The Path of the Great Sovereign 188 The Shell of a Man

Ace has started his journey and has become a member of the White Beard pirates after many trials and tribulations.

Sabo has joined the revolutionary Army.

And Luffy is about to start on his journey. These three points have been crucial to Tatsuo's overall plan so he waited patiently while keeping his excellent track record. The East Blue became an important point of commerce to the World government due to the unique goods that come from it which bring much joy to the Nobles and the common people.

Sitting in his Office Admiral Lion D. Tatsuo read the reports of his subordinates while drinking a cup of Black Tea. Then he came across something that attracted his attention.

"Whitebeard has started to recover huh."

The man said to have the power to destroy the world, Edward Newgate. About Six months ago Tatsuo sought out Whitebeard due to Ace, Despite only being a few months older than Ace, ever since Luffy, Sabo, and Ace became sworn brothers they would all refer to Tatsuo as 'Uncle Lion'. With that being said even if Ace choose a completely different path than Tatsuo no one saw it odd that he would go check on his nephew's well being.

What was unexpected however was Whitebeard's extreme overprotectiveness along with Tatsuo's unwillingness to back down.

"Gu ra ra ra ra, A Marine brave enough to step foot in my territory."

Whitebeard looked at Tatsuo as he walked through the air then leisurely stepped down out the sky onto the Moby Dick.

"I heard my Nephew joined your crew. I just came to see if he is being treated well."

"Gu ra ra ra ra ra, Your Nephew! YOU MEAN MY SON!"

The oxygen tank and other apparatuses attached to Whitebeard clearly showed his age and declining health yet the power in that voice would make many cower in fear. Yet the young man in front of him showed no signs of fear on his face, in fact he seemed slightly bored by the whole ordeal.

Whitebeard picked up his sake barrel and poured the contents into his mouth while Tatsuo took a seat across from him and grabbed a barrel of sake and did the same. This action caused the Division commanders and other pirates to be stunned into inaction. The smoothness of his actions made it seem as he was used to doing what he wanted to do, this action also caused Whitebeard to look up at the Marine that drank his Sake.

Without any preliminary actions, Whitebeard grabbed his weapon Murakumogiri and swung it down at Tatsuo who in response raised his hand coated in Haki. When the weapon and the hand clashed the clouds in the sky vanished due to the force. Everyone on the moby dick besides Whitebeard and Tatsuo was tossed to the ground.

Tatsuo pushed forward disrupting Whitebeard's balance so that he could stand up. Adjusting his clothes, Tatsuo looked at Whitebeard.

"Despite that enormous frame, you're pretty fast."

"Despite that small frame, you're pretty strong."

Standing up straight Whitebeard leaned forward then punched out towards his sides causing the very air to crack.

In response to that Tatsuo quickly pressurized the air then clapped, the shockwaves caused by the clap canceled out Whitebeard's attack.

The outcome caused everyone on board to have their knowledge tested as never before has their captain's attack been so ineffective. Even Whitebeard looked at the Marine in front of him with complicated eyes.

"Admiral Soyakaze correct?"

"Don't speak the obvious Whitebeard. As I said before I'm just here to check on my Nephew."

Then Tatsuo grinned slightly as he looked at Whitebeard.

"But, since I now have your attention we can really talk business. As you know Ace is Roger's Son."

Whitebeard's eyes widened then narrowed as he looked at the crafty Admiral in front of him that continued to drink his rather expensive sake as if he was drinking water.

"Why do you bring this up?"

"I also know that you want him to take up the mantle of Pirate King."

Dumping the remainder of the Sake down his throat Tatsuo looked at Whitebread and let out a belch. Whitebeard neither confirmed nor denied his statement, but just this was enough for everyone present to know that he was telling the truth.

"You are sick, Old, and getting weak."

Again Whitebeard neither confirmed nor denied the Admiral's statement.

"From the way things are moving throughout the world, there will be another war to bring an end to the era Roger created. Just the fact that there are now 4 Admirals to match the four Yonko should give you enough insight."

Clapping his hands once more Tatsuo created a dark sphere that concealed both himself and Whitebeard from the surroundings.

"This new era is inevitable but with war comes instability and death. However, I need you to survive and I have a way to make that happen. You wanted a Family, now you have one don't lose them so soon."

Whitebeard showed signs of being swayed yet he asked a single question.

"Why is the strongest military asset of the World Government, an Admiral helping a pirate?"

"Haven't you noticed the hypocrisy in the ideology of the World Government? The Promise to uphold "Justice" but that "Justice" only seems to be in their favor. I want to end that."

Reaching into his pocket Tatsuo pulled out a potion and handed it to Whitebeard.

"I need your help in order to make that happen but, I need you in your prime not the shell of the man you once were. That potion will do just that."

Before he could protest the Admiral was long gone.

Chapter end