chsdbacks Chapter 123 Whitebeard
Chapter 123 Whitebeard
The Moby Dick wasn't too far from the Ophelian's dock, and the two arrived at the Moby Dick's berth in no time. Because Marco had given prior notice, Moko could clearly see a large group of people standing on the deck even before they got close. Perhaps they had spotted the two people in the sky, because the waiting crowd instantly became excited, waving and greeting them non-stop, their enthusiasm not much less than that of the Navy's star-struck fans.
Moko had only met the Whitebeard Pirates once, but seeing their enthusiastic welcome, she became even more nervous for no reason. After thinking for a moment, she put on her hood and pulled her fur cloak even closer, so that most of her face was covered by the white fur trim. Marco didn't say anything when he saw this, and when he landed on the deck, he deliberately stood in front to block most of their view.
"Little Moko, be careful when you come down, yoi."
Marco waved the crowd back several steps, and only when the space was slightly clearer did he extend his hand to Moko. The previously noisy deck fell silent with Marco's movement, and everyone watched this scene quietly, tense yet expectant, as if Marco were performing some solemn ceremony.
Moko bit her lower lip, feeling the intense gazes around her, and felt extremely uncomfortable. What was going on with this strange atmosphere? Uncle Whitebeard's crew was just too enthusiastic. She should come back when there were fewer people next time.
"Thank you, Brother Marco."
The soft voice was exceptionally pleasant, making people even more eager to peek at the face beneath the cloak, but that was just wishful thinking. They dared not actually make a move. Didn't they see Marco protecting his cub like a mother hen? Besides, this little guy was someone their father had been constantly talking about, and they didn't want to get beaten up, especially given Marco's methods. Ugh, forget it. Marco was sometimes even more terrifying than their father.
Moko reached out and took Marco's outstretched arm, gently landing on the deck. Perhaps Moko was even smaller than they had imagined, because everyone held their breath, as if they were afraid that a single breath from these roughnecks would blow the little girl away.
"Alright, alright, everyone go back to your own business. Didn't you see you scared the little guy?"
A steady voice came from behind the crowd, and a man with a pompadour hairstyle and dressed in a chef's uniform stepped out.
"Hey!"
Disappointed voices rang out as they looked at the man. They wanted to see what the girl their father had been paying attention to looked like. This was the adorable little sister they had been looking forward to, and as her older brothers, they wanted to make a good impression on her. Marco was always the only one who went to see this unique little sister; he was so cunning!
"Hey what? Dad's still waiting. If you scare the little guy, I'll throw you into the sea as bait."
Upon hearing that their fathers were still waiting, everyone scattered like the wind and returned to their posts. The road, which had just been surrounded, suddenly became clear, and Moko was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.
"Little Moko, were you scared? They're not bad people, yoi."
Marco spoke softly and gently, afraid that the group on the ship might be too lively and leave a bad impression on Moko. He hoped that Moko could come to their ship later, even if the chances were slim, he still wanted to try.
Moko gently shook her head to indicate that she was fine. She could sense that these gazes were not malicious, but merely curious. "Brother Marco, I know."
Sachi stood to the side, noticing Marco's completely different demeanor, and as if remembering something, his eyes couldn't help but sneer.
"Marco, why don't we take the little guy to see his old man first?"
At this moment, Marco also noticed Sachi's teasing look, clenched his fist to cover his lips, turned his head away and coughed awkwardly twice.
"Hey, Xiao Moke, I'll take you to see Daddy Yoi."
"it is good."
"Pfft~"
Marco led Moko towards the captain's cabin. The eyes of the crew, who had returned to their posts, unconsciously followed them. Mika followed behind Moko, and the large, fluffy ball reminded some of the crew of their battle with Roger on that island. It seemed that the fluffy ball had appeared around that time.
Everyone on the ship who participated in that battle knew Moko's identity, but Whitebeard had warned everyone long ago that Moko's identity must never be revealed to anyone else. Even the crew members who joined the ship later, although they didn't understand why their father cared so much about this child, it was their father's decision and they wouldn't question it.
When Roger passed away, everyone thought that the child was also... But unexpectedly, the child was still alive, and not only alive, but also grew up well. Having suffered such pain, he still survived. He must have suffered a lot all these years. Thinking this, everyone looked at Moko with a hint of sympathy. Sensing everyone's gaze, Moko unconsciously tightened her grip on Ella's arm.
Marco had told Whitebeard beforehand that he was bringing Moko on board, so preparations were made well in advance, which is why the situation on deck just now occurred. Whitebeard had been sitting in the captain's cabin waiting for a long time, and as soon as he heard the commotion on deck, he urged Sachi to go up to the deck to pick up Moko, afraid that his bunch of brats would scare the delicate little girl. After all, Moko was as soft as a flower when she was little, so fragile that she could fly away with a gust of wind.
Not long after Sachi left, there was another commotion outside. As soon as the door to the captain's cabin opened, Moko met Whitebeard's eyes. Whitebeard was sitting in a specially made large chair, his bare upper body covered with scabbed old wounds, and most of his long golden hair had turned white. Time had indeed left its mark on this powerful man. The only thing that remained unchanged was his crescent-shaped beard hanging upside down.
"Little one, it's been a long time."
The deep, white-bearded voice rang out, his eyes as kind as when he left years ago. For some reason, Moko suddenly felt a lump in her throat. She didn't cry when she heard Marco's concern, nor did she cry when the people on the deck showed her sympathy. But when she heard an elder who was like a father to her greet her, tears inexplicably welled up in her eyes.
"Long time no see, Uncle Whitebeard."
Suppressing her sobs, Moko took off her large hood and gave Whitebeard an incredibly gentle and lovely smile, but Whitebeard noticed the tears still lingering in the corners of Moko's eyes.
Moko is petite. In a world where the average height is over 1.8 meters, Moko is incredibly small. Yet, this petite girl is the mastermind behind Moko, whom the world is wary of. Whitebeard couldn't even imagine how hard this little one must have suffered all these years to achieve everything she has now. That bastard Roger, why did he have to let that child suffer outside for so long? He could have just handed the little one over to take care of back then. Could he possibly mistreat this little one?
The white-bearded man reached out and easily lifted Moko up, letting her sit on his lap. His large hand gently protected Moko from falling. His almost giant-like height made Moko appear even smaller, like a delicate porcelain doll.
"The little one is getting prettier and prettier. I hope he can come to the ship more often in the future. I don't have many years left to live. If the little one can keep this old man company more, I will have no regrets."
He didn't mention the past, nor did he say any words of sympathy. His gaze towards Moko was filled with nothing but affection. Whitebeard knew that the little girl was that man's child, and she had her own unique pride. What the little girl needed was not sympathy; other people's sympathy was simply an insult to her pride.
In this respect, he was the same as the little guy. People like them don't need other people's sympathy. They would fight for what they wanted themselves, so why would they need other people's sympathy and charity? Even if the sympathy was well-intentioned, he would naturally not do such a thing to humiliate the little guy.
"Pah, pah, pah! Uncle Whitebeard will definitely live for a very, very long time. You can't curse yourself like that. If Uncle Whitebeard says that again, I won't let Yubi bring me any good drinks next time."
Moko frowned slightly, pouting and looking at Whitebeard with a hint of reproach. Her attention was completely diverted by Whitebeard's words, and her earlier unease disappeared. Marco lowered his eyes upon seeing this, realizing that his father was indeed quite good at coaxing children.
"Gulp gulp gulp, we can't do without wine, I'll never say that again."
When Whitebeard said this, he pretended to be genuinely frightened by Moko. His confident look amused Moko, turning her anger into joy. Only when Moko finally smiled did Whitebeard continue with the rest of his words.
"So Xiao Mo, you should come visit this old man more often in the future, so that I know you're doing well and no one is bullying you. If anyone bullies you, just tell me. The people I, with my white beard, have never been bullied, not even by that red-haired kid."
Whitebeard affectionately patted Moko's head. He genuinely wanted to dote on this child. For so many years, all his children had been sons. Perhaps he was truly getting old, but seeing how well-behaved Moko was, Whitebeard's desire for a daughter grew stronger. Perhaps he had wanted a daughter long ago, when he saw Roger showing off. When Roger entrusted this child's future to him, what were his feelings at that time? Anger? Joy? Sigh?
Perhaps it's a bit of both. Who wouldn't want such a well-behaved and beautiful child, like the first bloom of spring? Yet Roger cruelly abandoned such a child, leaving such a small child to face the malice of the entire world alone. Even if Roger had no choice but to make this decision, Whitebeard still felt that Roger's actions were inappropriate. The world was so cruel; how could such a small child bear it? Nothing like this had ever happened on his ship.
However, perhaps Roger didn't completely trust him after all, otherwise why would he have hidden the child so well? If Marco hadn't discovered it by chance, he might have always thought the child was already dead.
"Uncle Whitebeard, no one is bullying me. Besides, didn't you also ask Brother Marco to protect me secretly? With you here, how could anyone bully me?"
“As the older brother, it’s only natural for Marco to protect his younger sister. If he can’t even protect his sister, I’ll have to hang him up and train him for a couple of days.”
Marco, standing to the side, twitched his eye. No, he didn't even try to hide his badmouthing of Marco. Did his father really stop loving his son now that he had a daughter?
"Marco, don't you think so?"
Both Whitebeard and Moko looked over. Seeing Whitebeard's childlike smugness, Marco shrugged helplessly and nodded resignedly.
"Yeah, if I can protect Xiao Moke, I won't even need Dad, I'll just jump into the sea myself, yo~"
"Pfft, hahaha, that won't do. If Marco jumps into the sea, Uncle Whitebeard will definitely have a headache." Moko grinned and laughed heartily.
"Hmm?" The white-bearded man cast a questioning look at Moko.
"Because no one is helping Uncle Whitebeard with his work anymore."
Moko's adorable innocence and maturity vanished in front of the kind elder with the white beard. Only then did Moko truly resemble a child, rather than the child who was forced to grow up.
"Gurarara, the little guy is right. Let Marco handle those troublesome tasks; I can't do them."
Whitebeard also handled the work on the ship, but his health had been poor in the last two years, so he had handed most of it over to Marco. However, Whitebeard did not spoil Moko's fun at the moment and happily "criticized" his son for spoiling Moko.
Moko and Whitebeard each said something, and Marco stood to the side, unable to get a word in edgewise. He could only listen as the two of them planned how to give him more work, which seemed to be treating him like a leek to be harvested. Marco helplessly curled the corners of his lips, relaxed on the sofa, and looked at Moko's smiling face with even more deep affection in his eyes.