Portgas D. Ace has been captured!
The latest headline from the World Government was like a bomb. Once the newspapers were delivered worldwide, it immediately caused an explosion across the entire ocean!
Everyone who got the newspaper realized upon seeing the headline that this might be an event that could change the world's direction!
Portgas D. Ace...
No one could ignore the impact of this man's capture!
The World Government went to great lengths to detail the birth story of Portgas D. Ace to the whole world, seemingly unconcerned about the influence the bloodline of the Pirate King Gol D. Roger might still have!
However…
This is just too astounding!
Especially since the World Government's news was practically full of praise for Ace, implying that Portgas D. Ace was truly the chosen one, and had he not been captured, he would surely be the next Pirate King!
From the Black Spade Pirates to the Whitebeard Pirates…
While Portgas D. Ace appeared to become a subordinate of Whitebeard, he actually lost nothing, because Ace would certainly carry the bloodline of Gol D. Roger and the will of Edward Newgate, crowning himself as the new Pirate King!
The World Government spared no ink, even exaggerating that Portgas D. Ace, carrying the fate of the Great Pirate Era, would surely become the new Pirate King with Whitebeard's support, just like his real father!
Practically blowing Ace up to the heavens...
However, one line could flip the news: Ace, who was to become the new Pirate King, was captured by the World Government, and the threat was cut off in its infancy.
This is truly build-up before tearing down!
No, it should be said, this is like cooking with intense flames!
Clearly, the person who wrote this article is no ordinary person.
At the end of the news...
The name of World Government official Yakushi Kabuto was attached.
The man known across the sea, Yakushi Kabuto, casually left a final message.
[In one month, the remnants of the Pirate King Gol D. Roger, Portgas D. Ace, and the ship doctor of the Roger Pirates, Crocus, will be publicly executed at a chosen date. Their execution will commence the World Government's ending of the Great Pirate Era.]
Shampodi Archipelago.
Area 13, Shakky's Rip-off BAR.
An elderly man with glasses sat at the tavern bar, focused intently on the newspaper, occasionally taking a sip of rum.
Even though white hair graced his appearance, his body was still robust and his spirit quite lively.
It was the Vice Captain of the Roger Pirates, Dark King Rayleigh.
As the Vice Captain on the Pirate King's ship, Rayleigh, who had witnessed the truth of the Grand Treasure, had long since retired to seclusion, no longer concerned with the affairs of the sea.
Today, his expression was visibly off.
"What's wrong?"
The tavern owner, Shakky, leaned on the bar, a cigarette in her mouth releasing a circle of smoke, asking softly: "Seeing Roger's son about to be executed, are you finally unable to sit still?"
"No."
Dark King Rayleigh shook his head, his gaze falling on the final line, his voice somewhat resonant: "Little Ace is a crew member of the Whitebeard Pirates. We can't meddle in the affairs on Newgate's ship, that's an iron rule on the sea…"
In fact, Rayleigh had long ceased to pay attention to Ace.
Ever since Portgas D. Ace set out to sea, Dark King Rayleigh followed Ace's growth, once contemplating helping on the Shampodi Archipelago. However, when Rayleigh witnessed Uchiha Sasuke invited to join the Black Spade Pirates, his concerns for Ace's journey were completely alleviated.
Dark King Rayleigh was once struck by the prowess of Uchiha Sasuke, at that moment even believing history had never been conventional, and perhaps history would repeat itself with their descendants!
Even though Rayleigh had witnessed the Grand Treasure and many prophecies, he couldn't help but think at that time that Portgas D. Ace would, like Gol D. Roger, seek out more and more companions, until defeating all the strongest of the sea…
To reach the top of Laugh Tale and become the new Pirate King!
Especially after the Vice Captain of the Black Spade Pirates, Uchiha Sasuke, defeated Beckman, and even Red-haired Shanks could do nothing against them, Rayleigh once thought history might be repeating!
Rayleigh was actually very happy privately.
The old man no longer believed in any so-called prophecies.
Rayleigh even calculated with interest that Portgas D. Ace might, like them, eventually take over a year to reach Laugh Tale, just in time for twenty years after the start of the Great Pirate Era.
At that time, Rayleigh's expectations for Ace were immeasurable…
Years prior, Gol D. Roger reached the top as the Pirate King and started the Great Pirate Era. Twenty years after Roger's death, his eighteen-year-old son, Portgas D. Ace, would ascend again, heralding a new era!
But it just felt odd somehow…
Unfortunately…
Everything with the Black Spade Pirates had changed.
Portgas D. Ace did not break prophecies or history to become the new Pirate King as Rayleigh had hoped. Instead, he was moved by Whitebeard Edward Newgate to join the warm family of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Since then…
Rayleigh has completely given up on Portgas D. Ace.
Clearly, Portgas D. Ace is very young, and he has such a powerful vice-captain like Uchiha Sasuke by his side, which is unbelievably stronger than the start of the Roger Pirates, yet he fell into a sweet trap.
Perhaps...
Is this fate?
Back in the day, Gol D. Roger borrowed a Captain of Squad 2, Kozuki Oden, from the Whitebeard Pirates, and because Kozuki Oden didn't fulfill the agreement, fate led Roger's son back to Whitebeard's ship to pay the debt...
According to the rules of the sea, if Ace joins the Whitebeard Pirates, from then on, Portgas D. Ace would follow Whitebeard's orders.
Even if Dark King Rayleigh's status is unusual, he can't interfere with the Whitebeard Pirates' family affairs, especially since he's already retired.
"Do you really not want to interfere?"
Shakky looked at Dark King Rayleigh, curiously resting her cheek in her hand as she spoke: "But it looks like you really want to get involved!"
"That's not because of little Ace."
Rayleigh slowly shook his head, adjusted his glasses, and sighed: "I'm just more concerned about Crocus... our ship doctor was innocent!"
Yes.
Ace's affairs, Rayleigh indeed should not interfere.
However, the former Roger Pirates ship doctor Crocus is truly innocent, as the former vice-captain, Dark King Rayleigh would find it hard to turn a blind eye to Crocus.
"Indeed..."
Shakky slowly nodded, continuing softly: "Even Crocus, this retired ship doctor, was captured, the World Government probably wouldn't let go of the Pirate King's vice captain either?"
"That's right."
Dark King Rayleigh nodded, speaking in a deep voice: "The actions of the World Government have been getting increasingly larger in recent years, it's hard to understand what exactly they want to do, perhaps they want to use Crocus to lure me, this old guy, into a trap!"
It's not unfounded speculation.
Instead, it's what Dark King Rayleigh deduced from the World Government's actions over the past period, he has a feeling that the World Government wants to catch all enemies on the ocean in one fell swoop!
No, or rather, the strongest portion!
At least from what can be seen now, the Whitebeard Pirates certainly won't miss the opportunity to rescue Portgas D. Ace; even for their own peaceful retirement, these old guys are unlikely to miss this great event...
The Revolutionary Army, which was somewhat hesitant whether to rescue their cadres, is also more likely to join in after seeing the conflict between the Whitebeard Pirates and the World Government!
"Interesting indeed..."
Dark King Rayleigh put down the newspaper, revealing a relieved smile: "An event that will inevitably change the world, could even overthrow the order of this world...
The era of Great Pirates initiated by Roger will either end in this war or will reach its peak in this war!"
"Has it piqued even your interest?"
Shakky took a slow drag of her cigarette, speaking softly: "Seems like you wouldn't want to miss it, but unfortunately, I haven't discovered Ace's location yet..."
"Others will also be looking."
Rayleigh waved his hand nonchalantly, taking a swig of alcohol: "Besides, with how big World Government's movements have been recently, if they want to publicly execute Ace and Crocus, they'll definitely publicize it when the time comes..."
As he was speaking, Rayleigh picked up the drink on the table to leave, and as he was about to push the door, he suddenly turned his head and said: "One more thing, Shakky, if anyone comes seeking information, let them know where I stand!"
"I already told them."
Shakky exhaled a ring of smoke, speaking slowly: "The Revolutionary Army got wind of Ace's capture news earlier, Garp's restless son has been finding every ally possible."
Lately, the Revolutionary Army seems quite dormant.
However, in private, Monkey D. Dragon has been constantly networking, using the intelligence advantage he has to find people who can be recruited as allies.
This time...
It could well be a great opportunity to overthrow the World Government!
Shakky exhaled another smoke ring, continuing softly: "Yesterday, before Ace's news headlines were released, the Revolutionary Army already sold me this information, asking about your whereabouts and stance, I gave them an accurate response, as long as something happens to Crocus, you, this old guy, won't just sit idly by."
Finally, Shakky gave Rayleigh a deep look.
The two of them understand each other very well, and Shakky knew Rayleigh's decision, so she also helped Rayleigh respond early.
"Hahahahaha..."
Dark King Rayleigh couldn't help but laugh out loud, shaking the bottle in his hand, he exclaimed: "Really appreciate it, Shakky! I'm off!"
"Is there still coating work today?"
"Not coating."
Rayleigh smiled, shaking his head as he continued with a loud laugh: "I sold myself for 100,000 Belly yesterday, let's see if I can sell for 200,000 Belly today..."
"Tsk..."
Shakky disdainfully waved at Rayleigh, couldn't help saying: "Old guy, you better be careful, the Shampodi Archipelago isn't that peaceful, one day you might capsize in the gutter..."