Babysitting Whitebeard’s Crew:How I Accidentally Became a Teen Emperor

Clearing Near Mangrove Forest 

Marco's blue flames flickered as he descended into the clearing, his expression filled with concern. 

"Jozu!!" 

He landed with a thud, wings vanishing into wisps of smoke. But what he saw left him speechless. 

There was Jozu—squatting on the ground, giggling to himself and... holding a comic book. 

A comic book. 

For a moment, Marco froze, his eye twitching. This can't be real. 

"Jozu… are you serious?" Marco finally spoke, his voice laced with disbelief. "You're sitting here, reading comics, while we're preparing for war?" 

Jozu's head shot up, his face breaking into a wide grin. "Marco! You're here!" 

That grin… that carefree, unbothered grin. Marco felt his blood pressure spike. 

"You're smiling? What in the world is going on with you?" Marco asked, stepping closer cautiously. 

Jozu stood up, brushing off his pants. His aura seemed different—lighter yet brimming with power. 

"Marco, enough talking. I need you to test my strength!" 

"Test your strength?" Marco folded his arms, raising an eyebrow. "You mean like the last time, where I mopped the floor with you?" 

Jozu laughed, his confidence unwavering. "Not this time, Marco. Trust me, I've improved!" 

Marco sighed, waving a hand dismissively. "Jozu, come on. Your Armament Haki isn't even at my level. What are you—" 

But Jozu's foot slammed into the ground before he could finish, cracking the earth beneath him. 

Jozu took a deep breath, his aura intensifying. 

Eight Inner Gates: First Gate—Open! 

Though the change wasn't visible, the surge in his power was palpable. The ground around him quaked as a gust of wind burst outward, scattering debris in all directions. 

Marco's Observation Haki flared, sensing the sudden shift. His eyes narrowed. "Huh…? This aura…" 

Jozu grinned. "Now, Marco, stop stalling and fight me!" 

Marco smirked, his scepticism easing. "Alright, if you insist." 

As Jozu charged forward, Marco coated his fist in Armament Haki. The two clashed, fist to fist. 

BOOM! 

The shockwave from their collision sent ripples through the clearing. 

Marco's eyes widened as he felt the force of Jozu's punch. What the—?! 

The power wasn't just overwhelming; it was on an entirely new level. Marco's footing faltered as he was pushed back, his Armament Haki struggling to absorb the impact. 

He skidded a dozen steps before stopping, shaking out his sore arm. 

"What the hell was that?" Marco muttered, staring at Jozu in disbelief. 

Jozu planted his fists on his hips, laughing heartily. "So, Marco, how does it feel to get pushed back for once?" 

Marco rolled his shoulder, the soreness evident. "Alright, I'll admit it. That was… impressive." 

Marco frowned, his mind racing. This doesn't add up. Just a few days ago, Jozu couldn't even touch me. 

"Alright, Jozu," Marco said, his tone serious. "What's going on? Did your Kira Kira no Mi awaken or something?" 

Jozu grinned, shaking his head. "Nope. It's not the fruit." 

"Then what is it?" Marco demanded. 

Jozu pulled out The Legend of Might Guy comic book, waving it dramatically. "It's this! I learned a new technique from this comic!" 

Marco stared at the comic book as if it were cursed. His expression twisted into one of pure incredulity. 

"You're telling me… You learned this power from a comic book! Are you joking?" 

"No cap," Jozu said earnestly. "The techniques in this book are real. I've been practising them in the comic's training world." 

"The comic's training world?" Marco repeated, his disbelief deepening. 

Jozu nodded enthusiastically. "Time works differently in there! A month inside is just an hour outside. I've already mastered the first level of the Eight Inner Gates!" 

Marco's jaw dropped. "So… you're saying… you've been training in some magic comic book, and that's why your strength exploded overnight?" 

"Exactly!" Jozu beamed. 

Marco stared at him, silent momentarily, before letting out a weary sigh. 

"You expect me to believe this? You've been reading too many bedtime stories, Jozu." 

Jozu rolled his eyes, patting Marco's shoulder. "You'll see, Marco. Soon, I'll be strong enough to take on ten of you!" 

"Ten?" Marco deadpanned, his face twitching. "Let me tell you something, Jozu. You might've gotten stronger, but if you think you can beat ten of me, you're the one who needs your head checked." 

Jozu laughed, his confidence unshaken, "We'll see, Marco. We'll see." 

Marco crossed his arms, muttering, "This guy… first he's reading comics, now he's spouting nonsense about kicking ten of me… What's next, he becomes Pirate King with a manga subscription?" 

Despite his scepticism, Marco couldn't deny the truth. Jozu's strength had skyrocketed; whatever the reason, it was real. 

As the two brothers bantered, Marco's mind raced with possibilities. 

Maybe I should read this comic after all…