Zeff, who has been retired from the front line for nearly 30 years.

Although he is known for his pursuit of the Pirate King Roger, Whitebeard, who was also a great pirate, fought him quite a few times.

They were well aware of the terror emanating from that naval legend.

"That member of the 'Twelve Constellations' actually managed to injure Garp?"

"The Pig of the Sea? Is it that strong?"

"Speaking of which, didn't one of their other members kill Big Mom's son before?"

"Not only that, there's another one who killed Crocodile—I remember that guy challenged Old Man, and he was pretty strong?"

There was a lot of discussion on the deck.

But at this moment, Whitebeard ignored his sons' chatter.

"The Pig?"

He merely frowned slightly, then shook his head gently.

This action was keenly observed by Marco, who knew him best.

"Dad."

So at this moment, he asked softly, "Why are you so concerned about the 'Twelve Zodiac Signs'? Is there a reason?"

After he asked that question, the others present naturally fell silent for a moment.

Even Teach, who had been quietly eating his pizza, now looked at Whitebeard.

Yes, they all know.

Ever since that organization called the 'Twelve Constellations' appeared and became famous, Whitebeard had secretly ordered them to investigate the organization.

This is very strange.

Because as Whitebeard's 'sons,' they knew their father's personality.

He only cared about his 'family' and rarely took the initiative to care about other things at sea—most of the time, Marco and other officers were responsible for collecting the intelligence they considered important before telling him.

But on the matter of the twelve constellations, Whitebeard not only took the initiative to ask them to investigate, but even showed great concern.

In Marco's memory, the last time Whitebeard was so concerned about other things was nineteen years ago when the Pirate King Roger was executed.

Therefore, Marco was naturally very curious.

"."

But at that moment, Whitebeard put down the sake jug in his hand.

He didn't speak.

Perhaps it was because Marco and the others had mentioned Garp before, or perhaps it was because they heard the long-unheard name Zeff.

This brought back some memories from the past for him.

A figure seemed to appear before his eyes.

“Hey, Newgate.”

That bold voice still echoes in my ears.

Since the man named Edward Newgate set sail, he was the only man besides Roger who recognized or even admired him.

"How did I survive? Hahaha! That's not important!"

"The important thing is, I have an agreement with someone. Do you want to?"

The sound faded away, but the past events remained vivid in my mind.

"nothing."

The white-bearded man said softly, "I've only heard someone mention a name before."

".name?"

Marco was somewhat stunned.

"Are you a member of the 'Twelve Zodiac Signs'?"

He was curious about the name, but even more curious about who could make his father care so much.

But upon hearing this, the white-bearded man grinned.

Who would know about that kind of thing?

His gaze was fixed on the unchanging sea.

"However, I heard..."

On the distant sea, the rising sun makes the ocean seem incredibly vast and full of endless possibilities.

"That's a guy who'll turn the world upside down."

　This chapter is a bonus chapter for reaching 2000 monthly votes. We should have reached 2000 monthly votes today, so I added it in advance.

　　Let me briefly explain why Zephyr's enemy is Weevil.

　　Zephyr left the Marines a year after the Marineford War because his enemy became a Shichibukai. Around that time, only three people became Shichibukai (Buggy, Law, and Weevil). The first two obviously wouldn't have cut off Zephyr's arm, so it could only be Weevil [of course, Oda might be wrong]. As for Hanafuda, he was already defeated by Ace and killed by pirates two years before Marineford, so it couldn't be him.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)