The Future Three Marine Admirals in Place?

Zephyr smiled and swept his gaze over Garp and Shanks as if to say, See?

After learning the full picture of the One Piece world, he would never again underestimate pirates.

Nineteen-year-old Luffy was already a powerhouse capable of matching the Four Emperors and Admirals, even daring to confront the World Government's supreme ruler.

What had he been doing at nineteen? It seemed he had only been in actual combat for a year.

That was the power of the new era.

"To understand why Roger did this, you first need to understand this sea and its past."

Zephyr's voice replaced Shanks's as he continued telling them another story.

From another perspective, Ace heard the secrets of the past.

The World Government, the Twenty Kings of the Celestial Dragons, the Great Kingdom, Joy Boy and Nika, the One Piece, and the inheritance...

"That bastard Roger had always been interested in the world, but not because he wanted to rule it. It was more like... how should I put it? A simple wish to make the world better."

"But he was a pirate, and he did things in an extremely willful and straightforward way. Since he knew the One Piece contained secrets from the past that could be used against the World Government, he made it public."

"So everyone could search for it, so everyone could find a way to fight the World Government."

"But..."

Uta timidly raised her hand.

"Didn't you say Joy Boy lost to the World Government? Can the legacy of a loser really help defeat the Celestial Dragons?"

"That is another matter." Zephyr smiled and shook his head. "We do not know what the One Piece truly contains. Perhaps it is wealth enough to rival a nation? Perhaps some weapon capable of threatening the world? Or perhaps it is simply a record exposing the Celestial Dragons' crimes."

"But no matter what it is, having it is better than not having it. It could be the capital needed to rise again, a weapon held in reserve, or even the banner of righteousness."

"Besides, there is nothing shameful about standing upon the shoulders of the defeated and achieving the victory they never lived to see."

Uta still could not fully understand Zephyr's words. She could only nod vaguely.

But for Ace, it was entirely different.

His father had changed from a terrible pirate into the man who fired the first shot against corrupt rulers.

Though he could not yet put it into words, Ace felt that his father had not been entirely evil.

The ones truly guilty were the World Government!

"Of course, it is also possible that Roger simply wanted to continue a pirate game, which was why he revealed the existence of Laugh Tale."

The flames in Ace's heart were doused once more, and he looked eagerly at Shanks.

As a ten-year-old child, all he wanted was to know that his father had been a good man. At worst, he had to be a different kind of good man.

"That really does sound like something Captain Roger would do." Shanks burst into laughter, wholeheartedly agreeing.

Hmph!

Ace's little face flushed red with anger. Could his father really have been a lousy pirate!?

"In short, perhaps what Roger wanted to do was great, but the evil he brought about was real as well."

Zephyr patted Ace on the shoulder and spoke earnestly.

"Even the greatest person may wet the bed or poop their pants when they are a baby."

"That is true. Uta was like that when she was little." Shanks nodded in agreement.

"Shanks!!!"

"As for your father, he was a complicated man. Simple labels of good and bad are not enough to describe him, and it is hard to judge his merits and sins even now."

"But at present, Roger's crimes against this sea undoubtedly outweigh his merits."

"You are his child, that is beyond doubt. But what path you choose to walk in the future depends on you."

"Ace, you are only ten years old. You will have plenty of time to think about these things later. Do not rush."

"I..."

Ace did not know. He truly did not know. He had gone from hating his father for being a pirate, even the Pirate King, and therefore hating himself, to learning that his father might have wanted to overthrow the corrupt World Government—a man with both merit and sin. Now he was lost again.

Part of him longed for his father to become a true hero, but another part wondered why he should help that bastard.

The once simple image of Roger had become three-dimensional, and Ace's extremism turned into bewilderment.

At that moment, Garp walked over and spoke with rare seriousness.

"If you do not know what to do, then go take a look at this world.

"I have a bastard son who only decided how to act after seeing this world clearly.

"Although I do not understand why, I know I cannot stop him."

"Zephyr."

"Hmm?"

"Although I do not know what you old bastard are really trying to do, or what secrets you have, I know you are someone worth trusting."

"Then..."

"Ace is in your hands. For the next while, take him out to sea and let him see the world."

"Huh?"

"Ah!"

"No fair! I want to go to sea with Ace too!"

Zephyr looked at Garp. His old friend's face held an unprecedented seriousness.

Garp had watched Zephyr's changes over the past few days, but he had said nothing, because they were good changes.

And now that Garp truly understood what Zephyr wanted to do, his only choice was to support him.

Zephyr looked back at Garp and nodded.

"I understand. I will let Ace truly see this sea for what it is."

"Good."

Ace was stunned. He could go to sea? Wait, then what about Sabo!?

"Stink... Grandpa, can I bring a friend with me?"

Luffy's eyes suddenly lit up. Sure enough, Ace cared about him...

"His name is Sabo."

[Zephyr: Things worked out even better than I imagined. Garp has basically entrusted Ace and the other kids to me for now, telling me to train them properly.]

[Flender: Oh? The future three Marine Admirals?]

[Zephyr: Hahaha, if it is the Neo Marines I build, I am looking forward to seeing that day arrive.]

[Samuel Oak: So next, Zephyr, you are taking those children around East Blue? There will be quite a few things happening soon.]

[Zephyr: Yes. Luffy's future companions all have their own tragedies—childhood sweethearts, mothers, foster mothers...

There is also the evil and filth hidden in East Blue: Nezumi, the Admiral, the Arlong Pirates, and so on. Since I know about them, I cannot simply stand by.]

[Flender: Indeed. Tragedies are always unpleasant. They may leave a deep impression, but I still prefer happy endings. Perhaps I am just a common man, hahaha.]

[Dumbledore: Who does not enjoy a beautiful fairy tale? The meaning of existence is to move toward something better.]

[Samuel Oak: I strongly agree.]

[Zephyr: So do I.]

[Zephyr: Come to think of it, I also plan to bring that bastard Garp along and train him as well. Since he ate the Nika Fruit, he should awaken it quickly and contribute to the future. But Shanks is a bit troublesome; he has already decided to take Uta on a voyage for pleasure.]

[Flender: Have him join the Shichibukai? After all, he is a descendant of the Celestial Dragons. In their eyes, he is probably just enjoying himself in the lower world, so traveling together would be perfectly reasonable.]

[Zephyr: That could work. In any case, Shanks is joining us. Next, I should try contacting Dragon.]

[Flender: Heh heh, the Marine Hero, a Marine Admiral, a future Four Emperor, and the leader of the Revolutionary Army. The rise of a new force is plain to see.]

[Samuel Oak: Keep it up, Zephyr. I am close to finding Arlan too. I hope he can turn over a new leaf.]

[Flender: It may not help much, but as always, if any of you need anything, just call out in the group.

Oh, right, I have acquired quite a few Immortal Herbs. Do you want a set?]