14. Rayleigh coming on board.
│3rd Person POV│
[Grand Line, Paradise, Sabaody Archipelago…]
A few hours after parting ways with the Red Force, the Whitebeard Pirates Fleet finally reached the Sabaody Archipelago.
From the prow of the Moby Dick, Ace watched as the ship sailed ever closer to the massive mangrove forest in front.
At this moment, he appeared to have taken a shower and got his wounds dressed.
Dressed in new black shoes, black knee-length shorts with an eyelet-studded orange belt, and a blue pouch belted around his left leg, he appeared just as he did when he met Luffy in Alabasta.
The only thing missing was his orange trademark hat which he had lost on Banaro Island during his duel with Blackbeard.
He was planning on buying a similar hat and decorating it similar to his old hat once he landed on the Sabaody Archipelago.
Standing beside Ace was the Knight of the Sea, Jinbe.
With a serene smile, Ace suddenly asked out loud, "So, now that you aren't a Warlord anymore, what will you do?"
"Now that I'm not a Warlord anymore, I can proudly sail the seas alongside my Sun Pirates and proudly display the flag of the old man on my ship." Jinbe answered.
Ace had been expecting this response.
However, he wanted Jinbe to join Luffy's crew, just like he did in the Canon World. That was why he brought up the topic at this time.
With this in mind, Ace said, "How did you feel fighting at Luffy's side?"
Jinbe had a somewhat confused expression after he heard Ace's question. Still, he didn't hesitate to answer, "Although I enjoyed fighting alongside Luffy, it is hard to keep up with him sometimes.
"He is like a hurricane that will take you to the craziest adventure you've ever had."
"Hahahaha! That is true!" Saying this, Ace fell silent for a few moments before speaking, "You know, how do you feel about joining Luffy's crew?"
=+=+=+=< Scene Break >=+=+=+=
│3rd Person POV│
[Grand Line, Paradise, Sabaody Archipelago, Shipyards…]
At this time, the shipyards of Grove 51 to 55 were occupied by the Whitebeard Pirates Fleet.
On Grove 51, sitting on his chair on the deck of Moby Dick, the still-young Whitebeard looked in the direction of Grove 13.
He had felt the presence of an old acquaintance there some time ago.
Right now, the presence of the old acquaintance was approaching them from the direction of Grove 13.
Sometime later, the silhouette of a tall old man gradually came into Whitebeard's vision.
He got up from his seat and walked to the prow of the ship with a wide smile on his face.
Seeing this, Marco halted his conversation with the De-Calvan Brothers and Whitey Bay before following after Whitebeard.
"Ahahah… This look of yours brings back some memories, Whitebeard!" Dark King, Silvers Rayleigh said with a laugh after arriving near the Moby Dick.
In response, Whitebeard also laughed while saying, "Gurararara! You don't look too bad yourself, Rayleigh."
Then, looking at Marco, Whitebeard odered, "Prepare some alcohol, Marco. We have an old guest to take care of."
"Yes, Pops!"
=+=+=+=< Scene Break >=+=+=+=
│3rd Person POV│
[Some time later…]
Ace was watching from the side as Whitebeard and Rayleigh exchanged drinks and caught up with each other.
Suddenly, Rayleigh looked at Ace and said, "So you are his son, huh? You looked just like Roger when he was young and didn't have that mustache."
Rayleigh's words successfully brought Ace out of his thoughts. Without any hesitation, he replied, "Well, I don't want to look like him, so I won't grow a mustache."
Hearing this, Rayleigh only laughed in response.
He wasn't the least bit offended by Ace's response as he could guess why the kid was somewhat hostile to his father.
Once Rayleigh stopped laughing, Ace asked, "Did you know my mother?"
Lowering his head slightly, Rayleigh answered, "I did. Roger met Rouge while we were sailing in the South Blue. However, if you are asking about whether I knew about you being Roger's son, then no."
Waving his hand in a dismissive manner, Ace said, "I don't care about that. I just want to know more about my mother. Can you tell me what you know about my mother?"
"Sure." With a smile, Rayleigh agreed.
He then began to tell the tale of Roger and Rogue's first meeting. Her personality, her profession, etc.
Ace absorbed Rayleigh's every word like a sponge.
Once Rayleigh finished his tale, Ace fell silent for a few moments with his head lowered.
Then, looking at Rayleigh, he expressed his gratitude with a slight bow, "Thanks for sharing this information with me, Rayleigh!"
"Hahaha… No need for such formalities!"
At this moment, Hancock arrived on the deck. Seeing Rayleigh, she couldn't help but exclaim, "Rayleigh?!!"
"Oh! It's been a while, Hancock! Didn't expect to meet you here!" Rayleigh said with a nostalgic smile, "You've grown to be more beautiful and stronger than I could have ever imagined those thirteen years ago."
"Well, it's only thanks to you, and the others that we three sisters are doing well today." replied Hancock.
Then, looking at Ace, she said, "The Kuja Pirates would be here in a few hours. However, I don't think our ships should be seen together here."
Hearing this, Ace looked at Rayleigh and said, "Well, seeing that you know Rayleigh, you can take Luffy and wait at Rayleigh's place before your ship arrives."
"Hmm? Luffy is here? Is he alright?" Rayleigh asked after hearing their conversation.
Nodding, Ace replied, "Marco has already treated his injuries. However, he had strained his body and mind to the limit to infiltrate and escape Impel Down and then participate in the war to rescue me.
"So, he is still unconscious and he won't be waking up anytime soon. And if I take him with me to the New World, he will demand to come back here to reunite with his crew.
"That's why I thought of handing Luffy over to Hancock so that she can take care of him until he wakes up."
After Rayleigh heard Ace's explanation, he looked at Hancock and said, "Well then, let's head to Shakky's Bar, Hancock!"
Hancock agreed with Rayleigh and proceeded to walk toward the cabin in which Luffy was resting with Ace following her.
While the both of them went to bring Luffy, Rayleigh and Whitebeard said some parting words to each other.
Marco also had a few words with Rayleigh just before Ace arrived on the deck while carrying Luffy on his back.
Right behind him was looking and she was glaring daggers at the back of Ace's head.
'Ah shit! Looks like she wanted to carry Luffy herself. Don't be too angry with me, maybe-future-sister-in-law!' Ace thought in his head after feeling Hancock's angry gaze.
After passing Luffy over to Rayleigh, Ace looked at Hancock and said, "Please remind Luffy to contact me once he wakes up, alright? This is my Den Den Mushi number."
Saying this, he handed over a card to Hancock.
"Hmpf~!!" Hancock, still somewhat angry, snatched the card out of his hands and started following Rayleigh as they left the Moby Dick.
Ace could only scratch the back of his head after seeing her actions.
While watching them disappear from view, Ace thought, 'I hope Rayleigh offers to train Luffy just like he did in the canon.
'But in that case, how would Luffy inform his crew about his decision to not reunite for some time? He cannot visit the Marineford to pay respect to anyone and ring the Ox Bell.'
=+=+=+=< Scene Break >=+=+=+=
│3rd Person POV│
At this moment, Ace was with Eustass Kid, Urouge, and Trafalgar Law, three of the four Supernova Captains who participated in the War of the Best at his request.
Bonney wasn't here because she didn't need to be.
Looking at the three of them, Ace spoke up, "So, how will it be? Would you like to join the Whitebeard Pirate Fleet as a subordinate Captain?
"Or would you like to receive the help that I promised you before going your own way?"
"Ain't no way I am going to become a subordinate of anyone. Just tell me about this Haki thing and how to train it. I will be on my way after that." Kid was the first to answer the question with his ever-present scowl on his face.
Then, Urouge opened his mouth, "While it's an honor to serve a Pirate like Whitebeard, I prefer to be free and not follow anyone's orders.
"I will accept whatever training you can give me on Haki and some information about the New World before going my way."
On the other hand, Law didn't give an answer instead, he asked a question of his own, "If I became a subordinate Captain under Whitebeard's banner, can I take actions against certain individuals like maybe the Warlords or even the other Emperors?"
Hearing this, Kid and Urouge looked at Law with shock on their faces.
Within the short time they spent with each other, they had got to know Law enough to know that he wasn't a person who would prefer to work under someone else.
On the other hand, Ace had expected this response from Law as he knew the latter had a certain mission that he would complete at any cost.
With a slight smile, he explained, "Once you agree to become a subordinate Captain under Pops, you are basically his son.
"If you ever get into trouble, Pops won't hesitate to help you out. However, I would prefer if you don't pick fights that you wouldn't be able to finish.
"I did it, and the result was the War you guys just participated in.
"While I am glad that I was able to live through the war, I am not happy with what the Whitebeard Pirates, the subordinate Pirate Crews, and my little brother had to go through to rescue me."
Law nodded hearing Ace's words as he didn't plan to go after his target before he himself was strong enough to do so.
"I will join. I am ready to become a subordinate Captain under Whitebeard."
Hearing this, Ace's smile widened.
The discussion went just like he expected it to go.
Standing up, he looked at Kid and Urouge before saying, "You two should go back to your crew and get ready to depart. Your Haki training and information will be given to you once we are in the New World."
After saying this, he looked at Law and said, "Follow me! I am taking you to inform Pops about our deal."
[A few minutes later…]
Ace and Law arrived in front of Whitebeard and saw that he was talking to Bonney.
"Are you willing to join my Crew?" Asked Whitebeard with a wide smile while extending his right hand toward Bonney.
"Ehhhhh?"
…To Be Continued!
=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
A/N: How was that? Did you guys predict the last scene? Whether or not you guys predicted this, please share with me how you feel about Bonney and Law joining the Whitebeard Pirates.
One more thing. I had asked a question in the chapter comments of chapter 12. I only got one response to it. So, I am again asking it here.
What do you guys think would be a better name for a Devil MC in DxD, Nicolas or Meliodas? He will be from Valefor House by the way.
If you guys think that both name isn't suitable, can you please suggest some?
Shameless P@treon & Coffee plug...;
👉 patreon.com/ChaosWriter;
👉 buymeacoffee.com/ChaosWriter;
You can read advanced Chapters there. Also, while your support would be appreciated, but don't feel pressured to join. I'll upload stuff outside it and not keep it behind a paywall forever.
Estado de energía semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Piedra de
Poder