Chapter 6: Meeting daddy's strongest rival

Shay was finally seeing great progress in training with Oden. She wasn't the weak little girl that everybody protected anymore, "Okay, that's enough training for today, Shayla." Oden said before he went over to the rail and noticed something strange. The sea creatures were swimming away from an island.

Shayla saw this and wondered who was doing this. It only made her excited to see who it was on that island. Momonosuke and Hiyori were crying as they got closer to the land and when they docked Shay saw the wild beasts running away too.

Oden jumped off the ship and ran into the forest when sensed people on the other side. He clearly wanted to fight them and his crewmates tried to warn him of the danger of the other pirate crew. They were strong ones like them.

The commander saw a group of men but easily defeated them and ran towards two stronger-looking men standing a little farther ahead. They looked ready to fight but a man with a funny beard came running towards them as well and slashed Oden back into a big tree.

Shayla was about to jump off them her father gave her his captain's hat and smiled warmly at her. Whitebeard then jumped down himself and charged at the man from before with a big smile on his face. She'd never seen her father excited like that and she ran after him out of curiosity.

The other man had a huge smile too as he prepared himself to clash with their captain. Her father as well as the man's weapons both turned black right before swinging at each other and the force with it was massive.

The girl tried to hold on to something but with ground barely held itself together. Soon, black lightning emerged from them and the most epic thing was that their blades weren't even touching one another. Shayla could feel the force trying to dominate her but she refused to go down especially after her years of training. ¨

They looked at each other both grinning, "You look good Roger" her father started, "How long has it been Newgate" the other man, Roger asked. "Give me everything you have" they yelled at the same time before bursting into laughter.

"That was awesome" Shayla muttered with a new admiration for her father and even the other man.

Whatever his name was.

Everything was silent for 5 seconds before the two captain's crews charged at each other. Shayla looked around to see if there was someone suitable for her to fight and her eyes landed on two boys holding weapons themselves.

She ran over to the red-haired one, kicked him in the stomach, and landed a little far behind. The boy with the red nose screamed in shock before she punched him too for being so loud.

The red-haired got up before smiling, "I've never seen a girl with a strong kick, but I won't lose to you" he said before running over to her and tried to slash her with his sword. Shayla dodged easily because she could read his movement on the ground. His movements were very simple compared to a certain samurai that would attack her at any given time.

So, of course, she learned a lot about other's vibrations.

Shay smirked, "I like to see you try," she said maybe a bit arrogantly but then again she was strong enough could back it up. Shayla could feel the other boy's hand flying towards her. She blocked that with a wall of rock, "You have the power of the devil's fruit, interesting".

She turned to him and kicked his hand away from her before she charged at him with a flying kick, but before she could touch him she went right through his body and landed on the ground behind him. For a second everything confused her.

The boy with the blue hair's body separated and some parts flew toward her with knives in his hand, "You can't defeat both of us at the same time" he said cockily. "oh, but you're wrong," Shay said and jumped over him and kicked his face to the ground hard making him pass out.

"It's already over?" Shay asked disappointedly and turned toward the other boy, "I hope you are stronger" she said and got ready for the next attack, "You got some awesome kicks. I'm Shanks and the other is Buggy. What's your name," he said impressed. "I'm Shayla," She smiled, "Shayla, huh. I'll remember that" and swing his sword at her.

Shay dodged and Shanks took some dirt with his weapon and threw it at her face. He was trying to blind her, but little did he know that such a trick won't work on her. She proved it by not using her elements to defeat him.

A few moments later Shanks was defeated too, "Hahahaha, I win" she cheered. She could see some of her crewmates smirking proudly and the other crew was a little shocked to see Shanks got defeated by someone smaller than him. Yet, they didn't bother thinking the same about Buggy. They clearly didn't have much faith in him, to begin with.

The next day came rather fast and one of the cabin boys tried to challenge Shayla again, but the result was the same. It's a shame cause she wanted some to challenge her full strength outside the crew and this was the perfect opportunity. Shayla looked around in search of a new opponent.

Her eyes landed on this tall blond man with a scar over his eye. He looked very strong. Something about him made him intimidating, which only made her want to fight him more. Shay had a feeling that a sneak attack wouldn't work on a man like that.

So, she decided to confront him head-on, but before that; she fell backward to the ground and switched to the front making a full coverage stone armor. She charged at him, but the man didn't even bother to dodge and just blocked with his sword like it was nothing. For him, it probably was and it only pissed her more off.

Shayla attacked him with punches and kicks even her elements. But nothing she did, did him any damage. The man just observed her moves and powers, "You're the one who beat Shanks" he asked and she didn't understand why he was surprised.

"Yeah" she answered simply, "What's your name girl" he seemed curious. "Shayla," she said, and he smirked, "Heeh. I'm Rayleigh". Shay was about to punch him and Rayleigh unshredded his sword.

He aimed his fist at the punch and the two clashed. She thought that it was going great for her, but then her stone armor quickly broke from her arm to the rest of the body. She looked down to see her normal clothes underneath as the stone fell off her.

Shay stood there for 15 sec and tried to process what just happened. When the time passed, she still didn't understand how he did it. An angry/surprise/impressive face came over her, "How did you do it" she almost yelled and turning to him. "It's a little trick called Haki. Try and figure out what that is" he challenged or rather encouraged.

The battle was done on the 4th day. Shay was admiring the gold and treasure the two-pirate crews had decided to share, cause there was a lot of it. In the last couple of days, she challenged Rayleigh at least twice a day.

She only lost every time which made her want to train harder to beat him someday. He said something about Haki, right? She had never heard of that before and was wondering what kind of devil's fruit would allow one to do that.

She snuck behind a bush and wanted to surprise two boys from before, "Hey, Shanks, do you see that guy with the hat. He didn't sleep during the truce we had for the last few days" red-nose said and that caught her attention. "I heard that he's never slept in this life" Buggy continued, "You'd have twice as much to enjoy life if you didn't need sleep. How's that even possible, I'm jealous" Shanks answered.

She decided that it was enough listening, "I'm not. I love to sleep, and about Teach, I heard that if he does sleep an evil man inside of him will be released" Shay said as a joke. She'd never really noticed if Teach slept or not. She was always in a dept sleep herself each night.

"Hey Shayla" Shanks greeted, and Buggy looked at him in shock, "She beat us, how can you act so friendly with her. She's a whitebeard pirate," Buggy said and took a step back from her.

"And you are… - Which crew do you belong to again," Shay asked and turned her head to Shanks, "You don't know us? We are the Roger pirates" Shanks didn't believe that his girl was sailing with Whitebeard and didn't know who they were.

"Ahh, I've heard stories about your captain but never knew what you looked like" she smiled not seeing the big deal. Buggy started talking about something, but she didn't really listen.

Her attention was on something much more interesting. Shayla was trying to sneak over to her father, Oden, and the funny beard man, 'Maybe he that's Roger' she thought. She saw the man, holding a big piece of paper with something black on it. Shayla was listening to the conversation with stars in her eyes.

Apparently, it was a roadmap to an island that the government banned, and nobody had been there in over 800years. Not long after that, they call her out because they somehow knew she was there.

Now that she thought about her father always knew where she was, "So cool. Daddy can I go too" Shay asked and begging with her special trick while walking up to them, "Absolutely not" Whitebeard's voice didn't leave room for arguments.

The bearded man padded her head, "Is she the one that beat Buggy and Shanks at the same time. I'm Roger what's your name" the man said with a bright smile, "Yeah, I'm Shayla" she answered and could hear the two complaining in the back.

"Did you say daddy and not pops?" that got his interest, "Yeah, he's my real father," she said without thinking and suddenly looked at her father. She didn't know if it was alright to tell him and when Whitebeard nodded, she relaxed and smiled while Roger gave her something to drink.

Shay took a sip, "It's too warm" she complained. She bent about half of her water out of the cup and blew the rest into ice. When it was frozen she put the rest back and could now enjoy her cold drink. Whitebeard and Oden look at her with bright smiles.

4 years ago she couldn't even do anything now she was in full control and was beating everybody, "What a cool power. Which devil's fruit did you eat" Roger asked with a big smile.

"I didn't eat any devil's fruit," she said and took a sip of her drink, "How?" Roger asked confused. Whitebeard sighed, "It's a power she got from her mother. It's passed down to the firstborn" He didn't want to go into more details. Shanks and Buggy were listening and heard it all, "That's how you beat us" they said at the same time.

"Nope, I beat you both without it" she smirked and made the men around her laugh. "Will you join my crew, Shayla?" Roger asked as a joke or half-joked, "No" every whitebeard pirate said.

He just laughed and changed the topic to something else with more importance to him, "Please let me borrow Oden for a year, Newgate. With him I know I can reach the final island" Roger bowed his head to Oden, "I beg of you Oden, please sail with us for a year".

Whitebeard didn't like his idea and he voiced it so, "Don't screw with me Roger. Do you think I'll let you take a member of my family" he yelled as used his powers and the ocean was literally tilting.

But Oden had already made up his mind, "I want to go Whitey-chan. Will you please let me", he begged his captain and Whitebeard made a funny face Shayla only saw once before, "You look disgusted" Oden commented, "Of course, I hate the idea. We are brothers" he answered but the samurai continued to beg to let him go for a year. Without knowing that they would never meet again.

Whitebeard ended up agreeing and Roger gave them the treasure and supplies in exchange as thanks, "Give back the supplies, you idiots. Do you want Oden and his family to starve?" Whitebeard said concerned but was still pissed at the whole situation.

"No, Oden. You promised to teach me how to fight" Shay said as she grabbed onto his leg, "But you are already strong, Shayla. I don't think there is anything left for me to teach. It's not like this is goodbye I'll be back in a year" he lifted her and hugged her.

Shayla turns to Roger, "Before you leave. Let me draw your pirate crew" he looked confused, "I love to draw, " she said and showing him her book, "These are amazing" Roger praised and gave her his permission. It didn't take long for her to finish. Oden and his family left. But it was nice to know Izo would stay together with… "Where's the cat and dog," someone asked, "Those idiots" they followed Oden again.

-x-

The ship was quieter without the small family and even Whitebeard's mood changed a bit. Shayla wasn't in a great mood either but tried to distract herself with training. When nighttime came, her mind was everywhere else and she had trouble sleeping.

It felt like forever and she decided to get up to get some fresh air. Shay reached the deck and saw Marco flying around with his beautiful blue flames. When he spotted her, he flew down, "What are you doing up at this hour," he asked, "Can't sleep," she said sadly.

Marco's eyes soften, "Because of Oden" it wasn't a question. She wasn't looking at him but rather facing the ocean and he smiled at her with an idea, "Get on my back. I'll take you flying". It had been so long since it last happened.

Shay smiled and jumped up to his back as he spread his wings to fly. It was so peaceful up there at night. The cold breeze and Marco's warm flames made her relaxed and she dozed off.

Shayla woke up when Marco laid her on her bed. He was ready to leave when he saw she was holding his shirt, "Marco… I don't want to sleep alone tonight. Will you stay?" she asked as he turned around, "Alright, but your bed is too small for both of us. How about we sleep in mine?" He suggested. He knew she had a special relationship with Oden and when he left it affected her more than she showed.

Marco wanted to do something that made her happy and she jumped on his back like a small child. Little did Marco know that this was the start of an almost monthly routine or every time Shayla had trouble sleeping.

The next morning Shay felt much better and was dancing with her fans as Izo had taught her. Shay doesn't know why but it calmed her down greatly and made her focus on something else. "Oi Shayla, do you want some cheery pie" Teach asked her. She wasn't that close with him because he was kind of weird, but it wouldn't hurt to get to know him now, "Sure" she responded and sat down next to him. He was the one closest to her age but there was something about him that she couldn't figure out.

-x-

The marines have been after them quite a lot lately. They saw themselves as soldiers of justice and would save the world from evil. The whitebeard pirates were wanted men and they were at the very top of the pirate world. So, it was a question regarding their sanity when the small fried marines thought they could defeat them with just some cannons and more men.

There was this one time they managed to get on board their ship and started attacking the crew. Shayla had a little fun at the beginning when she pretended to be a helpless little girl that got kidnapped by pirates and she wanted them to 'save her'.

The stupid marines fell for it wholeheartedly which made the pirates burst into laughter confusing the navy soldiers completely, "What are you pirates laughing at"they asked and pulled her away from them. " "They are laughing at how much of a moron you guys are" Shay kick them with her wind pushing them all back, "I am the daughter of Whitebeard and a pirate".

Whitebeard just sat on his throne chair and watch his youngest daughter beat them without any problem. He couldn't help but be proud of how far she's gotten in the last years.

It didn't take long for the marines to retreat because they finally realized they were greatly overpowered. The captain wasn't even fighting and was just drinking his sake as a little girl was beating the hell out of them. It was a great humiliation for them.

The newspaper came a few days later and the headline was about her. Her face was on the front and the article talked about their captain having a biological daughter. They called her 'The true daughter of Whitebeard' describing how dangerous she was and how she had the powers to control the element giving her the emphasis 'Hell Bender' along with a 45 million berries bounty.

"See daddy I'm famous now" she smiled and looked at the poster.

Whitebeard looked at the newspaper not knowing how to react. As a pirate, he was happy for her to be infamous. But as a father, he just wished she would gain this fame when she was a little older.

He would always support her especially when her face was showing great joy, "Gurarararara that's great. You're becoming a pirate by your own right" ruffing her hair. The youngest of the crew was so happy about the news that she wanted to celebrate which the pirate happily accepted

-x-

It has been a little over a year since Oden left them and Shay was looking forward to his return soon. She was 11 years old now and had gotten even stronger.

In the distance, she could see a small ship heading their way. She used her water bending and made the ship come closer faster and thought that Oden might be onboard. Her smile brightened, "Hi, Roger or should I say pirate king, now?".

"Hey Shayla, you have grown bigger since the last time I saw you," Roger said grinning, and came on board the ship before patting her head "You probably have gotten stronger, too" he smiled down at her. "Of course, there's no way I'll let Shanks surpass me let alone Buggy," She said in competition, "Hahahaha, last time I saw Shanks he was training to surpass you. So, don't slack off" Roger laughed. Of course, she wouldn't and she told him that.

"I saw your wanted poster, congrats. That's a good amount for your first bounty" the pirate king clapped her back, "Thanks. But my daddy doesn't seem too happy about it" she knew her father well enough to see it bothers him a little. "You're his little girl. He's happy for you but he knows it dangerous and people will come after you even more now" he said and Shay just hummed. She had realized that after Marco pointed it out.

She looked at him after remembering something important, "Is it true? There is a final island at the end of Grand Line" she asked with stars in her eyes. "Yeah, it's the truth. Listen Shayla there's an incredible treasure. It's-" he was about to tell her what it was like it's no big deal. "No don't tell me, Roger. Maybe I'll go there one day myself. At least I now know how to" she smirked at him.

"Maybe you'll go there with my son," he said smiling, "You have a son?" it was the first time hearing this. He didn't say anything and just kept smiling, "What are you doing here Roger and where is Oden" the girl questioned. "I need to speak with your father and Izo. Come with me" Roger said and let her lead him to the captain.

Oden choose to go back to Wano when they discovered that pirates had taken over the country together with a new shogun, "Wait, wasn't Oden the next shogun in line?" Shayla question.

"He was, but somehow someone got the title while Oden was away. He went back to open the border. We offered our help to him, but he refused and said that the Kozuki must do it themselves" Roger defended when he saw the pirate looked of determination to help one of their own.

Roger took something out of his pocket and gave it to the girl, "What's this?" she asked, "It's a bracelet" he answered, "I know, but why are you giving this to me" was what she meant. "It's a thing from Oden and myself" Shayla looked at it with a smile. During their journey, they thought of her and to bring her something. She felt flattered and blush a little and the pirate teasing her.

The two great pirates decided to talk about the rest in private and she could feel something was wrong with Roger. He wasn't full of life anymore... was he dying? Maybe that's why he rushed his journey to the last island so much. Even though he was their captain's rival, she liked him and his adventurous spirit.

-x-

It's been months when the newspaper came to announce the Pirate King capture and was about to be executed in a week from now.