Starting from One Piece with the Rinnegan

"I don't know what he is to me! I just know he's a bastard!"

At the mention of Roger's name, Ace reacted like a cat whose fur had been set on fire.

Kaito didn't show much of a response to Ace's outburst. He simply nodded in agreement and said casually,

"He really was a bastard. The so-called Great Pirate Era is basically his doing. Every lowlife and scumbag now wants to be a pirate. Maybe you should look into how many families have been destroyed by this sea trash."

Kaito's words were like a dagger plunged into Ace's heart. He already resented the Roger blood flowing through his veins, and now, an inexplicable sense of guilt rose from deep within him.

Luffy, though a bit simple-minded, had a kind heart. After hearing Kaito's words, he fell silent for a moment.

But it didn't last long before he started mumbling again.

"But pirates are the freest people on the seas. I still want to be a pirate! I'm gonna be Pirate King no matter what!"

No sooner had he said it than Luffy felt a force yanking his body uncontrollably toward Kaito.

As he was pulled in front of him, Kaito reached out and gripped Luffy's neck, causing his face to instantly flush bright red.

"Mm-mm! (Let me go!)"

Ace rushed forward to help, but one glare from Kaito froze him in place. His outstretched hand stiffened mid-air. He understood that with his strength, there was no way he could stop Kaito.

Kaito stared coldly into Luffy's eyes, a trace of killing intent in his gaze.

"Say 'Pirate King' to me one more time, and you'll never leave this place."

Luffy was scared stiff. From the look in Kaito's eyes, he knew he wasn't bluffing. For once, he shut up.

Without sparing Luffy another glance, Kaito turned to Ace and said,

"And you? You resent Roger, yet you still want to follow his path and become a pirate?"

"I…"

Ace hesitated. Honestly, part of the reason he wanted to be a pirate was due to Luffy and Sabo's influence. They believed pirates represented freedom, and he yearned for that freedom too.

The other reason was to prove himself by becoming Pirate King. He didn't want to live forever under Roger's shadow. He wanted to replace him, surpass him.

But after being scolded by Kaito and hearing his words… he had to admit he was starting to waver.

Ace understood why so many people hated his father.

Over the years, he'd heard through news and conversations that most pirates were murderers, looters—utterly lawless. Just hearing about their crimes filled him with rage.

Seeing Ace fumbling for words, Kaito nodded slightly, thinking: There's hope.

Ace and Luffy were very different in character. Because of Roger, Ace had grown up lacking a sense of identity and belonging. You could see it clearly from the fact that he later joined the Whitebeard Pirates.

Ace's desire to become Pirate King wasn't exactly weak, but compared to Luffy's, it wasn't nearly as unshakable. Luffy, even at the cost of his life, would never agree to join Whitebeard's crew.

Maybe… just maybe, Ace could be turned around?

Kaito thought for a moment and continued,

"If you want to prove you're better than your father, and your idea of doing that is becoming a pirate to replace him—then I have to say, that's childish and pathetic."

The words were harsh. Ace's expression darkened, but Kaito didn't care about his feelings. He went on speaking as if he hadn't noticed.

"Does it piss you off? Heh. For some stupid idea, you're willing to become exactly the kind of person you used to hate. Don't you think that makes you the biggest idiot of all?"

Each of Kaito's words hit home, and Ace couldn't hold back the tears anymore. He shouted,

"Then what do you want me to do!? I want to live a free life! I don't want to live in that man's shadow forever! If not as a pirate, then what am I supposed to do!?"

Luffy stared blankly at his emotionally wrecked brother. He had a feeling something was about to change in Ace… but he couldn't tell exactly what.

Kaito, on the other hand, looked perfectly calm—like he hadn't just pushed Ace to the brink.

Perfect. This is exactly the reaction I wanted.

Kaito was smiling inwardly, like a puppeteer pulling the strings. He added more fuel to the fire—both literally and metaphorically—as he tossed wood into the flames and kept stoking Ace's inner turmoil.

"When did freedom become synonymous with piracy? Freedom without rules just leaves you feeling empty in the end."

"Then what should I do!? You want me to join the Marines!?"

Kaito simply shook his head. No way. Ace joining the Marines would be the worst possible outcome—practically walking into a trap.

With Ace's talent, there was no way he'd remain a nobody in the Marines. Once he stood out, investigations would follow.

And he was practically Garp's other grandson. With Garp's personality, there's no way he'd pretend not to know him. That would only draw more attention.

If Ace really did join the Marines, he'd become a ticking time bomb. Once it went off, it wouldn't just destroy him—it would drag down Garp and Kaito, the one who brought him in.

So no, the Marine path was completely out of the question. Way too idealistic. Not impossible… but that would have to wait until after Kaito destroyed Mariejois.

Seeing Kaito's reaction, Ace's eyes dimmed again. Was there really no place in this world for him? Was he doomed to live under Roger's shadow forever?

Just as Ace hit rock bottom emotionally, Kaito asked a question that seemed totally unrelated.

"Didn't you have a brother named Sabo?"

At the mention of Sabo, Ace's heart sank even deeper. He clenched his fists and said through gritted teeth,

"He's dead. Killed by a Celestial Dragon."

"Is that so? Did you ever see the body?"

"No. His ship was blown up. He disappeared into the sea."

"Oh? Then what if—just what if—he's still alive?"

"!?"

Ace and Luffy's eyes flew wide open. Ace forgot all about how scary Kaito was and rushed forward, grabbing him by the sleeve and shouting in a panic,

"Why would you say that!? Do you know something about Sabo? You're way too strong to joke about something like this! Please, tell me! If you tell me where he is, I swear I'll give up on becoming a pirate. I'll even stay in Windmill Village forever if that's what it takes! I'm begging you!"

Luffy ran up too, eyes filled with desperate hope as he looked at Kaito. On one side was his dream… on the other, his brother. He didn't know what to do anymore.

Kaito didn't answer right away. He just shook his arm a little, motioning for Ace to let go.

The fabric was already tearing a little. If Ace didn't let go soon, it was going to turn into a sleeveless vest. Still, it showed just how agitated Ace was.

Ace quickly let go, apologizing over and over before stepping back beside Luffy. The two of them stared at Kaito, eyes full of hope.

Kaito didn't say much.

He just said one sentence.

"Maybe… you should go check with the Revolutionary Army."

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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