"Pops, are you sure Mock is really Roger's son?"
After a bewildered Mock had left, Marco approached again. He frowned, speaking with hesitation. "After all, those are only rumors."
As his words fell, Newgate, who had been deep in thought, pulled his mind back to the present. He looked at Marco and, after a moment of silence, spoke. "A while back, I ran into Garp near Fish-Man Island."
"Vice Admiral Garp?" Hearing Pops words, a look of surprise crossed Marco's face.
It seemed he remembered something right then.
A while back, to celebrate Ace joining the crew, they had held a special banquet. Jinbe had been there at the time, but afterward, they were sent out after receiving news that pirates were attacking an island under the Whitebeard Pirates protection. Thatch and Teach had been dispatched to intercept the Decalvan Brothers, while he took the others to a different island. That was why he hadn't been by the old man's side for the past few days.
The old man must have gone to the seas near Fish-Man Island to see Jinbe and the others off during those days.
However.
Marco still frowned, his tone slightly grave as he asked, "Has Marine Headquarters confirmed this?"
"It wasn't Marine Headquarters. It was Garp." Whitebeard sighed deeply. He shook his head, his eyes clouding with memory. "If there is one person in this sea who knows where Roger's child is, it is that man!"
Marco had to agree with the old man's words. After all, the relationship between the Pirate King back then and Garp was quite complex.
Otherwise, what respectable Marine would ignore all other pirates just to chase down a single crew, or rather, a single pirate? Their history was deep.
They were enemies, yet also friends. So, it wouldn't be strange if Garp knew about it.
But...
Marco asked, looking doubtful. "Did he admit it?"
"No, he denied it!"
Marco looked at the old man, completely puzzled. "He denied it?" But before he could say anything else...
Whitebeard sighed softly, his tone heavy and conflicted. "It's just... at first, he was silent!"
Marco's eyes widened. Although the old man hadn't explained explicitly, Marco understood the meaning.
If Garp had admitted it immediately, or even denied it right away, they might have had some doubts. But for him to fall silent at the start?! What was there to be silent about? If it weren't true, he would have just denied it instantly.
Silence meant that when the old man asked about Mock, Garp had hesitated. And if he hesitated... why? Was it really just because of a pirate? So...
A stiff smile appeared on Marco's face. "Are Ace and Mock really... brothers by blood?"
Watching Marco, who seemed to have grasped the situation, Newgate heaved a deep sigh internally.
He hadn't expected that fate would play such a cruel trick! In truth, something else had happened at the time, something he hadn't mentioned.
It was this...
When he had asked Garp, the man had struggled, yes, struggled right in front of him! In that moment, he realized... Garp knew Mock. Their relationship was likely significant.
Otherwise, why would he struggle? Why hesitate?
As for Mock's time in the East Blue, he had heard of that too. Mock had escaped from the hands of this very Marine when his bounty was still low.
Judging by the looks of it...
This escape probably isn't as simple as the rumors implied.
He was also aware that Roger had returned to the Blues years ago to father a child.
To be honest, when Ace first revealed he was Roger's son, he was surprised. However, he didn't care about the details, as long as the boy acknowledged him as Pops, that was enough.
He never expected that Roger actually had another son. That Bastard! On the surface, he seemed as innocent and uncomplicated as a child, but now that he's gone, it turns out he was actually quite the philanderer.
He didn't know what to say. Doing the math, Mock must have been born before Roger turned himself in. Perhaps that was precisely why Roger surrendered.
As for Ace, according to what the boy said, he was born two years after Roger's death! So, he really was irresponsible!
One child was already born, yet he got another woman pregnant, and then just ran off to surrender?!
Of course, he couldn't blame Roger. Roger probably didn't even know about that. Probably...
However, these two brothers...
Although only Ace acknowledged him as Pops, as Ace's father, Whitebeard didn't want to see two brothers trying to kill each other.
Thinking this, Newgate rubbed his forehead and let out another breath. "Those two... are truly a handful!"
"I don't think you need to worry, Pops. Although I don't know what's going through Mock's mind, after spending time together, I believe Ace isn't the cold-blooded type." Marco smiled at Whitebeard. "Perhaps Ace is actually happy deep down to know he has a brother?"
"Gurarara! Perhaps you're right. A family should live together in harmony and happiness."
"Everyone will help them, too. Even if Mock hasn't accepted you as Pops yet, in our hearts, Mock is already one of us." Marco continued to smile. "Of course, if you want to help Ace and his brother make up quickly, there is a way."
"Oh?" Whitebeard looked at Marco inquiringly. "What do you have in mind?"
"Teach!"
"Teach?"
"Exactly. It seems Teach really looks up to Mock." Marco nodded with a smile. "Plus, Teach and Ace are on good terms. Maybe we can have Teach mediate between Ace and Mock first, give them more time to get to know each other. Given Teach's personality, he'd probably be happy to do it. With the two of us and you helping, I'm sure we can get Ace and Mock to reconcile!"
"Teach?" Hearing this, Whitebeard frowning, lost in thought.
For some reason, he had always found it hard to read this particular son.
It wasn't as though the boy had ever done anything out of line.
He didn't know why he felt this way about his own child. Perhaps he was just imagining things.
"Teach is honest and simple, and he gets along well with everyone on the ship." Finally, Whitebeard nodded and smiled at Marco. "It's worth a shot. I'll leave it to you, Marco."
"It's what I should do." Marco nodded with a smile, then added, "It's getting late, so I won't disturb your rest, Pops. Now, don't sneak any drinks."
"Gurarara, don't worry. You go get some rest too!"
"Goodnight, Pops."
Marco said goodnight once more and walked out. Just as he reached the door, Whitebeard's voice rang out again. "If possible, don't tell Teach about Ace's identity."
Marco paused for a moment, looking surprised, but after a brief hesitation, he nodded. "Understood, Pops. You get some sleep too! Goodnight!"
"Gurarara, goodnight! My son!"
As Whitebeard spoke, Marco stepped out. He didn't leave immediately, though, he stood at the door for a moment, lost in thought. Letting out a deep breath, he headed back toward the banquet.
By now, the banquet was over. Everyone on the deck was drunk, sprawled out in every direction.
Marco looked on and rubbed the back of his neck, but said nothing. He scanned his surroundings until finally spotting his target, then walked over toward the Ship Railing.
Ace and Teach hadn't passed out yet.
However, just as he was about to approach, he seemed to hear something. His steps faltered, and a grimace crossed his face.
Ahead...
"Ace, what's wrong?" Teach asked.
"I'll never accept him. Luffy is my only brother!" Ace replied.
"Do you hate Mock that much?"
"It's not that I hate him. It's just... I suddenly realized there's someone else like me, and I'm a bit lost."
Teach stared in confusion.
"Actually..." Ace muttered, "just like him, I'm that man's son, too!"
Teach froze in sheer shock.
From behind them, Marco buried his face in his hands. 'Pops, I don't even need to say anything now.'
===============
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