Shanks was clearly unaware that Roger had remarried after disbanding his pirate crew, and that they had ended up having a child.
Who is that?
"Your friend?"
Roy looked at him, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
" Shanks, stick your head out here."
Shanks was confused, but he still leaned closer.
Roy leaned close to his ear and whispered...
Rouge is Roger's wife.
" Ace is Roger's son."
Shanks' eyes widened suddenly!
"Masaka--?!!"
He yelled and almost jumped up!
The people around were startled by the sudden commotion and stopped what they were doing to look at Shanks.
"Boss? What's wrong?"
"What happened?"
Shanks, are you alright?
Shanks stood there, mouth agape, eyes wide, as if struck by lightning.
Roy's words kept echoing in his mind—
Rouge is Roger's wife.
" Ace is Roger's son."
Roger...
The captain's...
son?!
Shanks ' breathing quickened instantly.
Roy looked at him and a smile crept onto his lips.
"Don't get agitated."
Roy patted the ground beside him.
"Sit down and talk."
Shanks took a deep breath, suppressing his shock, and sat down again.
He looked at Roy with an unprecedentedly serious expression.
" Roy, are you serious?"
"Certainly."
Why would I lie to you?
Shanks stared at him for a few seconds, then slowly spoke.
How did you know?
Roy picked up his glass, took a sip,
"After we parted ways in Loguetown, I took Buggy to Baterilla Island."
"There, we found Rouge."
"She was newly pregnant at the time, and she was hiding there alone in a very dangerous situation."
"So I brought her to the Foosha Village in the East Blue."
"That's Garp's hometown, it's very safe."
"Furthermore, after Roger surrendered, he entrusted his wife to Garp."
Shanks remained silent for a long time.
A complex light flickered in his eyes.
There was shock, emotion, and a sense of relief.
"Captain..."
"He actually... has a son..."
Roy looked at Shanks, who was already in a mental whirlwind, and was surprised that the news had such a huge impact on him.
Shanks, are you alright?
Shanks snapped out of his reverie and shook his head.
"Fine."
"It's just... too shocking."
He took a big gulp of wine and exhaled a long breath.
" Captain Roger is the man I respect most."
He always dreamed of finding someone to inherit his will and usher in a new era.
"I never imagined that he still had descendants in this world."
Roy nodded.
" Ace, that child, is two years old now."
"Very healthy and very lively."
"When he grows up, he might become a great pirate."
A complex glint flashed in Shanks' eyes.
Two years old...
The captain's son is two years old now.
He was silent for a moment, then suddenly slapped his forehead.
"Oh, right! Buggy!"
"Where's Buggy?!"
"How is he?!"
" Buggy?"
"He went to sea a long time ago."
Shanks was taken aback.
"Set sail? Where did they go?"
Roy shook his head.
"Have no idea."
"He said he was looking for treasure, so he set sail by himself."
"Now, let's go treasure hunting on whichever island we're on."
Shanks paused for a moment, then burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"That's just like Buggy!"
"That guy has loved treasure since he was a kid!"
He gulped down a large mouthful of wine.
"It's a pity I couldn't go to sea with him."
I wonder how he is now.
Roy looked at him,
"What, missing him?"
Shanks nodded.
"A little."
"That guy, even though he always talks about wanting to be the Pirate King, he's actually quite soft-hearted."
"Back when we were on Roger's ship, he was one of the youngest, and everyone doted on him."
I wonder if he's doing well now.
Roy paused for a second, then said,
Don't worry.
"That guy is incredibly lucky."
"You might meet him on the high seas someday."
Shanks laughed.
"Too."
"That Buggy guy, he's really lucky."
The two continued drinking and chatting.
The atmosphere gradually relaxed.
The banquet continued.
The campfire illuminated everyone's faces, and the aroma of wine mingled with the scent of food, carried on the sea breeze.
Roy leaned against the rocks, looking at the group of people in front of him, feeling a mix of emotions.
Shanks is indeed a born leader.
The reason he can attract so many powerful people to follow him is not only because of his strength, but more so because of his sincerity and magnanimity.
It's not surprising that someone like that could become one of the Four Emperors in the future.
Roy turned to look at Lafitte and Van Augur.
The two were sitting together, talking in hushed tones.
Lafitte seemed to be explaining something to Van Augur, Van Augur listened attentively, nodding occasionally.
Roy's heart skipped a beat.
He waved.
" Lafitte, Van Augur, come here."
The two immediately stood up and walked over to Roy.
"Captain."
Roy looked at them,
" Van Augur, do you remember what I just said about what you'd get for joining my pirate crew?"
Van Augur nodded.
"Remember."
" Haki, Six Powers, Bloodline Transplantation."
Roy nodded in satisfaction.
"Very good."
"Now, let Lafitte tell you what Haki is."
He looked at Lafitte,
" Lafitte, you speak."
Lafitte nodded and turned to Van Augur.
" Van Augur, with its Haki, is one of the most fundamental combat systems in the world."
"It is divided into three types: Observation Haki, Armament Haki, and Conqueror's Haki."
" Observation Haki allows you to predict your opponent's attacks, sense the surrounding atmosphere, and even 'hear' your opponent's next move during battle."
" Armament Haki can harden your body, enhance your attack and defense, and even grasp the physical form of Logia Fruit users."
" Conqueror's Haki is a rare, one-in-a-million quality of a king; it can intimidate the weak and suppress opponents."
"The power from the clash between the captain and Shanks just now was Conqueror's Haki."
Van Augur listened intently, his eyes gleaming with longing.
He certainly remembered the terror of that force just now.
That sense of oppression, that imposing power, that force that seemed capable of crushing everything—
If only I could also master that power...
Lafitte continued,
"The captain has directly taught me the methods for cultivating Haki."
"Once we return to Hachinosu, I will master it as soon as possible, and then we can cultivate together."
Van Augur nodded solemnly.
Thank you.
Roy looked at Van Augur and suddenly spoke.
Van Augur.
Van Augur immediately looked up.
"Exist."
Roy looked at him, a serious glint in his eyes.
"Did you join my pirate crew with the utmost sincerity?"
Or is it simply because you're afraid of my strength?