Chapter 234: Ace’s Fate is in Your Hands, Bullet!

After a brief mental pause, Bullet finally regained his senses amidst Adrian's reigned laughter.

The next moment, the face of this Devil's Heir, infamous enough to instill fear in anyone, visibly flushed red at an astonishing speed. Although Bullet's skin was naturally a bit red, it now resembled dye, transforming him into the red oni of the legends!

Meanwhile, Bullet's right hand, which was holding Ace, began to tremble violently, as if the next second he would throw the little baby who had dared to pee on his glove.

Seeing this, Dadan quickly stepped forward and took Ace back from the red devil's hands. Though she had no experience raising children, as a woman, Dadan had some innate talent in child care. After some frantic effort, the once crying Ace soon fell back asleep, and his wet diaper was replaced with a clean one.

On the other side, Bullet yanked off his glove as it was dealing constant damage. He then strode rapidly to a river stream near the hill, creating a fierce gust of wind as he went, and furiously scrubbed his right hand. From the look of it, he was almost desperate enough to scrub off several layers of skin. {OCD. Who has watched MONK?}

"Haha, what a sight you are, Bullet," Adrian said, barely holding back his laughter, standing beside him, continuing to tease about what had just happened.

The Devil's Heir got peed on by the devil's bloodline and didn't even dare to act—a scene worthy of a grand tale.

Splash! Bullet's hand-washing intensified, causing the stream to splash loudly.

"What are you doing here, White Ghost?!"

"Me? I was just passing by, wanting to see what the Pirate King's son looks like."

With no one around, Adrian spoke his mind openly. "But you, Bullet, I didn't expect you to believe what I had said and come to the East Blue."

Hearing this, Bullet fell silent. He realized that no matter how he responded, it would seem out of character for him.

Adrian found the silence of the Devil's Heir even more amusing. He had long noticed that this infamous pirate from the New World had a deeply hidden 'Tsundere' nature. The most direct evidence was from Bullet's time with the Roger Pirates.

When Bullet was just 18 and had been with Roger's crew for three years, he learned of Roger's terminal illness and impending death. From then on, a sense of 'must protect my comrades' began to grow in Bullet's heart. Then, things started to feel wrong to him. {Authorsplaining}

After failing in his final challenge to Roger, Bullet left the Roger Pirates. But to say their relationship ended would be wrong. When he heard about Roger's execution in the East Blue, he went on a rampage across the seas, venting his confusion and pain. Now, knowing Roger's son was still alive, he rushed to the East Blue. Despite being peed on by Ace, he showed no real anger, only embarrassment.

Isn't this classic tsundere behavior? Outwardly cold and unapproachable, yet secretly protecting what he cares about, and unable to express his feelings honestly. Once the person leaves, he becomes miserable.

This is male tsundere behavior, isn't it?

"Cough, cough, getting back on topic…" Adrian cleared his throat, fearing that if he pushed any further, this tsundere might really leave in a huff, depriving him of future fun.

Adrian asked, "Bullet, are you planning to stay in this Windmill Village?"

Bullet, acting as if nothing had happened, replied coldly, "I will take Ace away. Roger's son should not waste time in such a mediocre village in the East Blue."

When did you find out Ace's name?! You didn't know it just now! How? When? Adrian suppressed the urge to comment and said, "Do you want Roger's child to become a prime target of the World Government as soon as he's born?"

"Moreover, don't forget that in the eyes of the world—at least for now—this child is still the grandson of a Navy hero."

Adrian continued, "If the Navy finds out that a pirate like you dared to intrude into a hero's homeland and forcibly took his grandson, what do you think they will do? Remember Admiral Zephyr's experience from ten years ago!"

"Even if you can withstand repeated Navy assaults, what about Ace? He's so small and fragile; he could die if you're not careful! Are you willing to let Roger's son die by your hands?"

Adrian didn't want Bullet to take Ace away from Windmill Village for one reason only: He wanted to see who was better at raising Ace—Bullet or Garp.

Cough!

He wanted to see if Bullet's presence could keep Ace from becoming as gloomy as he was in the original story. The need for a father figure. Could it be less if Bullet was here? Could he in wayward future defeat Whitebeard under Bullet's training?

Adrian always believed that Ace's deep-seated issues with his bloodline stemmed mainly from having a "Navy Hero" grandfather who constantly chased his father across the seas. Now, with Bullet around to influence him, Adrian thought Ace's inner balance might improve.

This was one of Adrian's personal amusements.

Facing White Ghost's questioning, Bullet quickly realized this. But admitting his mistake was almost impossible for this tsundere.

Adrian knew this too, so he changed the subject.

"By the way, I almost forgot one thing earlier.

"Ace is Garp's grandson..."

"So what?" Bullet asked coldly. "It's normal given Garp's age, right?"

{There was a family play here about hierarchy.}

"He just made Roger his son by default." Adrian whistled. "What a dangerous person?"

"Imprison you, be responsible to send you to the other world, see your wife die, become your son's grandfather." Adrian gave a side glance to Bullet.

"Garp!" Bullet immediately formed a corrupted image of Garp under Adrian's words, but who knew what his original thoughts were. His expression turned icy, and he clenched his right fist, producing a loud cracking sound.

Adrian fanned the flames. "When you meet Garp in the future, don't hold back! Your fight will determine the family status—cough!

He made a fist and tapped Bullet's chest. "It will determine your importance in little Ace's heart."

"Will Ace join the Navy and become a marine, or will he inherit Roger's will and usher this world in a new era?

"That's all on your shoulders, Bullet!" After saying all that Adrian disappeared, fading from sight. "On you, Bullet!"

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