Chapter 160: Advice
"Gurararara, Rodney, you're the first young man among the juniors who dares to speak to me like this. Aren't you afraid? I am Whitebeard!" Whitebeard laughed heartily, looking down at Rodney.
"Why should I be afraid? I haven't offended you, and besides, this is my turf! You can rest and have fun here; we welcome that. But if you're here to cause trouble, I'm sorry, it's a one-for-one deal. Either I die, or you do!"
Rodney replied confidently, his Sharingan scanning the members of the Whitebeard Pirates, emitting a chilling aura that created a tense atmosphere.
Marco casually scratched his ear, saying, "He's quite the young fellow." When was the last time he had encountered a young man so ignorant of the world? Oh, it was just a while ago, with Ace.
But he became more serious because the tone in which this man just spoke held no hint of deception. This meant Rodney was genuinely prepared to fight them.
Quite determined!
Marco couldn't help but become somewhat interested in him. Initially, he thought the person who had made Ace promise like that must be a despicable character, exploiting a man's word to bind Ace.
He looked down on such behavior. However, he had now gained some respect for Rodney, who was willing to risk his life for his comrades. People like him generally wouldn't betray their crewmates.
"Arrogant!"
Atmos raised his two swords, feeling humiliated after being blown away by the strong wind earlier. He was determined to defeat Rodney and regain his lost dignity.
"Ace, stop him! He'll get hurt!" Ace hurriedly shouted.
"Just now, I was careless, Ace. Watch closely!" Atmos was brimming with confidence and pushed Ace aside, raising his longsword for an attack.
"Gunbai!"
Boom!
This time, Atmos used even greater force in his attack, which resulted in an even stronger wind when it rebounded. He was sent flying, landing beside a pile of garbage.
"What an idiot who doesn't learn."
Rodney retracted his flaming fan, which appeared as pristine as ever, without any signs of damage. He seemed quite fond of it.
Whitebeard chuckled and said, "Enough, Atmos, don't bother anymore. Rodney here surpasses your strength. No need to keep trying."
After sailing the seas for so many years, Whitebeard could easily see that Rodney, during his pursuit of Ace, had the speed to avoid Atmos's attacks. Instead of dodging, Rodney used that strange fan to block the attack. It was highly likely he was experimenting with his power against Atmos.
"This kid is too arrogant; I have to teach him a lesson!" Atmos grumbled.
"Oh? Do you have the ability?"
Rodney instantly appeared in front of Atmos, holding the flaming fan in one hand and a knife in the other, pointing it at Atmos's neck.
"What did you just say? I didn't quite catch that. Even Edward-sama has said you're no match for me. Why don't you listen? Do you really want to act tough? Tell me, does it hurt?"
(TL/N: "sama" is a respectful honorific suffix used when addressing someone in a polite and deferential manner.)
Atmos's face fluctuated between pale and red, and Marco came up behind Rodney, patting him on the shoulder, saying, "Kid, that's enough. Atmos did make a mistake at first, but are you going too far?"
After all, they were family, while Rodney was just an acquaintance of Ace.
"Gurrarara, Rodney, your strength is not bad. I have high hopes for you. How about becoming my son?" Whitebeard extended his large hand toward him.
Rodney shook his head and replied, "I already have a father, and only one. I don't need a second one."
He had only one father, and he would always have only one.
"Do you know what you're rejecting? This is an invitation from your old man!" Atmos shouted loudly.
Ace also said, "Yeah, Rodney, let's become Whitebeard's sons together! We'll not only be friends but brothers!"
"I refuse!"
Rodney looked at Ace and said, "Ace, our life experiences are different. You lack something that I don't, and the joys and sorrows of life are not the same for everyone. If your father hadn't died, and if you had grown up with him, would you still be willing to be Whitebeard's son? If he accompanied you through your growth, would you have agreed? Don't rush to answer, because you can't be sure yourself, can you?"
"I... My father is only Whitebeard!"
After hesitating for a moment, Ace loudly declared, "Rodney, isn't it good for us to become one family?"
Rodney sheathed Shusui and said, "Ace, from the beginning, we've been on different paths. Your identity is unique. But remember, you desire paternal love, which is not wrong. However, have you ever thought about Vice Admiral Garp's feelings? That complex mix of emotions when he sent you out to sea, it's something you might never understand in your lifetime."
"Old man, he..."
"Vice Admiral Garp watched you grow up and felt proud, but he also felt anger when you became a pirate. He let me capture you and then released you because he wanted to send his grandson off properly. Ace, I don't want to see the day when Vice Admiral Garp weeps over your corpse. It's too cruel to an old man."
The two locked eyes, and Ace saw it: in the chaotic battlefield, he was killed by an unfamiliar Marine, falling into his brother Luffy's arms. His grandfather approached, and another elderly man forcibly subdued him.
"Let's do it like this, Sengoku! Pin me down like this! Otherwise, I don't know what I'll do!"
In his memory, only his father Whitebeard, and that man had the power to resist him. That man was the one who had spoken those words, his voice filled with anger that Ace had never heard before.
Even though it was an illusion, he felt like he was there.
The scene shifted, and he was bound to an execution platform, with the old man sitting beside him. The man who had been strong all his life was now in tears. "Scoundrel, though not worthy of sympathy, family is different. Ace, why didn't you do as this old man wished from the beginning? How can this old man handle it?"
"Old man..."
Back in reality, it had been just a brief moment, but Ace felt heavy-hearted. The smile on his face had disappeared, and Rodney said, "Ace, Vice Admiral Garp didn't want to control your life; that's why he used other means to protect you. You trust family, but Ace, I hope our next meeting won't be in Impel Down."
"Rodney, what do you mean by that? I won't let my beloved son be locked up in Impel Down, even if Garp comes!"
Whitebeard placed his family above all else, and he wouldn't allow anyone to harm his family until he died.
"Nothing much," Rodney shook his head.
"Just a warning to Ace not to act recklessly. I hope you won't forget the scene from earlier, Ace."