Chapter 415: Ace and Roger
Ace's face beneath bandages was filled with confusion.
Completely incomprehensible!
What was this Brett guy thinking?
After beating them up—matter settled?
Specifically calling him over—just to ask his reflections on the battle?
Was this guy's brain okay? Why do such baffling things?
Incomprehensible!
Ace truly looked completely bewildered. Absolutely didn't know what Brett was selling.
He wasn't some deeply scheming guy. So after having doubts, immediately asked. "Brett, what exactly do you mean?"
"Oh?"
Brett raised an eyebrow. "You mean—dissatisfied with my handling? Think I shouldn't just let you go like this?"
"You know that's not what I mean. I just don't understand!"
Ace lowered his voice. He suddenly had a conjecture. "Specifically beating us up—can't just be to make us realize our weakness, right?"
Sharp kid.
Different from the straw-hat-wearing brother after all.
Brett didn't hide it. So nodded. "The New World is very dangerous. Entering that sea area with an arrogant attitude—very easy to be beaten into the seafloor by the storms there."
"As expected?"
Ace gritted his teeth. Felt something wrong. With the strength Brett displayed, how could all his companions survive without exception?!
Everyone beaten bloody, bodies nearly rotting. Yet all survived. This power control was too perfect!
Indeed.
Hearing Ace's thoughts, Brett also nodded internally.
To let Ace's little companions all safely survive, he'd spent some effort. Each time swinging fists hitting them, he'd covered them internally with Armament Haki.
Using powerful Haki to protect their muscles, bones, and organs. Keeping injuries only on body surfaces.
They'd actually all been shocked unconscious.
Though bodies beaten bloody—actually all surface wounds. Considering this world's people's recovery ability, at most two days before bouncing around.
"So why?! Brett!"
Ace felt his mind somewhat chaotic. Then instinctively asked this question. "I don't recall any relationship between us worth you spending such effort!"
There must be a reason, right?
"Well—"
Brett scratched his hair. "Indeed entrusted by someone. Originally no need to tell you. But he didn't mean for me to keep it secret."
Because of whom? Ace began guessing internally.
Soon, he had a conjecture. "The old man?"
The next most reliable candidate.
"Vice Admiral Garp?"
Brett couldn't help smiling. "Of course not. Strictly speaking, the Navy and our Fish-Man Island are in absolute opposition. No matter how much Vice Admiral Garp dotes on his grandson, couldn't possibly request me."
Not the old man—
Wait!
Ace couldn't help widening his eyes.
If not the old man—how did this Brett guy know about his relationship with the old man?
"No need to care. I have some special information channels."
Brett waved.
Ace only now realized—didn't Brett frequently answer before he'd spoken?
"Keep this secret. Don't spread it."
Brett winked at Ace.
This guy!
Really can read minds!!
"Is this Haki?"
Ace couldn't help asking.
Though not yet entered the New World, he'd already encountered Haki.
"That's right. But this matter isn't important now."
Brett waved. "The one who entrusted me is—"
"Dark King Rayleigh!"
Ace said gravely. "Right?"
Brett raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Guessed correctly."
"Hmph."
Ace snorted. "I knew it. The only remarkable guy I've recently contacted—just him!"
Since that guy came to see them off, then entrusting this man to look after him wasn't impossible, right?
Ace looked at Brett again. Just didn't expect this Deep Sea Emperor actually had connections with that man.
"Yes."
Brett nodded. "Rayleigh-sensei taught me many things."
"Rayleigh-sensei?"
Ace couldn't help exclaiming. This guy was actually Dark King Rayleigh's disciple?
"Wrong!"
Then he immediately shrieked. "You bastard, can you stop reading my mind?!"
Very annoying!
Brett chuckled. "Haha, anyway—Rayleigh hoped I could let you witness the world's dangers."
He smiled. "What awaits you in the New World—guys like me."
Ah, this point was lying. Where in the New World were guys as strong as him?
"Only rising from such shadows leads to true paths toward strength." Brett said.
Ace showed no gratitude. Just snorted coldly. "Really quite meddlesome!"
He hated his biological father. Naturally no good attitude toward his father's companions either.
Moreover, this time that guy had someone beat them thoroughly.
"Don't say that."
Brett chuckled. "I might've overdone it. So afterward can make some compensation. How about teaching you Haki? I should be quite skilled in this area."
Ace's mood immediately grew somewhat delighted. "Really?"
"No need to lie to you, right? Also, regarding Rayleigh—"
Brett paused. "No need to hate him. However you view Roger, at least—this elder's goodwill, I think needn't be maliciously speculated."
"You even know about this?"
Ace was truly shocked speechless. His greatest secret casually revealed by this guy.
Brett said somewhat reminiscently. "When young, I met Roger once."
"Eh!!"
Ace's eyes widened.
"You really resemble him. Seeing your wanted poster instantly, I wondered if you might be Roger's child."
Brett wasn't completely fabricating. Roger and Ace truly resembled each other somewhat, though not much. "After all, Rayleigh said—Roger always believed the one bringing change to this world would be his child."
"Who cares what that bastard said?!"
Ace roared angrily. "That bastard isn't my father. I'd rather he hadn't birthed me!"
As expected.
Hearing this kid's thoughts, Brett sighed.
Ace indeed possessed very strong self-destructive tendencies.
Whether challenging himself, or in the original work wanting to challenge Kaido and Whitebeard—probably all had such intentions inside.