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 scope of the One Piece world, he would never again underestimate pirates.

At nineteen, young Luffy had already become a powerhouse capable of matching the Four Emperors and Admirals, even confronting the World Government's highest ruler.

What had he been doing at nineteen? It seemed he had only just entered actual combat a year earlier.

That was the power of the new era.

"If you want to know why Roger did this, you first need to understand this sea and the history of the past."

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

From another perspective, Ace heard those 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 legacy...

"That bastard Roger had always been interested in the world, but not because he wanted to rule it. It was more of a... 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 manner. Since he knew the One Piece held 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 weakly 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's another matter." Zephyr shook his head with a smile. "We don't know what exactly the One Piece contains. Perhaps it is wealth that could rival an entire nation? Perhaps it is some weapon capable of threatening the world? More likely, 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 capital for making a comeback, a weapon kept as a trump card, or even the righteous cause itself."

"Besides, there is nothing shameful about standing on the shoulders of those who failed 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 completely different.

His father had gone from being a terrible pirate to someone who fired the first shot against corrupt rulers.

Though he still could not put it into words, Ace felt that his father was not wholly 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 announced the existence of Laugh Tale."

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

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

"That really does sound like something Captain Roger would do." Shanks burst out laughing in wholehearted agreement.

Hmph!

Ace's little face turned red with anger. Could his father really have been nothing but a rotten pirate!?

"Anyway, perhaps what Roger wanted to do was great, but the evil he brought about was also real."

Zephyr patted Ace's shoulder and spoke earnestly.

"Even the greatest person may have wet the bed or pooped their pants when they were a baby."

"That's 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 evil are not enough to describe him, and it is difficult to judge his merits and sins even now."

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

"You are his child, without question. 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. Don't rush."

"I..."

Ace did not know. He truly did not know. He had once hated himself simply because his father was a pirate—and the Pirate King at that. Now that he knew his father might have wanted to overthrow the corrupt World Government, that he had been someone with both merit and sin, Ace fell into confusion once more.

Part of him longed for his father to become a true hero, yet another part thought, Why should I help that bastard?

The one-dimensional image of Roger from the past became whole, leaving Ace's extremity replaced by helpless uncertainty.

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

"If you don't know what to do, then go see this world for yourself. I have a bastard son who only decided how to act after seeing this world clearly. I don't understand why, but I know I cannot stop him."

"Zephyr."

"Hmm?"

"Although I don't know what you old bastard are really trying to do or what secrets you have, I know you are someone I can trust."

"Then..."

"Ace is in your hands. Take him out to sea for a while and let him see things."

"Huh?" "Ah!" "That's not fair! I want to go to sea with Ace too!"

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

Garp had watched Zephyr's changes over the past few days without saying anything, because they were good changes.

And now that Garp truly knew 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."

"Good."

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

"Stinky... Grandpa, can I bring a friend along?"

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

"His name is Sabo."

[Zephyr: Things have been resolved even better than I imagined. Garp has essentially entrusted these children to me for the time being and told me to train them well.]

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

[Zephyr: Haha, if it is the Neo Marines I establish, then I am looking forward to seeing that day come.]

[Samuel Oak: So next, Zephyr, are you taking those children around the East Blue? Quite a few things are about to happen.]

[Zephyr: Yes. Each of young Luffy's future companions has their own tragedy—childhood friends, mothers, foster mothers... There is also the evil and filth hidden in the East Blue: Nezumi, the Admiral, the Arlong Pirates, and so on. Since I know about them, I cannot stand by and ignore them.]

[Flender: Indeed. Tragedies are always unpleasant. Though they leave a deep impression, I still prefer happy endings. Perhaps I am simply a vulgar person, haha.]

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

[Samuel Oak: I very much agree.]

[Zephyr: So do I.]

[Zephyr: Speaking of which, I also plan to bring that bastard Garp along and train him too. Since he ate the Nika Fruit, he should awaken it quickly and contribute to the future. But Shanks is a little troublesome. He has already decided to set sail and travel with Uta.]

[Flender: Have him join the Shichibukai? After all, he is a descendant of the Celestial Dragons. In their eyes, he should merely be enjoying himself in the lower world right now. That way, even if you travel together, it would be perfectly reasonable.]

[Zephyr: That is indeed an option. In any case, Shanks has joined us. Next, I should try contacting Dragon.]

[Flender: Heh heh, a Marine Hero, a Marine Admiral, a future Four Emperor, and the leader of the Revolutionary Army. This is momentum anyone can see.]

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

[Flender: Though it may not help much, I will say it again: if any of you need anything, feel free to call out in the group. By the way, I have acquired quite a few Immortal Herbs. Do you want a set?]