CHAPTER 21

c21: Leisurely Daily Life

One week later.

The shocking revelation that Portgas D. Ace is the biological son of Gol D. Roger has spread across the seas like wildfire. Even more astounding is the rumor that Ace is also the grandson of Marine Hero Vice Admiral Garp.

But what truly set the world abuzz was the added claim that Ace, as the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, is effectively seen as the son of Whitebeard himself Edward Newgate.

This led to widespread confusion, birthing a wild theory that Garp somehow fathered both Roger and Whitebeard, a notion too ludicrous to believe yet too sensational to ignore.

Despite the Navy's aggressive attempts to suppress these leaks, the gossip had already taken root. Human nature thrives on scandal and secrets. Once ten people know, ten thousand learn it by the next day.

In just seven days, the whole Grand Line was flooded with whispered tales and tavern-side debates.

The misinformation spread so effectively that the original explosive truth Ace being Roger's son was oddly diluted amidst the sea of falsehoods and exaggerations.

But within the walls of Marineford and among high-ranking officials of the World Government, as well as pirate legends like Whitebeard, the truth remained raw and unforgotten.

Especially for Silvers Rayleigh, Roger's former first mate, who remained in hiding but ever watchful.

The true source of the leak? The Blackbeard Pirates.

Marshall D. Teach, cunning as ever, orchestrated the entire media storm. In a bid to boost his own influence and reputation, Teach handed all this sensitive information to Morgans the infamous journalist of the World Economic News Paper.

Not only did Morgans publish it, but he also tagged the report as exclusive intelligence provided by "Blackbeard, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."

Teach even spent a fortune to ensure global coverage.

For a man as power-hungry as Teach, public fame translated directly into tangible gains.

Of course, the leak wasn't really his doing.

The original information came from Alex.

Satisfied with the outcome, Alex observed the chaos unfolding exactly as he had intended.

He remained an invisible hand behind the scenes only Rayleigh, Shakuyaku, and Teach himself knew the truth.

Now that Teach had taken credit, the true instigator Alex could continue to operate in the shadows, unnoticed and unopposed.

"Who would've thought Teach would handle it so well? Better than I expected," Alex muttered with a smirk.

He sat lazily in Shakuyaku's bar in the Sabaody Archipelago, nursing a drink with no sense of urgency.

This had become his daily routine. He wasn't chasing pirates or investigating Celestial Dragons. He just came here, ordered his wine, and sat for hours.

As long as Sabaody remained calm, he had no reason to act.

Fleet Admiral Sengoku had even quietly encouraged Alex to keep a low profile, hoping to prevent any incidents with the Celestial Dragons.

Shakuyaku's bar, nestled in a remote corner of the archipelago, was far from their gilded paths. It was safe territory.

"What are you thinking, spreading such dangerous information?" Shakuyaku asked sharply, eyes narrowing over her cigarette. "You've turned Marineford into a political volcano. Even the pirate crews are in turmoil. Whitebeard's already mobilizing, planning to rescue Ace. Is this really what you wanted?"

Alex raised his glass, taking a slow sip. "Shakuyaku, don't you get it? This... this is exactly what I was aiming for."

Her expression darkened.

"You're insane."

"Thanks," he said with a smirk, toasting her in the air.

The reality was simple: the Navy and Whitebeard were inching toward open war a collision course mirroring the eventual Summit War at Marineford.

And Alex wanted this war.

He needed it.

Only such a colossal conflict would activate the hidden mechanics of his system the one that allowed him to gain the abilities of fallen legends.

If he could manipulate events to ensure the death of Whitebeard, he could then inherit Whitebeard's tremendous power the Gura Gura no Mi.

And the world would never be the same again.

In the eyes of outsiders, this kind of thinking is that of a lunatic someone who thrives on chaos and prays for the world to burn but Carl knows very well that the perception of others is a shadow cast by ignorance, and only those who seize power with their own hands can call it truly theirs!

It's just that Carl also understands that he is not Whitebeard's match now—he can only obtain Whitebeard's legendary power by claiming his life during the war!

After this period of quiet analysis and experimentation—Carl has basically deciphered how the system embedded within him operates.

Only when he encounters pivotal figures or consequential events—those that carry weight in the fate of the world—does the system trigger a choice.

There are two types of options—minor choices that generally follow the original plot's trajectory and offer meager rewards and final-tier choices that definitively diverge from the canonical storyline and yield significant rewards!

Counting his encounters with the Golden Lion, Luffy, Ace, and Blackbeard he has only triggered four true system decisions so far.

The latest was when Teach, also known as Blackbeard, deliberately leaked Ace's lineage to Morgans Carl had been offered multiple choices then: to pour oil on the fire, to stand back and observe, or to attempt suppression.

Carl didn't hesitate he chose to fan the flames and quietly assisted Blackbeard in spreading the news to every corner of the sea.

His reward for that bold decision was a comprehensive upgrade every core attribute advanced by one level!

'Properties panel:

Name: Carl

Strength: D+

Agility: D-

Spirit: E+

Physical strength: C-

Abilities: Military Fist (G), Pika Pika no Mi (Light-Light Fruit) (S), Armament Haki (Proficient), Observation Haki (Proficient), Conqueror's Haki (Mastery), Dual Sword Style (D)

Although his ability ranks have not shifted drastically his physical condition now places him on par with an average Marine Vice Admiral.

Now he is almost on the same level as veteran Vice Admirals such as Momonga or Yamakaji strong enough to stand his ground in a battle against top officers.

"Hahahaha, I just heard something absolutely ridiculous today some drunkards outside are claiming that Roger actually stole Whitebeard's wife, fathered Ace, and then years later, Whitebeard was so enraged that he stormed in and claimed Ace as his own son!"

After laughing hysterically, a staggering figure walked through the door Silvers Rayleigh, former first mate of the Pirate King, completely drunk, slumping into the seat across from Carl and letting out a loud, booze-laced burp.

"Rayleigh you really need to brush your teeth before coming in here..." Carl wrinkled his nose and shifted in mild disgust.

Shakuyaku sighed and brought over a steaming cup of sobering tea placing it in front of Rayleigh.

"Is that funny to you? Because in my opinion whoever's spreading garbage like that deserves to disappear."

Shakuyaku gave Carl a side glance but Carl raised his hands innocently and shrugged.

"Don't look at me I only deal in verified facts. I might stir the pot but I won't make things up to trash someone's name."

"Hahahaha! Even if this Navy brat can be infuriating—he doesn't sling mud without evidence," Rayleigh chuckled as he took a sip of the bitter tea his amusement suddenly sobering as he slammed the cup down onto the table with enough force to rattle the glasses.

"But you're right whoever concocted that nonsense about Roger and Whitebeard is asking for death!"

Rayleigh's voice turned cold, and his expression sharpened his legendary presence momentarily breaking through his drunken haze.

"Navy kid! Your schemes have worked. The Navy has officially answered Whitebeard's challenge there's no turning back now!

In three months' time the final confrontation will erupt at Marineford!

And on that day Ace will face public execution!"

---