Palila became the mother of the infamous pirate known as Straw Hat Luffy and his brothers. But that is just the beginning of the story titled "The Sky Kings."
To claim the skies, they had to face a war that would endanger the world order. However, before this great battle, there was another of similar caliber: the War of the Best at Marineford, the catalyst for the beginning of the end.
The War at Marineford was not a coincidence. Let me tell you the story of Portgas D. Ace and how his capture triggered a battle that would set off a series of catastrophic events.
To understand everything, we need to go back even further in time, when Ace was not yet part of the Whitebeard Pirates.
"Marco, my friend!" Thatch gave Marco a surprise hug from behind.
"Where are you going?!" Thatch asked.
"To have breakfast, yoi..." Marco replied as he opened the door to the dining room.
He sat at one of the tables closest to his Oyaji. The one thing he didn't see coming was the chatter at the table.
"What do I think of him? He's quite impressive. In just a few months, he has accomplished things that many with more years of experience can only dream of, like getting an invitation to the Shichibukai," Haruta gave his opinion on the new rookie.
"Who are you talking about, yoi?" Marco asked.
"A new rookie known as Fire Fist. He has caught Oyaji's attention," Namur explained.
"Without a doubt, he's going to be our new brother," Thatch added enthusiastically.
"Fire Fist? Sorry, but I haven't heard of him," Marco confessed.
"You've got to be kidding! There's no way you don't know who he is!" Thatch commented, surprised.
"I'm not joking, yoi! I've been very busy," Marco said.
"It's okay, we understand, always-busy Marco," Haruta said teasingly.
"Well then, is anyone going to tell me who this Ace is, yoi?" Marco asked.
Haruta and Thatch exchanged looks as everyone prepared for the spectacle that was about to unfold.
"He's known as Fire Fist. In a few months, he made such an impact that the government invited him to join the Shichibukai, but he declined," Haruta began to narrate. "And now, shortly after angering the government, he has arrived in the New World..." but was interrupted by one of their brothers who came running desperately. "Fire Fist is fighting Jinbe in one of our territories," he declared.
"How far are we from their current location?" Whitebeard asked while continuing his breakfast. "Three days, Oyaji," they informed him.
"How long has this fight been going on?" he asked.
"Two days."
Ace had caught Marco's attention.
"And it doesn't seem like either of them is going to fall soon."
Upon hearing this, Marco could only wonder if Ace was really what everyone said he was, or just another rookie.
He soon found out when they arrived at the island and found Jinbe defeated.
To the misfortune of the Spade Pirates, their captain was no match for Whitebeard. That man decided to make a surprise adoption, a kidnapping.
Upon waking up, Ace made it clear that he was not at all pleased with the situation, and since then, he hasn't stopped fighting Whitebeard.
Some started to get annoyed with Ace's attitude. Others, like Thatch, were worried about his behavior, especially if he had eaten or not.
"Why do you care? We're enemies," Ace asked Thatch one of the times he brought him something to eat.
"As a cook, it's my responsibility to ensure no one on this ship goes hungry," Thatch replied.
Ace just stared at him until he left and took the bowl of soup. It was small acts like this that made Ace start to open up more to the crew. But in the end, he doubted and withdrew.
That's why Marco decided it was time to do something about it.
"I think I understand why you call your captain your father." Ace began to say. "He makes you happy, because despite being scum, there's someone who doesn't care," he finished saying as he looked at his dagger.
"Then what's stopping you, yoi?" Marco asked him.
That same night, Ace went to Whitebeard's cabin. And the next day, he presented himself as an official member of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Ace integrated like a missing piece of a puzzle.
"I don't know what to say, it's an honor that you trust me with something like this," Thatch said to Ace, who handed him a recipe book from his mother.
Thatch wanted to impress Ace. To show him how good brothers they were.
He spent the entire afternoon deciphering and experimenting until the recipes came out perfectly. At the moment of truth, all his brothers gathered to try Ace's famous family recipes.
"Thatch, this is..." Ace was static.
"It's all yours," Thatch said.
Ace devoured everything with joy, even when he fell asleep from his narcolepsy, he didn't stop smiling.
"I have to admit, it's very good, yoi!" Marco added.
"What is it?!" Haruta asked.
"It's a sweet and sour noodle soup known as Suan La Fe," Thatch explained.
Everyone continued eating until dessert arrived.
"Thatch, you're officially my favorite," Ace said while eating a red bean popsicle.
"Did you hear that?" Thatch said to Marco. "Marco, are you okay?" Thatch asked as he looked closely at his brother, who seemed to be crying while eating the popsicle.
"Yes, I'm sorry, I don't know what happened, yoi," Marco said, perplexed. He hadn't realized he was crying. Only a slight headache.
"Marco," Thatch called him again, but for a moment Thatch had long, straight, black hair. "I really think you need a glass of water," Thatch said as he handed a glass to Marco, who took it.
When night came, Marco went to his cabin. With a clear mind, he realized that Ace's dishes were somewhat familiar. It was as if he had tasted them somewhere.
If only he hadn't lost his memory and remembered his life before Whitebeard, he could clear up his doubts.
Author note:
The Fenix and the Fenghuang dinasty is inspired in Ancient China. That's why Ace's family book has Chinese food.