One Piece: I'm not Roger

The latter half of the Grand Line, the New World, Sphinx Island, an island vast in land yet poor in resources.

This was the hometown of Whitebeard.

In the past, the island's poverty left its people starving. Its request to join the World Government had been rejected, and without protection, it became a haven for slave traders. Everything changed with the rise of one man.

After Whitebeard became a dominant force on the seas, Sphinx Island fell under his protection. It remained untouched by conflict, free from pirates and slave traders. The people lived peacefully, almost like a hidden sanctuary.

Now, however, the island's harbor was filled with pirate ships.

Most bore Whitebeard's flag, so the islanders welcomed them without fear. Alongside the Whitebeard Pirates were the Red Hair Pirates, Aether, Buggy, and even Trafalgar D. Water Law.

On their return journey, they had encountered Law heading toward Marineford. With the Whitebeard Pirates suffering heavy losses and lacking medical supplies, his assistance came at the perfect time, earning him their gratitude.

Aether and the others had come for two reasons. The first was to attend Whitebeard's funeral. The second was to discuss the fate of his territories. In just one day, several islands had already been invaded.

Many division commanders and allied crews had already departed, rushing back to defend their territories.

Unlike how things once unfolded, the allied crews did not immediately scatter. Because of Aether's promise, they chose to wait and see his decision.

In the past, during the conflict known as the Payback War, the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates were crushed by the Blackbeard Pirates. The allied crews were divided, and many refused to fight. Even the commanders were defeated, killed, or scattered.

With full control over the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, Blackbeard had reached the level of an Emperor, far beyond what Marco could handle.

Whitebeard's funeral itself was simple.

A plain mound of earth stood as his grave, with his Supreme Grade Blade, Murakumogiri, planted firmly as the marker. There was no grandeur, only quiet respect for the fallen ruler of the seas.

Afterward, a banquet was held in the open fields of Sphinx Island.

There was no celebration, only a gathering to honor the dead and share a meal.

Yet among the crowd, two figures stood out, drawing attention from all sides.

A stunning woman in a purple dress stayed close to Aether. Her arm was wrapped around his, clearly marking her claim.

Her beauty was undeniable, her figure graceful and striking. Every movement carried elegance and confidence.

She was Boa Hancock, one of the Shichibukai.

Though she had been an enemy just a day ago, her current attitude left many stunned.

"Hey, is that really happening? The Pirate King and the most beautiful woman in the world?"

"Unbelievable… I cannot even look away."

"A beauty like her, standing beside him like that… it's infuriating."

One pirate muttered boldly, "If I could defeat him, do you think I would stand a chance?"

The people around him immediately looked at him as if he had lost his mind. His face reddened under their stares.

"I was just saying…"

Not far away, Silvers Rayleigh watched the scene while speaking with Portgas D. Ace and Monkey D. Luffy. He rubbed his forehead, speechless.

He had known Hancock for years due to his connection with Amazon Lily and had always seen her as part of the younger generation. Seeing her act like this left him at a loss.

Ace, meanwhile, remained quiet, still grieving. Yet as he watched Hancock cling to Aether, a strange irritation surfaced within him.

Luffy, busy eating, noticed immediately.

"Ace, what's wrong? Aren't you going to eat? If you wait any longer, I will finish everything."

"You idiot, Luffy, leave some for me."

Ace tried to brush it off, but the feeling lingered.

He could not ignore it.

His mother had sacrificed everything for him. Seeing Aether so quickly involved with someone else stirred an uncomfortable thought he could not fully explain.

Luffy suddenly spoke again, his curiosity obvious.

"Hey, Ace, is Aether really your father? He does not look much older than me. That's weird."

Ace froze.

That was true.

Aether looked far too young.

"I don't know… so stop asking."