This is the 61st chapter. I don't own the series of One Piece.
Learning The Garlean Empire! Ventus' Emotional Conflict!
Alabasta, Alubarna
Few days have passed since the rebellion, a fight against the Baroque Works and Crocodile, the Straw Hat pirates were fully recovered from the intense fighting. However, Vivi informed them that Anna, Shanise, and Ivan had left Alabasta to return to Ishgard, much to Sanji's dismay, but she explains the reason why they're heading back is because the Garlean Empire is planning for the invasion. She don't know when, but it's enough reason for them to leave a pirate life behind and heading back to Ishgard to defend their homeland. The Straw Hat pirates, except Ventus and Luffy, were completely stunned about why Anna, Shanise, and Ivan left and never said anything. Ace wasn't surprised about it which he can understand why. Ventus however, wasn't too happy about it at all which he overheard their conversation a few days back because of his dragon hearing.
And now, his mind is in turmoil because Ishgard and Dravania are about to be invaded by the Garlean Empire. Part of him wanted to head back to Ishgard in order to stop the invasion, but after what his people have done to his parents and how he's been treated ever since childhood which it still haunts him for the past 11 years. Part of him wanted to leave everything behind him, continuing his life as a pirate and adventuring with his crew.
Ventus is currently at the training hall, practicing his lance, magic, dragon traits, and aerial combat. However, he couldn't even focus on training when he narrowed his eyes.
'Why...? Why now...?' Ventus mentally questions. 'Anna...Shanise...Ivan...they all left after hearing of this Garlean Empire planning on the invasion to Ishgard...my home...'
"Training in the training halls I see?" The voice of Igaram asks, earned his attention.
"Igaram, good to see you made it back alive." Ventus said with a smile, but it's a fake smile which it got Igaram noticed.
"Yes, but Ventus, I know there's something wrong with you." Igaram said seriously. "What's troubling you?"
Ventus can tell that Igaram isn't easily fooled when he noticed something was off about the young Dragoon. Ventus sighed, decided to tell him what was on his mind.
"The reason why Anna, Shanise, and Ivan left is..."
Flashback
Three days ago at the ruined alley in Alabasta, Tashigi informed both Anna and Shanise that the Garlean Empire is planning to liberate Dravania and Ishgard. They don't when will the invasion begins, but all they know is that the two kingdoms are about to be in trouble. Shanise grabs Ivan and placed him over her shoulders like a sack of potatoes. The Marines, which somehow recovered from being knocked out, were about to grab Ventus. However, Tashigi was about to stop them, but Anna beat her to it.
"Wait!" Anna called them, earned their attention. "It's best we leave Ventus with the Straw Hats."
Tashigi was shocked of Anna's suggestion.
"Tashigi, you need to understand. Ventus has been through enough because of the past 11 years and I don't him to carry that burden." Anna explains. "He still had a scar on his heart, a scar so deep no medicine could cure. I promised his mother that I would protect him, and I'm keeping that promise. Please, let Ventus stay with them."
Both Tashigi and the Marines were stunned, hearing that Anna made a promise to Merida which it's been kept for 11 years. Tashigi can tell that Anna is very loyal to Ventus' mother and she wanted the young Dragoon to continue on with the Straw Hats. The reason is because she doesn't want to put Ventus a lot of pressure on heading back to Ishgard after what happened to him. Tashigi gave her a nod as the ranger walk towards to Ventus.
"Ventus, your parents would be proud for what you've become. I know you overheard and I'm sorry that me, Shanise, and Ivan are leaving because the Garlean Empire is coming to Ishgard." Anna said as tears starting to flow from her eyes. "I don't want to place a burden on you, or putting you on the pressure for coming back because...you've been through enough. So, you'll have to go on without me or Shanise. And Ventus, don't forget to catch up on your lessons...and...I love you. I always loved you as if you're my son..."
And with that, Anna kissed his forehead, and left while following the Marines, Shanise, and Ivan, leaving the Straw Hat pirates alone.
Flashback Ended
"...After they left, my mind was all over because of this 'Garlean Empire'." Ventus finished his explanation. "And for some reason, I felt like I should head back to Ishgard with them after hearing about the invasion."
"And yet, part of you want to stay with the Straw Hats?" Igaram inquires, earned a nod from the young Dragoon.
"Igaram, I don't know what to do...I mean, I wish I could go with them, but..."
"Anna told you to continue your adventure with your crew." Igaram finished his sentence.
Ventus responds with a nod which it confirmed Igaram's suspicion. Igaram can tell that Ventus felt like he needs to head back for Ishgard, but part of him felt like he needed to stay with the Straw Hat pirates and continue on his adventure. However, he knows that there's more about the young Dragoon.
"Ventus, can you tell me about yourself?" Igaram suggested. "Clearly, there's more to this about you leaving and planning to return to Ishgard."
Ventus knew that Igaram wanted to know the reason why he left Ishgard, decided to tell him of his backstory.
After Ventus gave him a backstory, Igaram was astonished of the young Dragoon. He never knew that the people of Ishgard have treated Ventus and his parents poorly because of Grima and Thenian, his two cruel uncles. And to make matters worse, his two uncles spread outlandish rumors and killed his parents.
"I see, that explains it." Igaram said with a scowl, sickened of that story.
"And for that, I was raised at Burmecia from the Gaia Island." Ventus said. "Both Freya and Fratley raised me and trained me for only 10 years, but I left for a year after learning that the dragons of Dravania were looking for me."
Igaram knew that Ventus has been on a run for a year until he met the Straw Hats and joined them as a pirate. Igaram even remembered the incident of both Starblaze and Merida being murdered, but didn't get the full details which he now knows.
"Ventus, I don't know if you know the reason why the dragons of Dravania are looking for you, but the reason is because you're the lost prince of Dravania." Igaram told him, leaving the young Dragoon widen his eyes.
"W-What did you say...?" Ventus inquires shockingly.
"I said, you're the lost prince of Dravania. And since Starblaze is your father, you're the only heir to the throne." Igaram explains. "But after you choose a life as a pirate and have a bounty on your head, I have my doubts the dragons of Dravania are coming for you after learned of your actions."
Ventus now starting to realize why the dragons of Dravania are looking for him back at Burmecia.
"I-I don't understand...why wasn't I being told about this?" Ventus questions.
"You didn't get a chance to hear about your heritage, besides of your blood of the dragon within you, and you were a child which it's understandable why." Igaram answered. "But after the incident of your parents, you're old enough to know the truth."
"But..." Ventus muttered.
Igaram can tell that Ventus is feeling stressed after telling him the heritage which it's clear that the young Dragoon is hesitating to speak. Ventus was never told that he's the Prince of Dravania because of Starblaze is the Dravanian King.
"It's a lot to take in, I understand." Igaram said, decided not to pressure any further. "Ventus, I'm not telling you to return to Ishgard or Dravania right now. I'm saying that it's something you'll decide for yourself."
Ventus knew that Igaram was right, but he's right now in emotional stress.
"Try not to think about it too much, you've got the time to think it over." Igaram suggests, assured him. "But Ventus, please understand this. Anna, Shanise, and Ivan left the Straw Hats to join the Marines in order to back to Ishgard for a reason, they wanted you to continue on the adventure with your friends. Thus, she protected you for you to not carrying a heavy burden."
Ventus can understand what Igaram is telling him and why Anna left the Straw Hat pirates for a reason. Igaram then decided to walk away, leaving Ventus alone in deep thought.
Inside of the Royal Palace guest room, Chopper is working on making medicine while one of the medics watched him with astonishment, stroking his beard, and adjusting his glasses.
"My! Your medicine making skills are so innovative and practical! It's amazing you're a genius, my boy."
It got Chopper's attention when he slowly turned his head with a beady eyes and his jaw dropped, sweating with a nervous look on his face.
"Where in the world did you learn such techniques?"
"Tony was practicing doctor back in Drum Kingdom." Vivi answered for Chopper with a smile, approaches the medic.
"He was?! You mean the same Drum that was once renowned for its advanced medicine?!"
That got Chopper gawked and not finding the right words when the medic knew about the Drum Kingdom.
"No wonder this little fellow is so talented! Wow! I've been a doctor for 40 years, but even I don't know the techniques and remedies than you do. You're far younger than I, but it's obvious I am no match for you. You're clearly the superior doctor. Bravo, my boy!"
Chopper couldn't take it any more of his praises as he placed a cup of oolong tea next to the desk and a chair next to him.
"Shut up, jerk! Stop saying that, I can't stand it! Get out of here if you're going to talk like that!" Chopper shouts with an embarrassed smile which it got the medic confused.
"He's offering me tea and a chair, despite what he's saying? Does he want me to stay?"
"He certainly does." Vivi answered with a giggle, carrying a bowl of water and a rag as she walked to Luffy's, who's still sleeping while Carue is cleaning his feathers.
Vivi placed a wet rag on Luffy's forehead while the medic is sitting on a chair.
"Well in that case, show me more of your incredible talents."
"I said shut up." Chopper said.
"If only I could have a splendid skills such as yours, I can't tell you how impressed I am."
"Get outta here! I can't take it anymore!" Chopper said with a nervous chuckle.
While at Alubarna, many of the people are rebuilding the town after the battle. Both Sanji and Usopp were doing some shopping for some supplies while waiting for Luffy to wakes up from his 3 days sleep. They're also worried about Ventus, after learning from Vivi when she told them that Anna, Shanise, and Ivan left. Of course, Sanji is mostly upset because of the two were leaving without saying goodbye, much to their annoyance. Ventus' upset after overhearing of them leaving to get back to Ishgard since the Garlean Empire is gathering the army to invade his home, which he's in an emotional stress and it got them worried.
"Hey! Has anybody had any more lumber?!"
"Nah, I'm out too!"
"I have some left, take whatever you need."
"Thanks!"
"Look, everyone is coming together." Usopp said with a smile, watching the people repairing the damages.
"It's 'cause the princess is cute." Sanji states with a smirk.
"Oh please." Usopp said in a deadpan expression when one of the citizens of Alabasta noticed a huge holes on the walls in different buildings.
"Dammit! House after house is like this! How could this have happened?! It's like someone kicked a hole through them!"
That got Sanji reacted in shock when he noticed the holes in the walls, remembered that he's the one who kicked a hole through them because he's in such a hurry to get to the clock tower and didn't have time to go around.
"How awful." Usopp muttered, looking at the holes on the walls.
"Say Usopp, what's that over there? Let's take a look." Sanji suggested nervously, sweating bullets while turned away and walked out, leaving Usopp confused.
While outside of Alubarna, Zoro was training in the ruins in meditating pose, holding 2 boulders with his arms raised.
'I'll improve my concentration...' Zoro mentally thought, remembering his victory against Mr. 1 with only one strike. '...Until I can bring out that power any time. I can't consider myself stronger.'
While inside of the royal palace, Cobra showed Nami the room that has books which it got her interested. She also thought that it'll be a good idea to help Ventus education, but with Anna, Shanise, and Ivan gone, she won't be able to have time to teach him because she's mostly dealing with her crew.
"Wow, they're all such interesting books. This should help Ventus out." Nami said, turns to Cobra. "Is it really okay to take some with me?"
"Absolutely. Take any you'd like, I've read all of them." Cobra replied.
"Thanks so much." Nami thanked him, turns to the book. "And I'll definitely take you up on that offer."
At the front gates of the royal palace, the Marines are arriving when Chaka was guarding the gets. The Marines are questioning him if they were hiding the Straw Hat pirates, including Ventus.
"I've told you a hundred times, there are no pirates." Chaka told them with a serious glare, crossed his arms. "Especially no Ventus Starwind here in the palace."
"Lying to us will only harm your country. Harboring pirates and keeping Prince Ventus hidden is a major felony!"
"Hey/Hey, what's up." Usopp and Sanji greets him.
"Oh, welcome back." Chaka greets back while Sanji and Usopp walk pass the Marines and him, walking towards the palace. Chaka then turns back to the Marines. "There's no evidence and I don't see any pirates or Ventus, do you?"
It got the Marines stammered, knew that Chaka is making a valid point.
"But I want to know about is the Garlean Empire when you mentioned that kingdom." Chaka suggests as the Marines gave him an explanation.
"I wonder if Luffy is woken up, yet?" Usopp inquires curiously.
"I doubt it, things would be noisier if he had." Sanji told him. "But it's not Luffy I'm worried about. Ventus has been out of it for days, he hasn't said a word to any of us. Wonder what's up with him?"
"It probably has something to do with Anna, Ivan, and Shanise leaving the pirate crew, something that Vivi mentioned about this 'Garlean Empire' heading to Ishgard." Usopp guessed with a ponder. "And if that's the case, then we need to head out and look for the Garlean Empire."
"Or we should get some information about the Garlean Empire so we'll know about it." Sanji suggested. "It would explain why Vivi told us about Anna, Shanise, and Ivan leaving, but if anyone who has the answers about the Garlean Empire, it'll be Vivi and Cobra."
"Yeah, you have a point." Usopp agrees. "Besides, we need answers if nothing else."
Apparently at the guest room, Luffy woke up from his 3-day sleep with a big yawn as he stretched his arms out and spoke.
"Ah man...I slept good." Luffy said with a chuckle when he noticed his crew, except Zoro, Ace, and Ventus, but felt like he's missing his straw hat. "Hey, where the heck is my hat?! I'm starving too! Where's my breakfast?! My hat! My breakfast! My hat! My breakfast! My hat! My breakfast! My hat! My breakfast!"
"You just woke up and you're already making a racket." Sanji interrupts in annoyance while sitting on a chair, smoking his cigarette. "And it won't be breakfast, it'll be dinner. It's evening."
"Your hats right over there, Luffy." Usopp adds, points at the straw hat. "Lucky for you, a soldier found it near at the front of the palace."
"I missed ya." Luffy said when he grabbed his straw hat and placed it on his head.
"I'm so relieved you finally got well, Luffy." Vivi told him with relief smile.
"Got well? What do you mean?" Luffy asked, confused. "I was never not well."
"You dummy, you were in really bad shape and had a high fever." Nami told him, organizing the books. "Vivi and Chopper have been taking care of you all this time."
"Really? Thanks you guys." Luffy thanked them with a smile.
Until, they heard the doors opened when Ventus, Ace, and Zoro entered inside of the guest room.
"Oh, Luffy, you woke up." Zoro said, noticed Luffy woke up.
"We were wondering when you're gonna wake up." Ace adds with a smirk. "You slept like a log."
Ventus can only respond in silent which he's got something on his mind.
"Zoro, Ace, Ventus, long time on see." Luffy greets while waving his hand, but turns into a confused expression." Wait a minute..."
"How dare you! You were up training, weren't you?!" Chopper demands with a shout, rushed after him furiously.
"So what? I didn't need your permission." Zoro remarked, pouring the pitch of water next to the glass.
"Of course you did, I'm your doctor!" Chopper points, waving his arms frantically. "Where are your bandages?!"
"It was too hard to move with them on." Zoro argued.
"You shouldn't be moving!" Chopper argued back.
"'Long time no see'? Why'd I say that?" Luffy questions in confusion, crossed his arms while tilting his head.
"It's because you've sleeping for three whole days." Ace explains. "Which it explains why you slept that long."
"Three days?! Three whole days?!" Luffy exclaims in disbelief when Usopp and Ace replied with a nod. "I missed 15 meals..."
"You sure calculate quickly when it comes to food." Nami said sarcastically with a glare, placed her hands on her waist.
"By his count, that's like 5 meals a day." Usopp adds in annoyance, causing Vivi to giggle.
Then, they heard the doors opened when a female version of Igaram arrived with a chef moving a utility cart full of fruit.
She's a large woman with curly blonde hair. She looks almost identical to Igaram which some characters to accuse her of being Igaram in a drag. She wore a dark red tunic with an orange lining that has a white stripe. Under her tunic is a light blue shirt with white buttons. She also wears bright red lipstick.
"I've heard the captain's awake." She said with a smile as the chef pushes utility cart inside of the guest room. "Dinner will be served shortly, I hope you're all hungry."
"What?!" Zoro exclaims.
"Hey, old tube-haired guy, you're still alive?" Luffy asks surprisingly.
"You idiot, that's not Igaram, she's a woman." Ventus told him in annoyance.
"He's right." Vivi agrees. "This is Terracotta, she's Igaram's wife and the head of the palace servers."
"Thank you for helping Vivi and my husband." Terracotta thanked them.
"I've heard a wives resembling their husbands, but this is too weird." Zoro quietly muttered with a sweat drop and his face pale, slightly turned away.
"I heard the Captain eats a lot, so I have my staff put together a little snack to tide you and your friends over." Terracotta told him.
"Thank you." Luffy thanked her, quickly ate the whole thing from the utility cart.
"GREEDY PIG!?" Sanji and Zoro yelled at him with white eyes and shark-like teeth.
"I'm gonna eat three whole days worth of food, lady." Luffy told her.
"Ooh, a challenge! Good, I'm looking forward to it!" Terracotta challenged excitedly. "I've never lost to anyone's stomach! So, eat to your hearts content!"
At the Grand Dining Hall, most of the Straw Hat pirates are eating their food as fast as they can. Both Ace and Ventus are just eating normally while watching them eat, but the young Dragoon was feeling very annoyed when Luffy mentioned not eating 3 days of food. The royal guards were watching them in disgust, feeling uncomfortable.
"Geez, I've seen even pigs eat less."
"And with more manners, too, I'm sure. This is a royal dining hall, not a trough!"
"Guys! Knock it off!" Ventus shouts in annoyance with white eyes and shark-like teeth. "This a dining hall, not some all-you-can-eat buffet!"
Unfortunately, the Straw Hats aren't listening since they're too busy eating fast.
"This smells good." Zoro muttered when he about to eat that meat, but Luffy grabbed it and grabbed Usopps lobster.
"Luffy! You just snatched my food, didn't you?!" Usopp shouts with white eyes and shark-like teeth, points his knife at Luffy.
"Dammit, Luffy! Quit taking food from our plates!" Ventus scolds, managed to stop him from getting Chopper's food.
Luffy can't only respond by shook his head in denial, while keeping the food he took from his mouth.
"You liar!" Nami shouts with white eyes and shark-like teeth, punched Luffy in the face.
"Chopper, you don't have to eat that fast. You'll choke if you do." Ventus warned him, watching his brother-figure slurping a big amount of pasta.
"He's right. If you keep eating like that, you're gonna choke." Sanji adds with an agreement.
"There's plenty more." Vivi told him.
It went on for sometime when Luffy was about to take Ventus' food, but the young Dragoon grabs hold of him. Luffy then looked at him in fear when Ventus' eyes turned to a dragon, growling at him. Ventus then yanked Luffy and starts beating him senselessly.
After a couple of minutes of beating Luffy, dinner became peaceful after the young Dragoon tied him up with his fingers and his entire body.
"Mmm-mmmm! Mm m mmm mm-mmm! Mmmm! (Ventus! Let me go already! Oi!)" Luffy cried in a muffled tone.
"Now we can eat in peace." Usopp said as the rest, except Ventus, were calmly eating.
"Mmmm! Mm-m-mmm! M-mm-m-mm-mmm! (Oi! You guys! Don't eat in front of me!)" Luffy cried.
"Shut up, Luffy!" Sanji growled in annoyance.
Ventus then pulls himself and decided to leave the dining hall since he hadn't even touched his food, causing them to turn to the young Dragoon.
"Ven, you okay?" Ace asks. "You haven't touched your food."
"Losing my appetite." Ventus muttered.
"Ventus, are you okay?" Usopp asks with worry.
"I just...need to be alone right now." Ventus told them, then left the grand dining room.
The Straw Hat pirates, Ace, Cobra, Chaka, and Igaram couldn't help but noticed that somethings wrong with the young Dragoon. Ever since Anna, Shanise, and Ivan left Alabasta, Ventus hasn't said a word to anyone, not even to his crew. Ventus only head towards the training hall, working on his magic, lance, and aerial combat.
"Did any of you tried to talk with Ventus?" Nami asks, feeling worried. "I'm getting worried."
"Not a thing, we tried to get him to talk to us, but nothing came out of his mouth." Usopp answered, shook his head. "All he ever did for the past 3 days is trained with his lance, aerial combat, and magic."
Nami sighed, had a feeling that Ventus kept himself quiet since he's got something on his mind.
"I'll go talk to him." Ace suggested as he pulls himself up, about to leave the dining hall.
"You sure?" Zoro questioned.
Ace nods as he left the dining hall, leaving the Straw Hat pirates, Igaram, Chaka, Vivi, Cobra, and the royal guards alone. Igaram had a feeling that Ventus had a lot going up on his mind, which he had a pretty good idea what it was.
"If you don't mind me asking, I was wondering how did any you met Ventus Starwind?" Cobra inquires, earned their attention. "He seemed quite distant the last time I saw him."
"He wasn't like this before, we first met him at the East Blue a while back." Nami explains. "He first met Luffy and Zoro back at Shells Town, then there's Usopp at the Syrup Village, and Sanji at the Baratie."
"Baratie?" Chopper inquires curiously.
"It's a name of a sea restaurant back at the East Blue, where old geezer Zeff build it long ago." Sanji told him when Chopper nods with an understanding.
"We've also met Anna at Loguetown, where she finds Ventus and usually with us as a pirate." Zoro adds seriously. "And well, we know the rest when she left."
Cobra confirms a nod with an understanding.
"But there's something else we don't know about him." Chaka said seriously. "We've heard of the incident at Ishgard 11 years ago, but we didn't know of the full details. Can you tell us about him?"
And with that, the Straw Hat pirates, except Luffy, began explaining of Ventus' backstory. Luffy now started to realize why Ventus was acting so quiet and distant, while being beaten. Luffy didn't hear the reason why Anna, Shanise, and Ivan left which he decided to listen.
After a few minutes of Ventus' backstory and the reason why Anna, Shanise, and Ivan left, Cobra, Igaram, Vivi, and Chaka were completely stunned of Ventus' backstory. They had no idea that Ventus' parents were murdered and taken to Gaia Island, raised by Freya and Fratley in Burmecia.
"For all these years, Ventus remained in Gaia Island for 10 years..." Cobra muttered.
"Then, he left for only a year because the dragons of Dravania were looking for him." Nami replied. "Now, he's with us ever since."
"And after hearing Anna, Shanise, and Ivan left Alabasta, the Marines are taking them to Ishgard to get ready for a fight against the Garlean Empire." Sanji adds.
"'Garlean Empire', where did you hear that name of the kingdom?" Cobra questions seriously.
"Vivi told us, but she never told us about it much." Usopp answered. "So, we were wondering if you can tell us about the Garlean Empire."
Cobra, Chaka, and Igaram can tell that the Straw Hat pirates never heard of the Garlean Empire, which they decided to tell them about the kingdom.
"The Garlean Empire is a name of the kingdom from Altivalios, a new island that strengthens by combining magic and technology into Magitek." Cobra explains. "Their technology and military tactics are advanced, they focused on conquering every small and large kingdoms from the different islands."
"Seriously, aren't they affiliated with the World Government? I mean, surely, they would've warn them about the world conquest." Sanji suggested with a serious glare.
"Garlean Empire isn't affiliated with anyone, not even the World Government." Igaram told him. "The Marines and the World Government informed us that the Garlean Empire are still focusing on the world conquest."
"And if what the Marines are saying about Ishgard and Dravania is true, then I'm afraid their chances of fighting against the Garlean Empire will be all but an instant defeat." Chaka adds.
The Straw Hats now began to realize why Anna, Shanise, and Ivan left Alabasta, because the Garlean Empire will be planning to invade Ishgard, Ventus' home.
"So that's why..." Sanji muttered. "Damn! It explains why Ventus' like that."
"Yeah, he's now feeling conflicted after hearing about it." Zoro agrees. "I had a feeling he's trying to go back, after all that crap he's been through. But, then again, Ventus really wants to stay with us..."
Cobra can tell that Ventus' feeling trouble, but after what he learned from the Straw Hat pirates, he can tell that the young Dragoon really wanted to back to Ishgard in order to defend his home from the Garlean Empire, but he also wanted to stay with his crew while continuing the adventures. He decided to try and talk to him as he then left the grand dining hall.
At the hallway, Ventus was looking at the sunset with a conflicted, yet sad look on his face. Ventus' still haunted from his past after all the hardships he's been through during his childhood at Ishgard. Ventus' eyes are still to fill in tears, bit his lower lip.
'Mother...Father...I don't know what to do...I wish you're here...' Ventus mentally thought sadly.
"It sounds like you got something on your mind, Ven." The voice of Ace said, earned his attention. "It's about Ishgard, right?"
Ventus can tell that Ace knew something was up, and knows that he's right.
"You're not wrong, Ace." Ventus replied, wiping his tears. "My home island is in trouble. And the Garlean Empire is heading..."
"Wait, did you say Garlean Empire?" Ace inquires curiously, earned a nod from the young Dragoon which it got him glaring. "Damn...this isn't good..."
"What, you know about the Garlean Empire?" Ventus asks, confused.
"Yeah, and I've also encountered with these guys." Ace answered. "All I know is the Garlean Empire isn't around from the Grand Lind and they're bad news, that's for sure. Even Whitebeard pirates have encountered with the Garlean Empire."
Ventus can tell that Ace and the Whitebeard pirates had experienced in fighting against the Garlean Empire.
"The Garlean Empire are the real deal between military and magic." Ace continued. "Hell, even the officers of the Garlean Empire are powerful. These three are the ones in charge of the invasion and world conquest."
"Do you know who's leading the Garlean Empire?" Ventus inquires.
"I wish, but all I know is these guys are bad news." Ace answered with a sigh. "Guess I'm gonna let Whitebeard know about the invasion of Ishgard."
Ventus was then surprised that Ace decided to help fight against the Garlean Empire.
"Ishgard is your home, and it'll take more than just Dragoons and Marines to take down the Garlean army." Ace points out. "These guys are the real deal when it comes to advanced tech and magic. Trust me on this, I know."
And from the looks of it, Ventus can tell that Ace is being serious about help fight against the Garlean Empire. Cobra noticed the two as he approaches, earning their attention.
"The Straw Hats told me everything about you, and I just wanted to say I'm sorry for the loss of your parents." Cobra apologizes sadly. "Ventus, I've known your parents ever since they're alive. And I know you when you were a baby. Yet, after all the people of Ishgard have treated you so poorly and how your uncles murdered your parents. No child ever deserves to be treated nor watch something horrified."
"How...did you know about my parents?" Ventus asks with a gasp, shocked.
"Your parents are close friends of mine, and I've known them for only 17 years. You see, your father is the Dravanian King, but he doesn't behave like that because he has the thrill of adventuring despite being over 300 years old. Starblaze cares about his subjects, including his family. And your mother, Merida has a strong heart and kindness, but she's got a stubborn streak when it comes to try to talk some sense with your father." Cobra explains with a smile, chuckled. "Your father does get all kinds of trouble for not taking his responsibilities as King seriously and your mother has quite a temper. You really got your fathers thrill-seeking adventurous personality and you got your mothers temper, despite your dragon traits."
"Wait, his dad is the Dravanian King?" Ace asks, earned a nod from Cobra. "Then if his dad is the King, then that..."
"It means I'm the Prince of Dravania." Ventus finished his sentence.
Ace and the Straw Hat pirates, who overheard their conversation, were stunned that Ventus is an actual Dravanian Prince.
"WHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!"
That's it for the 61st chapter.