SIX PATH SAGE OF THE ROCKS PIRATES

Hearing Kaito's words, Whitebeard—Edward Newgate—shook his head slightly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. Without a word, he tossed the sake bottle in his hand to Kaito. Crossing his massive arms over his chest, he fixed the young man with a sharp yet measured gaze.

"Tell me, Kaito," Whitebeard began, his deep voice carrying a gravity that silenced even the waves crashing outside the ship, "why did you join the Rocks Pirates?"

"Hmm?" Kaito blinked, catching the sake bottle mid-air. He uncorked it and took a tentative sip, his confusion evident as he glanced at the imposing figure of Whitebeard standing in his doorway. "Why's everyone so interested in me today?" he muttered under his breath.

First, Golden Lion Shiki and Charlotte Linlin had approached him, each trying to sway him into their schemes with promises of power and prestige. Then there was Rocks D. Xebec himself, who had seen potential in Kaito and offered him a spot on his crew under conditions Kaito still wasn't sure about. And now Whitebeard—someone Kaito had pegged as a lone wolf—was here.

Kaito sighed, rubbing his temples. "What's with all the attention?" he thought to himself. The truth was simple: he had joined the crew to grow stronger, to seek out Devil Fruits that would amplify his power. But he wasn't about to spill his motives to just anyone. Instead, he deflected.

"Before I answer that, Captain Edward," Kaito said, swirling the sake bottle, "why are you standing at my door? You don't seem the type for idle chats."

Whitebeard chuckled softly, his laughter as deep and steady as a rumbling volcano. "You've got sharp instincts, brat. I came here because I figured someone should warn you."

Kaito's expression shifted, a flicker of curiosity breaking through his usual guarded demeanor. "Warn me? About what?"

Whitebeard stepped closer, his towering frame casting a shadow over the small room. He placed a firm hand on Kaito's shoulder, the weight of his words as heavy as the hand itself. "Rocks is dangerous—more dangerous than you can imagine. Don't let yourself be blinded by the promises he makes. He's the kind of man who'd cut you down the moment your goals clash with his."

Whitebeard's brow furrowed slightly, his voice tinged with an uncharacteristic somberness. "You're still young. You don't yet understand the seas or the hearts of men. Trust me when I say that this ship is a place where ambition drowns morality. Be careful who you trust."

Kaito raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a smirk. "Didn't expect to hear something like that from you. What's your angle, Whitebeard? Why warn me?"

Whitebeard let out a long sigh, his gaze momentarily distant, as if recalling his early days aboard the Rocks Pirates. "You remind me of myself back then. When I first joined this crew, I thought I'd find camaraderie. A family. But this ship? It's filled with chaos—betrayal, bloodlust, and greed. I learned quickly that there's no place for warmth here, only survival."

Kaito's eyes narrowed as he studied the man before him. Whitebeard's sincerity was disarming. In the chaos of the Rocks crew, he'd expected ambition and violence, not guidance or camaraderie. Yet, here was one of the most feared pirates of his era, offering him advice.

"Well, I'll give you this," Kaito said with a chuckle. "You're not what I expected, Whitebeard. I appreciate the warning, but don't worry about me. I've got my own plans."

Whitebeard's lips curled into a faint smile. "Do what you want, brat. Just don't let yourself get dragged down by the madness of this ship." He turned and began to walk away, his footsteps heavy yet steady. Before he exited, he glanced back over his shoulder. "And don't forget—when the time comes, make sure you're standing on the side you truly believe in."

Kaito watched him leave, the sake bottle still in hand. He chuckled softly, taking another sip. "Whitebeard, huh? Maybe he's not so bad after all."

For a fleeting moment, Kaito felt the faint stirrings of something unfamiliar—a strange kind of respect. But he quickly shoved the thought aside. In the Rocks Pirates, sentiment was a luxury he couldn't afford.

However, as for what kind of person Rocks D. Xebec was, Kaito once stood in a position that let him see the world too clearly—almost as if from a god's perspective.

Whitebeard's words, in Kaito's opinion, felt unnecessary.

"Well, anyway, it's your choice, Kaito," Whitebeard said simply before turning and walking away.

After all, Whitebeard didn't fully understand Kaito—not his ambitions, nor his intentions.

But… there was something about Kaito that Whitebeard found familiar, a kindred spirit of sorts. That was why he decided to say something, even if it didn't matter much to Kaito.

Whitebeard's attitude stemmed from his time with the Rocks Pirates—a notorious and chaotic crew filled with some of the most dangerous individuals on the seas. While many sought power or chaos, Whitebeard was different. Even amid the madness, his resolve to find a true family, a crew bound by love and trust, never wavered.

If the situation had been different, Whitebeard might have liked Kaito as a drinking companion—someone to share a rare moment of peace amid the storm of Rocks' ambitions.

As Whitebeard walked away, Kaito shrugged and muttered, "Edward Newgate… Whitebeard?"

He didn't dwell on it. Instead, Kaito stretched lazily, opened a bottle of sake, and downed it before collapsing onto his bed.

The next morning

The sunlight filtered through the window, casting a warm glow on Kaito's face. He groaned, stretched his arms, and got up. After splashing water on his face to wash away the lingering grogginess, he stepped out onto the deck.

There, he noticed a large crowd of crew members gathered in a noisy circle, chattering excitedly about something. Kaito's curiosity got the better of him, and he strolled over, slipping through the throng to see what all the fuss was about.

The sight reminded Kaito of the camaraderie often seen in Konoha—specifically among Naruto and his friends, whose bonds always seemed to draw people in. But here, amid the chaos of the Rocks Pirates, such camaraderie felt strange.

"What's going on?" Kaito asked, leaning in to catch a snippet of the conversation.