WinterRose61 - No one of the crew expected Whitebeard's reaction, but can't make it too easy for Ace. XD
It's always happening to poor Thatch indeed hahahhaa, Always pulling the short straw

Leilasecrets - Thatch is a genius in making names for Marco, could be his second job after chef, even before his commander's function :D Had to put in a cliffhanger at some point haha

Witch68 - Rip Ace. Hmmmm, will pops say something else though? Idk, he seemed pretty sure of himself.
It makes it so much worse though haha, Whitebeard happilly telling Ace stories and Ace happy, only for hours later to hit him with "You can't join the crew 'cause ya got no legs."


Here we are! The continuation of Pops saying "nope!" to Ace staying aboard! Have fun! XD


Previous chapter
Getting up from his chair Whitebeard started walking towards his first commander.
"Ace-boy, the ocean is your home. The water is your terrain. Above the water, on the ship, on the islands, you won't be able to move around freely. You will always be confined to the availability of others. And it is impossible for Marco to always stay by your side and carry you everywhere."

...

"I'm sorry Ace."


After a brief, shocked silence on deck, murmurs started up all around. In all you could hear a combination of -Ace, Pops, the commanders, staying, leaving- popping up.

Silently Namur stepped out of the crowd to stand before Whitebeard, staying close to Marco and Ace. You could see that the fishman commander was battling a lot of emotions, anger, sadness, disappointment, …

"Pops, I... I thought you... you didn't care about our species...?"

"I don't son. I love you the same as everyone else."

"Then why... Why are you sending A-Ace away because he is a merman? I... Am I... Was I only allowed onboard because... because... because I was strong? Because I was lost and you knew I would follow you? So, you... You had someone to safe you crew from the sea? Am I just an A-A...Asset?"

Whitebeard looked somber towards his only fishman-son, he always knew that after so many years of being on his crew he was still unsure about not being human, being different than the rest. He was on his way to speak, to reassure, when he got stopped by a choked of sound coming from said son.

Namur stood before him with balled fists, fighting tears as he choked on his own breath. His next sentence started off as a whisper, only heard because of the silence on deck before it gradually increased in volume, "If... if you... if you're not allowing Ace on the ship because, because he is a merman. Then... THEN I'LL LEAVE TOO!"

Instantly whispers started up on deck repeating what they had just heard. Yes, many wanted Ace to stay, but for Namur, a commander, to declare to leave, it turned the whole situation even more serious.

The captain kneeled down in front of his now crying son and put a hand on his shoulder "Namur, first of all, you are my son, just like everyone else. I thank you for always helping your brothers when they fall into the sea, but I've never seen you as asset, you've always been your own unique person, just like everyone you're a child of the sea."

"Then why, why?" more tears escaped the fishman-commander.

Whitebeard straitened up and spoke solemnly "Namur, I do love Ace, I really do. I am not sending him away for the sole reason that he is a merman, that he is not human, that would never be a reason to send someone away, and I am sorry it felt like that. But unlike you, he can't live his life to the fullest with us, not on land. Unlike you, who can walk around with ease, he can't. Ace can't have a life of his own this way, not without needing someone by his side, permanently. It's just impossible."

"B-but... but Pops! I... we... we could figure something out! Maybe …. maybe we can …..." Namur started looking around at the others, hoping for someone else to bring up an argument for Ace to stay or have an idea. He really wanted the merman to stay, not only because he was kind of the same species as himself, but also because in even his short time of being here, Ace brought a new shine into the crew. But he knew what Pops had said was right, he didn't know what to do. And it appeared the others had the same dilemma.


Marco, who had surprisingly been silent up until now, walked forward and briefly nudged Namur's shoulder before suddenly talking, not yet looking up at Pops. It wasn't clear if he was looking at Ace or the deck.
"Pops-yoi. If anyone of us were to get injured in a fight. What would you do?"

Looking a bit surprised by the question Pops answered in a serious voice, "I would take care of you guys of course, you are all my sons, and your wellbeing is most important. But Marco-son, what has this go-"

"And if we injured our legs?" Marco interrupted. Marco never interrupts Whitebeard, even if he didn't agree with what the man was saying, he always let one finish to hear the full story before picking up on it.

Raising his head to look Pops dead in the eye. His expression giving nothing away of what he may be thinking. He continued "Would you abandon us too? Would you drop us on some island, protected by us or not, because we can no longer walk?"

"Of course not Marco, why would y-"

"Then, why does Ace have to go, simply because he can't walk? You're saying that you will take care of us if we can't, so why not Ace-yoi? We would be even more of a deadweight onboard then him. Ace can swim, Ace has free range in the ocean, hell, he is probably even a better swimmer than Namur. But us-yoi? If we somehow lose the ability to walk, what do we have Pops? What can we do? We won't be able to walk on the ship, on our lands, nowhere, and the ocean? Forget it-yoi, we can't dream to even stay afloat for longer than 3 minutes without our legs."

"Marc-"

"No... You're saying that you love us, you'll take care of us no matter what. But here you are, throwing someone away, just because they can't walk-yoi. You haven't even given him, given us, a chance to think of something, of how we can help him move around. You haven't even asked what our say is,... what my say is, in the whole thing of carrying Ace around."

Desperation and hurt were now becoming visible in Marco's eyes, his perfect façade cracking just a bit to those that know him well.

"Pops... I can turn into a freaking bird-yoi, you make earthquakes with a snap of your fingers. Searching for a way to help Ace move around is nothing compared to that now, is it? If Ace wishes to go back to the ocean, that's his choice and I'll support him-yoi. But if he wants to stay, out of his own free will, why are we stopping him?
Yes-yoi, you are the captain, and whatever you say is final and we shall follow your word. But please Pops, let Ace stay. At the very least, give us the chance to search for a way for Ace to stay with us-yoi. A way in how it isn't simply staying with us, but for a way in how he can live with us, freely live with us, without being restraint by the constant need of company. You've never cared about someone being different before-yoi, never turned anyone away for being different."

If Marco didn't have Ace in his arms, it was clear that he would have kneeled for his last sentence. Desperation and sincerity all heard throughout it.

"So please, please, give us, give me, a chance, just one chance, to search for a solution to let Ace stay with us."

The deck was dead silent, the murmurs had already quieted down the moment Marco had first interrupted Pops, even the seagulls around seem to have gotten the message since even they didn't make a sound. Everyone was now waiting for the answer of their captain, this was it, if this couldn't convince him Ace would leave. Seeing the captain run his eyes over everyone gathered on the deck, they all tried to convey, without speaking, that they were on Marco's side. That they also wanted to at least try and search for a way for Ace to stay.

After what seemed like hours, Whitebeard spoke in a tone that dared anyone to take this matter as a simple matter, "Marco. Are you willing to take responsibility over Ace? It is unsure how long it will take before a solution can be found. Someone will have to stay with Ace, virtually all day. Someone will need to stay with him to protect him, for he will surely become a target to not only other pirates and marines, but also to slavers and merchants. Not only will he need someone to move around, he'll eb in constant danger too. Are you willing to do this? Can you do this? You still have your own duties to attend to, your other brothers to protect. And even if you can combine everything, Ace will practically be stuck to your side all day, is that even good for the boy himself?"

Biting his lip Marco stayed quiet for a moment, thinking of how to respond. Of course he knows he still has his own duties to attend to, he knows how busy he is, he knows it's not good for Ace to be constantly stuck with him, stuck in his room for hours on end when he's doing paperwork, how it is impossible for him to always carry Ace around when performing duties or when going inland, how-

"He's NOT alone Pops!"

Thatch ran to stand in front of Marco, seeming to act as a shield in between the first commander and the captain. He started speaking loud enough for everyone to hear and to show his determination, but not simply yelling. "He's not alone Pops! He has us, his brothers, to help him, it's not only Marco that Ace can rely on!"

Feeling some movement by his sides, Marco saw that the other Commanders were coming to stand beside him. Without saying anything, they were showing they would stand with him, they would back him up and help him. They would all stand strong together and were now looking straight at their captain, eyes showing more and more conviction while Thatch spoke.

"We can do this together Pops, we will help each other, no one needs to do this on their own, not Ace, not Marco, not Namur. We can all work together, as a family, as brothers, and find a solution. And in the meantime, we'll divide whatever needs to be done. And being in danger of being hunted? Aren't we all? We're all part of the strongest crew, most of the commanders have bounties, we're all already on the black-list, one more or one less, who cares about that! Just like we'll protect our brothers, we'll protect Ace too.
And about moving around... Yes, you're right Pops, Ace can't move around on his own and he definitely won't be able to join on every trip inland, but Ace isn't stupid, he knows that too. He won't even try to get in our way or beg for us to take him with us, he knows when we can and when we cannot bring him along. But even then, that doesn't mean that he has to rot away in some room, stuck by himself, while we are away or while the commanders are attending to their duties. We're with over 600 people on this ship Pops. We sure as hell can figure something out."

After a brief silence, Pops once again spoke slow but serious, "... The rest of you. You've been quiet. Do you all agree with Marco, with Thatch, with Namur. Do you all wish for Ace to stay, even with the difficulties it will bring?"

All around deck, from crewmembers, to commanders, to the nurses, positive answers were heard. All wanting Ace to stay, all confirming they will help carry the burden, the tasks, the work. Just asking for a chance and to let the merman stay.

When the talking got too loud, Pops gave the deck a hit with is bisento, instantly silencing everyone before speaking.

"I always want the best for my sons, for all of you, and I want for you to be happy. But I also want for you to be safe, to live without restrictions. It seems that, on this front, you're all united together, and even if it's against my way of thinking right now. I feel blessed to have a family like this, that all of you will work together and support one another, even against me. So, I'll give you all a chance to prove your old man wrong. The chance to prove that Ace deserve to be on this ship, and can live with us without remorse."

Not yet giving his sons a chance to reply, Whitebeard continued, speaking firmly, showing that there's no questioning his next words. "In three months, we'll be leaving the safety of our own territory and crossing into another's Yonko's area. That will be your deadline. If no solution has been found by then, Ace will have to go. We cannot risk going into enemy territory with him, not when he can't be self-sufficient above the water. It would be too big of a risk not only for all of you, but also for Ace himself."

Receiving no refutes from his crew in return, Whitebeard turned his attention towards the location of his first son, and with that specifically to the merman in his arms. A glint appeared in the captain's eyes when he looked at him, "Ace my boy, it seems that you have been able to sway the hearts of all of my sons in just the few months that you've been here."

The merman gulped, not saying anything while squirming in unrest in Marco's arms. His stubbornness the only reason he's able to even make eye-contact with the old man, even if it's shaky.

Without giving the merman a chance to reply, Whitebeard smiled and laughed, all previous seriousness forgotten and making way for a cheerful mood "Gurarararara, Ace... Welcome aboard!"

There was another moment of stunned silence before the crew broke out in cheers, everyone went barrelling towards Ace and threw themself on him for one big group hug. Marco, who was still holding said merman, had already fallen over after the third person had jumped him. But it didn't matter. Ace had gotten his approval to stay, even if with a deadline, that is all that mattered. Looking at the still crying, but now happy merman in his arms, he let out a laugh himself before hugging Ace close, and so joining in on the group hug. They'll figure something out, he knows it, but for now he will enjoy this moment, together with Ace, and all his other siblings.


TADA, HE'S ALLOWED TO STAY! (For now)
I hope this makes everyone happy again haha
While we can't make life easy for Acey, it's good for now!


Updating schedule announcement.
Don't worry, nothing is getting postponed!
It's just that I've gotten accepted for a job position and I'll, literally from today on, start working. Normally I stay awake until 1 o'clock at night, which is the hour of AO3 day-change for me, to post the chapters of stories I've already finished. But with me starting to work, well, I'm at least going try and have a better sleep schedule. (until I get moved to night-shift and then HAH, byeeeee sleeping at night) But well, yes, back on track, unless I wake up in the night and I can't sleep and post them then, it will be highly possible that chapters will be uploaded at a much later hour compared to the usual update time. (Still Tuesday and Friday though, for me at least) But yes, just wanted to let everyone know so that no one panics that it may not get updated, cause if I forget to post before workhours and have to post after... well... that could end up making it seem like a whole day switch to different timezones.