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"So, this sickly little guy isn't as simple as he looks. Never judge a book by its cover!"
"Uchiha? Never heard of them. Quite mysterious," Shakky thought to herself.
"Kid, are you sure about this information?"
It took a while for Rayleigh to calm down, and his gaze was sharp as he questioned Kaito. "This isn't something you joke about."
"Of course!" Uchiha Kaito nodded affirmatively. "Back then, after your Roger Pirates disbanded, Roger went to the South Blue. On Baterilla Island, he met and fell in love with a woman named Portgas D. Rouge. After a year together, Rouge became pregnant with Roger's child."
"After that, Roger turned himself in, sparking the Great Pirate Era."
"The World Government caught wind of rumors about Roger's child in the South Blue. They sent numerous agents to search the area, even killing many pregnant women in the process."
"You must remember that, right, Aunt Shakky? Surely you heard of the chaos back then?"
"Yes," Shakky nodded solemnly. "It was a tragic time. I was following the news closely since it involved Roger. But eventually, the matter seemed to fade into obscurity. Only countless innocent pregnant women and children paid the price."
"So, Portgas D. Rouge actually escaped the World Government's hunt?"
It was hard to imagine how she managed that.
"Correct," Kaito confirmed. "With secret help from Vice Admiral Garp, Rouge endured unimaginable pain, delaying the child's birth for two full years to evade the government's grasp. Tragically, the moment she gave birth, she passed away."
The room fell silent as his words sank in. Rouge's resolve and sacrifice left both Shakky and Uchiha Jiri deeply moved.
"What an incredible woman," Jiri murmured, admiration evident in her tone.
"I never expected this," Shakky added, her voice tinged with sorrow.
"Wait, Garp?" Rayleigh's expression twisted in confusion. "You're saying it was Garp who helped Rouge? That scoundrel Roger trusted a Navy man over me?!"
"Hah! Typical of that idiot. Sounds exactly like something Roger would do."
Shakky shook her head with a small smile. "Honestly, it was the best decision. Garp is known for keeping his word. If the child had been entrusted to any of you, the World Government would've noticed immediately."
"Don't forget how closely they were watching every member of the Roger Pirates at the time."
Rayleigh begrudgingly conceded. "You're right. We owe Garp a massive favor for this. Still, where is the kid now? Surely not at Marineford, right?"
The idea of Roger's son being raised as a Marine felt surreal. Rayleigh couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry at the thought.
"It's not like that," Kaito reassured. "Garp took him to his hometown in the East Blue, a place called Foosha Village. There, he entrusted the boy to a mountain bandit named Dadan."
"Oh, and one more thing," Kaito smirked. "Garp even claimed Ace — Roger's son — as his own grandson!"
"He what?!"
"It's true," Kaito chuckled. "I'm pretty sure Garp did it just to spite Roger, so he could one-up him and make Roger metaphorically call him 'dad.' A bit of petty revenge for dumping such a massive problem on him!"
Rayleigh and Shakky were speechless for a moment, overwhelmed by the absurdity of it all.
"A mountain bandit? And claiming Roger's son as his grandson?" Rayleigh's eye twitched. "Only that lunatic Garp could pull off something so ridiculous."
Shakky laughed lightly. "If Roger were alive, he'd probably go after Garp with a vengeance. Imagine having to call him 'dad'—he'd lose it."
The two shared a laugh, understanding the unique dynamic between Roger and Garp.
"Still," Rayleigh sighed, his expression turning reflective. "Gol D. Ace, huh? That's definitely the kind of name Roger would give his kid."
"No," Kaito interjected. "His full name is Portgas D. Ace, not Gol D. Ace."
"This isn't just to avoid suspicion from the World Government. Ace himself resents his father deeply and refuses to acknowledge Roger as his parent."
Rayleigh frowned, his hand tightening around his drink. "I see... The boy's had a rough life. It's no wonder he feels that way. Losing his mother and bearing the stigma of Roger's bloodline—it's too much for a child to handle."
"On top of that, Garp isn't exactly the most nurturing figure. I wouldn't be surprised if Ace ends up walking the path of a pirate someday," Rayleigh muttered, pouring himself another drink.
"Still, the kid's got spirit. If he's Roger's son, he's bound to do great things."
Rayleigh glanced at Kaito. "About your request earlier—I'll do it. Give me some time, and I'll write down all my insights on Haki, the Six Powers, and Life Return for you."
"But keep in mind," he added, "Conqueror's Haki isn't something just anyone can awaken. Even with guidance, it's not guaranteed to improve. If you ever awaken it, come find me, and I'll personally teach you everything I know."
"Armament and Observation Haki are the same. Paper notes will only take you so far."
"As for the Six Powers, those you can practice on your own. They're primarily about unlocking your body's potential and preparing you to awaken Haki."
"But Life Return... That's a different beast entirely. It evolved from the Six Powers but surpasses them. It's incredibly difficult to master. Even I took years just to grasp the basics."
Rayleigh's tone grew serious. "Don't push yourself too hard with that one."
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