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Conversations with Whitebeard were difficult. Ace was angry with the world, angry with all those who thought he didn’t deserve to be alive, and angry with the man the world called his father in lineage alone. Whitebeard had made Ace an offer to run wild with his crew, to never look back at the life he once led. Even as Whitebeard accepted Ace into his ranks and began to call the raven-haired, freckled, Devil Fruit user his son, it still wasn’t enough. Portgas D. Ace tried to kill Whitebeard nearly every day that he was first aboard the Moby Dick, so afraid of what having a true connection with Gol D. Roger’s rival might do to tarnish his beloved mother’s memory.
Conversations with Pops are easy. Pops has an open door policy where his sons can come to him at any time during the day or night and he will talk. The conversations could last mere minutes or could stretch as long as a few hours and Whitebeard would accept each conversation just the same. Sometimes Pops will just listen if any of his sons simply need to vent, but sometimes Pops is the one who initiates the conversations if he can tell something is bothering one of his boys. Although originally wary of sharing the deepest, darkest parts of himself with someone other than his brother Luffy or grandpa Garp, Ace comes to realize he thrives on his father-son relationship with Whitebeard. With his skills, tenacity, respect, and overall drive, Ace has been promoted to Second Division Commander today, which makes Whitebeard’s heart soar to see his other sons congratulate Ace on a job well done. However, with the position comes great power, respect, and, above all, responsibility.
A light knocks sounds on Whitebeard’s door.
“Pops, you got a minute? Can I talk to you?” calls Ace, his voice filled with emotion.
“For you, anything, Ace,” the Captain smiles, motioning to the chair at his desk. “Come on in and tell Pops all about it,” Whitebeard offers, pouring them both some sake.