Argus was no fool.
He understood the truth of bloodlines—understood the lottery of birth, the cruel randomness of inherited talent. Strength and a system weren't enough to defy genetics. Even someone like him couldn't guarantee his child would be born exceptional.
But he wasn't without tools.
He had the [Many Children, Many Blessings] system.
It didn't ensure every child would be a prodigy. But it offered a crucial safeguard: the Offspring Talent Template—a measure to prevent mediocrity.
[Offspring Template Activated. Choose one of three random talents for your firstborn.]
He didn't hesitate. Serena was already pregnant. Timing was everything.
Three options appeared.
[Talent 1: Steel Balloon]
[Talent 2: Child of the Weather]
[Talent 3: King of the Red Dragon]
"…The hell kind of lineup is this?"
Argus narrowed his eyes at the glowing panel.
"'Steel Balloon'? That's gotta be tied to Charlotte Linlin's freakishly durable body. 'Child of the Weather'? No idea. Sounds like a wild card. And 'King of the Red Dragon'… what, is this a fantasy novel?"
He rubbed his jaw thoughtfully. "Do they come with grades?"
The system took a moment—then responded:
[Steel Balloon – Grade: A]
[Child of the Weather – Grade: A+]
[King of the Red Dragon – Grade: S+]
[Talent Grades: E-, E, E+ … D, C, B, A, S, Z — each with three tiers.]
"S+… damn. Not the summit, but not far from it."
He didn't deliberate further.
He selected King of the Red Dragon.
Then he opened the diagnostic screen for the unborn child.
[Current Talent: None]
[Grade: –]
[Note: Firstborns can be scanned prior to birth. Others must be born first.]
"Tch. So without the system, this one was destined to be average."
That wouldn't do.
[Offspring Talent Template Applied: King of the Red Dragon (S+)]
[Aptitude-Enhancing Potion Administered.]
[Updated Status:]
Talent: King of the Red Dragon
Grade: S+
Aptitude: S+
"Hm…" Argus frowned. "Still S+ even with both boosts? So Z-grade… really is a different beast."
He had hoped for a breakthrough. But clearly, the leap from S+ to Z wasn't linear—it was exponential.
Before he could dive deeper into system theory, the study doors slammed open with all the restraint of a cannon blast.
"Gurararara~~~!"
Edward Newgate barreled in, wild grin splitting his face, voice booming like thunder.
"ARGUS! Tell me it's true! Serena's pregnant? Don't you dare be screwin' with me!"
Argus looked up, half-smirking. "Now you're excited? Where was this energy when I told you to settle down and raise a crew of your own?"
"Bah!" Newgate waved him off. "I've got no damn interest in women! Never cared for that sort of thing. But this—this is different! This is your kid! That's my nephew—or niece! Our family, Argus!"
He started pacing the room like a restless sea beast, his massive bulk practically vibrating with unspent joy.
Argus chuckled. "Yeah. It's real. One month in. Confirmed today."
"Gurararara! GOOD! GOOD!"
Newgate actually jumped—jumped—like an oversized child.
In that moment, he wasn't Whitebeard, the man who would challenge gods and shatter empires.
He was just a man who had spent a lifetime searching—for home, for belonging, for family.
And now… a new chapter had begun.
"Argus! What d'you need? A crib built from Seastone? Want me to drag a midwife from Wano? We'll clear an entire deck if we have to! Hell, I'll stop raiding for a month if that's what it takes!"
Argus threw his head back and laughed. Watching his terrifying older brother bounce around like a puppy over the news of an unborn child?
This was family.
And it was only just beginning.
⸻