Chapter 308: The Opportunity for Cooperation

Shanks' gaze toward Wright grew increasingly peculiar.

"Why do I feel like every part of this story sounds so unreasonable, yet I can't refute any of it?!"

Wright had just finished explaining Ace's lineage to Shanks in detail. The red-haired pirate listened in silence, like a dumbfounded goose, before finally letting out a powerless sigh.

"Because it's the truth."

"Does he know?"

Shanks asked curiously. That boy seemed to have a strong will—how would he view his own identity?

"Of course, he's known since he was old enough to understand… and he's been trapped in that nightmare ever since."

Wright kicked a stone, sending it flying into a distant cliff, where it blasted out a crater, causing rubble to tumble into the sea below.

"What he knows is the version of Roger packaged by the World Government—the judgment of the ignorant masses on Roger—and the perception of what it would mean if Roger had a bloodline."

"It took me a lot of effort to help him understand the difference between the Pirate King's bloodline and 'sin,' and the difference between the blood of a criminal and free will."

"Ace isn't interested in the Pirate King. He just wants to become famous across the seas, to surpass Roger's reputation—to prove that it shouldn't be 'Ace is Roger's son,' but 'Roger is Ace's old man.'"

"Isn't that exactly the kind of rebellious teenage mindset you'd expect?"

"Haha… it certainly is!"

Shanks chuckled lightly, then sighed.

"In that case… I should thank you for helping that kid through his struggles. That job should have been mine… but I missed the chance."

"You at least gave him a brother. If not for the influence of Luffy, Ace might never have opened his heart. Even if I put in ten times the effort, I probably wouldn't have been able to guide him."

"Now, Ace's feelings toward Roger are complicated, but I believe he'll sort them out. His current goal is to uncover the truth Roger couldn't, to accomplish what Roger never did—through a completely different path."

"Becoming a Marine is the best choice for that."

"Those brothers…"

Thinking of the number one blockhead in the world, Wright couldn't help but laugh.

"Luffy's actually pretty adorable. That pure heart of his might be one of a kind in this world."

"Right? That kid is special—I could see it."

Shanks absentmindedly touched his empty left sleeve, smiling again.

"But I never expected the Marine hero's grandson to want to be Pirate King, while the Pirate King's son wants to become a Marine!"

"Yet here we are—a Marine Admiral and a Yonko pirate, having a friendly chat."

Wright's gaze grew profound.

"To the world, pirates and Marines are just people, part of the great masses."

"Standing in different places simply lets you see different scenery."

Shanks smiled faintly.

"No matter what, I still have to thank you for guiding and teaching Ace. Whether pirate or Marine, as long as he's not lost in confusion and self-denial, that's what's best."

"I didn't hold back in teaching Luffy, either. When you see him, you'll be in for a shock."

"Ace's identity is the Navy's highest secret. He took his mother's surname."

Wright sighed.

"I told Rayleigh as a backup plan—he's too old to be charging into battle. Telling you… is for the day when the time is right. This could be the opportunity for us to cooperate."

"I don't know exactly what you're planning, but I can guess… The time isn't ripe yet. The one who will stir the world hasn't appeared."

"That's what you're thinking, isn't it?"

Shanks remained silent.

Wright continued.

"Luffy is the one you've chosen… When he grows strong enough to shake the world, maintaining the world's balance until then—that's what you're doing now."

Wright turned toward Shanks, golden light flickering in his eyes.

"My wish is world peace. You know exactly who that puts me against. And I don't believe Luffy will have any interest in those scumbags."

"So at least on this goal, we're not in conflict—perhaps even aligned."

"Only our methods differ."

Shanks finally spoke.

"Everything you've done over the years proves you might achieve that wish…"

"But it's only a possibility. Even the Captain, standing before the truth, couldn't take the final step."

"So for now, let's act according to our own ideas…"

"Maybe when the time is right, we really will have a chance to cooperate."

Shanks gazed toward the East Blue, sighing.

"If you succeed—if you let Luffy live without bearing a heavy mission, just chasing his dreams—that would be even better."

"Ha! You're quite the optimist."

"Oh, by the way… what about those three scars?"

Wright glanced at the Red Force, slowly approaching now that the battle had settled.

"You've even changed your Jolly Roger for them. Want me to remove them?"

Shanks finally remembered Wright's ability could even erase scars…

"No need. I left them on purpose… to remind myself."

Shanks traced the scars over his eye, his expression heavy.

"They were left by… the Whitebeard Pirates."

"..."

No name, huh?

Wright grabbed Shanks' right arm, summoning Lightforged Wings to lift them both into the air.

"I have a feeling—I'll meet the guy who gave you those scars. And in the end, he'll die by my hand."

"If that happens, don't regret not taking revenge yourself!"

"Hey, hey! How are you so sure? I never even said who it was!"

"Hahaha! Just wait and see!"

Golden light streaked across the sky as Wright and Shanks bickered their way toward the Red Force.

…

"Rosi, Smoker—begin the operation."

"I'll arrive at the designated location in three days… Within a month, the Red-Haired Pirates will turn a blind eye to all Marine activity."

At G-5 Branch Base, Rosinante and Smoker received Wright's orders and immediately set out.

The Dawn, stationed at G-5, departed with them, heading toward the pre-selected base site.

Three days flew by, and Wright appeared with Ace at the construction site for the new base.

Along the way, Wright led Ace on a carpet-search flight route, using his powerful Observation Haki to lock onto any pirate crews that might threaten the base's construction—and wiped them out.

Throughout this process, Wright let Ace take the lead. For the first time, Ace experienced how powerful a Devil Fruit user could become with infinite stamina…

Explosions, shockwaves, combustion, incineration—Ace practiced every application of fire, from destruction to mobility, acceleration, and flight, all under Wright's guidance.

By the time the pirates were cleared out, Ace felt he'd grown far stronger than when he'd visited Shanks.

"We're here…"

Ace descended in a blaze of fire, scratching his head as he watched the Dawn's Lightforged Beacon teleport building materials one after another.

"Hmm… How does fire help with construction?"

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