Chapter 145: Jinbe Leaves the Whitebeard Pirates**

“But I’m strong, so I have the right to be arrogant! And they’re weaker than me.”

“Whitebeard, you’re one of the best who fought your way out of a dark era. Have you completely forgotten that the law of the sea is survival of the fittest?”

Raijin spoke calmly, looking at Whitebeard without any emotion.

This man who once fought through a truly brutal era had now lost his sharpness.

Over the years, Whitebeard had lost the rivals who could challenge him.

Now, he had become this feeble.

“Gurararara! You come onto my ship and dare to lecture me?”

Whitebeard suddenly laughed loudly, waved his hand, and sat down.

Raijin was right. The sea has always been about survival of the fittest.

If he continued to shelter his sons like this, they’d eventually do something foolish.

But!

To be lectured like this by an outsider...

That made Whitebeard a bit unhappy.

He didn’t lash out on the spot, though. He wanted to see what Uchiha Raijin was really thinking.

“Alright! I suppose you’re here to talk about that Warlord of the Sea, Jinbe, aren’t you?”

Raijin interrupted Whitebeard before he could continue.

“Exactly! Uchiha Raijin, your subordinate came onto my ship earlier and said some nonsense.”

“I decided to let it slide as if it never happened. Give me some face—how about it?”

Whitebeard got straight to the point, speaking directly to Raijin.

A big pirate like Whitebeard normally wouldn’t say something like this.

The fact that Whitebeard was making this request meant he was essentially offering Raijin a favor.

Given Whitebeard’s sense of loyalty, if Raijin were ever in mortal danger, Whitebeard would probably risk everything to repay the favor and save him.

Whitebeard might be capable of such loyalty, but trusting others wasn’t Raijin’s style.

In Raijin’s eyes, only he could be trusted. He was always cautious of others, even those closest to him, like Viola.

As for Whitebeard in front of him...

Raijin had no interest in this so-called favor.

Right now, Whitebeard was full of weaknesses.

He was like a giant piece of meat that everyone wanted to take a bite out of.

Raijin was the most envious, eyeing the resources of this pirate crew.

Devil Fruits, territories—they were enough for Raijin to keep expanding in the New World.

“Heh heh heh, you must be joking. What’s your ‘face’ worth?”

“Why would I care about giving you face? The only reason I even notified you was because I respect you as a strong man of the sea.”

“And you think I’ll give you face? You’d be better off having your Whitebeard Pirates join Dressrosa under my command!”

Raijin propped up his chin with one hand, a mocking smile on his face as he looked at Whitebeard.

How could this guy have such a foolish idea?

He’s a pirate, yet he’s actually negotiating with someone else.

Just look at Charlotte Linlin; she came straight to see him with a sword in hand.

“Gurararara! Uchiha Raijin, I’m not so old that I can’t lift my sword anymore.”

“Even if I agreed, my sons wouldn’t.”

“State your terms!”

Whitebeard laughed heartily, then spoke calmly.

“There are no terms. What I want is Fish-Man Island.”

Raijin shook his head, looking at Whitebeard with contempt.

“So, that means the negotiations have failed?”

Whitebeard sneered.

“Yes, they’ve failed.”

Raijin nodded.

The two locked eyes, and the next moment, their Haki clashed.

Whitebeard reached behind him, grabbing his naginata.

It spun through the air, flashing silver, and then came down in a powerful strike.

“Buzz!”

The air vibrated violently.

A tremendous pressure immobilized Uchiha Izumi where he stood.

Uchiha Izumi hadn’t expected that someone could paralyze him with just their aura.

This man truly deserved to be called the strongest in the world.

Wait!

Izumi quickly glanced at Kakashi and Raijin.

He saw that Kakashi, too, seemed frozen in place, though his body crackled with lightning, ready to strike at any moment.

And as for Uchiha Raijin...

He continued to sit on the sofa with a cynical posture, looking at Whitebeard with disdain.

It was as if he didn't even notice that Whitebeard's blade was about to fall.

Uchiha Izumi immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Lord Reijin's demeanor made it clear he was in control.

Otherwise, Lord Reijin wouldn't be so unguarded.

"Susano'o."

Uchiha Reijin's Mangekyo Sharingan spun rapidly, and a massive skeleton figure appeared around him.

Holding a sharp blade, it charged fiercely at Whitebeard.

"Boom!"

The sky and earth darkened.

The hilt of Whitebeard's sword was blocked by the giant blade formed by blue chakra.

The terrifying impact spread out in all directions in an instant.

In the next moment, Whitebeard's movements slowed slightly.

It seemed he was a bit concerned as he glanced around.

He noticed that his sons were struggling to withstand such pressure.

The two locked eyes!

Whitebeard immediately withdrew his hand and stood tall in front of Reijin.

His naginata was planted firmly on the deck, like an insurmountable mountain.

Reijin also stood up, meeting Whitebeard's gaze on equal terms.

Even though there was a huge height difference between them, Reijin's aura was not much weaker compared to Whitebeard's.

"Uchiha Reijin, are you determined to go to war with me?" Whitebeard asked calmly.

"That's right! I want to take a big chunk of flesh off you," Reijin replied bluntly, nodding without any hesitation.

He stared at Whitebeard with ambitious eyes.

As for the chaos that would follow, Reijin didn’t care.

No matter how chaotic things got, it had nothing to do with him.

The Uchiha clan would eventually reunite the seas, and when that happened, chaos would no longer exist.

"Gurararara! Then let me see if you can take a bite out of me, or if you'll just break a few teeth."

Whitebeard laughed arrogantly, not taking Reijin seriously at all.

A powerful newcomer? So what!

Over the years, Whitebeard had seen countless powerful newcomers.

He wasn't about to lose to this kid. He wanted to see what this kid could do.

As long as Whitebeard was there, no matter how ambitious someone was, they'd be kept outside the door.

"Wait!"

At that moment, a voice interrupted.

Whitebeard frowned slightly and looked at Jinbei, who had stepped between them.

Jinbei?

What was he doing stepping in now? Whitebeard had a bad feeling.

"Jinbei, what are you doing? Get back here!" Marco also sensed that Jinbei's appearance was off.

"Dad was about to convince this kid!"

The others kept shouting for Jinbei to come back, but he stood firm.

Jinbei positioned himself between Whitebeard and Reijin, stopping their fight.

Reijin crossed his arms and watched Jinbei with amusement, wondering what he was up to.

"Dad, thank you for taking care of us all these years. I’m someone who knows how to repay kindness."

"The flag you've flown over Fishman Island has saved countless of our people."

"That's why I don't want to involve you in the troubles of Fishman Island."

"Dad, you've already done so much for us."

"I can't repay you, so the least I can do is not cause you more trouble."

Jinbei spoke earnestly to Whitebeard.

All these years, he had seen how much Whitebeard had done for Fishman Island.

Whitebeard even personally visited the island to help them.

That’s why Jinbei didn’t want to drag Whitebeard into their mess.

He realized that Uchiha Reijin was likely attracted by something on Fishman Island.

So he found an excuse to start a fight with them.

But Jinbei was more perceptive than most.

He didn’t want his actions to bring trouble to the Whitebeard Pirates.

This ship was filled with joy, and it should stay that way.

"Gurararara! Jinbei, you should know I never abandon my sons."

"No matter how arrogant this kid is, as long as I’m alive, he won’t set foot on Fishman Island."

Whitebeard’s expression softened as he looked at Jinbei.

No matter how much Reijin threatened him, Whitebeard remained unmoved.

As long as Reijin had thoughts of attacking Fishman Island, Whitebeard would cut off his hand.

But he didn’t expect his son to plead for forgiveness just to avoid involving him.

What a foolish son.

"Dad! This is my decision, one I discussed with King Neptune."

Jinbei shook his head, taking out a sake cup with a pained expression.

His actions today would cause him great sorrow for the rest of his life.

The next time they met, they might be on opposing sides.

He wouldn’t be able to call Whitebeard "Dad" anymore.

"Hiss!"

Whitebeard’s eyes narrowed as he realized what Jinbei was about to do.

He instinctively wanted to stop him, but his hand froze in mid-air.

Jinbei had made up his mind to spare the Whitebeard Pirates from this disaster.

But anger burned fiercely in Whitebeard’s chest.

He wanted to strike Reijin down.

To cut him in half!

(End of the chapter)