Simultaneously, within the Fleet Admiral of the Marine's office, Sengoku, along with Ms. Tsuru, Gion, and other senior Marine officials, awaited updates from the front lines.
After a considerable wait, the phone snail rang, prompting Sengoku to answer. A solemn voice on the line delivered the news: "Today's capture mission was unsuccessful. Rayleigh intervened and rescued Ace. It's now confirmed that Ace is a descendant of Roger."
Just then, a soldier's report interrupted, "Mr. Akainu, Blackbeard's group's location has been pinpointed."
"Initiate the siege immediately!" Akainu commanded gravely. "Continue operations and report any developments promptly."
Sengoku, upon learning that Ace hadn't been captured, ended the call without further comments.
Subsequently, a sense of concern clouded the expressions of many high-ranking generals present in the office.
The failure of the capture mission wasn't a primary concern initially, given the ongoing troop deployment that suggested Ace's eventual capture. However, Rayleigh's unexpected appearance and subsequent actions disrupted these plans.
The potential recruitment of the remnants of the Roger Pirates could exacerbate the situation, leading to increased public panic, denting Marine and World Government's credibility.
In the midst of the heavy silence, Vice Admiral Tsuru spoke with seriousness, "Despite the operation's failure, Ron's choice not to disclose Akainu's actions to Rayleigh speaks volumes. If recruited, Ron could provide significant support in our future plans against the Whitebeard Pirates."
Sengoku's eyes brightened as he turned to Gion, inquiring, "Considering yesterday's events, how optimistic are you about recruiting Ron?"
"The chances are nearly nonexistent," Gion responded calmly, her countenance serious amidst the tense circumstances.
"Nonetheless, we must make an attempt," Gion insisted.
Despite Ron's attempts at persuasion and physical trials the previous day, he remained unswayed.
Recalling an old saying, Gion pondered: "If the thread can't go through, lick the thread straight!"
Sengoku nodded, providing brief clarifications before concluding the meeting.
Suddenly, the office door burst open. An elderly man, short-haired and munching on senbei, barged in, exclaiming, "I'm joining the mission to capture Ace from this moment!"
Meanwhile, inside the tavern, when Rayleigh made his bold statement, Ron responded by slapping him. He knew Ace would only harbor more hatred towards Roger upon hearing such things. Unlike a dutiful son celebrating his father, Ace, who lost his mother early, would contemplate how to tarnish Roger's reputation upon learning about Roger's past deeds.
Realizing his mistake from Ron's reaction, Rayleigh hurriedly added, "The captain never engaged in such transactions with women!"
"You needn't explain. What that guy did doesn't concern me," Ace expressed his disgust.
Rayleigh felt regretful, intending to depict Roger as a free-spirited dream chaser unfazed by authority. His words, however, inadvertently revealed otherwise.
Sensing the awkward silence between them, Ron turned and retrieved a bottle of wine from the cabinet, offering it to Ace.
Accepting the bottle without a glass, Ace took a swig. With a gulp, he praised, "Great wine! This surpasses even the Whitebeard Pirates' stock. The rich aroma rushes to the head, and it's sweet and smooth without being overpowering."
"If you like the taste, feel free to drop by more often," Ron remarked with a smile.
Ace nodded, intending to say something but hesitated, casting a glance at Rayleigh beside him, deciding to remain silent.
For a while, the vast tavern fell into an eerie silence, punctuated only by intermittent gunshots and explosions from outside.
"Freedom..." Ace murmured, his head bowed.
Ace harbored a profound resentment toward his father for turning himself in. His mother didn't need to endure twenty months of pregnancy to evade the Marines, resulting in her demise from exhaustion during childbirth. His own birthday wouldn't coincide with the anniversary of his mother's passing.
Since childhood, Ace's inquiries about his father had always yielded consistent responses—an utter jerk. Even the hypothetical descendants of his were met with disdain among the common people. Despite confronting and challenging these individuals, Ace grappled with lingering doubts.
Was it truly right to exist in this world? On one side lay the gift of motherhood, and on the other, a legacy of paternal hatred.
Amid this turmoil, Ace survived, struggling against this inner conflict. However, encounters with a compassionate group of individuals amidst life's hardships prevented him from becoming embittered. Despite his arduous experiences, Ace didn't succumb to callousness.
Over time, Rayleigh, halfway through a bottle of wine, found himself revisiting these memories. Yet, as he attempted to grasp them, they slipped away like fine sand through his fingers, leaving behind a sense of bitterness and helplessness.
Finally, Rayleigh couldn't contain himself, muttering, "In his final moments, your father's sole concern was for you and Rouge."
This confession caused the once fearless old man, who confronted Marine Admirals head-on, to tremble slightly while holding his wine glass with his left hand.
"Concern? From my father?" Ace growled softly. "If what you're saying is true, he would have evaded capture, and my mother wouldn't have died!"
Instantly regretting his outburst, Ace wished he hadn't been so emotionally charged. He should have treated that man as a stranger.
"I only had one father, and that was Whitebeard," Ace muttered, taking a sip of his wine, his head lowered.
Rayleigh sneered, "What kind of delusion did that old man instill in you?"
"You're not even willing to acknowledge your biological father."
"Pops was a true father figure. No matter who was in the Pirates, Pops treated them like family..." Ace's eyes softened at the mention of Whitebeard. "Without my father, I wouldn't have understood the true meaning of life till now."
Perhaps stemming from the lack of paternal love during his upbringing, Ace deeply appreciated the warmth and acceptance found within Whitebeard's family.
In contrast, Roger, his biological father, seemed rather inadequate.
"Oh, that old Whitebeard was quite the character," Rayleigh sighed. "Actually, the captain had been sick before he turned himself in."
Ace was taken aback by this revelation—a different answer from what he had always expected.
Rayleigh recounted the situation back then, capturing Ace's attentive interest, which gradually softened the disgust in his eyes.
Roger sought renowned doctors to extend his life in search of Raftel. Yet, despite his efforts, upon reaching his destination, Roger's time was short-lived. His surrender was part of a premeditated plan. He knew from Raftel's text that he had arrived two decades early but didn't have the time for a fresh start. His execution became a spectacle that inspired countless to pursue his treasure.
Rayleigh, uncharacteristically serious, remarked, "From start to finish, Roger embodied the will of D, living freely and choosing his own path."
"After all, aren't pirates just whimsical fools who revel in parties, sing 'Binks' Sake,' and enjoy rum?" Rayleigh tousled Ace's hair affectionately. "And your father was the most whimsical of them all!"
Stunned by the revelations, Ace remained silent until he left the tavern. Walking through the dark streets, he pondered Rayleigh's words, reshaping his perception of his father. Slowly, a more comprehensive image of the man began to form in his mind.
He couldn't forgive Roger, but his hatred seemed to diminish, replaced by a less intense sentiment.