Edward Castle – The Study
Knock. Knock.
The knock was crisp, deliberate—neither rushed nor timid.
Within the dim, wood-paneled study, Argus D. Edward looked up from a parchment scroll of naval schematics and bloodline reports. His amber eyes sharpened.
"Enter," he said calmly, voice as smooth as polished steel.
The door opened. A young maid stepped inside, head bowed low in the practiced grace expected within Totto Land's central estate.
"Milord," she said softly, "Lord Whitebeard has returned."
"…Oh?"
Argus blinked, momentarily thrown from his tactical thoughts.
"Big Brother… has come back?"
It had been nearly a year—three hundred and eleven days, by his reckoning—since Edward Newgate, the Titan of the Seas, last set foot in Edward territory.
"Understood. You're dismissed."
The maid bowed again and quietly exited.
Argus rose from his chair in one fluid motion, the long cloak around his shoulders flowing like ink spilled across parchment. Without further delay, he strode toward the harbor.
---
Totto Land – Eastern Harbor
The air was electric.
A colossal vessel, its white sails billowing like the wings of a mythic beast, cut across the water like a king returning to his throne. Moby Phantom, Newgate's personal warship, loomed like a floating fortress, its hull reinforced with seastone ribs and orichalcum plating.
A murmur spread through the assembled crowd—soldiers, citizens, and Edward family members alike.
"Is that—?"
"He's back!"
"The Seaquake has returned!"
And then—
"GURARARARA~~~!!"
The familiar, thunderous laughter echoed across the bay like a war horn. As the gangplank dropped, Edward Newgate descended with the casual dominance of a demigod.
His massive frame towered above the crowd, the infamous Murakumogiri slung across his back like it weighed no more than a branch. His golden epaulets gleamed, and the sheer presence he exuded pressed against the air like gravity.
"ARGUS!"
"BROTHER."
Argus stepped forward, his cloak trailing behind him like a banner. The two men clasped wrists, and for a brief moment, time itself seemed to pause.
"Where the hell've you been this past year?" Argus asked with a crooked smile.
Newgate grunted, irritation flickering behind his grin.
"Tch. Don't even mention it. That bastard Ochoku followed me like a lovesick mosquito. Obsessed with Murakumogiri. He's treating it like some damn stolen lover."
Argus arched an eyebrow, amused.
"You took his pride and joy. Of course he's bitter. That's the pirate life—losing hurts more than dying."
Newgate scoffed, spitting to the side.
"He's a whiny brat who lost a duel. And now he's out there crying about honor? Gurarara! He can stew in his own bile. As far as I'm concerned, possession is nine-tenths of the law."
Argus chuckled, arms crossed.
"Diplomacy through violence. Classic Whitebeard."
Newgate grinned wider.
"Besides—we're still waiting on our real vessel. Once it's complete in Water 7, we'll make our move. Isn't that right, MY SONS!?"
"YEAHHHHH!!" A chorus erupted from behind him.
Hiroshi, now a rising commander within the Edward ranks, stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Just as Oyaji said, the project is underway. Master Magnus has already laid the reinforced keel, but… Master Tom hasn't been pulling his weight lately."
Argus waved a hand, unfazed.
"It's fine. We'll handle Tom the Water 7 way—by negotiation or by coin."
---
A Voice Across the Wind
"Father! Uncle!"
A child's voice—clear, bell-like—cut through the noise.
All turned to see a streak of gold descending the hill. Artoria, the eldest daughter of the Edward line, raced toward the harbor with the grace of a knight and the curiosity of a child. Her white dress fluttered in the wind like a battle standard. Though barely two years old, her matured appearance and regal bearing betrayed the truth: this was no ordinary child.
Newgate burst out laughing.
"GURARARA! Lily! You've grown like a weed!"
Artoria skidded to a stop before them, cheeks flushed and eyes bright.
"Uncle brought something for you," Newgate said with a smirk.
"A gift?" she tilted her head, ahoge swaying with innocent wonder.
"Bring it over!"
Several crew members carried forth a black-lacquered treasure chest, trimmed in crimson and etched with stormcloud motifs. They set it down reverently.
Argus raised an eyebrow. What's this now?
Newgate threw the lid open with a flourish.
Inside gleamed a suit of armor—elegant, intimidating, and radiant. Silver baseplates polished to a mirror sheen, with golden dragon and lion insignias lining the chest and pauldrons. The design echoed deeply with Argus's memories.
"…Wait a second," he muttered. "That looks suspiciously like Saber's armor from Fate…"
Of course, he thought with a dry internal laugh. Even in this world, fate has a twisted sense of humor.
Artoria gasped.
"It's beautiful! It looks strong—like something a real king would wear!"
Newgate crossed his arms, pleased.
"It's more than looks. This armor absorbs and stores Armament Haki. Feed it your energy daily, Lily. Let it drink your strength. When the time comes, you'll unleash all that power in one blast."
Argus stepped closer, inspecting the runic grooves and the lattice understructure.
"How much can it store?"
"No idea," Newgate replied. "I haven't found its limit yet. But it took a direct strike from a Supreme Grade blade and didn't even scratch."
Artoria hugged the armor, even though it was nearly her size.
"Thank you, Uncle! I'll make it shine."
"You'd better," he rumbled. "And don't lose it. I'm not a damn treasure factory."
Argus laughed.
"This set probably costs more than a Supreme Grade weapon."
Newgate shrugged.
"And it's worth every berry. This girl's gonna shake the seas one day."
---
Elsewhere – Edward Castle, Rose Wing
The air was warm with hibiscus tea and floral incense.
Serena, resplendent in her sapphire gown, sat at the head of a curved tea table. To her right was Sally, the brilliant administrator, her notes neatly stacked; to her left, Shella, arms folded, her training gear still damp with seawater.
Also present were two newer faces: Sandersonia and Princess Clarisse of the fallen Veyle Kingdom.
"This," Serena said coolly, "is no longer just about affection or lineage. This is about strategy. Nation-building."
Sally nodded. "We've reached the tipping point. With Argus gaining fame and military might, we must formalize the Concubine Selection Plan."
Shella frowned. "You want to pick his next wives?"
"Yes," Serena said. "Not just pick—curate. We need heirs of legendary quality. That means women with bloodline strength, ambition, and loyalty. Not just pretty faces."
"Though beauty matters," Shella added slyly. "Let's not pretend otherwise."
Sally blushed, sipping her tea.
Serena smirked. "Of course it does. But this court is not for ornaments. It's for queens—commanders, visionaries, mothers of empires."
The women exchanged firm, unspoken agreement.
Sally flipped open a folder.
"Selection begins tomorrow. We've already compiled a list of candidates from Wano, Alabasta, Elbaf, and the former slave registry."
Shella leaned forward.
"Let's make it clear: if they want to join this family—they have to earn it."
---
(CHAPTER END)