Rodney's Recklessness

Chapter 157: Rodney's Recklessness

"Gurararara, when I adopted Ace, I never thought about all this. Rodney, you've got some guts, daring to speak to me like this. Well done, I appreciate you. Do you want to be my son?" Whitebeard's voice boomed over the Den Den Mushi.

This time, it was Rodney's turn to turn black. Whitebeard, who had a habit of collecting sons, was indeed a competent father, but his penchant for adopting sons was a bit troublesome.

"No, thanks. I already have a very competent father. I don't need another one, and I've been quite disobedient. I can't fulfill his wish to live out his days, so I'm not qualified to be his son. I don't lack love, and I don't plan to have a pirate as my father either." Rodney shook his head, refusing the offer.

Soon, there was a faint "arrogant!" from the other end of the Den Den Mushi.

"This kid is quite audacious, he won't even accept an invitation from the old man!"

"He doesn't even know what he missed out on!"

"He actually dared to talk to the old man like that, thinking he's all that just because he's one of the Shichibukai?"

Voices like these filled the air, and Whitebeard chuckled heartily. "Rodney, my boy, you're quite something. I'm starting to want you as my son even more!"

Rodney rolled his eyes and said, "I told you, I don't need it! Whitebeard, bring money or a Devil Fruit, one hundred million Berries, or the Devil Fruit."

"Brave choice. Ace is temporarily in your care. I'll come with my sons!" Whitebeard laughed heartily. "I will make you my son!"

The Den Den Mushi call was ended.

Rodney stomped his foot in frustration. 

"I'm already so old, and he wants to adopt me as his son! Am I even adoptable? My old man would scold me to death if he found out! Dammit, I got taken advantage of! I've always been the one taking advantage of others. Damn, this call was a loss!"

Seems like taking advantage of Whitebeard's crew wasn't easy, and Rodney's advantage had been taken.

"Hehehe, Captain, you brought this upon yourself, but having Whitebeard's crew members here isn't good for us," Robin said with unexpected seriousness.

"No, they won't do anything to us. Whitebeard's crew is different from other pirate crews; they have more restraint. So, I'm not worried about them causing trouble for the civilians. I thought I could make a good deal, but I underestimated Whitebeard's crew." 

Rodney realized that he had underestimated Whitebeard, a man who had dominated for an entire era. How could he possibly agree to his terms?

However, even if Whitebeard came, he wasn't afraid. He could always run!

"Who told you to mess around like this?" Perona kicked his leg and said, "You're crazy, actually trying to extort Whitebeard! Even Moria-sama wouldn't dare to mess with him!"

"Just because he won't mess with Moria doesn't mean I can't! He's just a nuisance now!" Rodney said defiantly.

"What if you used me to threaten him for money?" 

Ace asked, noticing the Den Den Mushi in Rodney's hand, feeling a headache coming on from Rodney's reckless behavior.

"What's there to be afraid of? We have an expert here! I'm not scared at all!" 

Rodney pounded his chest, showing no fear. He looked fearless, but where did he get his confidence?

Fujitora, who had been eating noodles, wondered: Is this guy... treating me like a thug?

Fujitora had been entrusted by Rodney to stay here these past few days. With Observation Haki, he could observe everyone on the island, and he had no intention of spying, but he could notify them immediately if something happened. It was even more effective than surveillance.

Fujitora was willing to stay here because he saw the beauty of humanity. Rodney used Order to confine the ugly side of humanity and showcase its beauty to the world. While it might not be true justice, Fujitora enjoyed seeing the smiles on people's faces, whether it was real or not.

But he definitely wouldn't stay here for long. He was a wanderer, and he wouldn't linger too long in one place. He wanted to see the world with his own eyes, the beauty and ugliness of humanity.

Rodney and Ace continued to argue and eventually got into a fight.

"Fire Fist!"

"Damn it, is that the only move you know? Here goes! My house! Where will I sleep tonight? You, Ace! Even if Whitebeard comes, he won't be able to save you! I told you!" Rodney shouted angrily. 

"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"

A large amount of water extinguished the flames, and he stood on the waves, pulling a water whip from the water to lash at Ace.

"Water Release: Water Whip!"

Ace quickly dodged. Getting hit by that whip would definitely hurt. He raised two fingers, and fire sparks flew towards Rodney. Each of these sparks had the power of a bullet from a flintlock pistol.

"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"

The sparks hit the earth wall, leaving craters. "Wind Release: Wind Blade Technique!"

Feeling a sudden crisis, Ace turned into flames, dodging the attack. Rodney's arm moved again, directly smashing into Ace's face.

Bang!

Ace was sent flying, his flames adjusting his position.

"Vacuum Sword!"

The flying slash was easily kicked away by Ace. Once again, Ace's body was sliced apart by Rodney.

"The powers of Logia Devil Fruit can be quite troublesome."

Ace landed on the ground, touched his painful cheek, and grimaced. 

"You really don't hold back. Your strength is almost catching up to Jozu's. How about this? Heat Haze!"

He swung his arm, creating a column of flames charging at Rodney.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

Fire clashed with fire, resulting in a violent explosion!