Chapter Text
Feeling the sea breeze against his face while sailing was, honestly, one of the best sensations Ace knew.
Even though his entire crew was complaining about the cold, he didn't care in the slightest about the snow piling up on his shoulders. After all, as a Fire Logia user, he rarely felt cold or heat the way normal people did.
Around him, the Spade Pirates were wrapped in coats, scarves, and every scrap of fabric they could find.
Ace was the only one who looked perfectly comfortable.
"Captain, do we really have to go after Red-Hair on a snow-covered island?" Deuce asked for the tenth time that day.
Everyone on board knew Ace loved challenging strong people, but a Yonko seemed a little excessive, even for him.
"It's the first time we've managed to find him staying on one island!" Ace replied with a huge grin. "So of course I have to go talk to him now!"
"You mean fight him."
"Talk."
"Fight."
"Have a conversation."
"Captain... I know you."
Ace looked away.
"Maybe a little bit of fighting."
A chorus of groans echoed across the deck.
"But I swear talking is still the main objective! Come on, don't you trust me?" Ace puffed out his cheeks slightly, a look that didn't match the image of a notorious wanted pirate at all.
Deuce let out a long sigh.
"I trust you, Ace. But the last time you said 'trust me,' we were in Loguetown... You jumped onto the Pirate King's execution platform while running from a Marine and yelled, 'I'm Monkey D. Ace! Come get me if you can!'"
Several crew members were already burying their faces in their hands.
"And then you made our Jolly Roger out of fire for everyone to see."
"That was epic!" Ace immediately replied.
"We had just finished buying supplies."
"Still epic."
"We had to abandon half the groceries."
"Still epic."
Deuce closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead.
"Honestly, I feel sorry for the sea when your little brother finally starts sailing. You and your twin brother are already enough of a disaster."
Ace burst out laughing.
"You have no idea. Luffy is infinitely worse than Sabo and I combined."
"Is that physically possible?"
"I don't even know how." Ace admitted. "I still think it's a miracle our Mama managed to put any common sense into his head."
"So he has some common sense?"
"A little."
"How little?"
Ace held his thumb and index finger close together, leaving only the tiniest gap between them.
"About this much."
That was when a shout came from the crow's nest.
"LAND AHEAD! We're about to dock!"
Everyone looked up.
The island finally emerged through the curtain of snow, its white mountains standing out against the gray horizon.
"And we're about to face a Yonko..." Skull muttered. "This is not how I wanted to spend my weekend. I wanted to be drunk."
"You already are drunk."
"But I wanted to be more drunk... And somewhere warmer."
"Oh, cut it out!" Ace replied. "If we fight, it'll just be a friendly spar!"
"You know that sentence doesn't reassure anyone, right?" Deuce asked.
Ace opened his mouth to answer, but was interrupted when the ship finally approached the island's makeshift harbor.
The grin on his face widened.
After months of chasing clues, rumors, and traces left behind by a certain red-haired Yonko...
He had finally caught up to him.
"Let's get this over with."
Deuce had already given up trying to convince his captain to return to the ship.
After a few quick discussions, the crew split up. Half would stay behind to guard the Spadille, while the other half would accompany Ace onto the island. Nobody seemed particularly happy with the arrangement, but nobody was willing to leave their captain alone when he was about to march straight toward a Yonko.
The trek through the snow took much longer than Ace expected.
Cold wind constantly swept between the mountains, kicking up clouds of snow with every gust. In some places, the path nearly disappeared beneath the white blanket. Even so, the tracks they found here and there made it clear people had passed through recently.
Skull was the first to hear voices.
"There's people nearby."
Everyone stopped.
Ace tilted his head.
Now that he was paying attention, he could hear muffled sounds carried by the wind. Laughter. Conversations. The clinking of mugs.
A party.
His smile immediately grew.
Following the sounds, the group eventually found the entrance to a massive cave hidden among the mountains. Warm light spilled from the opening, contrasting sharply with the frozen landscape outside.
Ace didn't hesitate for even a second.
He walked in like he owned the place.
Behind him, Deuce was already mentally preparing a list of problems that would almost certainly arise within the next few minutes.
The cave's interior was much larger than it appeared.
Two bonfires illuminated the space, warming the pirates gathered throughout the cavern. Barrels of alcohol occupied an entire corner, while groups played cards or chatted around the fires.
And right in the center of it all sat the man Ace had been looking for.
Red hair.
Dark cape.
One arm.
Shanks.
The conversations inside the cave gradually died down as the newcomers drew everyone's attention.
Ace raised a hand in greeting.
"My name is Monkey D. Ace. Captain of the Spade Pirates."
For a moment, silence filled the cave.
Shanks, meanwhile, raised an amused eyebrow.
"Spade Pirates?" he asked, resting a hand on the hilt of his sword. "So the super-powered rookie finally decided to stop by and say hello?"
The atmosphere grew slightly heavier.
The Red-Hair Pirates smiled.
The Spade Pirates tensed.
Ace simply raised both hands.
"Hey, hey, take it easy." His grin never changed. "I didn't come looking for trouble." He pointed at Shanks. "Actually, I came to thank you."
Now it was the Red-Hair Pirates' turn to blink in surprise.
"Thank me?" Shanks repeated.
"My little brother never shuts up about you." Ace replied. "Luffy. He keeps talking about how you saved his life when he was a kid."
The name hit Shanks like a thunderbolt.
For a second, he simply froze.
"Luffy?" The Yonko's smile instantly widened. "Luffy!" The laugh that followed echoed through the entire cave. "Hold on..." He pointed at Ace. "Monkey D. Ace... Oh, shit." Shanks started laughing even harder. "You're Wani's son! Your twin is here too?"
Ace blinked.
Around him, the members of the Spade Pirates looked just as confused as he was.
Ace's grin immediately widened.
"Yep, it's me! But my dear twin isn't in the crew." He pointed a thumb at himself. "He decided to work with our Papa instead."
"Smart choice on his part."
"Hey!"
Shanks laughed even harder.
"So my Mama told you about me?" Ace continued, genuinely curious. "Because she definitely never told me that. And since when do you know her?"
The Yonko scratched his chin, appearing to think for a few seconds.
"Actually, she's known me since I was just a brat... But that's a story for another time." Then he turned toward the rest of the cave. "Enough serious talk!" he announced loudly. "Sit down! Eat! Drink! Let's have a party!"
The response was immediate.
Cheers erupted throughout the cave. Mugs were raised. Someone started rolling barrels toward the center.
In less than two minutes, the cave had transformed into a joint celebration between the Red-Hair Pirates and the Spade Pirates.
Ace loved this kind of atmosphere.
Food.
Drinks.
Ridiculous stories.
It was exactly the kind of place where he felt at home.
Across the room, Deuce sank onto one of the makeshift benches near a bonfire and accepted a mug someone handed him. After everything they'd gone through to get there, he no longer had the energy to question anything.
"Your mysterious family is still going to be the death of me."
Ace, who was already stealing a piece of meat from a nearby platter, raised an eyebrow.
"You're exaggerating."
"Am I?"
Deuce pointed at him.
"We found out your grandfather was Garp because one day he showed up behind our ship throwing cannonballs with his bare hands."
Several Spade Pirates immediately nodded.
The memory was still traumatic.
"That was an isolated incident."
"He sank three pirate ships that happened to be near us."
"Details."
"Your twin brother works with the Revolutionaries."
"Details."
"Your little brother personally knows a Yonko."
"Details."
"And now we find out your mother has known that same Yonko since he was a child."
Ace stopped chewing.
"...Okay, when you put it that way, it does sound a little weird."
"A LITTLE?"
The entire table burst into laughter.
Even some of the Red-Hair Pirates who had been listening in started laughing.
Shanks had to cover his face with one hand while shaking his head.
"I'm not even going to lie." The redhead admitted between laughs. "Your family is probably one of the strangest things I've ever come across while sailing the seas... And trust me, my family isn't exactly the standard for normal."
"Then here's a toast to weird families!" Ace declared.
He raised his mug with a huge grin.
And immediately fell asleep.
Sitting upright.
Arm still raised.
Mug perfectly balanced in his hand.
The silence that followed lasted several seconds.
The Spade Pirates didn't react at all.
The Red-Hair Pirates, meanwhile, simply stared.
"Is this normal?" Benn finally asked.
"Unfortunately, yes." Deuce answered before anyone could panic. He took a sip from his drink and pointed at Ace as though explaining the weather. "Since he didn't fall backward, that means he'll wake up soon."
"He just... Powers down?"
"Basically."
"That seems concerning."
"That's because it is concerning."
Several of the Red-Hair Pirates started laughing.
Deuce merely sighed.
"That idiot is narcoleptic. Normal medication doesn't work properly because of his Logia, so I'm still trying to figure out a solution."
As if he'd heard his own name.
Ace opened his eyes.
Finished the drink he was still holding.
And continued the conversation exactly where he'd left off.
"So, as I was saying..."
The Red-Hair Pirates stared.
"I got used to it years ago." Deuce replied. "Still weird, though."
"Well..." Shanks rested an elbow on the table. "I've seen stranger things." He took another drink before smiling. "So... How's the brat doing?"
Ace's expression instantly softened.
Because even after all these years, it was impossible to think about Luffy without feeling a certain pride.
"Still telling everyone he's going to be King of the Pirates."
Shanks laughed immediately.
"Of course he is."
"He says it to anyone who stands still for more than five seconds."
"Sounds like him."
"You have no idea."
Shanks shook his head, still smiling as he lifted his mug to his lips. There was something comforting about hearing those stories. For years he had wondered how the boy was growing up, whether he still carried that impossible sparkle in his eyes, whether he still chased his dreams with the same determination as before.
Apparently, some things never changed.
"Does he still wear the hat?" Shanks asked in a quieter voice.
Ace's smile softened.
"Every day. He actually sleeps with it." The brunette let out an amused chuckle. "I've lost count of how many times Sabo, Mama, or I have had to stitch that hat back together. There's always a new tear somewhere."
Shanks' expression relaxed completely.
"Ha! Yeah, I can picture that."
And he really could.
He could picture Luffy running through the forest, getting into trouble, picking fights, falling out of trees, accidentally destroying something, and then coming home with the hat needing repairs yet again.
That was exactly the sort of thing he'd do.
For a few seconds, the Yonko simply watched the fire crackle at the center of the cave, satisfied to know the hat was still with its rightful owner.
Then he turned his attention back to Ace.
"And you?"
"Hm?"
"Any grand goal?" Shanks asked. "Some legendary island? Some treasure? Some massive ambition?"
Ace thought for a few seconds.
Not because the question was difficult.
But because the answer was absurdly simple.
"Nah..." He rested his chin on his hand while staring into the flames. "I'll help my brothers whenever they need me. My parents too." He shrugged. "But honestly? I just want to see the world."
Shanks raised an eyebrow.
"That's it?"
"Doesn't seem small to me."
Ace's smile was calm. Different from the energetic grin he usually wore when talking about fights or adventures. It was a sincere smile.
"I want to travel around. See new places. Meet interesting people. Eat weird food. Get into trouble every now and then." He laughed. "That's why I became a pirate in the first place."
Around them, several members of the Spade Pirates nodded.
Because that really was Ace.
He didn't sail for power.
He didn't sail for fame.
He didn't even seem to care much about his own name spreading across the seas.
Ace simply loved being free.
For a moment, Shanks fell silent.
Then he smiled.
A genuine smile.
Because that answer reminded him of someone.
Someone he'd met many years ago.
Someone who laughed in the face of the impossible and sailed simply because the sea was there.
"You know..." Shanks commented as he swirled the drink in his mug. "That answer would've made my old captain very happy."
"Oh, really?" Ace immediately leaned forward. "And who would your old captain be?"
An amused glint appeared in the redhead's eyes.
"That's for me to know and you to figure out, brat."
"How mysterious." Ace made an offended noise.
Both of them burst out laughing.
The conversation drifted to other topics soon afterward. Ridiculous sailing stories were exchanged, drinking contests appeared out of nowhere and disappeared minutes later, someone started a betting pool on how many barrels Lucky Roux could empty before sunrise, and at some point during the night Ace ended up telling embarrassing stories about his brothers.
Most of them left the Red-Hair Pirates laughing so hard they were in tears.
When the sun finally began to rise, painting the snow gold, the Spade Pirates prepared to leave.
Before they boarded, Shanks made one final attempt.
"Are you sure you don't want to join us?"
Ace looked at his ship.
At his crew.
At the Spade flag fluttering in the wind.
Then he smiled.
"Not right now."
Shanks nodded.
It was the answer he'd expected.
"But I'll think about it."
"That's already more than I got last time."
Ace simply laughed before climbing aboard.
As the ship slowly pulled away from the shore, Shanks remained standing there, watching.
That strange feeling was still there.
Something about that kid felt familiar.
Very familiar.
But no matter how hard he searched his memory, he couldn't identify exactly why.
Maybe it was the smile.
Maybe it was the way he talked.
Or maybe he'd simply had too much to drink.
"I'll think about it later..." He muttered to himself.
Then he returned to his crew.
"Okay, again. I didn't know there were that many Marines on that island." Ace was sitting on a barrel while Deuce finished bandaging a cut on his arm.
The inside of the ship looked like a battlefield.
Snapped ropes.
Broken planks.
Patched sails.
And a concerning amount of water entering places that definitely should not have been letting water in.
"Which is why I keep saying we should send a smaller scouting group first." Deuce tightened the bandage hard enough to earn a grumble from his captain. "But Mr. Hothead decided to charge in full force. Again."
"I thought there were only a few Marines."
"There were... Then they brought reinforcements."
Ace pointed at him.
"See? Not my fault."
"It was entirely your fault."
Deuce finished the bandage and stood up.
The tired expression on his face quickly vanished as he returned to thinking about their current situation.
Because the problem wasn't the Marines.
Or the injuries.
It was the ship.
"We need to find an island or an ally immediately." The doctor crossed his arms. "Kimel just finished another inspection. The lower hull is starting to give way."
Ace's smile disappeared.
"How bad?"
"We're in the 'very bad' category."
"..."
"Actually, we've already passed it."
Ace sighed.
That was bad.
The Piece of Spadille had carried them through a lot. Storms. Marine hunts. Encounters with dangerous pirates. Accidents caused by Ace.
Many accidents caused by Ace.
But even the best ship had limits.
"The nearest island is four days away." Ace ran a hand through his hair. "I don't think the Spadille can make it."
The silence that followed was heavy.
Because everyone knew he was right.
If a storm appeared.
If they ran into more enemies.
Or if the structure deteriorated even a little more...
The ship would sink.
"Ah, damn it..." Ace complained, slumping onto a bench. "I could try calling my brother for help."
Deuce immediately looked interested.
"Excellent."
"But he'll make fun of me."
"Acceptable."
"And he'll tell our parents."
"Also acceptable."
Ace puffed out his cheeks so dramatically he looked like a child being denied dessert.
"You don't understand."
"I understand perfectly."
"I'll get lectured for weeks."
"Would you rather be grounded or drown?"
"Those are both terrible options."
"One of them is significantly less permanent."
"My own first mate is against me."
"Your own first mate is trying to stop you from sinking in the middle of the ocean."
Ace stared at the ceiling for several seconds.
Then let out a long sigh.
"Fine..."
Deuce smiled victoriously.
It lasted approximately two seconds.
"SHIP SIGHTED!"
The shout came from the crow's nest like a gunshot.
Everyone on deck immediately looked up.
"What?" Ace asked.
"What is it?" Deuce asked at the same time.
The lookout leaned over the railing.
"IT'S FLYING WHITEBEARD'S FLAG!"
The silence was instantaneous.
Ace ran to the rail.
Deuce ran after him.
And there it was.
Even from a distance, the ship looked like a mountain sailing across the sea.
Massive.
Imposing.
The Moby Dick cut through the waves as though the ocean itself parted to let it pass. The main sail proudly displayed the Whitebeard Pirates' symbol, impossible to mistake.
For a moment, even the members of the Spade Pirates fell silent.
It was one thing to hear stories about a Yonko.
It was something entirely different to see one in person.
Deuce slowly turned toward Ace.
Ace was smiling.
Deuce felt his soul leave his body.
"No."
"Hm?"
"No."
"What now?"
"You're not starting a fight."
Ace looked offended.
"I didn't even say anything!"
"You're not starting a fight, or I swear after I patch you up from the beating you're going to take, I'll wrap you up like a gift and mail you straight to the Revolutionaries."
"That seems excessive."
"You tried to challenge a Vice Admiral last week."
"He looked annoying."
Deuce pointed a finger directly at him.
"Do you understand me?"
There was a hint of panic in his voice.
Completely justified panic.
Ace, meanwhile, merely crossed his arms.
"Stop being dramatic."
"DRAMATIC?"
"This is perfect!"
The captain's grin widened even further.
"I've wanted to meet Whitebeard for a while now!"
Deuce closed his eyes.
Of course.
Of course he had.
Why would the universe ever allow things to be simple?
As he watched the gigantic ship approach, Ace didn't look worried for even a second.
In fact, he looked excited.
Because there was another detail.
Before he'd set sail, his Mama had given him several very specific recommendations.
Most of them involved not dying.
Not setting islands on fire.
Not accepting suspicious drinks.
And one of them specifically involved Edward Newgate.
"If you're ever in trouble and Whitebeard is nearby, you can trust him. He's your grandfather, after all. Your Jadd... But don't go spreading that around, understood?"
Ace remembered that conversation perfectly.
She rarely talked about her family.
And Ace had already learned that whenever the subject was his mother's family, pushing too hard usually resulted in her becoming deliberately mysterious.
Because after years of vague stories, occasional comments, and incredibly evasive answers...
He was finally going to meet his grandfather.
And if he was being completely honest with himself, he was curious.
Especially because the only grandfather he knew was Garp.
And Garp had attempted to train him using methods that probably violated several laws.
So the bar was surprisingly low.
'At least he's not a Marine.'
That was already an excellent start.
"Half-mast the flag, men!"
Ace's voice echoed across the deck.
The Spade Pirates immediately sprang into action.
"We're asking for help here!"
No one questioned the order.
Because despite all the complaints, jokes, and headaches he caused, Ace was still their captain.
And everyone there trusted him.
The flag was lowered.
Signals began to be prepared.
Meanwhile, a few kilometers away, the crew of the strongest man in the world watched everything through telescopes and binoculars.
"You know ignoring them and sailing past is an option, right?" Marco commented, leaning against the railing. "We don't have to fight every rookie we see. Especially if they don't start the fight."
"But it's the Spades!" Haruta immediately protested. "I recognized their flag from the newspapers! People are talking about them everywhere!"
"That's not exactly a recommendation."
"But their captain is that super rookie, Monkey D. Ace!" Haruta completely ignored the comment. "I want to see him in action."
Marco sighed.
Vista, who had been watching the smaller ship through a telescope, remained silent for several more seconds.
Then he frowned.
"Actually..."
That got everyone's attention.
"What is it?" Marco asked.
Vista lowered the telescope.
"I don't think they're looking for a fight."
"No?"
"See for yourself."
Marco took the telescope.
A few seconds later, his expression changed.
The ship was in terrible condition.
Part of the sails had been patched.
There was visible damage to the hull.
And even from that distance, it was possible to see the frantic activity of the crew trying to keep everything functioning.
"They raised their flag at half-mast." Vista continued. "They're signaling for help."
Several commanders blinked.
Because it really was unusual.
Rookies normally tried to impress people.
Provoke them.
Challenge them.
But ask for help?
From a Yonko?
That was new.
"Well..." Haruta commented. "I wasn't expecting that."
"Neither was I." Marco admitted.
No matter how he looked at it, it didn't seem like a trap.
The ship simply looked like it was falling apart. And the captain of the Spades seemed desperate enough to swallow his pride. Which, considering the reputation he'd built so far, was almost impressive.
Marco sighed.
"I'll go talk to Pops."
Vista nodded.
"Probably the best idea."
Marco left the railing and headed toward his captain.
He found him exactly where he expected.
Sitting in his enormous chair on the main deck, watching the sea as though he owned it.
Which, considering the reputation of the strongest man in the world, perhaps wasn't much of an exaggeration.
And of course.
With a bottle in hand.
"Pops." Marco called.
Newgate made a distracted sound in response.
"Pops," Marco repeated.
"Hm?"
"What did I say about sake before lunch?"
The old man looked at his bottle.
Then at Marco.
"It's not sake."
Marco could already feel a headache forming.
"That doesn't answer the question."
"It's whiskey."
"That doesn't make it any better."
"On the contrary." Newgate replied with absolute conviction. "It makes it much better."
Marco closed his eyes.
Took a deep breath.
Counted to five.
When he opened them again, the old man was smiling like a child who had just gotten away with something.
"Ha! Did you come here to lecture me, or did you come to talk to me, son?"
"Unfortunately, both."
That earned a booming laugh from Newgate.
Around them, several crew members started laughing as well. That sort of exchange had become so common that nobody found it strange anymore to see the first commander scolding the strongest man in the world like a particularly stubborn child.
"We've got a situation." Marco finally explained.
"Trouble?"
"Maybe... A rookie ship is approaching."
Newgate took another drink.
"And what do they want?"
Marco crossed his arms.
"Help."
This time, the old man genuinely looked surprised.
One eyebrow rose.
"Help?" An amused chuckle escaped him. "Now that's new."
Because it really was.
Most rookies went out of their way to challenge a Yonko for fame.
Others fled at the first sign of danger.
But ask for help?
That was rare.
"And who are they?"
"The Spade Pirates."
Newgate seemed to think for a moment.
Then snapped his fingers.
"I've heard that name."
"Haruta recognized their flag."
"So they're that rookie the newspapers won't stop talking about?"
"Exactly."
"Hm."
The old man rested his chin on one hand.
"And the captain?"
"If I'm not mistaken, his name is Monkey D. Ace."
For a second, Newgate went silent.
"Monkey D.?"
"That's what they said."
"HAHAHA!" The laugh came so suddenly that several nearby crew members turned to look. "The only Monkey D. I ever knew was old Garp!" More laughter. "Just imagine if someone from his family became a pirate!"
Marco had to bite his tongue to stop himself from pointing out that it sounded exactly like the sort of thing that would happen in Garp's family. Because honestly, that D. seemed to attract trouble.
"So?" He asked.
Newgate set the bottle aside and stood up.
"Let them come." The smile on his face widened. "I want to meet this rookie."
Marco narrowed his eyes.
He knew that smile.
"Pops."
"Hm?"
"You're making that face."
"What face?"
"The face you make before adopting someone."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Sure you don't."
Several nearby commanders started laughing.
Newgate feigned outrage.
"You're getting awfully cheeky, brat."
Meanwhile, in the distance, the small Spade Pirates ship continued its slow approach. The closer they got, the more absurd the size difference became.
The Moby Dick had been impressive from afar.
Up close, it looked like a floating fortress.
Several of the Spade Pirates fell silent as they watched the colossal structure cast a shadow over their battered ship.
"Wow..." Ace rested his arms on the railing. "It's even bigger than I imagined."
The docking process took some time. Ropes were thrown, orders were shouted between crews, and after several minutes of careful work, the Piece of Spadille was secured to Whitebeard's gigantic ship.
Ace barely waited for them to finish.
The moment he got permission, he jumped onto the deck of the Moby Dick with all the excitement of a child entering a candy store.
Deuce followed immediately behind him, already anticipating trouble.
Under the curious gazes of dozens of pirates, the two were led across the enormous deck by Marco. Ace looked around at everything as they walked. The cannons, the sails, the commanders scattered throughout the ship. Under any other circumstances, he probably would've been asking questions nonstop.
But at that moment, there was something more important.
Edward Newgate.
His grandfather.
It still felt strange to think about.
When they finally reached the central area of the deck, Ace looked up.
And there he was.
Even seated, Newgate looked like a mountain.
The massive man studied the rookie for several seconds before smiling.
"So you're the super rookie the newspapers won't stop talking about."
Ace grinned right back.
"That's me."
"And why did you come asking me for help, brat?"
Several crew members subtly drifted closer.
They were curious too.
It was rare to see a rookie ask a Yonko for help.
Especially a famous rookie.
Ace opened his mouth to answer.
Stopped.
Then straightened his posture.
"Hold on."
Everyone looked confused.
"I have to introduce myself properly first."
Marco immediately put a hand over his face.
Deuce simply sighed.
Of course he'd do that.
Ace bowed politely.
"My name is Monkey D. Ace. Captain of the Spade Pirates." He raised his head again. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, sir."
The unexpected politeness raised several eyebrows around the deck. It definitely wasn't the behavior people expected from someone with Ace's reputation.
"To answer your question..." The brunette continued. "I know you don't have a reputation for picking fights with rookie pirates. In fact, you're more famous for helping people who need it."
That earned several amused expressions from the commanders.
It wasn't exactly the reputation most people associated with one of the Four Emperors.
But it wasn't a lie, either.
Ace hesitated briefly.
Because the real answer would've been much simpler.
'Because my mother said you're my grandfather.'
But he swallowed the words.
His Mama rarely talked about her family. And when she did, it was always with a strange mixture of affection, irritation, and longing. There were things she needed to resolve herself first.
Old things.
Things that clearly weren't ready to be dragged into the open by an impulsive son blurting out family secrets in front of an entire crew.
So Ace chose the safer route.
Or at least the safest route someone like him could find.
"Besides..." He continued. "My ship is falling apart."
The brutal honesty earned several laughs.
Deuce immediately pointed toward the Spade ship's hull.
"Finally, an intelligent statement."
"Hey!"
"You know it's true."
Vista glanced at the smaller ship once more and had to agree.
It really was in pitiful condition.
"Have you been through a recent battle?" He asked.
"A few."
"How many exactly?"
Ace seemed to think.
"Three?"
"Seven." Deuce corrected.
"Technically that's still a few."
"You are the reason I look ten years older."
"You look great."
"I'm going to throw you into the ocean."
More laughter erupted around them.
Even Newgate seemed entertained watching the interaction.
It felt familiar.
It reminded him of many of his own sons.
For a moment, the old man's expression softened.
"So you came asking for help."
"Yes, sir."
"Not afraid of stepping into a Yonko's territory?"
Ace tilted his head.
"Should I be?"
Marco nearly choked.
Haruta started laughing.
Newgate simply flashed a huge grin.
"You're an interesting kid."
"Thank you."
This time even Marco had to hide a laugh.
Somehow, this kid managed to answer one of the most dangerous men in the world as though he were chatting with a friendly neighbor.
The old man rested an arm on his chair and studied Ace for a few more seconds.
The longer he looked, the stronger that strange feeling became.
The way he smiled.
The way he spoke.
The completely carefree way he treated authority figures.
It all reminded him of someone.
But he couldn't quite place who.
"So tell me, Ace." Newgate said. "If I help repair your ship, what do you plan to do afterward?"
The brunette's grin appeared immediately.
"What any pirate does."
"And that would be?"
"Set off toward the next adventure."
That earned such a booming laugh from Newgate that half the deck turned to look.
And for the first time since the rookie had stepped onto the Moby Dick, Marco got the feeling this meeting was going dangerously well.
Which, knowing his captain, usually meant something very complicated was about to happen.
Newgate watched Ace for a few more seconds before asking another question.
"Answer me this, boy. Any relation to Monkey D. Garp?"
Ace's reaction was immediate.
That answered half the question already.
"My grandfather." Ace confirmed with a heavy sigh. "That old man turned my childhood into hell."
Several commanders immediately started laughing.
"Did he make you train?" Haruta asked.
"Train?" Ace looked offended by the choice of words. "If by train you mean getting thrown into forests full of monsters, abandoned on mountains, and chased by wild animals, then yes."
"That does sound like Garp." Vista commented.
"One time he tied me and my brothers to balloons."
The entire deck fell silent.
"He what?" Marco asked.
"Balloons."
"Why?"
"Because apparently falling out of the sky builds character."
Now even Newgate was laughing.
A deep, genuine laugh.
"HAHAHA! I can absolutely picture that old fool doing exactly that!"
Ace pointed accusingly at him.
"It's not funny!"
The laughter only got louder.
Marco had to admit he felt a certain solidarity.
"A lot of us have taken at least one punch from that old man." He commented. "Especially those who've been with Pops the longest."
Ace immediately turned toward him.
"Seriously?"
"Unfortunately."
Marco rubbed his forehead.
It had been years.
But he still remembered the feeling perfectly.
"That old man hits like a battleship."
"Finally, someone understands me."
The two exchanged an instant look of camaraderie.
Victims of Garp recognized each other on sight.
The conversation continued lightly for several more minutes until Thatch, who had been watching everything with an amused smile, decided to join in.
"You mentioned brothers earlier."
Ace immediately smiled again.
"I do! My twin brother and our little brother!"
"A twin?" Izou asked curiously. "Is he a pirate too?"
"No." Ace shook his head. "He... Works with our father, let's put it that way."
The answer was vague.
But nobody seemed particularly concerned.
Because simply mentioning his brothers had completely transformed Ace's expression. The carefree attitude was still there, but now there was also a pride that was impossible to hide.
"And my little brother..." Ace's smile softened. "Well, he's Luffy."
The silence lasted two seconds.
"That didn't explain anything." Marco observed.
"If you knew him, you'd understand."
While the conversation continued, Newgate remained focused on the boy.
Watching the way he spoke about family.
The way he smiled.
The way he seemed absolutely sincere in everything he said.
And then that gleam began to appear in his eyes.
A gleam Marco knew.
Very well.
Marco immediately narrowed his eyes.
Pops wasn't thinking about that.
Was he?
"..."
He was.
Damn it.
"We'll get your ship repaired at the next island." Newgate suddenly announced.
Ace blinked.
"Really?"
"Really."
"For free?"
"Yes."
"Wow."
"Besides..." The old man flashed a massive grin. "Let's throw a party, my sons!"
A chorus of cheers immediately erupted.
The Whitebeard Pirates never needed much of an excuse to celebrate.
"And speaking of that... Ace!"
Marco closed his eyes.
"Yes?"
"What do you think about joining my crew and becoming my son?"
Silence.
Marco put a hand over his face.
Vista sighed.
Izou closed his eyes.
Thatch started laughing.
Haruta nearly fell over the railing.
"I KNEW IT!" Marco pointed at Newgate. "I knew that's where this was going!"
"Pops didn't even last half an hour." Vista commented.
"Actually, that's a new record." Thatch added.
Ace stared at Newgate for a few seconds.
Clearly processing the offer.
Newgate laughed.
The amused look on Ace's face faded slightly.
Because despite everything, the offer had been sincere.
And it deserved a sincere answer.
"I can't accept that."
The old man raised an eyebrow.
"No?"
"I already have a father."
The answer came without hesitation.
For a moment, Marco expected Newgate to insist. He never gave up, after all.
But the old man simply looked at the boy.
Then smiled.
"GUAHAHAHA! Fair enough!"
Ace relaxed.
Until Newgate leaned forward slightly.
"Then how about a grandfather?"
"...What?"
Marco froze.
Izou choked.
Thatch spat out his drink.
Because out of all the possible responses...
Nobody had expected that one.
"I guarantee I'm better than old Garp!" Newgate declared between laughs.
Ace stared at the Yonko for several seconds.
Around them, multiple commanders were still trying to process what they had just heard.
Especially Marco.
"A grandfather?" The first commander repeated in disbelief. "Pops, you're really getting old."
That earned another round of laughter from the crew.
"I've never heard you offer to be anyone's grandfather before."
"Pipe down, brat!"
Marco raised his hands in surrender.
Then the old man pointed at Ace.
"If the kid already has a father he clearly loves, I'm not going to interfere with that."
The statement made Ace smile involuntarily.
Because it was true.
Despite all the headaches, ridiculous training methods, and dangerous situations surrounding his family, he'd never doubted that.
"But..." Newgate continued. "He could clearly use a better grandfather!"
Ace burst out laughing immediately.
If only Newgate knew.
If only he knew how dangerously close to the truth he was at that exact moment.
Ace had to bite his tongue to stop himself from blurting anything out.
But he definitely needed to tell his parents about this conversation later.
Especially the part where Edward Newgate had attempted to apply for the position of grandfather.
"Well?" Newgate asked. "What do you think of the offer?"
Ace pretended to think.
He stroked his chin.
Looked at the sky.
Then at the sea.
And finally back at the Yonko.
"I'll think about it."
"Acceptable answer."
"For now..." Ace dramatically placed both hands on his stomach. "I'm starving."
The silence lasted half a second.
Then Thatch broke into laughter.
"Finally, somebody with the right priorities!"
"Do you have food?" Ace immediately asked.
"Of course we do!" Thatch replied, placing his hands on his hips proudly. "You're talking to the head chef of the Whitebeard Pirates!"
Ace's eyes lit up.
"Then you're already my favorite person on this ship!"
Before anyone could react, he'd already thrown an arm around Thatch's shoulders as if they had been childhood friends.
"To the kitchen!" He declared. "I'm starving!"
"That's the most dangerous thing he's said since he got here." Deuce commented.
"You're exaggerating." Ace replied.
"He's going to wipe out your food supplies." Deuce continued, completely ignoring his captain.
"Hey!"
"I'm just warning you."
Thatch looked at Ace.
Then at Deuce.
Then back at Ace.
"How bad can it be?"
The Spade Pirates' first mate was silent for several seconds.
A silence that should have been taken as a warning.
"The last time he went a few days without eating..." Deuce began.
"That was a very specific situation, and you ate a lot too."
"...He consumed enough food to feed twenty-five people."
"I was hungry."
"You ate an entire wild boar... And an Alligator."
"It was a small boar."
"It took five people to lift that thing."
Several commanders started laughing.
"See?" Ace pointed at them. "Nobody's worried."
"Because they haven't seen you eat yet."
Thatch flashed a confident grin.
"Relax. I feed over a thousand people every day. I think I can handle one hungry rookie."
Marco rubbed a hand over his face.
Vista started laughing.
Izou simply looked away.
That only made Thatch more confused.
"Why are you all making those faces?"
Nobody answered.
"Marco?"
"I've seen Garp eat..." Marco said. "If he inherited the genetics... I suggest preparing extra food."
"How much extra?"
"Yes."
"That didn't answer the question."
"That was the answer."
Thatch stared at the first commander for several seconds.
Then looked at Ace.
The brunette offered an innocent smile.
A smile that, for some reason, looked incredibly suspicious.
"...Nobody's buying that face." Deuce said.
"So..." Ace asked. "Which way is the kitchen?"