"You're not kidding, right?" Marco voice came through the Den Den Mushi.
"Yeah, the fruit he ate can steal other people powers," Ace confirmed. "Pass the Den Den Mushi to Pops."
Marco hesitated, there were still many things he wanted to ask but in the end, he handed it over to Whitebeard.
"Hello, Ace," said Edward Newgate.
"Pops… do you know Rocks D. Xebec?" Ace asked.
Whitebeard paused for a moment, very few people ever mentioned that name. Only Kaido, who occasionally came to challenge him or Shiki, who sometimes spoke about the glory days of the Rocks Pirates.
Too many memories were tied to that name… and none of them from his son before but now it is first time his son asked about Rocks D Xebec, his former captain.
"...Yes. Where did you hear that name?" Whitebeard asked.
"Pops… Teach is the son of Rocks D. Xebec," Ace said.
Everyone near Whitebeard froze in shock because they thought his name is Marshall D Teach, the name Rocks had never been heard by them even Marco, the oldest among the commanders, had never heard of Rocks before.
"Who is Rocks?" Jozu asked.
"No idea, yoi," Marco replied.
"But if he's connected to Teach…" Atmos muttered.
"Then he's dangerous," Izo added.
"I didn't know that," Whitebeard said slowly to Ace.
"Pops… someone told me that you betrayed Rocks and left him to die on that island," Ace revealed.
Veins bulged on Whitebeard forehead.
It wasn't him, it was Rocks who betrayed him, attacking him and calling him the traitor is something that Whitebeard can swallow.
The other division commanders grew furious upon hearing the accusation.
"ACE!"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN POPS BETRAYED SOMEONE?!"
"It's not me! It was Jack F. Corrie, the vice captain of my little brother crew!" Ace quickly explained.
Whitebeard eyes narrowed slightly.
"That man… what exactly did he say?" Whitebeard asked.
"Jack said Rocks was left behind by you guys and not just that, he was trapped on that island by the World Government," Ace continued. "He also said Vice Admiral Garp witnessed your 'betrayal.'"
Silence fell over them.
"Ace…" Whitebeard said slowly. "I never betrayed Rocks, It was Rocks who betrayed me."
"Pops… I never doubted you," Ace replied. "But Jack said there's something Rocks hid from you."
Whitebeard's eyes sharpened. "What is it?"
"Give that to me, Ace."
A new voice suddenly cut in from behind him, clear enough for everyone on the other end to hear.
"Wait.... hello? Mushi mushi… This is Jack F. Corrie."
Ace voice was replaced.
"Are you Jack F. Corrie?" Whitebeard asked.
"Yes and to be clear… it wasn't you who was betrayed by Rocks," Jack said calmly. "It was you who betrayed him."
The air grew heavy upon hearing the accusation.
"What proof do you have, brat?" Whitebeard demanded.
"The World Government possesses a weapon capable of turning black into white… and white into black," Jack said. "It can twist loyalty into betrayal."
He paused.
"Didn't you notice? Rocks suddenly grew wings… and horns?"
Whitebeard eyes widened slightly.
"Do you mean...."
"Yes," Jack cut in. "Rocks was already affected. Didn't you see? He was stabbed before transforming into that monstrous form."
Jack voice grew colder. "That form… was called Domi Reversi."
Everyone suddenly become silent again.
"If you stay there after Roger and Garp had defeated him together he might have survived," Jack continued. "But when he was the World Government attacked him… if his crew still there you guys can save him after that transformation."
His tone hardened.
"But no one there because his own crew had already abandoned him."
Whitebeard said nothing for the first time in decades… doubt crept into his heart.
"Not just that," Jack continued. "Rocks never told you why he wanted to save Shakky, did he?"
Whitebeard fists tightened.
"His family lived there, the Davy Clan lived on that island. The World Government discovered it, that's why they chose that location for their 'hunting event.'"
Whitebeard eyes trembled. "Davy?"
"Rocks real name is Davy D Xebec, he used Rocks D Xebec because he was from Davy Clan the descendant of Davy Jones.
Tears slowly began to fall from Whitebeard eyes.
"His son, Teach, witnessed everything," Jack added. "To him… what you did looked like betrayal. That's why he wants to carry on his father will… to become the king of the world."
No one spoke.
The silence was suffocating.
"…Are you crying, Whitebeard?" Jack asked suddenly.
"Shut up, brat," Whitebeard replied hoarsely.
"Don't do anything stupid like trying to seek forgiveness from Blackbeard," Jack warned. "He's nothing like Rocks. That man… is pure evil."
"I know," Whitebeard said quietly.
Then..
Click.
The line went dead.
The commanders stared at their captain, tears were still falling from his eyes. For a long moment, no one dared to speak.
Finally, Whitebeard took a deep breath.
"…I'll tell you everything my son," he said.
And for the first time in years, he began recounting the truth of the Rocks Pirates… and the day he left Rocks behind.
***
Meanwhile Jack who just finished telling what he want to Whitebeard faced his crew.
"Ace… Luffy… I think I need to separate from you guys for a while," Jack said suddenly.
His words made the entire crew freeze mid-action.
"WHAAAT?!" everyone shouted in unison.
Luffy immediately grabbed Jack by the shirt, his face already a mess of tears and snot. "Hey, Jack! What do you mean by 'separate'?!" he demanded, his voice trembling. The sadness in his eyes was obvious.
As a One Piece fan, Jack instantly understood Luffy's reaction. Of course he misunderstood—he thought Jack was leaving the crew.
Jack glanced down and saw someone clinging tightly to his leg. Tony Tony Chopper was crying loudly.
"Don't go, Jack!" Chopper sobbed.
Looks like it's not just Luffy… everyone thinks I'm leaving, Jack thought helplessly.
To Luffy and the others, it really did sound like Jack was abandoning the crew.
Zoro's expression turned serious as he stared sharply at Jack. Chopper continued crying while hugging his leg. Nami looked visibly terrified, Robin raised an eyebrow in surprise, Vivi seemed confused and unsure of what was happening, and Bartolomeo looked completely betrayed—as if his entire world had just collapsed.
The rest of the crew showed their own mix of shock, panic, and disbelief.
"Relax, guys," Jack said, raising his hands slightly. "I'm not leaving the crew. That's not what I meant."
Everyone paused.
"I mean… I need to go help Dragon."
The moment Luffy heard the name "Dragon," he stopped crying instantly. Even Chopper sniffled and looked up.
Jack continued, "Dragon is fighting against the World Government, and I want to help him. That's why I need to install this device on a certain island first."
He pulled out a small device and showed it to them. It was something he had just created—specifically designed for Elbaf. He didn't want Loki to be shocked by future events… or end up joining the Straw Hat crew too early.
Of course, that wasn't the whole truth.
In reality, Jack didn't even need to plant the device. It was just an excuse—an opportunity to meet Imu face to face.
He wanted answers.
Who exactly was Imu? What was Imu's true identity… and even their gender?
More importantly… Jack had something dangerous in mind—something that could shake the entire world.
"Can't we just go together?" Luffy asked, scratching his head, clearly confused about why Jack had to go alone just to plant a device.
"No, Luffy. You guys need to head to Alabasta. If I bring all of you, it'll only slow things down," Jack replied calmly. "I can move at the speed of light. Once I'm done installing this, I'll come back and help you fight Crocodile."
"Oh…" Luffy slowly let go of his shirt, his shoulders dropping.
"When are you leaving?" Vivi asked.
"In ten minutes," Jack answered.
Luffy was quiet for a moment… then he suddenly grinned.
"Alright! As captain, I give you permission!"
"Thanks, Captain," Jack said with a small smile. "Sorry for worrying you guys."
"It's okay!" Luffy replied brightly.
---
The latest chapter are 111, you can read it on my patreon.
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