CHAPTER 6
Arriving in a dark space, Ren saw a replica of himself standing before him.
Suddenly, the shadow-like figure began to speak.
>
"I know I've died, right? The only reason I'm still here is because of my regret. And this... system thing, or whatever you call it, is draining my energy fast. Can you tell it to stop?"
The former Ren said.
Shaking his head, Ren replied quietly, "I can't."
He continued to stare warily at the apparition.
"Calm your balls," the former Ren chuckled. "I'm not gonna do anything to you. Stop looking at me like I'm some kind of monster. I'm the one who should be wary here, not you, Ren."
Ren froze. "How did you know my name?"
> "I listened to your thoughts and watched some of your memories. Apparently, you came from a planet called Earth, and your life was… pretty tragic. That woman really deserved what she got. I feel your pain."
Ren frowned slightly. "I appreciate the sympathy, but isn't that an invasion of privacy?"
> "Bro, you watched my memories too. Not to mention how you stared when me and my guys were peeping on the nurse's bathhouse," the former Ren teased.
Ren coughed awkwardly. "Ahem, ahem. Anyway, can you get to the point? Why did you call me here if not to attack me?"
"The reason I called you is simple, I need your help with my last wish. I'd given up before, but when I saw how insane you are, I felt a spark of hope again."
Ren raised an eyebrow. "Is that a compliment or an insult?"
> "Whichever you want it to be," the former Ren said with a grin.
> "So here's the deal. Help me fulfill one last request, and I'll grant you full access to my Observation Haki."
Ren's eyes widened slightly. "So that's why I was feeling resistance when I used Observation Haki," he muttered.
> "Exactly."
Ren nodded. "Alright then. Since I'm heading to that place anyway, I might as well help a brother in need."
---
Opening his eyes, Ren could now feel the presence of the former Ren lingering faintly within his mind.
> "So I'm going to Impel Down… This is getting interesting," Ren muttered. "But before that, I need to settle something."
He walked toward the Red Hair Pirates, who were preparing to depart to bury Whitebeard and Ace. Waving to Shanks, he called him aside.
---
"So, you're the boy with Newgate's naginata," Shanks said, studying him. "Why did you want to see me?"
"I've got some information you'll definitely be interested in," Ren replied plainly.
The air turned heavy. Shanks' expression hardened, his aura subtly shifting.
"Why tell me this?" Shanks asked, locking eyes with him.
Ren smiled faintly. "Because Pops trusted you. You're a man who values peace. I just want to trade this information he discovered — for something of equal value."
Shanks crossed his arms. "Name your price."
"One Devil Fruit for one piece of information."
Shanks nodded. "We've got some fruits we took from pirates. Let's see if any interest you."
After a few minutes, Shanks returned with three boxes.
> "The first is an unknown Paramecia type. The second, an unknown Mythical Zoan. And the third — the Marble-Marble Fruit, also Paramecia type."
"I'll give you one on one condition — go to this island and protect them if they're attacked. Since Whitebeard is gone, their island might be invaded."
Ren looked at the boxes, then at the map labeled Foodvaulten. "So you want me to save some random island for a Paramecia fruit? And how do you even know that one's a Mythical Zoan if it's 'unknown'? Anyway… thanks for the deal."
Shanks simply shrugged as he unfolded the paper Ren handed him.
"How sure are you about this?" Shanks asked seriously.
"Hundred percent," Ren replied before leaping into his boat and speeding off across the sea.
---
The Whitebeard Pirates' Farewell
Watching him go, Marco muttered beside Shanks, "It still amazes me how that kid, Astrod Ren, feels like a completely new man."
Shanks nodded. "Seems another name's about to be added to those who'll shake the world."
---
At a remote island, the Whitebeard Pirates buried Ace and Whitebeard — their hats placed upon the graves.
Marco smiled faintly before spreading his wings.
Flying toward a distant island once under Whitebeard's protection according to Ren's information.
Arriving at the island, as he saw pirates already causing chaos and slaughter in the island.
Without hesitation, he dove down, his talons tearing through the attacking pirates. None survived long enough to even see their killer's face.
When it was over, Marco looked up at the sky, the rage in his chest cooling.
The villagers, trembling and grateful, gathered by the stream where he washed off the blood.
"No need to thank me," Marco said softly. "I'm just following my father's path. I'll protect you as best I can."
For the next two weeks, Marco stayed with them — helping rebuild, flying between islands to fend off other pirate attacks.
---
(On the sea, near Impel Down)
Using his Observation Haki, Ren scanned ahead for hours. Eventually, he sensed a government vessel approaching.
He dove into the sea, stored his boat in his subspace, and waited underwater.
When the ship passed overhead, he surfaced silently and climbed aboard.
A lone government agent stood at the deck, smoking.
Ren crept up behind him and snapped his neck swiftly — catching the body before it fell.
The bell rang loudly across the deck as CP agents rushed out in formation.
Ren quickly changed into the fallen agent's uniform and joined the line, blending in.
"The government has sent us to inspect Impel Down," the commanding officer barked. "Question every remaining prisoner and check for any anomalies!"
As the Gates of Justice opened, Ren smirked inwardly. Everything was going according to plan.
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