Round Three Is About to Begin! (Continued)

"And don't forget, in the eyes of the world—at least for now—this child is still the grandson of the Hero of the Marines."

Adrian continued.

"If Marine Headquarters learns that you, a 'pirate,' barged into the Hero of the Marines' hometown and kidnapped his grandson, what do you think they'll do? Don't forget what happened to Admiral Zephyr ten years ago!"

"Even if you survive one Marine assault after another, what about Ace? He's so young. His life is so fragile that one careless moment could end it! Could you bear to let Roger's son die in your hands?"

Forget all that talk.

Adrian had only one reason for not wanting Bullet to take Ace away from Foosha Village!

There was only one truth!

He wanted to see which of Bullet and Garp would come out on top—

Ahem!

He wanted to see whose approach to raising Ace would prove better!

Besides, with Bullet looking after him, Ace probably wouldn't grow up like he had in the original story: open and cheerful on the outside, but gloomy and troubled within.

Adrian had always believed

that the main reason Ace rejected his parentage and bloodline

was the presence of a righteous "Marine grandpa"—especially when that grandpa was the old rival who had once chased his father all over the seas.

If Bullet, one of Roger's former crewmates, were around to influence him too, the scales in Ace's heart would probably balance out.

That was one of Adrian's little personal amusements.

Faced with White Ghost's questions, Bullet soon realized this as well.

But getting that stubborn man to admit he was wrong would be next to impossible.

Adrian knew it too, so he deliberately changed the subject.

"Come to think of it, there's something I forgot just now.

"Ace is Garp's grandson..."