One Piece: Marine Luffy, Garp regrets it

Whitebeard chuckled, leaning back on the massive chair as the morning sun glinted off his enormous frame. His deep voice resonated across the deck as he mused aloud.

"Don't underestimate Kaido," he rumbled, his tone both amused and cautious. "He might look like a brute, but he's anything but stupid. The guy has a brain under all that muscle—and a sharp one at that."

Marco, standing nearby, listened intently, holding his captain's gaze as Whitebeard continued. "If the Beasts Pirates go to war with the Marines right now, they'll get nothing but losses. Kaido knows better than to weaken his forces when every other big name on the seas is watching. He knows that Linlin, the red-haired brat, and all those other ambitious types would be ready to pounce on any chance to take advantage."

As a former member of the infamous Rocks Pirates, Whitebeard knew Kaido's nature well. Beneath Kaido's wild exterior, the Beasts Pirates' captain possessed a ruthless cunning that few recognized. Many were deceived by his outward appearance, but Whitebeard saw right through it.

Marco furrowed his brow. "Still… after losing someone as important as Jack, would Kaido just let it slide? Even if he can't take on the Marines head-to-head, I doubt he'll stay quiet about it."

He glanced at the newspaper again, his eyes lingering on the front-page story of Jack's defeat. "If Kaido doesn't do anything, it'll make him look weak. Pirates from every corner of the New World will mock him, and his influence could be damaged. How could he hold onto his authority if he doesn't avenge one of his top men?"

Whitebeard laughed, his booming voice echoing across the deck. "Gurararara! None of that concerns us," he said, taking another swig of his barrel-sized drink. "As much as I'd like to see Kaido's reaction, I'm more curious about what those Marines will do—and that kid who took down Jack. They say he's only thirteen…."

Whitebeard's eyes twinkled with excitement as he looked back at the newspaper, where the young Marine captain, Monkey D. Luffy, stood proudly with his arms crossed. Whitebeard had heard whispers of this boy's strength, a young man capable of taking down both Crocodile and Jack, two of the most feared figures on the seas.

"At this rate, he'll be a real powerhouse one day. The seas are going to be far from boring with someone like him around." He let out a hearty laugh and lifted the barrel of wine for another gulp, tipping it back without hesitation.

Marco quickly stepped forward, waving his hands in protest. "Dad, take it easy! Your body can't take that much alcohol anymore."

But Whitebeard only grinned, ignoring Marco's concern as he gulped down the rest of the barrel in a few swigs. Marco sighed, shaking his head helplessly. Even in his weakened state, Whitebeard's strength and spirit were unbreakable, as vibrant as the waves that crashed against the ship.

As he glanced back at the newspaper, Marco studied the bold headline beneath Luffy's picture. "Monkey D. Luffy…" he murmured, running a hand through his spiky blonde hair. "With a guy like him in the Marines, life's going to get a lot tougher for us pirates."

Elsewhere in the New World, aboard the opulent ship of the Big Mom Pirates, Charlotte Linlin—known far and wide as Big Mom—sat enjoying her morning tea. Surrounded by her children, she perused the newspaper, her lips twisting into a mocking grin as she reached the story about Kaido's loss.

"Hah! Has Kaido gotten so weak?" she sneered, slapping the paper down on the table. "One of his top three officers—taken down by a mere child in the Marines. How disgraceful!"

Her children, all gathered around, immediately chimed in with supportive nods and flattering words.

"That's right, Mama! Kaido can't compare to you!"

"Absolutely, Mother! He's nothing but a brute!"

But amidst the chorus of agreement, one voice spoke up, cutting through the cacophony. Charlotte Katakuri, Big Mom's second son and one of the fearsome Sweet Commanders, dared to offer a different perspective.

"Mother, it's not wise to underestimate Kaido," he said calmly.

A sharp silence fell over the room. The children, who had been laughing and flattering their mother just a moment before, froze, their faces paling as they looked from Katakuri to Big Mom. Everyone knew how unpredictable Big Mom's wrath could be. But when they saw who had spoken, they relaxed slightly. Katakuri, after all, is both their mother's favorite and the most respected sibling among them.

Big Mom turned her gaze to her son, her eyes narrowing, but Katakuri held her stare without flinching, his posture relaxed and composed.

"While Jack's death may bruise Kaido's pride, it doesn't change the fact that Kaido himself is incredibly strong. That's why he's one of the Four Emperors. So long as he's alive, he'll always be a force to reckon with—even if his crew is weakened," Katakuri said, his tone firm and confident.

Big Mom's lips curled into a smile, though her eyes glinted with a dangerous light. "Mmmmm~ You really believe that, Katakuri?"

The air around her grew tense, a palpable feeling of menace hanging over the table. Her children exchanged worried glances, shrinking back slightly in their seats. Yet Katakuri remained undaunted, arms crossed over his chest as he met his mother's gaze without fear.

Staring at her son in silence, Big Mom's expression slowly shifted. The glint of anger faded, replaced by a strange kind of approval. She was proud of Katakuri's strength and confidence, qualities that marked him as her most prized child. His calm courage in the face of her fierce gaze only reinforced her admiration.

In her eyes, Katakuri embodied everything she valued: strength, loyalty, and the ability to stand firm—even in the face of her own terrifying wrath. For a moment, she imagined how perfect he would be if only he could inherit her strongest abilities, the talents that made her one of the world's most feared figures.

Finally, after a long pause, Big Mom let out a low, satisfied chuckle. "Mamamama~ You're right, Katakuri. Kaido may be a brute, but he's no weakling. He may have lost one of his prized men, but he's still strong enough to stay at the top."

The tension in the room dissolved, and the rest of her children let out sighs of relief. Big Mom resumed her tea, her mood now noticeably improved. She glanced back at the newspaper, sneering slightly. "It's just his subordinates that are the real disappointment. Other than that rare treasure, King, the rest of his crew are hardly worth mentioning."

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