Chapter Eight : Talk
Dadan has experienced every kind of shock in her life but nothing compared to this one.
Garp, the man who was blackmailing her to take care of his grandsons, appeared out of nowhere and punch the new guy, Roger. If that was not shocking enough, Roger came back unharmed and somehow managed to get revenge on the marine.
Dadan knew how strong Garp was. She had heard stories of course. Everyone had at least heard a story or two about him. He would not be dubbed as the Marine Hero if he was not considered as a powerful person. His name was feared even on the Grand Line. He was a legend that was respected and idolized by many because of his strong morals for justice. But never in her life, Dadan had seen a man came toe-to-toe with Garp.
And then Garp had dropped the bomb that explained everything.
"P-Pirate King!?" Dogra exclaimed, stuttering in response.
"Ace's father!?" Dadan yelled with an equal shock.
Ace glared and yelled in disgust. "I have no father!"
Loud murmurs among the bandits began to emerge. The only bandits who knew about the heritage of Ace were her, Magra, and Dogra. The bandits were more shocked than ever as secrets were flying all over the place.
At that moment, Dadan has noticed how Ace was turning red. The boy was obviously fuming in anger. His fists were clenched and he was glaring at everyone. He was clearly in distress. As if anyone will say one wrong word to him, he will attack them.
Dadan always thought that Ace's rage over his biological father was a pointless one. But she never said a word and pointed it out. The boy was stubborn to the core. He would never listen to her anyway. That explained why Ace seemed to hate the man when he first appeared earlier.
"C'mon, Ace. Go and say hi to your Papa!" Garp said while booming in laughter. Ushering his adopted grandson to come over him.
"Shut up! How do you even know that he's the real one?" Ace questioned, stamping his feet hard on the wooden floor.
"You think there's a person strong enough to handle my fists?" Garp raised a brow, grinning.
"Tch, whatever." Ace scowled, looking away. "We're leaving."
He went over to Sabo and whispered something in his ears. Sabo nodded and get the sleeping Luffy on the corner. Luffy has fallen asleep minutes earlier after finishing dinner. He did not know anything about what was currently happening in the hut about his grandfather and the Pirate King.
Silence befell as they watched the trio. They did not leave the house. Instead, they went upstairs deciding for themselves that they would spend the night in this place.
"Dadan!" Garp called loudly.
"Y-Yes?" She answered with a stutter. She silently cursed herself for being so jittery.
"You have some sake there? Bring it out!" Garp laughed again.
She nodded still hating what was currently happening. She has no choice but to obey. She never wanted to anger out two legends in her house.
She and together with all the bandits went to the kitchen finding barrels that contained alcohol. They have looted the town earlier and they restocked on alcohol. Too bad though, they would not be able to taste even just a small amount since she was sure those two would have empty it instantly.
"We're not drunk or anything, right?" Dadan questioned, rubbing her temples.
"Boss...?" Magra called, his tone was concerned.
"This is really happening, isn't it? The Pirate King and the Marine Hero in our place."
"Apparently, Boss."
Dadan sighed. One of these days, she's gonna have a heart attack because of the secrets dropping by.
- - -
It was a chilly night. The sky stood a canopy of darkness freckled only by the fewest of stars. He missed being in the Grand Line where you can almost see the whole galaxy where the stars shined so brightly. But this would do for now. The occasional hoot of a hidden owl was the only sound to permeate the silence. The owl then omitted a screech and flew away.
The moon's calming presence made him slowly closed his eyes and his body was starting to relax. While letting his soul run free. He can almost do whatever he wants as his worries and thoughts, silently burn into smoke hoping that it would be the end of it. If only it would work that way.
For Roger, the pure black night was his comfort. It was in the darkness he realized everything. The stars, the chilly wind, the moon, it was enough to soothe his aching mind.
Roger and Garp decided it would be best to talk outside, not wanting any person in the house to hear their talk. They sat down on the grass which, fortunately, was not wet. They placed the barrels that the bandits gave them on the ground.
"Before we start," Garp said before clearing his throat. "What are your intentions?"
"Intentions?"
"You're a pirate— considered to be the King and I'm still a Marine who deals with them. Answer this, will you continue being one?"
Roger grinned. It was one of his first thought when he had appeared in the future. His piracy life has always been a happy one. Something he would forever yearn for. It was full of excitement. Traveling the world without being held back by others will give you that feeling.
"No. I think I had enough now." Roger boomed with laughter. He opened one of the barrels and put the drinks on their cups.
"The Dark King is reported to be somewhere in Sabaody. Don't you want to take him on the sea again?"
"No." Roger sighed before smiling. "They all know it. Our adventure is over when we reached Laugh Tale. I already made that decision long ago."
"What change it?" Garp questioned. He laughed as he realized something. "It's your brat, isn't it? Ace."
"You really do know me." Roger smiled before sipping his drink.
"The Pirate King giving up his piracy life to raise a child... That was highly unlikely of you."
"You're kidding me, right? Rouge would have kicked my butt if I didn't manage to form a relationship with our son!"
"You sure about it?"
"What? You miss me?"
Garp laughed. "Maybe. The newbies now are only playing pirates!"
"I was ready for it even before my execution. I already entrusted the next generation." Roger stated, looking proud. "Be ready, Garp. A storm will happen sooner or later."
"More pirates to come? You're making my job harder than it already is. The treasure you left is still up." Garp groaned, finishing his drink.
"Just go and retire, old man!"
"I'm not that old! Damn it!"
"Ten years is a long time!"
"It isn't!"
A comfortable silence fell upon the two rivals. Both were lost in thought, feeling nostalgic. It has been a while since Roger had a last drinking buddy. If he remembered it correctly, it was with Newgate. It was a good thing for Garp to come by. Maybe, a familiar face to talk to was all he needed. If there was another person besides Rayleigh that he trusts the most, it was Garp.
"Ya know," Roger laughed, clearly tipsy. "Thanks for taking care of Ace. He turned out to be fine."
"As if I have a choice! And that brat of yours caused all my hair to turn grey!"
"But what the hell Garp!? Why does he hate me..." Roger's attitude immediately changed. He frowned, feeling bad for himself. He buried his head in his crossed arms.
Garp snorted. "I tried telling him about you a few times but he wouldn't listen... The brat's stubborn to the core."
"Oh yeah? Obviously got that from me and Rouge!"
Garp sighed, looking away from Roger. He closed his eyes and mouthed. "You know about...?"
"About Rouge?" Roger finished, his smile slowly fading. "Yes, it was one of the first things I asked Ace. It's not his fault."
"I'm sorry..." Garp apologized.
Roger remembered his talk with Garp. It was only months ago for Roger when he asked him about taking care of his unborn child and lover. Knowing Garp, he probably felt guilty about it. Failing his friend and old rival about the last thing he requested.
Roger smiled slightly. "As long as it's her decision, I'm fine by it."
Rouge has always been a strong-willed woman. It was one of the reasons why Roger fell for her. She was stubborn once she set her mind into something. If Rouge had a choice between her or their child, she would choose to give up her life no questions asked. She was selfless that way.
He wanted to see her again but something was holding him back. It was their son, Ace, because Rouge would be very mad at him if he also leaves him behind. And so, Roger set his mind on raising Ace no matter what. Even if his time here would be short-lived or even if his son hated him, he will definitely do it.
"Ace's still in his rebellious phase but he'll grow it out," Garp stated after a while.
"I know."
"And those three are brats who only cause trouble..." Garp had a smile on his lips as he stared at Roger. "But please take care of them in my place while you're here, at least."
Roger chuckled loudly. "Of course, I would! Even without you asking!"
"Just making sure." Garp snorted.
Roger was glad for Garp. Sure they tried killing each other a lot of times but there were incidents they worked together. The God Valley incident for example. There was no way that he would ever hate the man for being different.
- - -
In the shadowy gloom of the old house, there was a silhouetted figure, thin and unmoving. He crouched against the thin walls taking in shallow breaths, careful not to make a sound. He was hiding from the two old men talking outside with drinks in their hands. He did not like the smell of alcohol, not now anyway.
Ace has always been a nosy one. Right now, was a clear example of it.
Ace wanted to know what they would be talking about. That was the reason why he and his brothers did not leave the hut. He wanted to know if they were just playing a lie at him. Because he still could not believe that that man was his father.
But their topic, it was not something he had expected from them.
They were talking about him.
Ace shook his head. He put his hands on his heart. It was beating faster than he anticipated. He breathed in and out to calm down his racing thoughts. Because he was conflicted. His mind kept repeating the words that went into their conversation.
"The Pirate King giving up his piracy life to raise a child."
"He turned out to be fine."
"It's not his fault..."
He heard enough. He started walking upstairs, every step was slow. His whole body started shaking violently. His breaths were rapid. He just needed sleep. And tomorrow, he will just pretend not to hear anything.
He opened the room finding his younger brother still asleep. Luffy was snoring loudly, hogging all the blankets for himself. Ace was glad that Luffy was able to sleep so peacefully. It was something he never experienced these past days.
Next to Luffy, was a much awake Sabo. Sabo was staring at him with obvious concern. He was frowning. Arms were crossed over the chest, waiting for his brother to talk and reveal everything he had heard.
"You're conflicted..." Sabo said. "About your father."
Ace stood frozen in the door frame. There was nothing good about the truth. It was all pain as you slowly realize something. He was torn like a ball of tangled yarn. The parts that were untangled were available and useable. While the rest was a mess, useless until it was untied. That mess felt endless and at most times unyielding.
He wanted to be alone now but his brother would not drop the subject that easy. Not until he knew that he was alright. There are no secrets among them. That was the rule between the brothers. He just cannot get rid of Sabo and Luffy now that easily.
"What do you think about him, Sabo...?" Ace asked, finally finding his voice to speak.
"If I'd be honest with you. I don't think he's a bad guy, Ace." Sabo revealed.
"I don't know anymore..."
Sabo sighed heavily. "What does your heart tells you?"
"I don't know!" Ace yelled, gritting his teeth. He felt the blood rush through his head. He quickly realized his mistake. "I'm sorry I—"
"It's fine. I'm not forcing you. Take your time and think about it clearly." Sabo said, tone laced with comfort. "Rest for now, okay?"
Ace nodded in a robotic way. He laid down next to Luffy. He reached out to hug his younger brother. Luffy noticed it and automatically wrapped his arms around Ace also. The warmth Luffy was giving, it soothed him. Enough for his thought to died down even a little.
It took Ace hours before he managed to get the night's rest.
- - -
"Are you telling me that because you know Ace was eavesdropping on us?" Garp asked after a while. "Or are you just drunk?"
"No. I mean all of it even if we ain't drinking." Roger laughed.
"Now, let's get to the real question here." Garp sighed, looking serious. "What happened to your disease?"
Roger smiled sadly. "Traveling in time doesn't mean I lose that."
"You're still dying..." Garp concluded in monotone. He sighed heavily, not shocked by the revelation.
"Yes. And I'll gladly spend the rest of my life with my son..." Roger said fondly.
And they continued back into their drinking dropping the subject.
- - -
A/N: Some of you want Roger to set sail again but it will not happen. First, he was still dying. And second, if you watch Stampede, he doesn't have any more reasons to go back to Raftel.
Roger already entrusted his will to the next generation. He accepted his demise. Hence, I don't think he will form his crew again. Hope you understand that reasoning.