Chapter 23: A World in Uproar.
As the sun rose, casting golden hues across the sea, the crews began to stir. Slowly, everybody one by one, emerged, groaning and rubbing their eyes, still shaking off the effects of the previous night's revelry. A simple but hearty breakfast was served, laughter and light conversation weaving through the morning calm.
Beautiful maids in neat uniforms arrived shortly after, quietly tidying up the aftermath of the feast. Meanwhile, I found myself surrounded again, subjected to yet another barrage of questions from the ever-curious bunch.
Shanks leaned against the mast, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "So, tell me, King, how do all your women end up with such rare and powerful Devil Fruits? And how did you manage to keep them loyal? Strong-willed people with Conqueror's Haki don't usually yield to others without sparks flying. People like them have the tendency to betray the crews to achieve their own goals."
I smirked, feigning exasperation. "What can I say? They all love me more than they love their ambitions. It's a curse, really, being this handsome is tough you know." My tone was light, but the smug grin plastered on my face only made Shanks twitch in irritation.
Rayleigh chuckled, cutting in. "Alright, kiddo, enough teasing. What's your next move? Joining Whitebeard's crew again, perhaps?"
The question caught the attention of everyone nearby, all eyes turning toward me.
"No," I replied instantly, my voice firm but calm. "My adventures ended a while ago. The King Pirates will vanish once again. We'll remain in the shadows until the time is right or until someone forces us into the open."
I paused, glancing at the horizon. "However, my children… they might bring some chaos to these seas in the near future."
Before anyone could respond, Gyeong and the others approached, carrying two unconscious figures, Luffy and Ace. The sight of the two brothers brought a smile to my face, though I quickly turned serious.
I addressed Rayleigh. "Rayleigh, I need you to take the Straw Hat kid under your wing. Train him to use Haki, especially Conqueror's Haki that kid has a knack for it but can't control it. Train him for at least two years. Take Jinbei with you to create some chaos at Marineford accompany him during the chaos and ensure his message gets across to his crew. They all need time to train and grow stronger."
Rayleigh raised an eyebrow but nodded. "And what will you be doing during all this chaos?"
"I'll make sure the Marines are too busy chasing me to notice anything else. I'll reveal my location as bait. That should buy you the time you need."
As Rayleigh turned to leave, I called out again, handing him two weathered journals. "When the Straw Hat crew regathers, pass these to Nico Robin and Franky. The first is Nico Olivia's diary, her mother. The second was written by Old Man Tom himself. He wanted it to reach his apprentice, Cutty Flam… or Franky, as he's called now."
Rayleigh studied me with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion, his gaze silently questioning how I knew such details about the Straw Hats.
I smirked. "I've crossed paths with Nico Olivia in the past. As for Tom, he helped build my ship. Consider it a promise fulfilled."
Turning to Whitebeard, I handed him a sealed envelope. "Pop, give this to Ace when he wakes up. Tell him… it's from his brother."
Whitebeard looked down at the letter, then back at me, his expression unreadable.
Without waiting for a response, I turned and began walking toward my castle. The rest of my crew followed suit, turning back towards the castle. The other crews watched in silence as they prepared to set sail, the weight of the moment hanging heavy in the air.
I paused, glancing back at the gathered captains and their crews on their respective ships. "Take care of yourselves. The winds of change are coming, and you'll need every ounce of strength for what lies ahead."
Their ships unfurled their sails, catching the morning breeze as they began to drift away. From the shore, Whitebeard's deep laughter could be heard. "Gu-ra-ra-ra! You always were a brat with too many secrets. Don't lose that spark, King."
Shanks raised and waved his hands in farewell, his grin tinged with something between admiration and wariness. "Until next time, King."
I nodded, the weight of my plans settling on my shoulders. The seas were vast, the future uncertain. But for now, the shadows were my domain, and I intended to use them to their fullest.
As the ships disappeared into the horizon, the echoes of our gathering lingered memories of the past and promises for the future intertwined, waiting for the next storm to break.
As their ships left the foggy domain of our ship the couldn't find the entrance or the location of my base. They were surprised as even using Observation Haki didn't help much.
Finding nearest Islands to get the newspapers to know what changes king's interruption in the war brought. As everyone separated. The world was in an uproar the new of the failed execution of Portgas D Ace and the successful retreat of Whitebeard Pirates.
This news created a new confidence and a new wave of enthusiasm spread across the world giving sudden rise in the number of pirates on the seas making them soo chaotic that the three admirals were sent to suppress them.
That wasn't all the, news was mainly focused on The King Pirates and some news sources revealed the identity of their captain KING who was supposedly dead years ago. His Identity of being an apprentice and adopted son of Pirate King and adopted son of Whitebeard sent shockwaves throughout the world.
New bounty orders were issued for every known members of King Pirates.
Ace who woke up was now being being brief about how Roger's adopted son his supposedly big brother and Vice-Captain of Whitebeard's Second division who was supposed to be dead intervened during the war and saved everyone.
Marco then handed him a sealed envelope saying that king wanted to give this to him when he woke up. Ace took the envelope tore it open and started reading the content in the letter.
It said "My dear little brother I know you hate Roger and won't say anything to stop you from doing that. Sorry I couldn't be there with you during your childhood and I don't have excuses as I was too busy playing dead. I appeared this time just because Pop's life was in danger. I can't give you the happiness as your big brother but I'll give you something valuable that's information."
"Information about your dead sworn brother Sabo. During the incident at Goa Kingdom he was injured and lost his memories so he won't remember you or luffy. He was adopted by luffy's dad Monkey D. Dragon the Revolutionary Army leader and he now works as Chief of Staff for the Revolutionary Army. Enjoy your new life :)"
"Teach is dead so don't worry and yeah don't tell luffy about Sabo yet let sabo find him on his own. For more details just ask Marco or others they'll fill you in about what you missed when you were unconscious."