He chuckled warmly, recalling the violent past. "Is that funny red-nosed kid who was with you back then already dead?"
"Buggy? That brings back memories." Shanks lowered his head slightly, his eyes lost in thought. "The day our Captain was executed, Buggy and I parted ways in Loguetown and haven't seen each other since. But I believe he's still out there somewhere, living as a pirate."
Because Buggy had his own stubborn dreams.
A moment later, he came back to his senses. He raised his head. "What about Mock? I've been trying to see him, but I haven't run into him."
He had already sailed to the waters where the broadcast took place, but he had missed the man entirely. Later, while searching, he encountered the main Marine force, which led to his current urgency.
He sighed, his voice going hard as he looked Newgate in the eye. "I want you to stop Mock. Persuade him... not to rescue Teach."
Shankss paused at the ridiculous nickname. How did "Blackbeard" never catch on, while "Black Sole" spread instead? When Beckman first mentioned it, Shanks never imagined it would actually become Teach's global epithet. It was just too lame. Of course, now that it had spread across the oceans, he had no choice but to use it.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about, Whitebeard." Shankss tone sharpened. "This son of yours isn't as simple as he appears. I've fought countless battles and carry countless scars, but only one still aches." He pointed to the three old lines beside his eye. "This wound didn't come from an adventure, nor from Mihawk. The one who scarred me was Teach."
"I don't know the exact details, but I know your son wouldn't get captured by the Marines so easily." Shanks cut straight to the grim point. "Marine HQ did this on purpose to lure Mock out. The World Government will never allow the Captain's bloodline to survive. Once he shows his face, they'll surround him. As for Teach..." He paused briefly. "He isn't their primary target. As long as Mock doesn't show up, I'll negotiate with the authorities afterward and ensure he stays alive in Impel Down."
But the words had barely left his mouth. Before the silent Whitebeard could respond, a furious shout interrupted.
"No way!"
A figure stormed onto the deck, blazing with anger, and yelled at Shanks. "Teach is our brother too! We will never abandon him!"
"Ace, you're back?"
Seeing the youth rush in, the crew stared in surprise. Shanks withdrew his complicated gaze. When they first met in the East Blue all those years ago, he had felt this kid was the Captain's son. Fate had played a strange trick, Mock was the true heir. Still, he liked this boy. He felt Ace was just like Roger in his younger days.
Shanks sighed in resignation and shook his head. "Sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I just think it's not the right time yet. Besides, Teach... he's not as weak as you guys think."
"I don't care what Teach is hiding." Ace pulled his hat down low, his voice hardening without a hint of hesitation. "As long as he's a member of the Whitebeard Pirates, he's our brother. We will never abandon our crewmates!"
Shankss eyes widened.
He really is just like him. Looking at Ace, hat pulled low, expression resolute, eyes shining bright, Shanks thought of a certain figure, and his face froze.
Before he could speak, Ace continued.
"And I know Mock feels the exact same way I do." Ace's voice remained ironclad. Meeting the Shanks gaze directly, he added, "Before I left, he told me himself that he would never abandon Teach, and that he will definitely rescue him!"
"Mock..."
Just as Shanks opened his mouth to argue-
"Gurararara!"
A booming laugh rang out, instantly drawing everyone's attention. Edward Newgate stood up. Looking down at Shanks, he smiled fiercely. "Red-Haired Brat, do you think Roger would abandon his crewmates?"
Shanks fell into a heavy silence.
"Sure enough, he's worthy of being Roger's son!" Newgate ignored the silent captain, turning to look at Ace. He laughed. "No! Worthy of being 'my' son! Ace, you're absolutely right. The Whitebeard Pirates will never abandon their family!"
Shanks snapped his head up. He stared at Ace in utter disbelief, triggered by Newgate's specific phrasing. "Newgate, you said he is also..."
"Your Captain really was a piece of work." Newgate cut him off directly. His pointed look carried barely hidden satisfaction and a trace of mockery. "He told me back then he was going back to have a kid, and this is how he did it?" He sighed and shook his head. "I don't know what Mock's childhood was like, but to this kid, Roger was no qualified father!"
"My father is only you!" Ace glared with absolute seriousness. "Not that bastard!"
"Gurararara! That's right, Ace, you are my son too!"
While the father and son affirmed their bond, Shanks wore a look of sheer disbelief. Ignoring Newgate's sarcastic tone, he muttered with tired resignation, "Is that so?"
No wonder the kid looked so familiar. The Captain actually had two sons. And from different mothers, no less. Was the Captain really that kind of man? He refused to believe the old giant would lie about something like this.
He mentally cursed Roger. Roger didn't even tell him back then? Yet... it's just like Captain, even after death, he still defied all logic.
"Sorry, Ace," Shanks murmured. He looked up at the youth with a pained expression. "I didn't know that."
"It doesn't matter." Ace stared squarely at him. "As far as I'm concerned, Whitebeard is my Pops!"
He would make his Pops the Pirate King.
Shanks fell silent again. His feelings were violently complicated. Roger's son actually acknowledging Newgate as his father. But seeing Ace's unwavering expression, he swallowed his protests. He had no right to dictate the boy's life anyway.
"Is this your choice? I respect it," Shanks finally said, then sighed. "But I still think... whether it's you or Mock, do not go to Marineford. You're both young. The future belongs to you."
"That is not for you to worry about, Shanks." Ace glared without a hint of hesitation. "This is a family matter for the Whitebeard Pirates!"
"Gurararara! You hear that, brat?!" Newgate looked at Ace with deep satisfaction, then raised his head to glare at Shanks. He picked up his massive bisento, Murakumogiri, and ordered, "This is a family matter. Outsiders have no right to interfere. Get the hell off my ship!"
Shanks opened his mouth as if to speak, but ultimately shut it. A moment later, he sighed, nodded, and said, "Understood. Sorry to intrude."
If this hadn't happened, he might have clashed with Newgate to force the issue. But now... one of his captain's sons had deep ties to the crew, and the other had acknowledged Whitebeard as his father. What more could he possibly say?
"Ace, the captain might have had his own unspoken difficulties. I hope you can understand."
He offered one last word before turning away. Under everyone's intense gaze, he walked down the side of the Moby Dick and boarded the Red Force. He addressed his own men, his tone heavy with resignation.
"Let's go."
"Captain..."
"I'm fine. Let's leave."
Shanks cut off any questions from his crew. He waved a hand and looked out at the sea ahead, his voice sharpening slightly.
"Mock... Ace..." He let out a dismissive scoff. "The nerve of that man. He didn't even tell me about such a huge matter back then. Not even in secret."
Meanwhile, after Shanks departed, the atmosphere aboard the Moby Dick returned to normal. Whitebeard patted Ace's shoulder with relief, letting out his signature laugh.
"Gurararara! Now that's a son of mine!" His eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Did you come back alone? Where's Mock?"
"I came back alone. He didn't come." Ace shook his head. He had returned on his own speedboat. "We agreed to meet at Marineford when the time comes to save Teach together. Oh, right."
As he spoke, Ace carefully took a small medicine bottle from his robes. "Mock said this will help with your injuries, Pops. You should give it a try!"
"My injuries? They're no hindrance. Don't worry, Pops still has the strength to protect you all."
"Just try it, Pops. If Mock said so, he wouldn't lie to me."
"Gurararara! Alright, I will give it a try."
Seeing Ace's earnestness, a glimmer of relief flashed in Whitebeard's eyes. It seemed the two brothers had truly mended their relationship. He took the bottle, examined the liquid inside, and handed it to Marco.
Whitebeard lifted his head slightly to gaze at the horizon, with determined look in his eyes. He said softly.
"Rest assured, I can still protect my children. I'd like to see if the World Government dares to bully my kids right in front of me."
He waved a massive hand and let out a booming laugh. "Gurararara! My sons, let's set sail too. We can't keep that brat Mock waiting!"
After news of the public execution spread, beneath the seemingly calm seas, violent undercurrents surged. Everyone understood that a terrifying chaos was imminent.
And at this precise moment, a Marine warship bearing the words 'East Blue Marines' slowly approached the docks of Marineford. A figure draped in a heavy coat stretched on the deck, then slowly stood up. Looking at the imposing fortress right before his eyes, he smiled. "We reached?"
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