Choice...

Remember: say 06 Хīashυ6ом to avoid losing it

Let's go back a few years, after the Alabasta Incident.

A massive ship is slowly advancing into the New World, a scene shrouded in desolation.

That's right, this ship is the Moby Dick, the pirate ship of the World's Strongest Man.

The atmosphere on the deck was somewhat somber. Many wounded pirates were wrapped in bandages, their faces filled with sorrow.

The Whitebeard Pirates suffered heavy losses in this operation, almost completely crippling their strength.

"Plop"

Curled up like a dumpling, with only his eyes showing, Ace knelt before Whitebeard.

At this moment, Whitebeard lay on the hospital bed, his body covered in needles, looking as if he were in his twilight years, his breath weak.

"Pops, I'm sorry."

With tears streaming down his face and filled with self-reproach, Ace couldn't bear to face his companions, as this whole incident was his fault.

He ignored all advice and insisted on chasing Blackbeard, only to be framed and end up joining the Sacred Pirates.

Whitebeard's body was already frail, and the battle with God had almost completely depleted his remaining energy. A few years ago, Whitebeard wouldn't have needed to lie down to recover from such an injury.

But now, he's lying in a hospital bed.

Most importantly, the Whitebeard Pirates suffered heavy losses this time.

For example, the sixth division captain Blamenco, the seventh division captain Rakuyo, the ninth division captain Blenheim, the tenth division captain Curiel, the eleventh Kingdew, the twelfth Haruta, and the Fourteen Speed Gil.

Besides these captains, countless comrades in each squad suffered casualties.

Jozu, Vista, and the others who survived are in even greater danger and remain in a coma.

This is what Ace blames himself for; he hates himself now.

"Kulala"

Lying in bed, Whitebeard remained as arrogant and domineering as ever. He turned his head to look at Ace, who was sobbing, and patted his head with his large hand.

"Ace, this isn't your fault!"

With tears streaming down his face, Ace looked up at the haggard-looking Whitebeard, feeling as if a giant hand was tearing at his heart, causing him unbearable pain.

"Pops, it's my fault that so many brothers died in vain, and it's also because of you, Pops..."

"Ace, have you ever regretted being my son?"

Whitebeard interrupted Ace, raising his voice slightly.

Wiping away his tears, Ace gritted his teeth and said firmly, "I will never regret it."

"Are you willing to live with the name Whitebeard forever?"

Unbeknownst to him, Whitebeard's eyes were filled with a sharp edge, and his heart was filled with anticipation and worry.

"No."

Suddenly, the door was pushed open, and Rayleigh walked in with a serious expression.

Following closely behind Rayleigh was Red-Haired, but he remained Red-Haired, only letting out a sigh.

"Kurara Rayleigh, don't tell me those guys will all come out of the mountains. There probably aren't many left alive by now!"

Laughing heartily, the Whitebeard wasn't annoyed at all, and continued, "Like you, we're all getting old. This era belongs to the young."

With a calm expression, Rayleigh looked at Ace.

"I only have one Pops, and whether in the past, present, or Future, I will always bear the name Whitebeard."

Ace raised his head, his face resolute.

"Now that your identity has been exposed, the current Whitebeard Pirates cannot protect you."

Rayleigh glanced at Whitebeard and then stepped out of reality.

"Kulala, you old codger, do you really think I'm no good? I want to drag someone down with me, do you think that's so hard?"

His eyes were sharp, and his Whitebeard was rather plain.

Without a word, Rayleigh looked at Whitebeard, then at Ace's resolute face, and sighed.

"You can only protect him for two or three years at most; your health..."

Two or three years is enough.

Whitebeard grinned as he looked at Ace.

"Are you really sure? You should know there are many people on this ocean who want you dead!"

Rayleigh looked at Ace again and asked one last question.

"I have nothing to do with that guy. In this life, I am just Fire Fist Ace of the Whitebeard Pirates, and that will never change, not even until I die!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Ace continued in a deep voice, "My name is Portgas D. Ace, not Gol D. Ace."

"This is my Den Den Mushi number."

Seeing that Ace had made up his mind, Rayleigh didn't say anything more, left a note and walked out of the room. The note contained the code for the Den Den Mushi.

Beside him, Red-Haired also took out a note, looked at Ace with a smile, and said, "No matter what difficulties you encounter, I, Red-Haired, will always be your support. This is my promise."

"Take it back, and take his too. I have nothing to do with that guy."

Ace wasn't grateful; he didn't want that person's death to continue affecting him.

"Ace, you should accept it."

It was the Whitebeard on the bed who spoke, but it was unclear what he was thinking.

"Pops, I don't want to have anything to do with that person."

Ace gritted his teeth, seething with anger.

"But you have his blood in your veins, and whether you admit it or not, you are his son."

After leaving the note, Red-Haired left the room without saying anything. As Red-Haired left, Whitebeard continued, "I've only had a few rivals in my life: Redfield, Shiki, Kong, Sengoku, Garp, and Roger. Of them, I admire Roger the most. Do you know why?"

Ace shook his head.

As if lost in some kind of memory, the Whitebeard began to recount his story.

Meanwhile, on the outer deck, Red-Haired caught up with Rayleigh.

"First mate, wait a minute."

Rayleigh stopped and turned to look at the Red-Haired.

"I'm no longer the first mate. You're one of the Four Emperors now, so why are you still acting the same as before?"

With a smile, Rayleigh looked at the Red-Haired and gave him a lecture.

"The first mate is the first mate. If it weren't for the first mate, Buggy and I would have died countless times over."

Red-Haired was laughing. If this scene were broadcast to the ocean, it would definitely cause a tsunami, because the Four Emperors Red-Haired actually showed great respect to an old man.

"That's your good fortune. The captain and everyone else were right, and you didn't let us down by finding a reliable crew. By the way, how's Buggy doing now?"

Halfway through, Rayleigh seemed to remember something.

"I don't know which guy is where, but knowing his personality, he's probably collecting treasure!" the Red-Haired with a hint of helplessness.

"Still obsessed with treasure? You suffered quite a bit at his hands back then."

As if he had thought of something funny, Rayleigh grinned.

"Even now, I'm not sure I can gain the upper hand against him; that guy always likes to hide his strength."

"That's true." Rarely, Rayleigh actually nodded in agreement.

"By the way, the first mate knows where everyone is; I'd like to pay him a visit."

With a hint of anticipation, the Red-Haired man stared intently at Rayleigh.

"I don't know either. Maybe many people are already dead." Rayleigh gazed at the boundless sea, feeling somewhat melancholic.

"Never mind that, we'll meet again if fate allows."

Rayleigh patted the Red-Haired on the shoulder, then said seriously, "From now on, please take good care of Ace."

"Don't worry, First Mate, I know what to do."

Nodding, the Red-Haired took a deep breath.

"Then farewell."

With that, Rayleigh jumped into the sea, and with the parting waves, he sped away and disappeared on the horizon in the blink of an eye.

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