Even though there had been a slight mishap, Marco thought it over and decided they had no choice but to press on.
Besides, his main goal along with Pops was to help Ace and Mock make up. Even if Teach knew, it didn't matter.
Marco walked up to the two of them and let out a heavy sigh. Facing Ace, who looked both distressed and confused, he said, "Ace, that is your secret. How could you just reveal it so casually?"
"Ahahaha! Marco, you're here. Is Pops asleep?"
Snapping out of his daze at Marco's voice, Ace offered an embarrassed grin and scratched his head. "It doesn't matter if Teach knows. Besides..."
His expression turned into a grimace. "Even if the secret is out now, I guess it doesn't matter. There is already a son of the Pirate King."
"Zehahaha!" Noticing Marco approach, Teach reacted with a beaming, innocent smile. "Don't worry, Marco. I certainly won't tell a soul about this secret!"
He chuckled heartily as he scratched his head. "I just never expected it, Ace. You and Mock are actually half-brothers!"
"That guy is not my brother! I am Pops son now!" Ace denied it without hesitation, immediately stretching his arms overhead. "Forget it. I don't want to think about this headache anymore."
He yawned massively next, speaking with heavy eyelids. "I'm getting sleepy. I'm turning in!"
Before Marco or Teach could say anything else, Ace was sound asleep.
Watching Ace fall asleep the moment his head hit the pillow, the two of them shook their heads in exasperation.
How could he just pass out like that? Of course, Marco hadn't come looking for Ace anyway. He sighed and turned to Teach, who was standing to the side grinning and scratching his head. Marco jerked his chin to the side.
"Teach, come over here for a second. Pops has a favor to ask of you."
"Pops?"
Teach paused, his honest smile freezing for a moment before he nodded enthusiastically, his goofy expression returning. "You got it! If it's an order from Pops, I'll handle anything, no matter what it is."
He stood up hurriedly and followed behind Marco.
However, the moment Marco's back was turned, Teach's eyes darkened with a sudden, strong intensity. Just as quickly, the look vanished, replaced by his simple grin as he continued to follow.
Once they reached a secluded, quiet area, Marco turned around. He rubbed his forehead, looking troubled, and spoke to Teach. "You know about Ace's identity now, right?"
Teach fell silent. He certainly did know! It had been a massive shock, to say the least.
The Pirate King actually had two sons?! And from the looks of it, they were half-brothers. This was completely different from the Pirate King he knew!
As expected, how could such an ambitious man possibly avoid women? He really knew how to put on a show! Just like I do!
Having mentally scoffed at Gol D. Roger, Teach kept that simple smile on his face. "I know! I never expected that Ace was the Pirate King's son too. It really gave me a fright!"
He nodded hurriedly, his face the picture of sincerity. "Please rest assured, Marco. I will definitely keep this secret!"
"We have to rely on you for this. After all, he is the Pirate King's son. If the World Government finds out, who knows what kind of trouble might occur." Marco sighed, then looked at Teach again. "But there really is something specific I need to ask you to do."
"What is it?"
Hearing Marco's words, Teach didn't hesitate in the slightest, immediately channeling the spirit of a helpful, responsible guy. "As long as it's for Pops or a brother, I, Teach, will definitely help!"
Teach tilted his head in feigned confusion.
"Don't worry, it's nothing too difficult." Marco rubbed his forehead with a deep sigh. "Actually, it concerns Ace and Mock."
"Ace and Mock?"
"You already know about their relationship, but their feelings toward each other..." Marco gave a wry smile. "Ace is our brother now, which means his brother is our brother too. You know the old man, he hates seeing brothers at odds. So, I hope you can help Ace and Mock out, mediate things between the two of them. After all, biological brothers or not, they're family!"
"Is that it?" Teach nodded in understanding, then slapped a hand to his chest and grinned. "I got it! Leave it to me! I'll definitely make Ace and Mock patch things up!"
"Thanks for this." Seeing Teach agree so readily, Marco felt a sense of relief.
'Teach really is a warm-hearted guy!'
Smiling, Marco added, "Of course, we'll all help out, too. If you need anything, just let me know."
Glancing around, he continued, "I'm counting on you for this, Teach. It's getting late, you should get some rest."
"Zehahaha! Will do. You get some rest too!"
Teach laughed heartily and nodded. He stood there watching Marco walk away, and once the man had vanished from sight, a glimmer flashed in Teach's eyes and his lips curled into a smirk. "The Pirate King's Two Sons are both right here... what a massive secret!"
If this got out, it would shake the entire sea.
"Is a new age of pirates really dawning? Zehahaha!"
But a moment later, Teach's smile faded. He gazed up at the night sky, a melancholy look settling on his face.
"That fruit... where is it, really?"
'Am I really going to spend my whole life in the Whitebeard Pirates?'
"Oh well. I've run into both of the Pirate King's sons... with luck like that..." His voice grew firm. "My dream certainly isn't going to end here!"
He sighed again. "For now, I'll just focus on building a rapport with them. Who knows? There might be some unexpected benefits."
Still...
He couldn't shake the feeling that Mock was a bit odd.
There was something... familiar about him!
--**--**
A string of incidents had confirmed Mock's identity as the Pirate King's son, sending fresh ripples across a sea that had only just begun to calm. After all, what had started as a rumor now seemed to be true. The Devil's bloodline had truly emerged, how could the seas not be shaken? Of course, none of this concerned Dante.
Next, he needed to arrange for Kuma to make a delivery run and bring the Dark-Dark Fruit they'd acquired. After that, it would be time to prepare for the end of the year.
Just then.
Dante stood by the 16th Branch Dock, looking surprised as Mihawk disembarked from a transport vessel.
"Where's your boat? Did you not paddle over?"
Mihawk glared at Dante with a look of sheer exasperation.
Why was he so obsessed with the boat? Annoyed, Mihawk snapped, "I didn't paddle... I didn't sail it over!"
Seeing that Dante was about to speak again, Mihawk narrowed his eyes at him, cutting him off before he could get a word in.
"Is Mock really the Pirate King's son?"
Dante paused, stunned by Mihawk's question. He sighed, and under Mihawk's gaze, he shook his head before looking up at the sky.
"I don't know!"
His voice was heavy. "When I met Mock, he was just a child, orphaned and alone, scavenging for food. So, I don't know his true identity either, but..."
He paused for a moment, then looked back at Mihawk with absolute certainty.
"Back then, he told me... his name carries the Will of D!"
===============
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