"Oh? As the strongest pirate on the seas now, why would Red-Haired Shanks take notice of my completely unremarkable good nephew?" Michael pretended not to understand Shanks' implication, putting on an exaggerated expression of surprise.
"Could there be some conflict between you and my good nephew? If so, could you be more forgiving... he's just a kid!"
"...Sometimes I really want to stab you twice." Shanks took a deep breath before continuing, "If it weren't for your overwhelming strength...do you know how many times you'd have died just because of that mouth of yours?"
"But the world is unfair like that—it gave me power so I can freely run my mouth." Michael smiled harmlessly.
"Alright, what did you want to ask?"
"If I'm not mistaken, Monkey D. Ace is...the Captain's child, right?" Shanks cut straight to the point.
"Which means...the Captain ultimately entrusted Ace to Mr. Garp?"
"To be precise, he entrusted both his wife and child to Garp and me." Michael blinked, his expression gradually turning serious.
"You should know my 'Morning Star' was originally Roger's 'Ace'—he gave it to me as payment."
"W-wife and child?" Shanks keenly caught the keyword in Michael's words. "You mean...Lady Rouge survived too!?"
"Obviously? You know me well enough...if I could save Ace, I could save Rouge too."
Michael's answer directly resolved Red-Haired Shanks' doubts.
At times like this, especially with close allies like Shanks, there was no need for secrecy.
And most importantly...
Ace's identity no longer mattered.
The orphaned child of Pirate King Roger?
Who in the Angel Alliance would care about that?
Let's not forget the Angel Alliance includes two former "Emperors of the Sea."
Not to mention something like the "Pirate King's orphan."
As for former Marine Headquarters members who might feel uncomfortable—Ace grew up in Marineford, raised before the Marine's eyes, and became the most outstanding young Marine of his generation...so they gradually accepted it.
Even Akainu Sakazuki, who initially reacted most violently, later repeatedly discussed with Grandma Tsuru about transferring all three of the Monkey family's grandsons under his command.
To put it bluntly, which high-ranking Marine official hadn't eaten meals prepared by Rouge?
Though they later learned her identity, they ultimately let it go.
The principle of not harming families is an unwritten rule in this world too.
After all, it was the Marine who acted improperly first...
"So...the Pirate King's wife and son transformed into the Marine hero's daughter and grandson? Grew up in Marineford? And directly became Marines?"
"You summarized it quite well." Michael nodded. "Isn't this much better than drifting at sea?"
"Though I'm a pirate, this life is undoubtedly far better for a child..." Red-Haired Shanks smiled bitterly.
"I just think...the whole sequence of events is too surreal."
"Is this your first time dealing with me, Shanks?" Michael glanced sideways at him. "Things involving me...have never been just 'surreal once or twice.'"
Shanks opened his mouth but couldn't refute, eventually letting out a helpless chuckle.
True enough.
And raising the Pirate King's child at Marine Headquarters wasn't the only surreal thing that happened.
Since Michael began making his name on the high seas, every deed he accomplished could be described as nothing short of miraculous.
Like eradicating human trafficking and slavery.
Like establishing an unprecedented economic buffer zone and united front on Fish-Man Island.
And founding the Revolutionary Army, the Cross Guild...
Finally, orchestrating the defection of the entire Marine forces.
Each and every one of these were earth-shattering events capable of reshaping a person's worldview.
Michael...
Was born a creator of miracles.
The most fantastical thing in this world...
Was his very existence, wasn't it?
"So... does Ace know about this himself?"
"That, I wouldn't know." Michael shrugged. "After all, I've been gone for seven years... It's hard to say whether Rouge and Garp might have let him learn about his origins during that time. Given that the situation isn't one of absolute opposition anymore... What? You have thoughts? Want to acknowledge him? Strictly speaking, you'd count as his foster brother, right?"
"A foster brother who never cared for him or his mother in the slightest?" Shanks shook his head. "Better not... Though I do want to acknowledge him. At the very least, I think Roger's son should inherit his techniques."
"Well, suit yourself... Once our forces unite, you'll have plenty of time to teach him... But don't say I didn't warn you—Ace isn't simple these days... Be careful not to get humiliated."
"Don't worry about that." Shanks chuckled lightly. "Though I'm no match for you... Michael, I do know my own strength."
"Uh, are you two done?" Loki poked his massive head in from behind. "I'm... kinda hungry now."
"Hungry? Didn't you eat last week?"
"How did you know the giants deliver food to me once a week?"
"Uh... Just a wild guess." Michael smacked his lips. He'd just wanted to crack a joke, but it turned out the giants really did operate that way.
Thinking about it, Loki—a monster of immense power—was imprisoned, but the giants still couldn't rest easy.
Yet they couldn't outright kill him, not with Loki's noble lineage.
So...
The giants controlled his diet, keeping him weak but not starving him to death.
It was one of their containment methods.
"From now on, you can eat to your heart's content." Michael spread his Wings and floated beside Loki's head.
"But as your leader's leader, I must remind you... Tone down that prankster streak of yours and communicate properly with your kin..."
Michael held immense goodwill toward the entire giant race—after ordinary humans, they were the group he'd interacted with the most.
Whether eight hundred years ago or now, they remained his staunchest allies.
And Loki... As a descendant of King Tyr from over eight centuries ago, there was some history there...
"Build good relations... So that means I can't steal their cattle, right?"
"...Damn it! Rocks! Come here and lecture him properly on the Three Rules of Discipline and Eight Points for Attention!"