July, 28, 2020
READ THE WHOLE STORY AGAIN! This story had been majorly revised, all the past chapters (six) had sections in them that were changed or rewritten. With the recent chapters (last ch 985) a lot of new things had been revealed in the manga. Thus, I had to make a decision either to ignore all the new information and go on with what I had previously planned OR make some big revisions to the story and the plots that I had planned. As you understood, I chose the latter. Special thanks to Black' Victor Cachat for his enormous help with reversion. I wouldn't have made it without his insight and encouragement.
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This chapter was beta'd by the wonderful Gerbilfriend and Black' Victor Cachat who both helped me a lot with grammar, paraphrasing, ideas and especially with their endless encouragement :D (*Ace's deep bow*)
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Warnings:
English is my fourth language. Spoilers to Chapter 909. Warning may change in the future.
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My new awesome Cover image by YametaStudio. THANK YOU.
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Guest
Thank you for your review! :)
I suffered a lot to write Arlong, glad it was worth it.
Hope you enjoy the new chapter! Looking forward to reading your thoughts!
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Tialakit
Thank you for your review! :)
Hmmmmm …. Not telling… but I hope you are prepared to eat or not eat a hat (it better be a really big hat!) … really don't know ;)
Hope you enjoy the new chapter! Looking forward to reading your thoughts!
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The moon and the stars that usually decorated the night sky of the New World were hidden behind a thick layer of clouds, but he could still see the figure of the ship in front of him clearly.
The Moby Dick was as impressive as ever.
Rayleigh was supposed to set foot on it in a few minutes and it was bringing up a feeling of almost unbearable nostalgia. It was strange to go to the ship alone, without Roger, without picking a fight, but for an alliance.
No, this was not accurate, he was sitting foot on it because of Roger; because that bastard had done it again. Roger was always taking control of his life, even when he wasn't even alive.
Rayleigh could see his laughing face, telling him 'not my fault, dear friend, but destiny's. Destiny and your will are what brought you here.'
Shakky said that she hadn't seen him this energetic since, well, he preferred not to remember that accident.
Shakky, his dear wife, didn't bat an eye when he told her that he was leaving and that it would take a few weeks at most. She gave him her all-knowing look, and with a smile, she embraced him and told him to take his time. He got the vibe that he wouldn't be seeing her for a while.
Hmmmm... He would have to see about that! What could he and Whitebeard speak about that would make him stay on the Moby Dick?! He couldn't see himself staying for any reason. He might not be part of the Roger's crew anymore, but he would not join his greatest rival (previously or not!), even if Roger himself had sent him. Being part of another crew was a betrayal, he felt, to his own dreams, past and present.
Even on those rare dark nights when nostalgia, loss and isolation attacked his mind, and alcohol filled his body to the brim and he felt that he was just existing without a purpose or dream. That they all had died with his death. Without Shakky to anchor him to life, he might have departed without seeing the new era coming. He would have left it to the young generation – Shanks, Buggy… – to lead and guide the charge.
Rayleigh was about to use a candle and mirror to signal his arrival –no need to begin this meeting on the wrong foot– when he suddenly blinked.
A blinding light was being directed directly at him, he squinted once more, shielding his eyes.
No need, they already saw him. He should be ready; things could still go south.
Yet they didn't.
"We were waiting for you," was the abrupt greeting delivered by Third Commander Jozu –if Rayleigh remembered his name correctly—. The commander was a huge man who had his impressively muscular arms crossed over his chest as he waited for Rayleigh to board.
Whitebeard was being careful in his own home, good.
Taking any unnecessary risk was the path for disasters. He knew that intimately as Roger was a carefree kind of captain who gleefully led them into all sorts of messes.
Rayleigh adjusted the black cloak he had been wearing to conceal himself and slung his big bag over his shoulder. For further disguise, he merely climbed up the rope ladder as opposed to leaping straight onto the massive ship.
Jozu quietly moved in front of him, hiding him with his huge figure. The deck was empty; he couldn't feel any presence.
Oh, he couldn't feel the Phoenix's presence either. Interesting. Using his Observation Haki Rayleigh expanded his search, but no, the Phoenix was not in the ship, nor anywhere nearby. Strange for him to not be here when an old enemy was visiting his home.
Jozu stopped in front of a big door, he knocked, getting a muffled grunt in response, opened the door and gestured for Rayleigh to get in.
Rayleigh took several steps inside to face a sitting Whitebeard, he was eyeing the small unimpressive room in which their secret conversation would occur, when he heard the door close quietly behind him.
"Took you a long time to get here, Rayleigh. The brat should have told you everything a month ago."
Typical Whitebeard greeting, an irritated complaint.
"He did, but things took a bit of time to put in order," Rayleigh answered good-naturedly.
Whitebeard didn't seem convinced.
"Your navigation skills got rusty?"
It was a bit nostalgic and sad to sail, especially alone, without his crew in the New World, but him being rusty? Really? Whitebeard wanted to go down the old age road.
"No, I needed to take a detour," Rayleigh said, taking out a big bottle from his bag and threw it in Whitebeard's direction, who caught it with ease.
Of course, he hadn't gone on a detour just for the tasty and (very) expensive sake. He had also needed to find some of his old associates to find out where to get a white Den Den Mushi, the rare breed capable of secure communications, as Shanks had begged him to find one, and maybe get one for himself while he was at it. Things were looking to be quite interesting –and possibly even exciting! —and he preferred to stay in the 'in' as Shanks had eloquently put it.
Whitebeard opened his own bottle with his teeth, taking a gulp of the sake, and gestured for Rayleigh to sit.
"You heard from Shanks?" the question had several layers to it, as him being here was an answer in itself. The fact that Whitebeard used Shanks' actual name (as opposed to some insult) was very telling about how serious the following conversation would be.
"I did. How are you handling everything?" he answered while sitting in the only chair that was there in front of the big man. It was prepared for him.
Whitebeard snorted a laugh and refused to answer.
Both of them stared at each other, each side trying to figure out how to have this conversation. It was an awkward situation.
They had never actually had a conversation alone before. True, they are pirates from the same generation, sailing the same seas. But they were from rival crews, and even when pirates were being friendly (or at least non-violent) to each other, only the captains tended to talk to each other.
He wasn't completely sure, but he thought their first meeting was when Whitebeard was still sailing with Rocks' crew, and those meetings tended to be on the very violent side. After, when Whitebeard had his own crew they had met a few more times. Usually, any meeting between their crews started with a fight, and ended with a party. Rayleigh had stood in the background keeping an eye on the crew (someone had to do it!) while Roger and Whitebeard spoke and drank. Sure, they were in the same vicinity a few times, and maybe even gave each other acknowledging nods, but they never had any reason to 'chat'.
They were enemies, but what were they today? Roger in his own way, both then and now, brought them together. He liked to meddle even from beyond the grave. Destiny, hmmm.
Finally, Rayleigh sighed and said, "Roger screwed you over too, huh?"
"What do you know about this?"
"The question… Roger asked me three times."
No need to say which question. They both knew.
"When?" demanded Whitebeard, eyes narrowed.
"The first time when he was able to clearly hear the Voice of All Things, on the day we reached Laugh Tale, and finally right before disbanding the crew."
Whitebeard hummed, deep in thought, considering the new information.
"He seemed serious while asking it, and for him to ask me more than once was out of character," Rayleigh added, thoughtful.
After what Shanks had told him, he had run those memories through in his mind repeatedly, examining them from every angle. Trying to see why this question was so important, and why had it occupied Roger's mind so much. Roger didn't do regrets, the answer Roger had given when Rayleigh asked him the same question back, was proof enough. Meaning that his question had another purpose. How important was it, and what role did it have to play? Was it just sending someone back in time (which was a feat in itself)? But why ask so many people, why... No, his gut was telling him that there was something more to it.
Shanks had said that he would try reaching the others from their old crew (assuming they were still alive) to ask if they heard this question and when, of course the ex-apprentice had requested he do the same.
The last words Roger told him flashed again through his mind.
"I am not gonna die, partner." Rayleigh had turned to look at his captain in time to glimpse his knowing smirk, before his figure disappeared from his sight forever.
Was this what Roger meant by those words? He thought that Roger meant that his legend and name would live on without a body of flesh and blood to hold it. And that indeed what had happened.
Yet...
Rayleigh had thought then that despite all things left unspoken between them, the words left hanging, that he had understood Roger. Years of sailing together, of sharing drinks and dreams. But in the end, did he? Truly?
It felt now that there were far too many things between them that had been left unsaid.
In the last moment of his life, Roger had turned his fading 'flame of life', 'the Marine's ultimate victory,' into a huge uncontrollable fire that enveloped the world. He had turned the Marine's Justice against them. Roger's name had become a legend whispered in reverence and awe. Roger had burned. His story, even though it was false and twisted, had become an inspiration to those who dreamed, hoped and, gazed at the seas.
With his death he had brought a new era. The Great Age of Pirates
Rayleigh had never laughed more than on the day of Roger's execution, never cried more than on that day... and never drank more either.
He thought all this time that that was what Roger had meant. But after he heard about the time travel, he wondered about everything Roger had ever said.
Had Roger planned for this to happen even before his death? For how long?
Was Whitebeard the intended target, or was it just chance? If Rayleigh had found his death before Whitebeard. If that had actually happened would he be the one seeking out Whitebeard to help him in his quest to change the future?
"What was your answer?" Whitebeard seemed curious. Comparing answers?
"If I wanted to live a safe life without regrets, I wouldn't have become a pirate, least of all a Roger Pirate."
Whitebeard laughed, taking a long sip as a salute to his answer.
"I assume you didn't bring me here for this."
"I only brought you here because the brat wouldn't shut up."
Rayleigh snorted. He had no hard time believing this. Shanks' favorite techniques of persuasion were sometimes too similar to nagging (they were nagging). Yet, Whitebeard was also like Roger, he was both headstrong and stubborn in nature, mind and temper, and if he really didn't want Rayleigh to know, not death itself would make him agree.
"But..." Whitebeard began, he seemed unsure, which was unlike him. Especially because Whitebeard himself approved for him to be informed, and had been forewarned of his arrival here. Whatever the matter was, it seemed to be weighing heavily on him.
The Emperor seemed to be having an inner debate, and in a few more seconds he seemed to have reached a final decision. Taking a swig of his drink, maintaining eye contact as he announced, "There is something only you can do."
"Oh?" Rayleigh asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
Whitebeard could see it clearly on his face, by the amused look he threw in his direction before he explained exactly what he wanted to be done.
A few minutes later... (Which seemed like forever and then some).
"You want me to go to East Blue, and train Luffy... The boy is seven," exclaimed Rayleigh. That was a surprise. He wasn't sure what his thoughts were on the matter, and he wanted to meet the boy before deciding on anything; even if his future self-approved of him… and it seemed the young boy was doing alright on his own by the stories he heard about his future.
Goodness knows, if he had been alive at the time, Roger would have been green with envy if he learned a rookie was going around doing insane stunts like burning down Enies Lobby.
"And Luffy's older brother," Whitebeard added for him.
"Right, Shanks did mention him," murmured Rayleigh.
He seemed important to Whitebeard, that the boy was destined to become a Commander under Whitebeard's flag, and so young at that. Taking over the spot held once by Oden. A very big pair of shoes to fill. Or geta, technically. Not that Oden had wanted to be a Division Commander. But still, why should he train those two...? And more so as young as they were now?
They both went quiet, Rayleigh contemplating the strange request, trying to make sense of it. Why was it important to train them in the grand scheme...?
Whitebeard waited until Rayleigh was taking a gulp of sake to tell him why.
"He is Roger's son."
Rayleigh choked, spat, and began an uncontrollable coughing fit of the level that he had only experienced once before: after they had left Laugh Tale, and before the big announcement, Roger had privately told him his plan to disband the crew. They both waited for him to drink before announcing the BOOM.
Those two assholes! Whitebeard and Roger alike.
"Son? Roger's?" He uttered between coughs. Shanks didn't mention any of that. Was it on purpose or did he not know? No, Shanks wouldn't have been able to keep such a thing from him, not in the state he was in any way. Whitebeard was being real cautious and stingy with every bit of information. Which begs the question, why tell me this?
Whitebeard nodded looking amused. Damn him, using him as entertainment. Both Roger and him were the same.
Son! It couldn't be Luffy, he was seven…Or maybe eight? Did Shanks mention his birthday?... Let's say eight. Still, it wouldn't work ...So…
"Luffy's older brother… How old is he?"
While his body was trying to catch a breath (literally), Rayleigh's mind was racing, theories and memories searching for any clue. Who was the mother? How the hell did he survive? The Marines and Cipher Pol would have searched low and high for any rumor… Any small hint…
"Ace is 11 now."
Eleven? His name was Ace. Ace D. Gol?
"That's hard to believe… Are you sure … Roger died 12, almost 13 years ago."
"Indeed, yet he is his son."
No doubt showed in his face saying this. Ace was Roger's son. That should be impossible, the age didn't fit, but…
BUT they were talking about Roger if someone could have a son a year and maybe some after he died, it would be him. Only wait a second...
"Does that mean that Luffy is his son too?" That was just unbelievable! How the hell... Was he really dea—
"No."
Rayleigh let out a sigh, he was feeling unbalanced and finding it hard to get his equilibrium back, even though he could finally control his breathing once more. Had Roger broken his own unspoken rule?
"Explain please…" Rayleigh ignored the begging note in his own voice, yet Whitebeard found it all the more amusing, taking his sweet time answering. The old man put on a show, busying himself with drinking. So painfully slow. Savoring each sip.
The word 'son' was running in a loop inside his head, until it dredged up a memory of the time before Roger had just disbanded the crew.
His mind conjuring a picture of him standing with Roger on the Oro Jackson. He could almost hear the waves crashing against the ship as it sailed smoothly to their next destination.
"One Piece… Who do you think will find it?" Rayleigh had asked his captain laughingly. The true magnitude of what they had found not fully sinking in just yet.
"Why, my son obviously!" Roger announced while stroking his beard, not even missing a beat.
"Where are you going to find a son?" Rayleigh had asked him, startled, as sweat dripped from his head. Should he have the ship and anchor talk with him? He does know that he needed a woman to have a child, right? He could not even remember if it was possible for Roger to have a child with his disease. Was it genetic?
"I can always make one!"
Few seconds passed, Rayleigh had stared at him with wide eyes of incredulity, until Roger had burst out laughing, hoarser than usual because they had laughed an awful lot recently at the last island. Laugh Tale.
"UAHUAHUAHUAHUAH UAHUAHUAHUAHUAH!"
The Dark King let out a short chuckle, that quickly turned into a full-fledged belly laugh.
Because it was funny.
The sounds, images, and words that momentarily captured his mind, quickly evaporate like mirages. Rayleigh was back to the small room on the Moby Dick facing Roger's old rival.
Trying to picture a man like Roger, who possessed the aura of a wild beast, as a loving husband and doting father.
That was certainly a joke.
The man-child that loved big, flashy things. That even with all the danger had truly relished being called the Pirate King. if the prize had come with a crown, he would not have taken it off even in his sleep.
The mere thought of that man bringing a baby into the world was just stupidly, childishly, unbelievably hilarious.
His captain even if he was a magnificent man and someone he willingly chose to follow (and would do it again and again if giving the chance), was famous for his fiery temper, was quick to anger, and would retaliate furiously for something as simple as an insult. Rayleigh remembered vividly how Roger had once destroyed the military force of one country for insulting their crew. Roger had also loved to mock his enemies, even when they were down.
His captain was, without doubt, the most prideful and aggressive person that Rayleigh had ever met.
He was also the kind of guy who would dump all mundane and 'boring' stuff onto whichever sap (Rayleigh) was the closest available, no matter how important it really was.
It was supposed to be a joke.
Except the bastard had gone and done it. That man found someone to bear him a child, and the child was still alive today.
Were Roger's words a prophecy? Was his son really the one that was supposed to find it? To find the One Piece? Maybe that's why he had sent Whitebeard back. His son's death wasn't in the plans or something.
But...But from what Shanks had told him, Luffy was the carrier of the will. Just like Roger he had possessed Conqueror's Haki. Shanks had even said that the future him, and Whitebeard and even Roger had approved. Shanks was sure. This was very confusing.
And… was it Destiny that brought the two of them together. Ace and Luffy. D's. Brothers. One carrying his blood, and other his will? What were the chances? Did Ace also possess Conqueror's Haki?
He needed to calm down and think like a rational, calm, logical, adult.
'Logical' and 'Roger'! Rayleigh forced a stifled laugh down. His throat was rolling with suppressed sounds.
Yet, his efforts were in vain. His face showed something of his confusion and exasperation as he heard Whitebeard snort his entertainment, yet he said nothing out loud.
Rayleigh ignored his childish antics (really, he was just like Roger!) as his mind frantically raced through theories and memories. Searching. Trying to wrap his head around this information.
Roger's son.
Roger was by no means a saint. Except with the disease consuming his body bit by bit, not knowing when his last breath would be taken while racing to reach his goal before his time ran out, Roger had treated every moment as eternity. Even as he was aware the end was near. Despite his soaring infamy, finally earning him a new nickname (Roger called it a 'pet name' at first, given to him by his lovely persistent stalker, World Government. Yet it was clear he liked it). Except anyone that had any kind of relationship with him –even fleeting one- would be in grave danger. Especially from the fairer sex.
Only those who knew him well, would have seen the slight change in his behavior over the years. Whenever they would stop to visit some island, he was still charismatic, attracting every gaze to him, except for being subtly closed off. For instance, instead of sitting whenever he wished without care, he sat pointedly between his crew members. He made himself –even more— oblivious to blunt invitations from offering ladies. Still smiling and joking his usual self. He had even jokingly threatened Neptune of stealing his unborn daughter in the future.
"Well, don't worry! I don't have enough time left to come back and steal your shaggy daughter."
"WHO SAID SHE WOULD BE SHAGGY?"
Yet, Roger clearly surrounded himself with invisible walls to deter any of the fairer sex to come too close. So what had changed? What sort of woman had he met?
It had been so unlike the Roger he knew, and it took a while for him to come to terms with those changes and the reasons for them.
Rayleigh eyed Whitebeard, who was looking straight back at him, face blank as he took another slow sip. He raised an eyebrow as if daring Rayleigh to hurry him up.
Rayleigh sighed inwardly, while he cast down his gaze –Worse than Roger!— when memories poured unbidden to his mind, contradicting the last one.
Roger carefully took baby Hiyori from Toki, and happily cradled her in his arms, making soft purring noises, as the baby laughed delightedly.
Roger playing with Momonosuke and crouching down to his eye level to explain something or other.
Shanks and Buggy's attachment and respect to him. Even though with Buggy there was also a big dose of fear of whatever wild idea Roger would have next.
Roger comforting crying Shanks after he had answered his questions about Laugh Tale. He let him cling to him and cry out until exhaustion had made young Shanks stop.
And many more kept pouring in.
Maybe him being a father wasn't such a farfetched fantasy. He had some of the necessary qualities to be a good father. Like how protective he was over his crew and friends. Overprotective, really.
Yet, from what Whitebeard was saying, it sounded like Roger had known of his child's existence. Which meant that he and this mystery woman had knowingly decided to have a child despite knowing both the risks, and that he was dying.
And just how did the child survive? That would be a true miracle. Marines, Cipher Pol, bounty hunters, rival pirates, hell even civilians, would have been on watch for any sign of him, any place he had ever visited, any person he spoke with, any woman he even looked at. Rayleigh was sure there was a hunt after his death for any child he may have sired. A silent massacre to stop the continuation of the Pirate King's Blood.
And Roger knew all of that. He must have known.
So the question that must be raised was: what kind of woman would be able to break the will of the stubbornest man he knew?
Whitebeard cleared his throat. Rayleigh's eyes climbed back to his face, but the old man just took another sip. Rayleigh refused to let his shoulders drop in defeat, and decided that two could play the game. He was the one that brought the sake, the least he could do was enjoy it too.
"Her name was Portgas D. Rouge…."
Rayleigh coughed hard. The drink had gone down the wrong path, again (Whitebeard was totally aiming for that! He wasn't even trying to hide it!). He felt like he was coughing his lungs out as he heaved. It took a few minutes to stop and all the while Whitebeard had an unchanging smirk on his face.
This was revenge. He'staking his built-up anger at Roger out on me, dammit!
Rayleigh took a long breath, and let out a dry laugh, ignoring the bit of pain that accompanied it, "A D! Of course, she needs to be a bloody D for Roger to fall for her."
It makes sense, doesn't it! Only a D could steer the fate of another D.
Whitebeard waited a few seconds for Rayleigh to let it all out of his system.
"Roger met her somewhere in South Blue… And to protect Ace she carried him for 20 months and... died just after giving birth. Ace took her name to show his respect for her love and sacrifice."
Rayleigh shook his head, still a bit dazed. He cast his eyes to the wooden floor trying to digest what he had heard.
Leave it to Roger to find the one woman that could fight nature itself. She had the true will of D. She was Roger's equal. Rayleigh felt a deep sadness, as well as a bit of betrayal because he would never get to meet her. Why hadn't he told him that he met such a fine woman? That Roger finally found someone he could …
Them being disbanded wasn't even an excuse.
He had made sure Roger met Shakky. True, she wasn't his wife then, yet he had already known that if he ever settled down, it would be with her.
Rayleigh refused to dwell anymore on this right now, and instead he said.
"Why are you telling me this?"
Whitebeard would not tell him this, if he didn't have a specific goal he was aiming for.
"As I said I want you to train them."
Rayleigh stared at him, opened his mouth, trying to follow one thread of thought, trying to get his head in order of any kind, and breathed out, "Why?"
The Sanko raised his eyebrow at the disbelieving tone.
"Why tell me he is Roger's son? Why tell me at all? Why train them now? Why am I training them?" Too damn many questions run in his head.
Why me?
Whitebeard stared at him and nonchalantly answered.
"Why not?"
Rayleigh spluttered and tried to concentrate on his own thoughts and ignore Whitebeard's antics, he was clearly messing with him. It was some kind of revenge plot. He was sure! Dammit!
"Why not bring them here to the Moby?" Rayleigh tried a different approach of attacking the issue and added, "After taking care of some of your problems first."
He saw no reason to be polite if his host wasn't even trying to be.
"I did consider it," Whitebeard said, ignoring the impoliteness of his guest. His eyes were downcast as if in deep thought, and then he directed his piercing gaze at him and said, "Let's say I somehow explain to the crew why I am bringing two young innocent children aboard a pirate ship. There are still a lot of logistical problems to consider… But more importantly, they would become a target, a liability… Marines, pirates, the other Y…Sankos… Cipher Pol... A pirate ship is not a place for growing children, not in the New World." He paused and added, "I want them to have as normal a childhood as possible, not a wanted life, especially not this young."
"Their age shouldn't be a problem, some of your own sons joined when they were at the age of these two. Hell, Oden and Toki's children were born on this ship."
Hiyori and Momonosuke, still little babies, sailed with them on the Oro Jackso when Oden joined them on their last journey. Although only until Toki got sick, and then she and the children stayed behind in Wano while Oden journeyed with them.
It wasn't that unheard of for children to be in pirate ships, especially if there were couples onboard of the ship or orphans with no place to belong. Whitebeard himself was an orphan that was thrust into this life.
Shanks and Buggy had joined Roger's Pirates when they were nine. So young, always fighting and bickering about the stupidest things. They always ended up trying his patience, and he ended up punishing them. Ah, the good old days.
"Different circumstances. Those that joined that young didn't have anywhere else to go, or were targeted for whatever reason, and it's their only way to survive, and you knew it." Whitebeard said sharply. His eyes narrowing in an unmistakable warning.
This was a sore subject. For both of them.
To some children, piracy was a means to escape from unbearable circumstances, the only way to stay afloat when the sea currents were pulling you down. He heard lots of stories, some from his own crew and others they met on their journey, all of them repeating the same narrative. Piracy saved them, gave them a place to belong, a purpose. It was a gloomy and frightening thing to consider, that the dangerous and unpredictable life of pirates was preferable to what they had left behind!
That all was before the Great Age of Piracy began. Nowadays, becoming a pirate was the trend. A popular thing to do. A fun thing to do. To Try to find the greatest treasure of all, One Piece. It feels more like a competition for the newer generation than a way of life.
(Or just maybe he had become a bitter oldtimer, who was eulogizing the greatest generation, and loved to reminisce about romanticized good ol ' days of piracy before the so-called Golden Age. He felt his generation should be called Golden. He grimaced and laughed mentally at his own thoughts. He was one step away from a calling for a return to his former ways of piracy).
Other children were trapped without any means of escape into the life of Piracy (that was if they were not recruited and brainwashed by the marines). Not many, but there were few.
Big Mom - Linlin - had her first Wanted Poster at the age of six, whether it was justified or not, it didn't matter. It meant that piracy was the only path she could take.
Another famous child was Nico Robin, the sole survivor of the destroyed island of Ohara. 'Devil Child' was written on her wanted poster, she earned it at the age of eight. The little Devil. The Devil was added probably to make you forget the 'child' part of the equation. The events surrounding her crimes and the accusation themselves seemed to tell of cover-up.
"It ain't like they had parents and a house, and we decided to pluck them from the loving embrace of their parents, and put them on the dark path to piracy." Whitebeard's disdain was evident with each syllable.
Whitebeard, Roger, and many other pirates were accused of kidnapping children, and forcing them to become pirates. It was mostly propaganda spread by the World Government. Pictures of those poor children, with the vicious pirate crews were spread in the papers. There was one of their own crew with young Shanks and Buggy. Malicious rumors were spread deliberately to justify the need for more order, more marines, more forceful approaches to quell the evilness of the pirates.
He won't deny that there were pirates that did such things, and Yes, some did abduct kids to use as deckhands. But mostly, kids were abducted to sell them to slave markets and make a hefty profit. He saw it firsthand on Sabaody Archipelago. There the slave market flourished under the watchful eye of the World Government and the protection of the marines. If there were no profit in selling human beings, then kidnapping wouldn't be as profitable business, and would gradually decrease.
Rayleigh gave a sharp nod for well-made points. Except Whitebeard's intense gaze didn't diminish.
"They have a home?" he asked, trying to keep the conversation going.
"It isn't the most ideal one, yet it was still home for them, according to Ace."
Rayleigh nodded, seeing in his mind the unspoken consequences of the decision to bring the two East Blue children onto the Moby. When Buggy and Shanks had joined them they were a small crew, not that notorious. Nor had that happened while they were in the New World. The same thing was true to the children that joined Whitebeard, it was way before his Sanko days and the infamy that came with it.
It all happened in a different era.
Even if they tried to keep the two children inconspicuous (how the hell do you keep small children on Emperor ship inconspicuous!), or worse a secret (everyone wants to find or reveal a secret), it would only delay the inevitable. Their mere presence would bring unwanted questions (Who are they? What is their relationship to Whitebeard? Why bring them here? Why now?), and for a powerful pirate, like Whitebeard that meant trouble. As he said, Marines, the other Sankos, other pirates, and Cipher Pol … Everyone would want to find out more about them (Are they his kids? A Division Commander's?), and how to use them against him. They would be seen as the weak link. Whitebeard's Achilles Heel.
Yes, those two being on this ship meant they would be issued a Wanted Poster (Well, maybe not an actual one) just by the merit of their presence.
"You can hide them, and have some of your commanders and allies train them in secret," suggested Rayleigh.
Whitebeard raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to elaborate.
"I don't mean hide them with your allies." He said, "which would still bring a lot of attention to them. But to actually hide them… you know." Rayleigh stressed his words.
He saw a tiny twitch on Whitebeard's chin, indicating he understood what Rayleigh implied, and he wasn't happy.
It was by chance —really— by which he and Roger found out where Whitebeard funneled his, ahem... treasure...
His homeland. Sphinx. A place so poor and lawless that was abandoned by the World Government when they couldn't pay the Heavenly Tribute, which caused the island to deepen their roots in lawlessness, and dig themselves deeper in poverty.
A pirate's life meant you either cut any ties you had to your past, or kept them hidden so deep no one would even consider the truth of it.
And really who would think that the great Whitebeard (an orphan himself, mind you) would use his money to help the citizens —mostly orphans— in his own homeland. Assuming anyone could figure out where he had started out.
Anyone with a brain if you asked Rayleigh. The man loved gathering strays. He had never stopped taking orphans into his arms and home. He just became more methodical and smart about it. Extremely secretive and protective of his newfound children.
Yet, Whitebeard had also built a reputation. A narrative of unchallenged power, swift retaliation at any attack, his word being the law of the land that trumped any other mortal (Marine's) law. In all those stories of his strength, authority, and fearful wrath, helping orphans didn't fit in them.
"I considered it," Whitebeard said truthfully. He still eyed Rayleigh a bit warily, yet didn't question him about his knowledge. (Of course, Rayleigh was sure he wouldn't leave the ship without divulging all he knew to Whitebeard's satisfaction).
Rayleigh would take the secret to his grave without being asked. He blamed the shock for letting it slip out and wondered if this was why Whitebeard was so thoughtful at the beginning of their conversation. He was sure that Whitebeard's first instinct was to move the young boys to a safe place: his own home. The place he had made the safest in the world.
Rayleigh was sure that Whitebeard had considered everything before asking him to train the children. He just wanted to know his reasons. All of them.
"I don't wish to pluck them from their home. It would be hard to explain their need to leave. And kidnapping of such…" Whitebeard grimaced, trailing off.
Rayleigh nodded absentmindedly, trying to imagine how the conversation would go. Explaining to young boys the need for their departure from everything they knew, by a stranger they just met, and a pirate at that. When the truth was far more bizarre than any fiction, what kind of lie would work?
Using force would only birth mistrust. They couldn't afford that.
Yet Rayleigh felt he was missing something important concerning the 'kidnapping' bit, to be able to see the full picture.
"And their absences would not go unnoticed… there is Garp to think of..."
"Garp... Garp is their Guardian?" Yes, Shanks did mention D. Monkey… Did that mean…
"Yes."
"I see, Roger took him to Garp," mumbled Rayleigh somberly.
"You don't seem to be offended by it."
"Are you?" Rayleigh countered.
"No, but I am sad. He did say he wanted to give Ace the choice to freely choose the life he would live."
"It is just like Roger to want others to choose freely," mused Rayleigh loudly. The words that Roger had said more than a few times reemerged in his mind.
'Inherited Will, The Destiny of the Age, and The Dreams of the People. As long as people continue to pursue the meaning of Freedom, these things will never cease to be!'
Rayleigh sighed and said, "I would have preferred if he trusted me or at least told me of his son's existence, but I understand why he didn't."
He was now mostly over the betrayal he initially felt. He didn't like or agree with it, but he could see why Roger chose to keep it a secret. And more importantly, he respected him for it.
Whitebeard hummed, and arched his eyebrow, waiting for him to elaborate.
"If I or you would have had with us a young child, or pregnant woman, just after Roger died, the marines would have been all over us. We were too well known for us to completely disappear then and to keep them safe. In a way, Roger would be taking our freedom from us if he gave us his son to take care of."
Whitebeard snorted, but he seemed to be listening in interest.
"No one would think that Roger's son would be given to The Marine, the one who caught him. The Hero. In the midst of the enemy is the safest place… and as Roger said, he would have the opportunity to choose his life…." Rayleigh trailed off, and with clear amusement, he added.
"You have to admit, if he were born and raised on a pirate ship, the way he saw the world will be ... a little screwed up."
Whitebeard howled out a laugh.
It was one of the things that plagued his mind, and haunted his nights. Was letting such young children join their crew, no matter how dire their circumstances were, the right decision to make? Wasn't such a decision stealing other opportunities from them? Roger had told him then, in a matter of fact tone, they can't choose if they are dead.
"It would never cross his mind to be anything else except a pirate, and in a way Roger was right, we would be coercing him into being a pirate, taking the choice out of his hands."
Whitebeard only nodded, he had already seen all of this, yet wanted to hear Rayleigh's take on it.
"And if there was one marine to trust to keep his word then it would be Garp... Although I don't know about his child-rearing methods…" Rayleigh trailed off, quieting down.
Whitebeard seemed to agree wholeheartedly with his last point, by the dark look in his face.
"You didn't answer!" Rayleigh said forcefully, dragging them back to the issue at hand. "Let's say I agree. That it's better not to bring any attention to them by taking them from their home. Why do you want me to do it?" He persisted.
Whitebeard took a gulp of his sake, not bothering to answer.
"Why not someone else from your crew, or allies? Someone whose absence you can explain away, or will go unnoticed."
"Garp is one reason."
Rayleigh nodded, saying. "I see. You need someone who won't be caught by him, and if there is a fight, I can handle myself."
Whitebeard snorted but gave a nod of acknowledgment as he took a swig from the bottle.
Yet, Rayleigh felt there was still more to it, and he was right.
"You knew Roger," Whitebeard announced and continued. "You would not hold who his father is against him."
"No, the opposite," Rayleigh told him, which may be worse.
"Exactly." Intoned Whitebeard and explained. "Ace hates him."
Of course he would, the world had made Roger into a monster. Portraying him as the very embodiment of evil, the very Devil Incarnate.
"Understandable."
Roger was, in a way, a monster; he took everything to the extreme. He had a monstrous stubbornness, a monstrous tenacity, a monstrous passion, a monstrous resolve, a monstrous loyalty…
"And because of that, he hates himself, and questions his own right to exist."
Rayleigh could only nod. When you thought you are the son of the devil then self-doubt, hate, uncertainty could consume you. He needed an anchor (something to hold to) to survive long enough to become a Whitebeard commander... The younger brother? Luffy?
"He tried to kill me," Whitebeard suddenly said, his eyes showing nostalgia and amusement. Obviously he was remembering the old good days (or was it the future, this whole time travel thing was confusing). Only pirates from Whitebeard caliber would talk about their own assassination in longing.
"The usual way to join the crew," Rayleigh remarked. They had had a few of those themselves.
"Because if he beat me, the person his father couldn't, then ..."
"His life would have meaning," continued Rayleigh, seeing how much the uncertainty of the young child's own existence had twisted his perspective.
Both of them shared a look of mutual understanding.
"Living in Roger's shadow is never easy, especially with the way he had left."
Rayleigh knew this too well, as the one to be his First mate. He once considered creating his own crew in passing, except he knew that he would forever be known as the Pirate King's first mate. He was proud of the title, and that journey was enough for him, but if he decided to make a new name for himself, that would have been an unattainable dream.
Besides, Rayleigh didn't know what he would have chosen anyways. Except maybe becoming the second Pirate King, when Roger was the first. Then again, he already saw where that journey would take him, in every possible way, and didn't wish for a repeat.
"So… you want me to help with his hatred."
"Subtly. He had always heard only bad things about Roger growing up and never from someone who actually knew him, and by the time he reached me, even speaking Roger's name would fill him with rage and hate. I admit, I still should have tried more to help him with his doubts and self-hatred..." Whitebeard's eyes showed his own guilt and regret. This look didn't belong on his face.
"What if I succeed?"
Whitebeard raised an eyebrow questionably, confused by the sudden turn in the conversation.
"Making him stop hating his dad, accepting him. Even loving Roger."
"Yes?" Whitebeard asked, bewildered. In what way was this a bad thing.
Rayleigh's sharp eyes were assessing every muscle in Whitebeard's face when he answered him.
"He wouldn't be your son then."
Whitebeard's face didn't change.
Not even a twitch.
"No."
"Oh?" Rayleigh prompted.
"He is already my son, him acknowledging it or not doesn't change the fact that I am his father."
Rayleigh took in Whitebeard's body toned to attack (or maybe protect), and his stony-faced expression, his determined eyes, his decisive tone of voice and the words themselves.
And he just realized, it didn't matter how you looked at this declaration.
Words he himself once said flashed in his own mind. 'Maybe nothing in this world happens by accident. As everything happens for a reason, our destiny slowly takes form...'
Calling him either Roger's son or Whitebeard's son, neither of those were important.
Ace's path was already taking shape, without him being the wiser.
It didn't seem to matter in which… World, or maybe 'timeline,' he lived in, Ace was cursed (or blessed) ... to have those giants as fathers. Destiny Huh (or Roger's meddling if you will).
Rayleigh stifled a laugh. He was looking forward to meeting him and Shanks's 'heir' (or was it Roger's).
It was ironically funny that both the brothers were in some way or another, part of Roger's legacy. Destiny was it? Had destiny found a way to bring them together. Or was it Roger's doing?
After all, it almost seemed like Roger was watching over both of them- Luffy and Ace- in the shape of an old faded straw hat that had magically found its way to his heirs.
He nodded to Whitebeard acknowledging his point and relaxing on his chair.
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Wait.
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Just wait a second, Rayleigh's mind screamed at him.
Does that mean he would become another father figure?
A third one.
Oh no!
Hell no.
His curse to stay in Roger's shadow had struck again!
(Well, Shakky had always insisted he would be a good father).
A curse or blessing, he was about to find out.
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They spoke until dawn, making plans and discussing the future for the cheeky brats (as Whitebeard had dubbed them).
Rayleigh had especially asked him to clarify Luffy's use of Conqueror's Haki. Even though Shanks was very excited with this revelation, and reminded him of it more than a few times. He didn't know much. Both Rayleigh and Whitebeard were impressed that even though Luffy had used Conqueror's Haki unconsciously, he didn't become confused or unsure, rather he just forged ahead. Whitebeard had warned that while Ace could use Haki, he was not proficient in it. That when he fought, he heavily depended on his Devil Fruit Power. Despite this, he still showed glimmers of having the potential to be a great master of using his 'Ambition.'
They shared a bit of their own experience with learning Haki and teaching others.
They had even considered contingency plans for the unlikely scenario of the Dark King's identity being exposed in East Blue, as the discovery of him training two young children would bring the wrong kind of attention, and may lead to the early revealing of Ace's identity. Whitebeard had then very casually mentioned the name of Luffy's father: Dragon the Revolutionary. Rayleigh had choked on his drink again, to the immense amusement of his host. He should be surprised, but then again he really wasn't.
Ace's identity being revealed somehow in the future was something they pondered on for a long time. The secret had been so well kept that neither of them had had any hint about it. Nor had the marines or Cipher Pol seemed to know. Yet somehow in the next ten years, it would all be announced to the world. Whitebeard was unsure of how it had been discovered, with the exception he was positive Garp was not the source. Unfortunately, since they didn't know the source, they were unable to plug the leak, so the Emperor had argued it would be better for his heritage to be revealed at one point, just under controlled conditions, and with Ace's agreement. Although, from what Whitebeard had said, it was the last issue which would be the most difficult.
Of course all of this was after Rayleigh had explained repeatedly and in detail about how he and Roger found about Whitebeard's Treasure Island, and assured him that no one else knew. Again and again (It took up half of the rest of their conversation, seriously!).
There was a worrying bit when they had both discussed Oden. Neither of them had heard anything from him since he returned back home to open Wano's borders. Oden was adamant to do it himself, he refused any help the crew had offered. And according to Whitebeard, even ten years in the future that hadn't changed. No word from him. It was very concerning, especially, because Oden had told Rayleigh how after things had calmed down in Wano and the borders were opened, he planned on meeting Whitey-chan, and sharing a drink with him while showing him all the embarrassing pictures of Roger he had hidden in his pouch. He didn't know what kind of challenges Oden was facing to open the borders, but the fact that nothing was heard from him in more than twenty years, was very alarming.
Whitebeard wanted to rectify the situation by trying to get in touch first. He urgently needed to have a talk with Toki about her Devil Fruit. If he wasn't going to East Blue, Rayleigh would have done it himself. Instead, he and Whitebeard shared what little they remembered about Wano, and Rayleigh suggested to him to try checking in Zou first. He had explained about the minks special relationship with Wano.
He learned a few interesting things about his future charge, but what caught his attention was that Whitebeard was sure that those two would play a huge role in shaping the future generation, with or without his intervention. He would have to meet them and decide for himself.
At one point in their conversation, Whitebeard had asked him out of nowhere. "Almost forget! What do you think was the brat's crew name?"
"Who? You mean Luffy? Hmmm… Shanks mentioned nothing. Wasn't it the Luffy Pirates? Or did you mean Ace?"
Luffy's Pirate sounded strange to his ears. But he bet others found 'Roger Pirate' strange too at first.
"I meant the younger brother. No, it isn't Luffy Pirates. Wanna try again?"
Rayleigh could swear there was a sort of eagerness of childish anticipation hidden in Whitebeard's eyes. He tried to come up with something but gave up after a few heartbeats.
"I am coming up blank."
The Sanko took his time answering, staring levelly at the Dark King, he mouthed, "Straw Hat Pirates!"
His reaction was instantaneous; he leapt into his feet and shouted.
"Roger's Hat?!"
" Gurararararararararararara!" Whitebeard laughingly raised the bottle as if in a toast, and took a long swig. Letting out another thunderous laugh.
Whitebeard was clearly deriving real joy from seeing his reaction. For once, that didn't irritate him. It was hysterically funny.
Rayleigh took his time sitting back down and let out a long chuckle of his own.
Shanks had worn the hat more years than Roger did, but in his head it was always Roger's hat. Now it has a new owner. Luffy D. Monkey.
His future crew to be called the straw hat! 'Destiny' has one heck of an ironic sense of humor. "Straw Hat Pirates! I am afraid to ask but what was Ace's crew name?"
"What do you think?" asked Whitebeard in good humor.
"Ace Pirates sounds too boring, too normal," Rayleigh said thoughtfully. No reaction from the waiting Emperor confirmed his thoughts.
"Ace...Ace...Ace of Hearts? Nooo… doesn't feel quite right. Ace of Spades?"
"Gurarararararararararara!"
"Really, that is it?"
Whitebeard didn't answer. Not there was a need to. It was clear from his reaction.
"You didn't tell Shanks about the name of Luffy's crew, did you?"
Whitebeard shook his head, still laughing. His eyes were sparkling with mirth.
Shanks would have eagerly told him if he knew. It would have been another piece of evidence. It was like sailing with neon light on your flag. Having the 'crown' not only on your head, but also on your flag. Not only that, whenever someone called their crew's name, it was as if saying 'your majesty'. Ironic wasn't enough to describe it.
"Can I tell him?" Rayleigh asked eagerly.
"Knock yourself out!" Whitebeard said knowingly.
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Before setting sail to East Blue to meet his new charges, Rayleigh turned to face Whitebeard one last time, and asked the important question that occupied Shanks's mind.
"What do you intend to do with the rat?"
He got a glare intensified with Haki for his troubles.
Well, he asked, he didn't expect an answer, but there was another question that was bugging him.
"Where is your Phoenix?"
Whitebeard's body relaxed and a loud cold laugh rang out, his eyes had an uncanny glint that made a shiver run down the Dark King's spine.
"In a way, he is bringing THE bait."
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"Are you sure you found it-yoi?"
"No doubt about it. It is there."
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Soooooooo.. your thoughts? Anyone? Theories? Come onnnnnnnnnn feed my starving soul ;D
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I never saw or read a serious scene between those two characters. So it was my own personal challenge to try to write these two legends - Whitebeard and Rayleigh- having a conversation as realistically as possible while dealing with these 'important' issues discussed in this chapter. Did I succeed?
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This came early (I am the best, aren't I!). I have a schedule (Sorta) and I am supposed to be working on my Shanks's Choice Story (I am working on it, promise!) but I thought because of your lovely reviews and my newfound inspiration I should post this earlier.
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Keep the motivation rollin' :D leave a review (Yes, I still need more M&Ms).