Chapter 13: Pluto Rayleigh
"My father's name is Gol D. Roger."
"Gol D. Roger?!" Upon hearing that name, Shakky's calm face visibly changed, showing rare surprise. "That really is incredible… I didn't expect that man would still have a surviving bloodline."
She looked closely at Ace for a moment, then sighed. "So you're the biological son of the Pirate King. No wonder the old man asked me to keep an eye on you once you appeared on the seas."
Only Silvers Rayleigh and a few of the old Roger Pirates knew about Roger's relationship with Portgas D. Rouge. Not even Shanks had known about Ace's mother at the time.
As for why Roger entrusted Ace to Garp instead of to Rayleigh or the other crewmates, perhaps only Roger himself knew.
"Yeah," Ace muttered, picking up his glass and draining it in one gulp. "Even if I don't want to admit it, his blood runs through me. But that man abandoned me. That's why I chose to carry my mother's name—Portgas—a woman who truly loved me."
He gave a faint smile. "Still, I didn't expect that Rayleigh had been watching me. I guess he must have known my identity from the beginning."
"It would seem so," Shakky nodded. "Though he asked me to monitor your movements, he never actually told me who you were."
Ace chuckled dryly. "So he was protecting me… how ironic. Even though I don't care for the blood of that man, to the world, I'm still the son of the Pirate King—a threat. A dangerous seed that needs to be eradicated."
"That's right," Shakky said seriously. "If the World Government or Navy ever confirmed your identity, they would stop at nothing to eliminate you. They fear nothing more than the return of a Pirate King."
"So… did you come here looking for Rayleigh's protection?" she asked suddenly.
Ace laughed and shook his head. "Of course not. No matter how thick-skinned I am, I wouldn't do something that shameless."
"I've been wandering around the New World. I haven't met any of the Four Emperors, but I've encountered many powerful foes. It made me realize my own weaknesses. And now that my identity seems to be leaking… I need to grow stronger—fast."
He looked up, gaze firm. "Even though I've eaten a Logia-type Devil Fruit, in the New World, power isn't just about your fruit. Haki is the true mark of strength. That's why I came—to ask Rayleigh to become my master and teach me how to use Haki."
"I see," Shakky nodded, then took out a small Den Den Mushi. "If it's you, I doubt Rayleigh would refuse. I think he's been wanting to meet you too."
She dialed, and after a few rings, Rayleigh's calm voice came through.
"Shakky? Calling me now? What's going on?"
"There's a special guest at the bar. Come home and meet him."
"A special guest?" Rayleigh paused, thinking. "Alright, I'm heading back now."
Shakky hung up and turned to Ace. "When he sees you, I imagine he'll be shocked."
Ace smiled faintly and silently pushed his glass toward her. "One more drink, please."
Moments later, the bar door swung open, and the crowd made way as a silver-haired man entered—the legendary Silvers Rayleigh.
When Rayleigh saw Ace, he froze. But only for a moment—then a warm smile spread across his face.
"So it's you… I've wanted to meet you for a long time."
Ace stood and bowed respectfully. "Senior Rayleigh, I'm sorry for the unannounced visit."
"There's no need to apologize. I'm happy you came," Rayleigh said, brushing it off. Tears shimmered in his eyes as he placed a hand on Ace's shoulder. "I was overjoyed when I learned that Rouge gave birth to Roger's child. But back then, I was under tight surveillance. I couldn't even go see you."
He continued, voice soft. "When I finally learned of your existence, it was already two years after Roger's execution. He had chosen to entrust you to Garp, not to us, because we were being watched too closely by the World Government. If you had stayed with any of us, they would've eliminated you instantly."
Even after hearing that Garp had adopted Ace, Rayleigh hadn't dared to visit. Just silently watching from afar was all he could do.
He knew that under Garp's protection, Ace would be safe. No one would ever guess that the son of the Pirate King was being raised by the Navy's most heroic figure.
Because of Ace and Shanks, Rayleigh had kept close tabs on the East Blue. So when Ace went to sea under the name Portgas, he noticed immediately—but still refrained from reaching out. Contacting Ace too soon would only expose him faster.
The only reason Rayleigh had been able to live quietly in the Sabaody Archipelago for twenty years wasn't because the World Government had forgotten him. It was because the price of capturing him was too high. There was an unspoken agreement: so long as Rayleigh stayed off the seas, they would not act. They simply monitored him silently.
Now, Ace finally understood why Roger entrusted him to Garp, and why Rayleigh had never approached him in the original timeline. It had all been to protect him.
Though the Roger Pirates had disbanded, the crew who had reached Laugh Tale were marked men. Most had been executed, and the few survivors were under strict surveillance. Only the strongest—like Rayleigh—survived free.
But even so, the government feared provoking them too harshly. These were men who could challenge the world if angered.
Ace took a deep breath. "Senior Rayleigh, I'm truly sorry to disturb your peace. I came here to ask… Please teach me how to master Haki."
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