Chapter Four
Normal POV
…
Ace struggles to get off from the strong and sticky vines that had attacked him when he passed through a certain tree while chasing the slick bastard that had harmed his brothers. Apparently he was led to an infestation of living plants that was strong enough to stop him and make him unable to use his flames. But the vines were not strong enough to completely bind him from moving, he was able to rip them apart with his strength. It's only that they were too many for him to get rid of. Right now, the last vine that bound him is ripped off and he is ready to chase after that guy.
"Goddamned pesky plants! Now I can't find that bastard…" his flames exploded along with his anger. If he ever manages to catch that guy he will surely roast him thoroughly to the bone. If only he could find him…
"Ah… you managed to get out." And the bastard had just ratted out his location. He was there leaning at the big tree not far from where Ace was, watching him suffer from the distance with that annoying blank look on his face.
"You..!"
"Do not misunderstand… I am not a fool that is confident to slip away from you all the time… it's just that I could not leave you inside this place… aren't I kind..?" a vein popped on Ace's forehead making him angrier than he currently was. Isn't he getting cocky just because he couldn't get caught? Ace is already furious.
"I'm going to kill you!" like how he always do, Ace recklessly charged towards the other who started running when he got nearer. Some giant beast noticed Ace but when they saw him chasing after the man they walked backwards and acted like they never saw anything at all. It looks like they knew who was more dangerous.
"…" the one being pursued swiftly took a giant flower bulb from some weird plant and carried it on his shoulder. Ace was really baffled at the size that looked a lot bigger than the head of his target. But when he noticed the speed of the guy getting slower, a wicked smirk was placed on his face. It won't be long until he gets tired and fall down to beg for mercy.
"…it's really sad… one of the strongest logia devil fruit… is used by a person with nothing but muscles and no brain…" Ace understood what he meant when he felt his feet get stuck under the muddy sand. He lost his balance on trying to get himself out of the quicksand and fell back. The annoying thing is that the one he was chasing after was standing in front of him like he was walking on a solid ground.
"This island is very interesting… right? Not only it is infested by haki using beasts but it also houses plants that can rival devil fruit users like you…" the bulb he picked up was dropped next to Ace that somehow caused him to become a little dizzy.
"…sleepy? It's either that you are going to have your narcoleptic fit or the effects of the Sleeper bud is kicking in... don't worry, there is no pain… only dreams…" he was already cursing under his breath while falling unconscious. But like a simple minded idiot he was, what the bastard told him bugged him the most.
…how did he know that he had a narcolepsy?
…
Looking out at the silent seas patiently, Leon wondered how his son was doing back home. He had just finished delivering weapons that the Whitebeard Pirates requested and received compliments at his speed of forging weapons with high quality in a short amount of time. But instead of staying over to their ship and get drunk, he left in a hurry wanting to return to where Shinzou was.
"You look worried… what is the God of a Thousand Wars being all flustered about? If I remember well, the man I know who is called by that keeps drinking until he wrecks the whole place." the Phoenix man chuckled when he glared at him with a pout.
"Shut your trap, you won't understand me until you become a father yourself." the blonde looked shocked at this new revelation. But he regained his calm and replaced his shock into an interested smile.
"This is the first time I've heard of it… mind filling me in?" Leon grinned at the thought of talking about his only son. It was evident how happy he was to the point that Marco would somehow unconsciously grin looking at his childish face.
"Phoenix..! Are you good at riddles?" he asked with a wide smile on his face that no one ever seen before. This wasn't an illusion though, because Marco was sure that the smile he is looking at was genuine and very heartwarming.
"You can try me…"
"What is greater than God… but more evil than a devil. The poor have it but the rich need it. If you eat it then you will die. What is it?" Marco snorted at the very common riddle to be asked.
"Nothing… did he asked that from you?"
"Nope." His reply made the blonde frown. Is he making fun of him?
"Then why?"
"That's the point… why did I choose a riddle that the only answer will be just no one." Marco was getting more curious than he initially was. So this son that he is happy to have is a no one or so he claims. If so, then why does this so-call War God got interested in someone who values nothing at all?
Indeed, this riddle is something that is not easy to answer…
"…within two years, that no one I took in ended up to be someone who I trust. For the first time, I was able to experience something your Old man felt taking you in. It felt nice… to be a Father. The only sad thing is that… I couldn't even get my son to see the world as it is."
"…but you know, he didn't even complain about it. Instead, he waits for me everyday patiently even though it's obvious that it will take me long to return from travelling. I am a bad Father huh? Keeping my very own son away from the world for my own selfishness…" a sad laugh came out from Leon's lips. He can keep his poker face on but his eyes are screaming with guilt.
With this, the blonde is looking forward on meeting the man's son. What kind of kid could change a man who would resent the world and recklessly end the lives of people who opposes him? Whatever he is, one thing is for sure, he managed to make a man filled with hatred to the world with love.
"What's the name of your kid Leon? I assume he is one strong child since he comes from your blood." laughter confused the blonde who was looking at the amused man. He wondered if he confused something with anything. He tried to think of what made the man laugh at him and then realized it.
"…I see. Well, I guess there's no point to ask about him for now. I'm headed there to get my idiotic brothers anyway. They went there to get you without even waiting for confirmation from Oyaji. I hope they don't cause any trouble to your son, they are quite reckless." Leon just shook his head and shot him a grin.
"Sorry, even though my son is weak, he is still the one who governs the whole island I created."
