"…So that's how it all happened."
After briefly summarizing Ace's experiences, Wright confidently declared:
"The Mera Mera no Mi (Flame-Flame Fruit) is incredibly powerful, and Ace himself has limitless potential. If he can fully utilize the knowledge I've taught him, the power he can draw from his Devil Fruit will be absolutely terrifying!"
"As expected… he has the makings of an Admiral."
Sengoku leaned forward, resting both elbows on the desk, hands clasped near his mouth.
"With that level of talent and potential, we absolutely cannot let him become a pirate…"
"Wright, I must thank you on behalf of the entire Marine force—if not for your guidance, the seas would soon have yet another massive threat to deal with."
"Oi, oi! Sengoku! What about me?!"
Garp protested indignantly.
"Doesn't my loving education deserve some gratitude too?!"
"…With the way you educate, it's a miracle if he even stays in the Marines!"
Sengoku's temper flared instantly. That old fool Garp actually let a bandit raise the son of the Pirate King!
And he did it through threats and coercion, no less!
Taking a few deep breaths to calm himself, Sengoku nodded.
"This could work. He's using his mother's surname? Portgas D. Ace, is it…"
"That makes things much simpler. Even though he carries the 'D'…"
Sengoku shot a glance at Garp, who was looking around sheepishly, and snorted.
"There are others with 'D' in the Marines as well, though they're all troublemakers in their own right…"
"But with Wright keeping him in check, I'm more or less at ease."
"Then, we'll establish Ace's identity as Wright's student—since that's true enough. However, he won't be sent to Zephyr's training program. It would be awkward if he ended up as a junior fellow apprentice to Wright."
"As for being Garp's adoptive grandson… that won't be officially acknowledged, but we won't outright deny it in private conversations either."
Sengoku glanced at Wright, who was scratching his head with a grin, and said firmly:
"But from now on, Ace's training will be your sole responsibility. He's no longer just a student, Wright—he's your disciple."
"No problem. You can leave his training to me. But won't this arrangement risk exposing his true identity?"
Wright knew full well that someone as talented as Ace would inevitably attract scrutiny from the World Government.
Even when Wright himself had joined the Marines, they had thoroughly investigated his background.
"It won't be an issue. I'll handle that part personally."
Sengoku nodded.
"For now, Ace's true identity will be classified as a top-secret file—just like Rosinante's was."
"His other two identities—your student and Garp's unofficial grandson—will be publicly known. With multiple identities in play, fewer people will question his origins."
"Once he achieves enough merit and gains widespread recognition, even if his real lineage is exposed, it won't be a problem anymore—"
"If anything, by that point, the revelation that the 'son of the Pirate King' became a Marine will actually give the Marines a huge advantage in public perception!"
"Hah! I see now. That bird Morgans is going to have a field day with this one."
Wright immediately grasped Sengoku's intent.
If Ace grew into a formidable Marine and earned great achievements, then when his true identity was revealed, the official narrative would be—
"Even the Pirate King's own son chose to serve justice in the Marines! And you wannabe pirates still cling to the so-called 'will of the Pirate King'?! What a joke!"
Something along those lines. And with Morgans' skill at spinning a story, he'd probably consider it the highlight of his career.
Furthermore, if Ace accumulated enough military achievements, combined with the support of Garp, Wright, and Sengoku, even if the World Government wanted to take action against him, they'd have to think twice!
"Garp! Wright and I will keep Ace's true identity under wraps, but you—an old man with no filter—better not go blabbing about it!"
"You bastard Sengoku! That's slander!"
"Now, as for how to officially bring Ace into the Marines, we need to carefully plan this out…"
"Sengoku! I—"
"Shut up, Garp! I'm thinking!"
"..."
With the meeting concluded, Wright resumed his duties as an Admiral, continuing to purge the Grand Line of pirate threats.
Meanwhile, Ace would be 'encountered' by Wright during this mission and subsequently brought into the Marines.
The official cover story was that Ace had been raised as an orphan under Garp's care in his hometown, essentially treated as his grandson. During that time, Wright had been his mentor.
However, due to Garp's rough parenting style and his admiration for Wright's past as a pirate hunter, Ace had resisted his grandfather's plans and chosen to set out on his own, embarking on the Grand Line as a bounty hunter!
Unfortunately, he and his companion encountered unexpected danger—just as Wright happened to be passing by on a pirate-clearing mission. Naturally, he 'rescued' them and brought Ace back to Marine Headquarters for proper training…
Cliché? Yes. Contrived? Absolutely.
But it worked.
A strict but well-meaning guardian, a wise and noble mentor, and a rebellious youth determined to carve his own path, only to be humbled and forced to return to his destined role…
It was a tale as old as time—one that the public loved.
And if Ace later showcased remarkable talent in the Marines, the masses would happily praise him as a "tiger born to a general" or a "brilliant disciple of a renowned master."
Parents everywhere would use his story to lecture their own children:
"Listen to your elders! They only want what's best for you!"
This way, even Ace's rebellious nature and stubborn streak would seem justified. If he directly joined Wright's forces, no one would see it as favoritism—after all, a brat like him needed strict discipline!
As for what kind of 'danger' in the Grand Line could possibly threaten a Mera Mera no Mi user like Ace…
A tsunami, of course!
And how does one create a tsunami?
A Warlord of the Sea should do the trick.
Wright discreetly reached out to Jinbe. The ever-reliable Fish-Man was utterly baffled when he heard Wright's plan to give his student a "memorable lesson"—just so he could 'conveniently' show up and rescue him, then drag him back to Marine Headquarters.
"Admiral Wright, your… educational methods are quite extreme…"
Nevertheless, Jinbe sighed and went along with it. He secretly trailed Ace's small boat from beneath the waves. Given that the vessel was propelled by fire, it would take a sizable wave to actually capsize it.
And so, Ace and Deuce were about to have a very bad day.
...
On a calm but slightly overcast afternoon, the two lay back in their boat, lazily drifting toward an island.
"Alright, no witnesses nearby."
High above the clouds, Wright contacted Jinbe via Den Den Mushi. The Fish-Man Warlord was in a small submarine beneath the waves, keeping an eye on Ace.
"Crack!"
"Admiral Wright… are you sure about this?" Jinbe's voice was laced with concern. "Your student is a Devil Fruit user. And his companion doesn't seem all that strong…"
"It's fine. There's an island ahead, right? Just dunk them for a bit and wash them ashore. I'll handle the rest."
"As long as they don't die, it's all good!"
"..."
Jinbe sighed, muttering an apology to Ace as he emerged from the depths.
"Apologies, Ace… Admiral Wright means well."
"Fish-Man Karate: Tsunami Shoulder Throw!"
Ace and Deuce snapped their eyes open—just in time to see a massive, swirling wave surging toward them like a sea dragon!
"Oh, shi—"
BOOM!
...
Glub glub glub…
Ace slowly regained consciousness and rolled over, spotting Deuce lying nearby.
"Deuce!"
Just as he was about to check on his friend, a shadow fell over him, blocking out the sunlight.
"You're awake?"
Ace's body stiffened at the familiar voice.
"Was the welcoming ceremony memorable?"
"Come on, kid. Time to join the Marines."
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