Chapter 19

◇1 month passed◇

It's been a month since I've hunted Vander Decken. In just a few days, I have received a brand new property here in Fish-man Island. A vacation house!

I let my crew stayed in the guest room and fully enjoyed our stay here.

At present, We're currently at the Mermaid's cafe and were being served by beautiful mermaids!

I have received another present from the royal family. It was a VIP card. This thing is really helpful on a trip. A lot of services could be used with this card.

Of course, I'm not planning to abuse it. Well, it's not me but my crew will. They didn't stop partying in the Mermaid's cafe.

This is what we have been doing aside from hunting pirates who still terrorize this unprotected Island.

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I thought that nothing could surprise me here in Fish-man Island, but I was proven wrong when two individuals visited my abode.

Just when I was having a peaceful tea break in my poolside, a crew of mine informed me that someone important is in the lobby.

My clothes aren't ready for meeting them. I am on my swimwear since this place is really filled with water and pools. I quickly put on a jacket and prepares to receive the guests.

I went to the lobby and finally saw the guest.

Damn it, This is not what I had expected.

To think that Boss Jinbei and his friend would be visiting me.

I calmly walked past them and sit down in a chair across them. Then I called a servant to bring some refreshments for the guest.

"Sorry for the wait Jinbei-senpai. Now then, To what do I owe this pleasure of meeting an Emperor?" (Shikage)

That's right, An EMPEROR!

Jinbei's friend is actually the Fire Fist ACE!!

It is even commendable of me to stay calm in this situation. I wonder what happened? For him to show up like this.

It is really hard to meet with the emperors of the New World. And to think that someone like Ace had visited me.

"Well, well, We didn't mean to come here to take you out... Jinbei here wanted to see what kind of person who'd protected the Fish-man Island in his place."

"That's right, I'm indebted to you for saving my Kin. Prince Fukaboshi is full of praise for you."

Huh?! Oh!! right, They said that Jinbei is coming back.

I guess it slipped my mind. Anyways, I better accommodate them first.

The servants came to bring some snacks and tea to serve them.

Portgaz D. Ace let out a delighted smirk and started to eat the cookies we presented.

"Jinbei-senpai, You really don't have to... It's because of the Island's state that this is becoming a problem. I also couldn't let this place ravaged by pirates... Then where would I enjoy my vacation?" (Shikage)

I couldn't help but smirk at the end. It's really a shame If this Island would cease to exist.

"Hahahaha~! Jinbei! He said what I said!" (Ace)

Really? What did he mean by that?

"True, To think the Fishman Island would be protected by selfish young men. Hah... Let's start again. I am Jinbei. You don't have to call me senpai. I chose to retire from the position of a Shichibukai. I am now a pirate again. And I have already given my thanks to you... Now, what will you do?" (Jinbei)

Oi, It immediately turns serious. Tch. What to do? I can't possibly capture them. I also don't want to.

"I understand... Then, I'm Shikage. You can call me Kage or Shika. It doesn't matter... I am currently on a vacation here. I also don't plan to take you two on. Also, You still didn't tell me the real reason you're here." (Shikage)

I keep my eye contact with the man chewing some snacks. I can't predict what's he going to say. Why's he here?!

"Tch tch... you guys just become a lot more serious. Loosen up first. Hah... Fine. My name is Portgaz D. Ace. I received my name from the mother to whom I owe my life. I came here with Jinbei to make Fish-man Island my territory. Just like you, this place is my vacation spot. I wanted to protect it and this is also a previous territory of Pops." (Ace)

Oh? I didn't think of it.

"Woah... So you're going to place your flags at the harbor of the Island?" (Shikage)

"That's the plan. We have already talked with the royal family. Fortunately, Ace-san doesn't want anything from the Island. Only for his flag to be displayed." (Jinbei)

"Of course, I wouldn't dare to get something from my friend's Island... Since this is the place where pirates would go before arriving at the New World, They better know my flag and name!" (Ace)

Woah... Damn it, I keep saying this every time.

It just means that I'm in awe of this situation.

But this Island is supposed to be under Big Mom in the future. Argh... I don't know anymore!

"So... We want you to know that the Fish-man Island would be affiliated with the ACE pirate group. It may cause friction between your Guild and the pirates." (Jinbei)

(He's correct, We've never expanded to the territories of a *Gokou. This may be the first Guild hub to be on an island that's affiliated with the Five Emperors.) (Shikage)

(a\n: Should I use Gokou or the Five Emperors?)

This will need an alliance or a pact. It's even strange that they're talking with me even though our sides are at odds with each other.

I guess I need to come clean here. It's time to make moves on the New World. Working with an emperor would surely alert the WG. But look at my senpai. That Doflamingo guy is the sponsor for Kaido's ambition.

It isn't wrong for me If I work with a pirate.

"Well, this is a lot to talk about... But first, I want to know you that I am not your enemy. I am also a friend of your little brother. I even gave him the key to your handcuffs." (Shikage)

Ace was clearly surprised to hear this. And his face said that 'Why didn't you told me that first.'

"Luffy?! So, that black thing on the platform was from you all along! Now I remember... Aren't you the one who first discovered T.e.a.c.h?!" (Ace)

It flickered momentarily, and a servant in the room loses his consciousness, then it returned to its previous strength. Haki!

Sweat could be seen on Jinbei's cheeks. He also didn't expect Ace to be that angry every time he thought of Blackbeard.

But he was also impressed at the man sitting across them.

The young man took it head-on. But there wasn't any reaction from him.

(This guy... I think Blackbeard would surely be hunted down by this guy.) (Shikage)

I can feel Ace's rage. But my Will doesn't break that easily! I know what to do! I have a dream! I would surpass this world's boundary and discover the truth of my Divine book!

I didn't break my eye contact with him. I proved that I'm not just an ordinary man. And when he saw my stance, Portgaz-san smirked. What is it now?

"Sorry about that, I just can't control my Haki when I think about him... Anyways, A friend of Luffy wouldn't be that bad. I also want to know you better. I think we'll get along fine." (Ace)

Ace lets out a chuckle.

"Huh?! That soon?!" (Jinbei)

"Don't be so serious, Jinbei. All of us here wanted to protect the Island. There's no enemy here. Although he's a bounty hunter... Eh? shit! How much is my bounty again?!" (Ace)

This guy is a mess. Portgaz-san, I need time to understand you.

"It is 2,000,000,000 ฿. Ace-san, Be warier." (Jinbei)

"Oh no! Maybe he would come to take our bounties!" (Ace)

Ace was sarcastically being meek and week. But I can see his smirk and feel his mischievous attitude.

"Argh... I won't! you're not in my target zone. I don't even know why did you become a Pirate... Nonetheless, Let's take a break for now. Why don't we go to the Mermaid Cafe to celebrate our new beginnings." (Shikage)

I can see Jinbei rubbing his forehead and Ace's excited grin.

We can continue our talk there without being serious and on-guard with each other.

"I like that Idea! Shika! I'm starting to like you more and more. Now, Let's go to ogle some mermaids!!" (Ace)

"Hah... I can't keep up with the energy of these young men. Hmm... It may be nice to see Sharley again." (Jinbei)

And so, The three of us were headed to the most popular visitors spot in Fishman Island.

The two were surprised by my VIP card and how the mermaids were fawning at me.

◇◇

My understanding of Ace is a pure theory or my own thoughts because of his lack of appearance in my Divine book.

But I do know his childhood and what he felt after Sabo's death. When I look at his left arm and the tattoo. I realized that he really holds his brother dearly.

There's also someone he holds dearly. His foster father. And his mark on his back would never fade until he dies.

Both of these tattoos represented his loved ones and his Will to continue on his mission.

During our bonding, He really opened up to me. It's also because he doesn't need to hold back anymore. All the people in the World know his connection to Gold Roger. Since everyone knows this, Ace wouldn't bother with it anymore. But he clearly told me his problem with this. All he wanted in his life is to leave his father's shadow. He wanted to change the 'Ace, Son of Roger' to 'Roger, Father of Ace'. He had no interest in the One Piece or being King of the Pirates. When I saw Ace's eyes I knew it was probably the truth. Ace wanted to be free of Gold Roger's curse. If he was going to succeed at that, he couldn't be King and find the One Piece… He couldn't just do what his father did.

So what should he accomplish?

How could he surpass his father? Roger was the first man to conquer the Grand Line, shaking the foundations of the world and bringing about a new era. But in the end, he died a miserable death, executed at Rogue town. He submitted to the World Government. And so, He decided to overturn the world.

Perhaps in some vague way, Ace's goal was a kind of conquest. To be a man ruled by no one and nothing. Not the Navy, not the Four Emperors, not the World Government, and not even the Celestial Dragons, those living gods who called upon the Navy's admirals like bodyguards. To destroy the very concept of a protected class like the Celestial Dragons.

This is what I understand from the tone of his voice and the history of his life in my Divine book.

But I think that a new goal is budding inside of him. Whitebeard's legacy is being destroyed by his killer, Blackbeard.

He couldn't let it happened. He wanted revenge for his Pops. Blackbeard must die!

Currently, I'm lending my shoulder to him since he was quite wasted after partying that much with the mermaids.

"Urgh..."

"Oi oi, Keep it in, We're almost close to my house." (Shikage)

After a bit of walking, We arrived at the house and I let him rest at the table close to the pool.

Then I prepared a lot of water and food that was satisfying. He immediately bounced back and returned to his normal state.

I wonder what their bodies are made of.

"Portgaz-san, Why did you decide to protect your Pop's legacy? I even heard some talks that you also wanted his title." (Shikage)

Ace briefly stops and puts down the food on the table. And then he took out his free hand and enveloped it with fire. I saw Whitebeard's figure in his fire.

"I owe a lot of debt to Pops. It is thanks to him that I've got a better understanding of how the sea is ruled. That a flag isn't something to plant through an act of force. It's something that the residents chose to raise on their own…" (Ace)

And the fire turns to the mark of Whitebeard. I thought about the reports of Blueno regarding the expansion to the New World. The Emperors had their own territories.

"I knew about it. There are a lot of Islands that have the flag of Whitebeard. There are also many people living on the islands that make up his territory. All of those lives are under the protection of Whitebeard's flag. And we all know what happened after the war, I experienced it! Pirates nowadays don't respect his flag." (Shikage)

Ace chuckled for a moment.

"You've figured that all out, but you're still going to ask me?" (Ace)

He still continues.

"That's why I'll be the one doing it! I'm the one with the largest debt to Pops. I won't let anyone laugh at his mark and his life! I would protect his legacy and by doing it, I would also achieve the thing I'm looking for! I will be the strongest pirate there is!" (Ace)

He extinguished his fire and finally resumed eating.

"So, you want to be more infamous than the King of the Pirates. But you have no interest in One Piece. That's a neat ambition. I wonder what would Straw hat say to this." (Shikage)

"Hahahaha! He may challenge me to a battle but I will still win! I can't let my little brother beat me. Hahaha~" (Ace)

And we engaged in more talks on the topic of Luffy. Even if I didn't spend a lot of time with Straw hat, I have a lot of information with my Shikadiary.

But there's something that I wanted to know regarding the situation of the New World.

"By the way, Portgaz. I know that the Five Emperors are in a deadlock situation right now in expanding their territories, I mean, You are busily expanding, right? Anyway, I wonder how the Navy and the WG operate in the New World." (Shikage)

"They have 'G' branches in place to protect vital facilities, but that's about it. Navy Headquarters is just a military force designed to do the bidding of the World Government." (Ace)

Well, their primary mission wasn't to protect the populace from pirates.

"You see, I'm mostly done expanding at the Paradise and the blue seas... I guess it's time for me to start thinking about the New World." (Shikage)

A glint passed through my eyes and ended up shocking Ace. It's because it was a familiar Haki that he had used a while ago in this same house.

Only a few people who have the qualities of a King had this kind of Haki. People who had this is also known as Supreme Rulers.

It is said that I'm the Ruler of Shadows.

What kind of Ruler am I if I didn't unlock my own potential and this fruit.

And I will soon be called the King of Shadows. Or maybe, The Shadow Monarch!

◇◇

Ace looked at the young man he befriended. A man calling him with his family name.

He wanted to let the world know the name his mother gave him: Portgaz D. Ace. So that he could wipe away the memory of his hatred for Roger.

But everything changes when the whole world knows his biological father. Even his bounty poster changed to Gol D. Ace.

He didn't think that the first one to acknowledge it is this man, Shikage.

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