Chapter 175 - Chapter 177 (1/2)

Whitebeard had left some time ago, so Ace, his crew and Amell was left alone on this desolate island. The two of them sat next to each other with Amell floating inches above the ground. ”Amell?” Ace said with an expression dying to ask a question.

”Something bothering you?”

”Not bothering me, I'm just curious about whether you ever met my father?” Ace's mind had been stabilized so he could finally start to process this situation.

”You have never really shown acknowledgement towards your father before, why the sudden question about him?” Amell had nothing against this topic of conversation, but he was curious why Ace suddenly asked him that question. He would never read Ace's mind, this boy was family, and he only read family members minds in emergencies.

”How would you know that?” Ace tilted his head to the side.

”Just because I wasn't around doesn't mean I didn't protect you.” Amell smiled. He took great pleasure in seeing the confusion on Ace's face.

”You are an enigma, I guess your emperor title fits you.” He lightly shook his head and continued, ”So, stop dodging the question now. Did you know my father?” Ace's expression became serious.

”No, I did not. If I took an interest in pirates earlier, I could have. I never saw a reason to meet him before. When your father and his crew finished their journey I thought that would be it for them, but little did I know that he would start the biggest pirate era in history. I wonder if that was his plan form the start.” Amell's body floated up a few inches and then down again as he contemplated Roger's intentions.

”I don't think it's that great, how could someone rumoured to be so powerful even let himself die like that?” Ace wasn't particularly angry anymore. In his youth, he did hold lots of anger but since meeting Luffy and Sabo, he changed as a person and now he was more interested in knowing what kind of man his father was.

”I did not say his actions were great. I don't agree with what he did for the world in his last moments on it. He started the most chaotic era in history. And let me indulge you in a little secret. Your father wasn't captured or defeated, he surrendered himself to the World Government. Make of that what you will.” His words stirred a reaction in Ace, and he could see a change inside the brat's eyes.

”He k-killed himself?”

”Essentially. Your father lived with a very special disease, so he wouldn't have survived either way. I will remind you of something very important. You are not your father, Ace. Whatever he did or set into motion, you do not have to follow. Family is not defined by blood.”

”Thanks,” Ace listened to his every word, and he was reminiscing about his past. What drove him in the past used to be anger and frustration on everything and everyone, but that's not how he lived his life anymore and he was happy it was so.

”Speaking of family, Luffy is about to begin his pirating adventures, right?” Clearly Ace didn't think Amell knew about Luffy despite all the knowledge he displayed. Ace's expression turned soft after the initial surprise settled down.

”You know about Luffy?”