Chat Group Escanor 30 (Patreon)

"Nonsense!"

Ace struggled violently, the Sea Stone chains clanking loudly. He glared deathly at Escanor, a fire of rage burning in his eyes.

"Nonsense! What did I do?! What did Pops do?! We never do those things! The people under us..."

The people under them... had they really never done anything?

Those minor pirate crews affiliated with the Whitebeard Pirates, those scoundrels who committed evil deeds under Whitebeard's banner, those people they couldn't control or didn't bother to manage...

His voice weakened, but the anger still burned.

"We didn't do it! Do you have any idea how many islands Pops has protected?! You don't know anything!"

Escanor continued, "You still don't understand. You have gained fame and wealth, holding immense power in the New World. Yet, you are still pursuing the One Piece and striving to become the Pirate King, luring countless people to head out to sea, wave after wave."

"Disasters continue to occur without end all because of pirates like you."

Ace kept his mouth open, wanting to argue, but found himself unable to utter a single word.

It was all because of Roger's words and he was Roger's son. He was attracting countless people to set out to sea, one after another.

"Stop talking. I don't believe you." He hoarsely said.

"Get out. You're just trying to drive a wedge between us."

He hung his head, refusing to look at anyone.

Garp stood to the side, remaining silent the entire time. He watched as Ace was left speechless by Escanor's words, seeing him grow angry, waver, and finally bow his head. He might not fully agree with those words, but one thing was abundantly clear—Ace was shaken.

Garp suddenly felt a tightness in his chest. He remembered how every single time he tried to beat Ace back onto the right path with his fists, he had failed. He had thought the fists he took pride in could solve the problem but fists had never solved anything.

He felt a pang of self-reproach.

Not because Ace had become a pirate—that was Ace's own choice.

But because he had never once thought that he could use this method to let Ace think for himself, to face the things he had always been running away from.

Just then, the cell door was pushed open. A Marine soldier ran in panting, cradling a large, frantically flapping bird in his arms.

"R-Report!"

The soldier stood at attention, trying his best to keep his voice steady.

"The animal you requested!"

Escanor looked at the frantically flapping bird, and gave a slight nod. "This will do."

He fished the Sharingan out.

Ace looked up and seeing the eyeball glowing with an eerie red light, furrowed his brow even deeper.

Was that an eye? What was he doing with an eye in his hand?

Garp looked at the bird, then at the Sharingan in Escanor's hand, and realized what was about to happen. He turned to look at Escanor, his eyes flashing with a highly complex mix of emotions.

Escanor spread his hands towards him, a hint of helplessness flickering in his golden eyes. "You see, talking is useless. I'm going to work my magic now."

Garp nodded. "Yeah."

Soon, he would have a grandson who aspired to be a Marine.

Watching their interaction, Ace felt a sudden chill run straight from his tailbone to the back of his head.

"Y-You guys... What are you trying to do?!"

...

After using the Kotoamatsukami.

That large bird twitched twice on the ground and completely stopped moving.

Escanor retracted the hand pressed upon its head and withdrew the Sharingan from it.

Ace raised his head, his gaze sweeping past Escanor and Garp, and landing on the Sea Stone chains around his wrists.

"Word is that Whitebeard is coming to rescue you tomorrow?" Escanor's voice came from the side, carrying a hint of casual probing.

Ace abruptly turned his head, a very obvious disgust appearing on his face. "What? I wouldn't want to associate with a person like that at all!

"I am going to become the man who will become the King of the Marines!"

The corners of Garp's lips began to curl upward uncontrollably. He desperately tried to hold it back, but the smile was completely unstoppable.

"Old man, what are you laughing at?" Ace looked at him with disdain. "So gross."

Garp was stunned for a moment, and then laughed even more happily.

It was that Ace. Still that Ace. The tone of speech hadn't changed a bit. Only the goal had changed from "Pirate King" to "King of the Marines".

Although he didn't know what "King of the Marines" was supposed to be, at least it wasn't a pirate.

"Hahahahaha!"

"Someone! Come quickly!" He shouted toward outside the door.

"Unlock these chains! Let Ace go!"

The soldiers looked at each other in dismay, but still complied.

The Sea Stone chains were removed. Ace stretched his shoulders, and then—

Snap!

He stood at attention and gave Garp a standard military salute.

The corners of Garp's lips curled up again. "Let's go. I'm taking you to see Sengoku and the others."

—

Conference room.

Sengoku was whispering about something with Tsuru.

Garp strode in, followed by Ace.

Sengoku's brows knitted tightly instantly.

The gazes of the Three Admirals focused simultaneously.

Ace walked to the center of the conference room and stopped. After his gaze swept over everyone in the room, he stood at attention.

"Reporting, sir!"

"Marine Second Class—Portgas D. Ace—reporting for duty!"

Sengoku's mouth opened, closed, and opened again, but not a single word could come out.

Garp stood there with his hands behind his back, struggling to maintain an expression of "this is completely normal" on his face.

Sengoku's Adam's apple bobbed several times, and he finally recovered his voice, "This... Escanor-san... What on earth is this..."

"Escanor-san."

Aokiji stepped forward, his gaze fixed tightly on the blonde man sitting in the corner chair.

"With a method like this... Can the same method be used on the Four Emperors?"

Aokiji's justice was never Akainu's "Absolute Justice". He questioned, he watched, he was lost. He had always been searching for a path that could truly change this world, yet could never find it. Now, he saw a path that required no bloodshed.

Escanor raised his head, looking into Aokiji's eyes. "Theoretically, yes."

"However?" Aokiji immediately pursued.

"Are the Four Emperors still too strong?"

Escanor shook his head. "Not quite."

He took out the Sharingan, spinning it between his fingertips. The eyeball shimmered with a faint red light under the light, much dimmer than before.

"My items have a cooldown. I thought with my abilities, I could shorten it quite a bit. But after trying, I found out that there is still a three-year cooldown."

"Three years..." Aokiji's eyes dimmed for a split second.

In three years, everything would be over. The Three Emperors' allied forces were going to attack tomorrow, what good would three years later do?

The others also showed disappointed expressions.

Escanor put the Sharingan back. "It's fine. Ace's identity is already enough as a propaganda role model. As for those other Four Emperors..."

"Beat them half to death first and lock them up. We'll figure something out later when we have a way."

Sengoku was silent for two seconds and slowly nodded. "That's all we can do."

"Then, tomorrow..."

Escanor interrupted him, "Ace, you report the pirate intelligence you know, consider it a small contribution."

Ace immediately stood at attention. "Yes!"

Escanor said, "Tomorrow, have Ace wear a Marine uniform with some military rank, and sit with you guys."

Sengoku was stunned for a moment. "I understood the first part but sit together?"

On the elevated platforms on both sides of the execution platform were three dedicated seats, each occupied by one of the Three Admirals, symbolizing the highest combat power of the Marines.

Escanor pointed toward the direction of those three seats. "Aren't the Three Admirals sitting together? There are three seats. Add a little stool next to them for Ace. How about that?"

Sengoku's lips twitched. "Is this... appropriate?"

"Appropriate!" Ace answered first.

"I agree!"

Garp muttered, "How can a small stool do? What's wrong with sitting side by side?"

Escanor stood up. "Alright, it's decided. Tomorrow, you guys just watch the show."