Randall's eyes flickered.
It was as though that bloody scene had appeared before him again.
He sighed inwardly, wondering how the pregnant women Dragon had taken away were doing now.
No matter what, he had done everything he could.
Whatever happened, his conscience was clear.
He gathered his thoughts and told Ace the whole story.
When Ace heard that so many pregnant women and newborns had died because of him,
he nearly broke down completely.
But that was a good thing.
A breakdown was exactly the kind of therapy Randall had in mind.
Ace's entire body turned into a mass of flames.
It swelled where he stood.
Christa stared blankly at the fire as well.
"I never imagined something like that had happened."
"Christa, back then, my strength was far too insignificant in this world.
There was no room for resistance.
If I'd really flipped the table back then, the World Government would have been utterly enraged.
The whole South Blue might have gone up in flames."
Randall explained rather cautiously.
Christa froze at his words.
Then she broke into a radiant smile.
"What are you talking about, big brother?
You'll always be my brother!"
As she spoke, she reached out and squeezed Randall's hand.
Randall immediately relaxed.
That sort of unconditional favoritism was what family meant.
Only now did he fully understand how Garp had felt back then.
If the World Government had wanted to kill Christa instead, he would have made his choice without the slightest hesitation too.
Five minutes passed before the swelling flames gradually contracted.
Ace's figure emerged from within them.
"My birth was a mistake!
Why? Why did that damn old man do that?
He should've just handed me over!
I never should've survived!
Damn it, that old man..."
Smack—
Randall slapped Ace so hard