Chapter 38 – A Conversation with Newgate
Nearly two months had passed since the incident at the Valley of the Gods. At last, the seas had ushered in a rare period of peace. The power of the pirates had shrunk again and again, and for at least the next decade, they would be unable to stir up any significant waves.
The Navy was attempting to carve out territory for itself in the New World, and a man who had eaten the Glint-Glint Fruit and gained the power of light was beginning to distinguish himself among the lower ranks. Before long, he would rise to Marine Headquarters.
At this moment, in the East Blue near the Sky Island, a small boat quietly landed on shore. From it stepped down a blond giant clad in a floral shirt.
"Truly remarkable," Newgate muttered, stomping his foot experimentally on the clouds beneath him. "Walking on clouds feels soft and springy, yet it somehow doesn't feel insubstantial—you can really plant your steps firmly."
After spending some time with the orphans he had taken in, but before formally assembling his pirate crew, he had sailed alone across the Calm Belt to arrive here in the East Blue.
Though the journey had been full of hardships, he ultimately reached his destination safely.
Sky Island—a man-made wonder, now a famous landmark and popular destination in the East Blue, widely reported by newspapers from all four seas.
However, the amusement facilities were still under construction. Only a few basic cloud structures were available for rest and children's play—like cloud slides and cloud seesaws, all safe and simple attractions.
"Your Excellency," came a voice, stern and unwavering, approaching from the distance. "To travel across thousands of miles to Sky Island…personally, I consider it an honor. Your acknowledgment and appreciation are the best gifts you could offer. But as far as Sky Island itself is concerned—this place does not welcome you…legendary pirate Edward Newgate!"
Before long, Ross Nasdaq's figure emerged, voice carrying from afar and growing clearer as he drew near.
Ross had no choice but to take this seriously. In terms of strength alone, he knew he absolutely couldn't defeat Newgate in his current state. But neither could Newgate easily take him down.
Still, this was Sky Island—his own stronghold. So he had to remain vigilant, even prepared to raise the entire central section of the clouds into the sky and abandon everything below if it came to an emergency.
"Gurararara—no need to be so tense, great adventurer Ross," Newgate said, chuckling in an exaggeratedly casual tone. "I'm merely a traveler here to sightsee…and to seek some guidance."
He was trying to ease Ross's guard.
Of course, he was well aware that Ross and the entire Nasdaq family utterly despised pirates. But he had no choice—if he wanted to shoulder the responsibility of "a father," he had to make this visit.
Ross didn't relax his vigilance in the slightest. Instead, he gestured, pulling down a patch of cloud from above.
Two cloud stools and a table formed upon it. Ross seated himself without a word, fixing Newgate with an unwavering stare that made his meaning clear:
Come up—or leave.
"Well, I suppose there's no helping it," Newgate sighed.
He had come in good faith this time, wearing nothing but casual clothes—no weapons, carrying only a little money for meals.
Without hesitation, the five-meter-tall man stepped up onto the cloud in a few strides. Then he sat cross-legged in front of Ross, using his actions to demonstrate his sincerity.
Only then did Ross finally allow himself a quiet sigh of relief.
Yet even so, he didn't let down his guard. If they were elsewhere, he might have happily shared a drink with Newgate just because of this gesture. But here on Sky Island?
Impossible.
The cloud slowly rose, but not too high—only about two hundred meters. For someone like Newgate, that distance meant nothing. It was simply a precaution to prevent their meeting from being seen or exploited by others.
Ross had no desire to become the target of suspicion from Fleet Admiral Kong.
He sent out thick banks of "Vision Clouds" all around them to screen the area. Only after confirming there were no nosy reporters or spies did he finally speak:
"Mr. Newgate—you must have come here specifically to see me, yes? State your purpose plainly. The sooner we finish this conversation, the sooner you can return. I will have this cloud take you straight toward the New World. When you wish to disembark, you need only jump down."
Ross clearly had no intention of dragging things out—he simply wanted to get this calamity off his island as soon as possible.
Newgate scratched his cheek awkwardly. Was his objective really so obvious? But he supposed it couldn't be helped—Ross was already showing more courtesy than he could have reasonably expected. He shouldn't ask for too much.
His moral character was considered among the better ones in the world of pirates, so he could understand Ross's wary attitude at this moment. After a pause, he slowly spoke:
"Gurararara… I just wanted to ask you, Ross, for some advice on how to care for children. It might sound a bit unbelievable, but my dream has always been… to have a family of my own."
"That's why I've taken in so many homeless children, settling them in my homeland. I've often been mocked by other pirates for it."
"You probably know Shiki, right? Once, when he returned from the Grand Line, he brought me a newspaper. That was how I first learned about you—and realized just how naive my old thinking had been."
"I wanted to be their protector… but you once said that children eventually grow up, and that I wouldn't be able to shield them forever."
"I even thought about taking them all aboard my ship, building a massive fleet that could be a family… but I know, too, that not everyone is suited to become a pirate."
Newgate poured out his troubles, laying bare all his conflicting thoughts before Ross. In this moment, where was the grandeur of a legendary pirate?
He was simply a confused man on the verge of becoming a "father," his heart filled with worry and doubt—no different from any other ordinary person.
Ross looked at Newgate before him.
His hair was still blond then—he had not yet grown that iconic white mustache. His face was haggard, uneasy, and lost. Without reservation, he revealed the vulnerable side of a man just stepping into the role of a "father."
"If you've read the newspaper… then surely you already know the answer in your heart, don't you?"
Ross's tone was always gentle, as if years spent with children had gradually shaped him this way. Few things could ever disturb that warm, refined composure.
"I don't understand pirates—because I would never teach a child how to commit evil. But if you want my personal advice: since you are a pirate, then teach them in the way of pirates. Otherwise… in the end, you will only meet with regret."
"In my view, I don't really recommend you keep taking in more orphans. That will only create more tragedies. You must know… orphans aren't born only from the hardships of life—they are also born from the actions of wicked people. Of course, that is just my personal opinion."
"I've said all I can say. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask—I won't hold anything back."
After speaking, Ross fell silent.
He'd already said this much purely out of respect for Newgate's sincerity and restraint. If not for that, he wouldn't have wasted a single word discussing a pirate raising little pirates.
Newgate looked at Ross, then finally sighed and said nothing more.
As time passed, he asked a few simpler questions—like how to ensure the children who didn't become pirates could still have a good future.
Ross answered each one carefully, sharing what insight and direction he could.
In the end, Newgate didn't get all the answers he had hoped for. Carrying a heart full of melancholy and regret, he departed, riding a cloud that drifted straight toward the New World.
On Sky Island, Ross quietly watched Newgate's departure and let out a long sigh.
A man like that… If only he weren't a pirate, perhaps we really could have had endless things to talk about.
But… reality doesn't deal in ifs.
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