Chapter 239: A Gentle Refusal
After speaking the words of wanting to take Ian as his adopted son, Whitebeard Edward Newgate kept his eyes fixed firmly on Ian, waiting to see his reaction.
At this point, the combined bounties of the captain and first mate of the Dragon Hunter Pirates had already reached a staggering 1.15 billion Berries. Whitebeard also knew that the Dragon Hunter Pirates had recently absorbed several Devil Fruit users. While these individuals weren't particularly strong yet, given time, they would gradually grow and develop.
So for Whitebeard, the Dragon Hunter Pirates represented a massive potential asset.
Since the execution of Pirate King Roger over twenty years ago, Whitebeard was the only one left from Roger's era. He understood clearly that the Marines would never tolerate him, and that one day, he would inevitably have to step off this stage.
Despite being mentally prepared for this, Whitebeard still felt a sense of reluctance. As one of the Four Emperors, he no longer had any ambition for conquest. His only wish now was to see his sons live peaceful lives. It was a beautiful wish, but one that was incredibly difficult to fulfill. Whitebeard knew that once he died, the Whitebeard Pirates would face a concentrated assault from the Marines.
Just as after Roger's death, the Marines had continued to pursue the remnants of Roger's original crew...
Whitebeard had competed with Roger for so many years. Even though his enemy was also an old friend, after Roger's death, he had lost a shield. The Marines' spearhead had all turned toward him.
It was precisely because he understood the consequences of his death that Whitebeard had been working tirelessly in recent years to expand his crew's strength. He wanted to leave enough trump cards for the Whitebeard Pirates to protect his sons.
It had to be said that Whitebeard was truly an excellent father. Even though the sons under his command were only adopted and shared no blood relation with him, he treated them more like a real father than many biological fathers...
Successfully winning over Ace and making him his son had brought Whitebeard great satisfaction. And through Ace, he had met Ian.
Given the strength Ian had displayed, he could easily take a seat as a division commander within the Whitebeard Pirates, and no one would object. In fact, that seat would likely be among the highest-ranking ones. Whitebeard had developed a fondness for Ian's talent and wanted to take him as an adopted son as well.
Not to mention that Ian himself led a pirate crew, and even his first mate was a figure capable of matching a Marine Admiral.
If the Dragon Hunter Pirates joined Whitebeard's banner, the Whitebeard Pirates would instantly swell in strength!
So Whitebeard was very concerned about Ian's response. When making this invitation, he had even specifically called all the other division commanders to bear witness.
However, Ian's answer disappointed him.
Hearing Whitebeard's invitation, Ian smiled and shook his head gently. "Old Man, thank you for your kindness, but I can't join your crew."
Calling Whitebeard "Old Man" was simply because he was Ace's brother, a term of respect used by someone of the younger generation toward an elder. It was like calling an elderly man "uncle" without implying any actual familial relationship. Ian deeply admired Whitebeard's character, so he used this respectful title.
But from the very beginning, Ian had never planned to join the Whitebeard Pirates.
Hearing Ian's reply, Marco and the other commanders were somewhat surprised. Over the past few days, Ian had gotten along very well with them. They had already guessed Whitebeard Old Man's intentions and assumed Ian wouldn't refuse. So today, they had come expecting to witness the birth of a new family member. Unexpectedly, Ian had gently declined!
This caused a stir among the commanders, who exchanged puzzled glances.
Marco and the others were surprised, but Whitebeard wasn't. He let out a slight sigh and said, "I figured as much..."
In truth, given Whitebeard's temperament, just like when he first met Ace, he could have proposed taking Ian as his son the moment they met.
But when he met Ian, Whitebeard saw a difference in his eyes compared to Ace.
Back then, Ace's eyes hid a deep loneliness and longing that Whitebeard could see at a glance. He understood that Ace was the same kind of person as his own sons. That was why, when he first saw Ace, he had reached out his massive hand without hesitation.
However, Ian's eyes were different. There was something in Ian's gaze that Whitebeard couldn't quite describe. His eyes were gentle but held a firm resolve. Whitebeard saw no confusion in Ian's eyes.
So at that time, Whitebeard hesitated. He didn't immediately bring up the matter with Ian but waited several days before extending the invitation.
He had hoped that by letting his sons spend time with Ian, he could gradually draw Ian into the fold. But unexpectedly, he was still gently refused.
As a transmigrator, Ian never said it out loud, but he carried a certain pride within him. Although he couldn't yet predict how far he would go in this world, there was no way he would submit to someone else's command, especially not in the form of being an adopted son.
Ace, on the other hand, was getting anxious. He was actually the one who most wanted Ian to join the Whitebeard Pirates. Ace didn't have many friends, and Ian was the first person he met after setting sail who clicked with him. Back then, he had wanted Ian to join his Spade Pirates, but Ian had refused because he was a pirate hunter at the time. Now that Ian had become a pirate himself, Ace had joined the Whitebeard Pirates, so naturally, he wanted to bring Ian along.
Ace's mindset was simple: he wanted to share good things with his friends and brothers. Whitebeard's magnanimity had won him over completely, making him fully acknowledge Whitebeard. He thought the Whitebeard Pirates were great and wanted to share that with Ian.
So he immediately asked, "Why, Ian? Wouldn't it be great for the two of us to be in the same crew?"
But before Ian could answer, Whitebeard laughed first and said, "Ace, stop. This brother of yours has big ambitions! He actually wants to cooperate with the Whitebeard Pirates as an ally, doesn't he?"
"It's not exactly cooperation," Ian said with a smile. "Old Man, I'm very grateful for your help in getting the Dragon Hunter Pirates out of trouble this time. I'll remember this debt. If there's ever anything our crew can do for you, just say the word."
"Hmph, I misjudged you. Turns out you're still an arrogant brat!" Whitebeard snorted. He grabbed a barrel of sake with his massive hand, lifted it gently like a cup, took a gulp, and wiped the liquor from his mouth. "I'm Whitebeard. When would a crew of a few dozen people like yours ever be useful to me?"
"You never know!" Ian replied with a smile. "It's always good to be prepared!"
Whitebeard didn't press the issue further. In truth, he had many independent pirate crews under his command. In Whitebeard's view, Ian probably just didn't want to give up his own people and wanted to exist as an independent crew.
Although he hadn't managed to recruit Ian, Whitebeard wasn't too bothered. The bond between Ian and Ace couldn't be erased. With that connection between the Dragon Hunter Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates, they were indeed no different from allies.
After downing his sake, he tossed the barrel into the sea and laughed heartily. "No matter what, since everyone's here, let's start the banquet!"
Upon hearing this, the Whitebeard Pirates on the Moby Dick erupted in cheers.
For Marco and the others, even though Ian hadn't become family, he was still a friend. They immediately surrounded him and pulled Ian and Fujitora over.
Not only that, but the other members of the Dragon Hunter Pirates were also summoned, making the banquet feel like a joint gathering between the two crews...
Ian joined Ace, Marco, and the other young men in drinking and having fun, while Fujitora gathered with Whitebeard and the older members.
The atmosphere was lively, and everyone laughed and played for a long time. Later, perhaps due to too much drink, Fossa, the commander of the Fifteenth Division of the Whitebeard Pirates, staggered to his feet and challenged Ian to a sparring match...