Something's Wrong, I Became an Accomplice!

"The World's Strongest Conqueror's Haki?!"

Ace muttered incredulously, then leaned closer to Rayleigh and quickly pressed for an answer.

"Could it be that even Roger...?"

Bang!

Before Ace could finish speaking, Rayleigh punched him on the back of the head.

After withdrawing his hand, Rayleigh said to Ace with dissatisfaction.

"Don't address your father by his first name. It's basic manners. Didn't that idiot Garp teach you even that?!"

Upon hearing this, Ace rolled his eyes in annoyance, then rubbed his head through his hat.

He said softly as he massaged her.

"How could Garp teach me manners? He's always been teaching me how to be an excellent navy officer!"

As for what he said about how to become an excellent navy officer...

It involves surviving alone in the wild, and also developing resilience and physical strength!

But how could I possibly go and do anything in the navy!

As soon as he finished speaking, Ace, seeing Rayleigh's gratified expression, continued to ask in a low voice.

"You haven't even let me finish my question yet! Does that mean even Law... even my father's Conqueror's Haki is inferior to that guy's...?"

Bang!!!

As Ace finished speaking, he suddenly received another punch to the head.

Despite the pain, Ace roared at Rayleigh with immense dissatisfaction.

"Hey, can you be serious for once? What's the point of always resorting to violence like this?!"

"Kid, you need to learn to respect others. Only those who know how to respect others deserve to be respected by others!"

Because respect is mutual!

You brat, remember this: even I, an old man, must respectfully address Gawain as Lord Gawain, or Captain Gawain!

He is not this guy or that guy; he embodies the dreams of countless powerful individuals, including myself of course!

So even if you don't like calling him Captain Gawain, or even just "Sir,"

Then you should at least call him Saint Gawain!

Remember that, kid!

Rayleigh shouted sternly at Ace, and Ace, after hearing Rayleigh's words, moved his mouth a couple of times in frustration.

"I understand, you old geezer, I'll call him Saint Gawain..."

Bang!!!

Another punch landed heavily on Ace's head, this time much harder than the previous one, and Ace was even slammed into the deck of the Adam Treasure Tree.

Before Ace could get up, Rayleigh rushed over and grabbed him by the rosary around Ace neck, pulling him up.

"Ace, you haven't been this rude since you were a child, have you?!"

Even if you don't want to call me godfather, you should at least call me by my name!

Instead of that damned old geezer that just popped out of your mouth!!!

Think about it carefully. If an old geezer could beat you senseless with a single sword strike, would you feel more honored?

So you must learn not to insult those stronger than you, Ace!!!

With a loud roar, Rayleigh picked Ace up and placed him aside. Faced with Rayleigh's extremely serious face, Ace suddenly felt like running away.

"I... I just want to know, which is stronger, Saint Gawain's Conqueror's Haki my father's!"

All I wanted to know was this, and you ended up punching me a million times, Mr. Rayleigh!!!

With a helpless smile, Ace looked at Rayleigh.

Rayleigh nodded with satisfaction.

"Haha, you're quite easy to teach, kid. You learned it in no time."

Since that's the case, then I'll give you an answer.

You might not like this answer, because even if Roger is the Pirate King, he's still your father.

But if we're only talking about Conqueror's Haki, he's considerably weaker Gawain!!!

As soon as he finished speaking, Rayleigh laughed and put his arm around Ace, leading Ace to the unconscious crew members.

Pointing to the crew, Rayleigh said to Ace.

"Just stay on the Dark Bird Ship for now. Whatever you want to do in the future, you'll at least need my basic approval."

If even I can't approve of you, then you'll never be able to reach Roger's level in anything you do, let alone surpass him!

As for the first thing you need to do, take care of your crew!

Go find Kalifa, the Secretary with glasses, and politely ask her to arrange rooms for you.

After you've settled your crew, come find me on deck. I'll teach you what real combat is all about!

After saying that, Rayleigh rubbed Ace's hat.

"Go on, kid!"

After speaking, Rayleigh turned and walked towards Gawain, then leisurely sat down on a recliner not far from Gawain.

Watching Rayleigh walk away, Ace took a deep breath.

This morning... seems to have passed somewhat surreal...?

He was helping people distill water this morning, and suddenly, he and his ship became prisoners of this so-called Dark Bird Ship!

That's right, Ace absolutely refused to admit that he was forced to join this ship; in his eyes, he was a prisoner!

Even though his father's best friend was here, and there was also someone Conqueror's Haki was even stronger than his father's.

Even if it was just the two of them who made me feel a little bit of the warmth of home.

Ace would never admit that he was absorbed into the Dark Bird Ship!

Thinking this, Ace picked up his crew members, piled them on top of each other, and leaned close to Kalifa, asking her in a low voice about the room.

Hearing Ace's question, Kalifa did not respond directly, but simply nodded to Ace.

"Please wait a moment, Mr. Fire Fist. Before this, the master did not leave me any instructions regarding you."

Therefore, I need to consult with the higher-ups regarding your compensation!

As soon as she finished speaking, Kalifa walked towards Gawain, who was not far from Cobra.

Watching Kalifa's departing figure, Ace pursed his lips in frustration. The people on this ship seemed to genuinely respect that Gawain!

He was, after all, the captain of a pirate ship, but his own crew didn't treat him like this...

At the same time, Kalifa came to Gawain's side and whispered to Gawain.

"Sir, how should we treat Fire Fist Ace?"

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Gawain put down the issue he was discussing with Cobra and pondered for a moment.

A moment later, Gawain looked up and smiled at Kalifa.

"Let's set up an additional department, and name it... Iron Eagle."

The Iron Eagle Group is temporarily ranked below the Dark Bird Group, and its members are directly under the command of the Dark Bird Group's officers.

As for the members of the Iron Eagle Group, let's choose from young people with great potential like Ace. I hope that after these young Iron Eagle have undergone enough training, they can transform into soaring Dark Bird and shoulder our future.

As for the treatment of Iron Eagle members, it would be best if it were the same as that of Black Ice Terrace Chiefs like Kaku and Blueno.

However, the Iron Eagle Group prioritizes quality over quantity; for now, only Ace has been selected. As for Ace's crew, they can be gradually reassigned to the Black Ice Terrace."

With that, Gawain waved his hand gently, and Kalifa immediately turned and left.

She returned to Ace's side, who was filled with anxiety, and said to Ace with a smile and a celebratory tone.

"Congratulations, Ace, you've become the first person in a new department."

"Gawain used you as a benchmark to establish a new Iron Eagle Group, in addition to the existing structure of the Dark Bird Ship!"

At this point, Kalifa waved to Ace.

"Come on, Ace, I'll take you to your room!"

"Etc!"

Upon hearing this, Ace was completely stunned.

"Could you first explain what you mean by 'creating a new department for me'?"

I would never join that damned Iron Eagle Group! I'm a pirate, a pirate!

I'm going to be the Pirate King!

What was that bastard thinking? Did he think I'd just give in like that? I..."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing Ace's words, Kalifa frowned, then reached out and grabbed Ace by the neck!

Ace frowned in surprise as he looked at Kalifa's dark right hand.

Even a secretary on this ship possesses power capable of harming Logia Devil Fruit User?!

Just as Ace was thinking this, Kalifa continued speaking.

"Mr. Ace, considering that you have just boarded the ship, I will temporarily forgive your offense against Gawain."

As for your question, I can answer it for you.

You are a pirate, that's true, but that has nothing to do with whether you belong to the Iron Eagle Group.

Rayleigh was a pirate, and many of the Dark Bird Group's officers were pirates as well. We could all be agents, marines, pirates, or even Revolutionary Army.

No matter what our identities are, we can all be members of the Dark Bird Group, or like you, members of the Iron Eagle Group!

At this point, Kalifa released Ace's neck and then nodded gently to Ace.

"If you've figured it out, please come with me!"

"I..."

Faced with Kalifa's gentle gaze, Ace swallowed hard, then nodded helplessly.

"Okay, it's just a form of address anyway, I understand."

Where are our rooms? You're not going to make us sleep in the basement, are you?

Just as Ace was finally accepting his current fate, Cobra couldn't help but ask Gawain a question.

"Saint Gawain, your Iron Eagle and Dark Bird truly possess a sublime quality!"

As expected of Saint Gawain, even a casual decision contains something worth pondering!

"Ha ha!"

Upon hearing Cobra's words, Gawain burst out laughing, shaking his head with a smile.

"Cobra, stop teasing me. We've been together for over half a month; you should have known I'm not the kind of person who enjoys flattery."

Over the past few days, you've become much more natural, and we've been able to communicate like true friends.

So, how come you suddenly turned back into the same person you were before?

As he asked the question, Gawain picked up his wine glass and took a small sip.

Across from him, watching Gawain's actions, Cobra pursed his lips leisurely.

"Alas, I am truly... truly worried!"

Although you seem unconcerned about the young Pirate King's son's identity, he did come from my country after all, and he even attempted to attack you!

"Don't!"

Gawain quickly raised his hand and spoke to the anxious Cobra.

"Don't say that. It wasn't an attack; it was just a small challenge."

As for your country, haha, Ace has nothing to do with your country.

He's a pirate, but he's only recently traveled to your country.

So don't worry, Cobra."

"Phew, I see."

Hearing this, Cobra let out a long sigh of relief.

Gawain could indeed disregard Ace's identity and what he did when he appeared, but Cobra could not.

Now that he heard Gawain's explanation, Cobra was finally relieved.

However, after feeling relieved, Cobra immediately felt something was off.

"However, Saint Gawain, how could there possibly be pirates in my country?"

After all, our country has a very close relationship with Crocodile, the hero of the Shichibukai!

For the past fourteen years, Mr. Crocodile has almost single-handedly wiped out all the pirates within my Kingdom of Alabasta!

So, how did this Roger's son end up in our family?

At this point, Cobra quickly waved for Igaram, who then gave instructions to the guard.

"Igaram, quickly call Crocodile for me."

"Was he so caught up in the Rebel Army that he didn't have time to deal with the pirates who recently landed in Alabasta?"

Upon hearing the king's words, Igaram nodded quickly.

"I see!"

As he spoke, he took out Den Den Mushi and went to the side to make a call.

Less than half a minute later, Igaram hung up the phone and returned to Cobra's side.

"Your Majesty, Mr. Crocodile is at the Katorea docks. He... he was just with Roger's son."

However, Crocodile was unaware that Fire Fist was Roger's son.

He has temporarily allowed Fire Fist to operate in our country because Fire Fist has been distilling seawater for our civilians for free for the past ten days or so!

Prior to this, at the docks of Katorea City.

The moment Crocodile caught sight of the Dark Bird Ship in the distance, an amused smile appeared on his face.

As a villain who has hidden himself for over a decade and always played the role of a hero, Crocodile knows all too well how important first impressions are.

Therefore, after meeting Ace, Crocodile simply stayed at the port that Gawain was destined to pass through.

The moment he told Gawain to disembark, he saw himself surrounded by civilians and hailed as a hero.

In that case, even if Gawain discovers something later, it will be difficult for him to truly connect it with himself!

With this in mind, he was already prepared to meet the Dark Bird Ship as it approached!

As for why he dared to greet Gawain as a pirate...

Because Crocodile was Shichibukai, he concluded that with three Shichibukai on board, Gawain would at the very least not dare to attack him.

However, his conclusion took a slight turn the moment Ace charged toward the Dark Bird Ship!

In order to maintain his heroic image, he has been working hard these past few days to preserve his friendship with Ace in the eyes of the common people!

As a result, Ace actually attacked Celestial Dragon!!!

However, seeing that Ace's attack had failed and that he had been captured by Rayleigh in one move, Crocodile was relieved.

First, Ace's attack was unsuccessful. Second, it would be a good idea to take advantage of this opportunity and Gawain's identity to get rid of Ace, who had been sabotaging his drought plan!

During the days Ace stayed in Katorea, he attracted countless people to flock to the Katorea. Even the original rebels, after learning that Katorea had distilled water that could sustain life, were drawn to it.

Their thoughts of rebellion vanished!

In Alabasta, if people weren't truly struggling to survive, how many would dare to rebel against the King Cobra?

In short, Crocodile was extremely annoyed by Ace, and if he could get rid of Ace through Gawain's hands, it would be a perfect outcome for him.

Thinking this, Crocodile's gaze toward the Dark Bird Ship became increasingly relaxed.

But immediately afterward, Crocodile received a call from Captain Igaram.

The phone call lasted only half a minute, and Crocodile hurriedly put the phone in his pocket.

There wasn't a trace of relief on his face!

He gritted his teeth and exhaled heavily.

"Damn it, Ace is actually the son of the Pirate King Roger!"

How is that possible!

The photos of me and that guy working together to save civilians with distilled water are about to be spread throughout Alabasta by the Baroque Works!

If others saw Ace and me with our arms around each other...

At this point, Crocodile took a large, sullen puff of his cigar.

"Oh no, I'm about to become an evil accomplice of the Pirate King's son!"