Chapter 2: Rayleigh's Resolve

A few minutes earlier

"Damn! That tsunami really did a number on me."

The Dark King Silvers Rayleigh, removed his shirt and started squeezing it. Being at the rear end of the frozen area, far away from the battle, no one has noticed his arrival yet. Which was in evidently delayed due to Whitebeard's attack a few minutes ago.

"Hmm. Frozen Bay? That's Aokiji's work for sure. Thank heavens for not being frozen under water. That would have been a disaster."

Rayleigh progressed forward, taking his own time to read the epic-center of the war. "War of the Best, indeed" mused Rayleigh. Even under the spectacle of smoke and missiles, he could clearly make out the imposing figure of one and only Whitebeard, probably the only guy of his age who could send shivers even down the spine of the Admirals.

"What a man. Damn brings back the old days" thought a distracted Rayleigh, who's thoughts went back to the days he was sailing the seas with his captain and best mate, Gol D Roger.

"I will not die, Partner" . His captain's final words still echoed in his years. After all these years, he still missed his Captain badly. His brother in all but blood. And that is the reason why he was here.

Nobody, except a select crew members, knew about the fatal illness Roger caught just before his final voyage. And of course he knew about Roger's love affair with Portugas D Rouge, which sadly, couldn't last long due to Roger's final wish to conquer the sea. But not before producing a heir. A heir, he had hoped against wish, to be treated as a normal human being, and not some devil spawn of the Pirate King.

Flashback

"Rayleigh, I have some news."

After finally departing Baterilla post a 3 month stay, Roger finally ordered his crew to set sail to the grand line. The crew was warmly accepted by the people of the island, and we given a warm sent off. Though Portugas D Rouge was nowhere to be seen. Though the crew knew about the existing relationship between their captain and the woman, they never talked openly about it. They knew about the atrocities the World Government and their marines could cause if they come to know about such an information. And visibly, they weren't surprised when their captain's lover did not give them a proper send-off.

Rayleigh, who was being entertained by yet another bickering between Shanks and Buggy, turned his attention towards Roger. Rayleigh could see that his captain's eyes were a bit teary, but the ever grinning smile was still etched on his face.

"Sure Captain!"

"No Rayleigh, we need to speak in a secluded place."

Rayleigh frowned. This was unbecoming of his captain. But it was definitely something serious. He followed his captain to his private room.

"Rayleigh, I need to say very important. Don't tell this to anyone."

Now this made Rayleigh think. This was quite unlike his captain.

"Ok, what's the thing? This is quite weird of you, being this secretive and all."

"Rayleigh, I have a reason. The thing is, I am going to become a father."

The first mate was quite blank when he heard his captain.

"So, Rouge is carrying your child? This complicates matters."

"Yes indeed partner. I am the happiest person in the world now. But at the same time, I cannot feel anything but sad thinking that I won't be able to see him grow up, to be a person of his own."

And for the first time, Rayleigh could see some sort of sadness in his captain's face. Sadness for the fact that he won't be alive due to some stupid incurable disease. Now that is something. Rayleigh couldn't help but feel sad for his captain.

"Captain, don't worry. Everything will be fine. We still have to explore half of the new world. We might find some doctor who could help you out with your illness"

"Thanks for the comfort Rayleigh, but both of us know that it is going to be an impossible task. My body is already deteoriating and I know I won't have much time left. Even the best doctors of Drum Island couldn't find a clue about what possibly could be wrong with my body. I don't think my body won't be able to sustain myself for more than a year, and frankly, I would rather be executed by marines than die on death bed. So I will hide the rest of my treasures on Raftel, and surrender myself to the marines within 6 months."

Rayleigh could note the sad tone in which his captain was talking. He knew that his captain's days were numbered, but considering that his final days are so near, he couldn't help but be sad. Sad that he would lose such an incredible man. A brother in all but blood.

"I won't talk you out of it, Roger." Said Rayleigh, sipping rum from his favorite bottle " But, what about the kid? Do you want me to take care of the child?"

"No. I am sorry Ray, but you taking care of him is quite dangerous. For the child. I will ask Garp-san to contact Rouge after my execution."

Garp. Though he was a marine, both the pirates had a great respect for the vice admiral. Not once or twice, but many a times he had cornered them, but due to devil's luck, they had managed to escape. Rayleigh wondered if this has something to the thrice cursed will of D. But that's something to think about on a later day.

"Garp? Hmm. I think you can trust him. He can empathize with your situation. His son is a wanted man after all."

Monkey D Dragon was an upcoming revolutionary who's antics has caught the attention of the upper echons of World Government. Only due to Garp's excellent record that he has not been blamed for the crimes his son has committed. Yes, he could feel that if one genuinely good person who could empathize with his captain, it would be Garp and no one else.

"Yes. And he is an honorable man. He does not follow the blind motto of "Absolute Justice" which the marines have newly adopted against the pirates. He is a reasonable man and would not hold my child for the crimes I may or may not have committed. I want my son to live in a world where he is treated like a normal person, not my child. I want him to live a happy life. A life wherein he can make his own decision without any constraints."

Rayleigh could see that his captain was in deep thoughts. He and his captain knew the hypocrisy and the manner in which the world nobles portray themselves as some sort of eternal God, and treat the rest of the world like scum who should kiss their feet. And not to mention, the will of D. His son will carry it, either way.

"So, I take it that the child's name will be Portugas D, and not Gol D."

"Yes, Of Course. We have already decided the name for the child, whether it be a girl or a boy." Said Roger, looking out of the window on the room, observing the seagulls and the passive currents. Rayleigh knew that his captain trusted him with his heart, and this was a sort of news which proved it. And he will not let his captain down.

"Roger, I may not be able to take care of him. To watch him grow up to become a great person. But I promise. I promise that on the event of his endangerment, I will ensure he is saved. This is a promise, Roger."

Roger continued to look onto the sea with rapt attention for a few moments, but turned towards Rayleigh and gave him the widest smile yet he had received from the captain in a long time.

"Thanks Rayleigh. I knew I could count on you."

Flashback ends

Shaking his head, Rayleigh noticed that he was so indulged in nostalgia that he had actually stopped and leaned against a ship. And he had failed to notice a group of pirates falling down from the sky like hail stones.

"I wonder whom they are. Now that's some way to make an entrance."

Rayleigh pushed the thoughts about his captain to the back of his mind. He can think about him later, now he had a job to do. He needed to help the Whitebeard Pirates save Ace. Just when he reached forward, he heard a voice which he wished he hadn't heard so soon.

AAAAACCCCEEEEEEEEE!

"Wait, what?! What is Luffy doing down here. Wait a minute! Garp! Luffy must have been Ace's adopted brother! Then how in the world did he not know about Ace's capture in Sabaody! But he was not an avid news reader! That makes perfect sense! Damn that must have been quite a shock when he had come to know about Ace's capture. And with whom did he actually come here? Jail Uniforms? Wait, did he break into Impel Down?"

Being an advanced user of Observation Haki, it didn't take much time to conclude the above thoughts. But he surely appreciated this kid.

"He might be the one to carry Roger's will after all"

As he progressed forward, he could see that Luffy's intentions were purely on saving Ace, and his intentions were clear. He won't back down against anyone who is against saving ace. Blocking Crocodile from attacking Whitebeard, though quite unnecessary in his opinion, would impress Whitebeard nevertheless. And there they were conversing, which looked ugly considering that Whitebeard started to rotate his weapon.

"Luffy you fail to amaze me. Pissing of whitebeard so soon!"

As he went towards the front of Moby Dick, he could see the way Whitebeard was looking at Luffy.

"Hmm. The Old geezer is impressed with the brat. Interesting, but not unexpected. That Straw hat does eventually go to people who manage to shake up the world."

And just now the front-line marines were noticing the arrival of the Dark King. Taking another sip from his bottle, Rayleigh was quite fascinated by the spectacle. Not that he was never in a war sort of situation, but he always wanted to come to marineford, not as a prisoner of course. Especially after Shiki's unsuccessful attempt to invade the island.

"Shiki might have lost, but this island is a fortress. No surprise there. And now it's time to enter into the fray. Roger, help me to save your kid."

"As impressive as ever Whitebeard. Surely age has not diminished your intimidation factor" said the Dark King, after gulping a sip of rum from his bottle.

"Gurarara! I wondered whether you died after rotting in the gambling houses of Sabaody! Nice of you to come here!"

"Nice to meet you too Whitebeard! And Luffy! Good to see you! Kuma was right after all."

Luffy couldn't be possibly more happy. He knew this ossan was extremely strong! Even he has come to save Ace! He could feel that they can surely save Ace now!

"Rayleigh Ossan!"