Chapter 191: Bloodline and Conviction, Sengoku's Decision!
Ace's fists were clenched so tight that veins bulged on the back of his hands. Blood seeped through the bandages, snaking down his knuckles and dripping onto the floor—a silent, yet piercing accusation.
Roy looked at him quietly, his gaze steady.
He knew Ace wasn't regretting killing pirates.
He was wavering.
Wavering because of the "cursed bloodline" within him.
—The bloodline of the "Pirate King."
—The identity of the "Child of Sin."
—The heavy burden of "Destroying a Family."
These crushing shackles pressed on 16-year-old Ace until he could barely breathe.
Roy fell silent, then walked up to Ace and gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
His voice was low, yet carried a power that pierced the heart. "Ace."
"The Whitebeard Pirates have been stained with the blood of too many people for decades."
"They play house on their deck every day, drinking and throwing banquets. Fine wine, roast meat, jewels, and women pile up like mountains."
"But those things—do you know where they came from?"
"They were all plundered!"
"It was looting, burning, killing, slaughtering cities... exchanged for the shattered lives of countless civilian families!"
Ace looked up, the confusion in his eyes not fully dissipated.
Roy's voice grew colder, each word hammering into Ace's heart.
"You didn't destroy a 'warm, big family'."
"You killed pirates who raided ports and villages, slaughtered those who resisted, and kidnapped countless civilians into slavery!!"
He paused, his gaze sharp as a knife, piercing straight into Ace's deepest self-blame.
"They draped themselves in the coat of 'family,' yet lived more savagely than any vicious beast."
"Whitebeard was never a hero. 'Family' was just their final fig leaf."
The fire in Ace's eyes flickered slightly, fingers clenching tight. But the haze shrouding his heart was finally burned through by these words.
He murmured, "Don't worry, Big Bro Roy..."
"I'm not really lost."
"I was just thinking... if I weren't 'Roger's son'..."
"Would I be less conflicted..."
Before he could finish—
"SMACK!"
Roy slapped the back of his head heavily, glaring at him "furiously."
"What kind of bullshit bloodline theory are you spouting?!"
"Cut the crap!"
Ace froze, instinctively rubbing the back of his head, looking stunned.
Roy raged, "Is it wrong just because you're a child born to a pirate?!"
"I raised you!"
"You're the brat who wore a small Marine uniform, stood on the training ground, threw punches seriously, and shouted 'Justice' with me!"
"You are Marine Captain · Fire Fist Ace—a soldier who grew up in a Marine camp, has seen the smiles of villagers, knows what civilians want, and protects them from pirate invasions!!"
"You are Luffy's brother, and MY little brother!!!"
"What the hell does it matter whose son you are?!!"
"What does it have to do with some bullshit bloodline?!!"
Ace was stunned. His eyes reddened, but not from sadness.
It was an emotion called "relief," quietly exploding in his heart.
Looking at Roy pretending to be "furious beyond measure," he finally burst out laughing. "Pfft—"
"Hahahaha... Alright, alright, I was wrong."
He looked up, his gaze burning hot, flames roaring deep in his eyes.
"I understand."
"I don't shoulder responsibility because I'm Roger's son."
"But because I am a Marine—I must shoulder all of this."
Roy stared at him, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.
"That's more like it..."
The two smiled at each other. Wind blew in from the window, bringing the slightly heavy but fresh air of the post-war night.
The warmth of the flames reignited the medical room that had fallen into silence.
...
Warship · Communication Room
Ace followed Roy pushing the door open.
Inside, Sakazuki and Enel were already seated on one side of the long table. In front of them sat a special image transmission Den Den Mushi, uniquely shaped and fitted with anti-jamming devices.
Sakazuki looked up, signaling the two to sit.
Click—
As the anti-eavesdropping switch was activated, the snail's eyes projected a stable beam of light. The screen displayed a panoramic view of the Fleet Admiral's office at Marine Headquarters.
Sengoku, Tsuru, Zephyr, and Kuzan sat in a row. Their expressions varied, but all were solemn and grave.
Sengoku's voice came through the snail, low and serious. "Sakazuki has already briefed me on the general situation."
"Roy..."
"What exactly happened? Is Whitebeard... truly dead?"
Roy's expression was calm, hands folded, his tone like iron. "We were originally tracking intel on an important fruit and brought Ace for the transaction."
"However, the Whitebeard Pirates intervened en route. Teach attempted to snatch the fruit, triggering a conflict."
"After Whitebeard arrived, he disregarded Teach's crime and led his crew to shield him and besiege us Marines."
"As the situation escalated, I had Ace contact nearby reinforcements. Admiral Sakazuki and Rear Admiral Enel happened to be clearing out pirate crews nearby and arrived at the combat zone rapidly."
"During the battle, Teach ambushed and killed the 4th Division Commander, Thatch, to seize the fruit."
"With the three of us encircling them, I decided to seize this excellent opportunity to implement a total annihilation plan."
"Final result: Whitebeard died in battle after triggering a tsunami. Over half of the pirate commanders were killed in action, the remnants fled. Marco and Teach were captured alive. The island sank."
Sengoku fell silent for a few seconds.
He spoke slowly, his voice low but without blame. "Well done..."
"But with Whitebeard dead, the balance of the New World will be completely broken."
Tsuru followed immediately, her tone grave. "Now is not the time to discuss success or failure. Although Whitebeard was a pirate, he maintained a 'malignant order' in the New World to some extent."
"With him dead, the vacant territories, power, and protection umbrellas... will become the start of a bloody plunder."
Zephyr nodded in agreement, his voice deep. "We should immediately deploy defenses in the former 'Whitebeard territories,' prioritizing the protection of innocent civilians."
"Otherwise, the fires of piracy will only burn hotter."
Sakazuki snorted disdainfully. "For years, Whitebeard sheltered not civilians, but countless pirates and drug dealers."
"Now is a good opportunity. We should press our advantage and wipe out all remnants."
"If we let these people continue to run rampant, who knows what kind of 'Beard' they'll prop up next?"
Kuzan leaned against the edge of the screen, hands in pockets, lazily spitting out a sentence:
"Well~ ultimately, the trickiest problem right now... is how the remaining 'Emperors' will move."
"Kaido, Big Mom, Red-Haired..."
Under the intense discussion, the atmosphere fell into a deadlock for a moment.
But as the supreme decision-maker, Sengoku finally made the call, his tone steady and firm. "You all return to Headquarters first. We'll discuss specifics when you get back."
"Kuzan will lead a fleet to deploy defenses in Whitebeard's territories. Tsuru will contact the intelligence network to assist with the aftermath."
"The New World cannot fall into chaos. Civilian safety must come first."
Speaking of this, Sengoku stared sharply at Roy. The wisdom of the Great Buddha allowed him to keenly capture the key point.
"That 'important fruit' you mentioned earlier..."
"Do you need me to clean up the information trail for you?"
Roy nodded slightly, returning the salute solemnly. "Please do, Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
Sengoku nodded gently, then waved his finger, dissipating the image.
Click.
The call ended, and the communication room returned to calm.
Enel turned to look at Roy, half-teasing. "Important fruit? Something that catches your eye must be extraordinary..."
Roy smiled faintly without speaking, but his gaze was deep as the sea.
Sakazuki stood up, leaving a sentence behind: "You are already walking at the forefront. Don't disappoint me."
♧♧♧
-> SUPPORT ME WITH POWER STONE
-> FOR EVERY 200 PS = BOUNS CHAPTER
♧♧♧
-> 30 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.patreon.com/c/Segais
(Just remove the hyphen to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you