The days were winding down.
Lupin had fought, bled, and clawed his way through twenty grueling battles. His body ached from the unrelenting pace, bruises and cuts marking the price he'd paid for every hard-earned victory — and the sting of each defeat only sharpened his resolve. The respect of the division commanders wasn't some distant dream anymore. It was within reach.
But one name loomed over it all: Kouzuki Oden.
The 2nd Division Commander.
A man who hadn't set foot on the Moby Dick in years. No one knew when — or even if — he'd return from Wano Country. And Lupin couldn't afford to wait. Not after how far he'd come. Not when he was this close.
There had to be a way to finish this.
And when desperation digs its claws into a man, even the most reckless ideas start to sound like plans.
Later that afternoon, Lupin made his way across the deck of the Moby Dick, the salty wind biting at his skin. His heart pounded with every step. He found Whitebeard at the railing, the old man's massive frame facing the endless horizon. Even from behind, Whitebeard radiated a presence that made the air feel heavier.
As Lupin approached, Whitebeard turned, a grin breaking across his weathered face.
"Lupin," he greeted, his voice a rumbling thunderclap. "You've been busy, huh? Heard you've managed to earn the respect of most of my sons."
Lupin's stomach twisted. He'd rehearsed the words a hundred times in his head, but now, standing before the man himself, they felt clumsy and reckless.
"I've got a request, Pops." His voice was low, serious. "I want to fight the 2nd Division Commander."
Whitebeard barked out a laugh, the sound booming across the deck. "You wanna fight Oden?" he snorted. "Boy, you know he's not here."
Lupin clenched his fists. "I know. But the quest… I have to earn his respect. And I can't just sit around waiting. If he's not here, then—"
"What?" Whitebeard cut him off, eyes glinting with amusement. "You expect me to name someone else the 2nd Division Commander for a day, just so you can swing your gun around and finish your little task?"
Lupin held his ground. "Yes." No hesitation. No backing down. "I don't care who it is. I just need to prove myself to the 2nd Division."
For a long moment, Whitebeard said nothing, his sharp gaze studying the young pirate before him. The grin slowly returned to his lips.
"You're either the boldest or the dumbest bastard I've met in a while."
Before Lupin could react, Whitebeard's massive hand shot out, grabbing him by the collar like a ragdoll and lifting him clean off his feet.
"Alright, brat," Whitebeard rumbled. "If it's respect you want, then you'll have to earn it from me."
"W-what are you talking about?" Lupin stammered.
"I'll be your 2nd Division Commander today." Whitebeard's grin widened into something fierce and unforgiving. "And I'm not going easy on you."
Before Lupin could say another word, Whitebeard's fist came down like a wrecking ball, sending him flying across the deck. Lupin's back hit the wood with a sickening thud, the impact stealing the air from his lungs.
He tried to scramble to his feet, but a massive boot crashed down on his chest, pinning him in place.
"You really thought this was gonna be a sparring match, boy?" Whitebeard growled, the weight of his boot making Lupin's ribs scream. "You're asking to carry the weight of a division. Let's see if you can handle the pressure."
Lupin gritted his teeth, his hands clawing at the deck as he pushed against the weight pressing him down. His whole body burned, but he refused to give in.
This wasn't about winning anymore. It never was.
It was about standing back up.
"I'm… not done yet," he spat, blood trickling from his split lip.
Whitebeard's grin returned, full of pride. "That's more like it."
Another brutal punch drove Lupin across the deck. His vision swam, the world spinning in a haze of pain and sunlight. Somewhere in the distance, he could hear the crew cheering and shouting, but it was all a blur.
His body wanted to stay down.
But his heart — that reckless, stubborn heart — screamed louder.
He forced himself up to his knees, his arms shaking, his chest heaving.
"Come on, old man," Lupin rasped. "I'm still breathing."
Whitebeard roared with laughter.
And then the world went black.
The Awakening
When Lupin finally came to, it was evening. The sky was painted in deep oranges and purples. The salty sea breeze cooled the sweat on his battered skin. Every inch of his body ached, but he was alive.
Slowly, he blinked his eyes open. A ring of faces stared down at him — commanders, crewmates, a mix of smirks and approving nods.
And standing at the center of it all was Whitebeard.
"You're still breathing," the old man chuckled, crossing his massive arms. "Not bad, kid. You've got more guts than sense."
Lupin groaned, forcing himself to sit up. His whole body screamed in protest, but he didn't care.
Because he got it now.
This wasn't about winning.
It was about enduring. About standing back up no matter how many times you got knocked down.
It was about proving you belonged.
Whitebeard nodded, satisfied. "You've earned it, brat. You've earned our respect."
And just like that — the quest was done.
[Quest Complete: Respect Earned from the 2nd Division Commander]
Objective Complete
Reward: 1 Creation Point, 1 Mystery Chest
Progress: 16/16
Lupin pushed himself to his feet, every step a challenge. Blood crusted his lip, his ribs throbbed, but none of it mattered. He locked eyes with Whitebeard, his voice raw but steady.
"Thank you, Pops."
Whitebeard grinned and clapped him on the back so hard he nearly toppled over again.
"No need for thanks, son. Now get your ass back to training. The seas won't wait for you."
Lupin smiled, a fire in his chest that pain couldn't touch.
He had his place now. Among Whitebeard's sons.
And this was only the beginning.