The morning sun crept over the horizon, casting a soft, golden glow across the New World seas. Aboard the Moby Dick, the crew was in its usual morning hustle — polishing cannons, scrubbing the deck, and bickering over breakfast portions. But there was an undercurrent of something unusual today, a subtle excitement in the air.
Lupin, still bruised and bandaged from his reckless brawl with Whitebeard, leaned lazily against the mast, his eyes half-lidded. He paid little attention to the bustle around him. Instead, he watched a News Coo flutter overhead, dropping bundles of papers and fresh wanted posters.
He grinned when he heard the soft chime of his system.
[Edit Successful.]
[Edit Points Remaining: 560]
[Gecko Moria's Wanted Poster Updated.]
New Title: Whitebeard's Reckless Son
Effect: World perception of Gecko Moria has changed. Whitebeard Pirates' influence has unknowingly extended to Thriller Bark Pirates.
A chuckle escaped Lupin's cracked lips. "That'll stir the pot."
Moments later, bundles of bounty posters fluttered down from the News Coo's satchel, landing across the ship like autumn leaves. Marco was the first to grab one. His blue, flame-flecked eyes widened, a grin spreading across his face as he read the bold print.
"Oi! Everyone! Look at this!" Marco called out, waving the poster high above his head.
Vista snatched one out of the air, nearly spitting out his drink. "No way…"
Thatch doubled over, howling with laughter. "You've got to be kidding me!"
Even Izo raised a perfectly shaped brow.
And there it was: Gecko Moria, bounty updated, the usual scowl on his face in the photo… but now with the bold title beneath his name: Whitebeard's Reckless Son.
Marco practically sprinted toward Whitebeard, the poster clutched in his hands. "Pops! Pops! You old fox — since when do you have another son!? And why didn't you tell us Moria of all people was one of us?!"
Whitebeard blinked down at the poster, then erupted into a hearty, earth-shaking laugh. The entire ship seemed to shake with his booming voice.
"Gurararara! That old gecko, huh? I knew a bit about the brat after his scrap with Kaido years ago. Stubborn fool, but I respected the fight in him." Whitebeard stroked his massive mustache, his grin widening. "If people wanna think he's one of my sons — let 'em! Gurarara! This world could use a little chaos."
The crew roared with laughter, some of them clutching their sides as they leaned on each other.
From his post, Lupin could barely hold back his amusement, biting his lip as Marco continued to pester Whitebeard.
"You sly old man — keeping secrets like this! What else haven't you told us, huh?" Marco teased.
Lupin's grin widened. They don't even know it was me.
Meanwhile, far away aboard Thriller Bark…
The infamous, eerie ship drifted through the mists of the Florian Triangle, its haunted halls echoing with the groans of the undead. Inside the captain's quarters, Gecko Moria sat slouched in his throne-like chair, a bottle of rum dangling from his fingers as he half-heartedly listened to Absalom's complaints.
"Captain! Captain!" Absalom burst in, panting, holding a freshly delivered bounty poster.
"What now?" Moria grumbled, clearly annoyed.
"You… you better look at this."
Moria snatched the paper lazily, his bloodshot eyes skimming over it. His scowl deepened as he read the bold words.
"Whitebeard's Reckless Son"…?
"What kind of sick joke is this?!"
Absalom scratched his head nervously. "Wait… so you're saying it's not true? But… I thought maybe you kept it secret from us, y'know, in case you were… secretly Pops' kid."
Moria's face darkened with rage. "Idiot! I don't know who pulled this stunt, but I ain't anybody's son but my own!" He slammed the poster down onto the table, his teeth gritted. "Who the hell's messing with my reputation…?"
Absalom backed away cautiously. "I mean… it does kinda sound cool. Makes us sound like we're Whitebeard's crew or something."
Several of the undead minions murmured in agreement from the corners of the room.
Perona — only twelve years old at the time, seated cross-legged nearby with her tiny pink parasol — snickered. "Heh. Guess that makes us super famous now. Whitebeard's pirates wouldn't mess with us, right?"
Moria groaned, rubbing his temples. This'll bring me heat I don't need. I'm not even a Warlord yet! And worse — he had no idea who'd done it.
In Wano Country…
Deep within Onigashima, Queen the Plague swaggered into Kaido's private chamber, a rolled-up bounty poster in hand, grinning ear to ear.
"Boss, boss — you gotta see this!" Queen announced, slapping the paper down onto Kaido's table.
Kaido, lounging with a massive jug of sake, lazily glanced at the poster. But as his eyes landed on the title, his massive form stiffened.
"What…?" His voice rumbled like a storm gathering on the horizon.
Queen chuckled nervously. "Yeah, turns out Moria's one of Whitebeard's brats now. Guess we should've finished him off when we had the chance, huh?"
Kaido's expression darkened as memories of Kouzuki Oden and his battles with Whitebeard flashed in his mind — the time he crushed Moria's crew in the aftermath of that bloody war. His stomach churned.
"This… this could be a problem."
"Problem, boss?"
"If Whitebeard's claiming Moria as his son — and people believe it — it's gonna spread. The old man might back him up just for the hell of it. If those two come for me together…"
Kaido's fist clenched around the jug, and it shattered in his grip.
"Double the revenge," he muttered, his voice colder than ice.
Without another word, he barked, "Queen — tell our men. Start hunting for any damn Zoan-type Devil Fruits you can find. I want them now. Bulk up our forces. No weak links. If Whitebeard moves, I want an army that can hold him."
Queen gulped but nodded quickly, bolting out of the room. "You got it, boss!"
Kaido's eyes narrowed, glaring at the bounty poster once more. Oden's name haunted him like a ghost. The seas were stirring — and he hated surprises.
Back aboard the Moby Dick…
The crew was still passing around the poster, jokes flying.
"I bet next week Big Mom's gonna be your long-lost grandma, too!" Fossa joked, and the men roared with laughter.
Lupin, leaning casually by the mast, watched the chaos with immense satisfaction. He met Marco's gaze and raised an innocent brow.
"Hey, Marco… you think I should go pick a fight with Moria next? Y'know, brotherly sparring and all?"
Marco burst out laughing. "Don't push your luck, Black Rose. Pops might actually adopt the Gecko next."
"Gurararara! I wouldn't mind," Whitebeard bellowed happily, pounding his massive fist into his palm. "That old gecko had guts once. If the world thinks he's my son, let 'em. Any man with the balls to stand against Kaido deserves it."
Lupin smirked. Perfect.
As the sun sank lower, Lupin let his gaze drift toward the horizon.
This wasn't just a prank.
It was a ripple — one that would spread across the world, stir old grudges, shake future battles, and send shockwaves through the pirate world's balance.
And no one even knew he was the one who started it.
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[Title Available: Whitebeard's Reckless Son]
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