Chapter 113: Misfortune Befalls the Family

Ace decided to change the subject, asking curiously, "I still don't know your name. I'm Ace, Portgas D. Ace."

Tang Shen paused for a moment, his expression turning instantly solemn: "My name is..."

For some reason, Ace and Luffy also grew serious, waiting with bated breath. They had a strange feeling that what they were about to hear would shock them to the core.

Tang Shen continued, "My name is... Monkey D. Roger. Luffy, Ace—it's a pleasure to finally meet you!"

Ace: "???"
Luffy: "!!!"

Their eyes went wide, filled with utter disbelief, and their jaws dropped so low they couldn't seem to close them. Luffy, in particular, looked as if his chin might hit the floor; his rubber fruit powers really did defy all biological limits.

Luffy: "W-what a coincidence!"
Ace: "..."

Tang Shen struggled to stifle a laugh, maintaining a grave expression while his heart danced with amusement. His mischievous side taking over, he added, "You can call me Uncle. Old man Garp probably never mentioned me, but that’s alright—we know each other now."

*Yes, Garp, let me take advantage of your reputation for a bit. It’s worth it just to mess with Luffy and Ace.* He delivered the lines with such earnest, convincing gravity that it was hard to doubt him.

Luffy: "????"
Ace: "Un... Uncle?"

Tang Shen nodded. "Of course. I’m from the same generation as Luffy’s father, though I’m younger than him, which makes me a generation older than you two. As you’ve seen, the old man has always been in great health. I’m his illegitimate son. By the way, Luffy, I suppose you don't even know who your father is, do you?"

Luffy’s eyes nearly popped out of his head, his face a mask of confusion. "What? I have a father?"

The poor child didn't even have a concept of a father. All he knew was his grandfather, and the only things Garp had left him with were childhood trauma and his "Fist of Love."

Ace, meanwhile, was stunned. *Grandpa has a mistress?* Good grief! His worldview was being shattered. He found himself agreeing with Tang Shen’s logic; in their memory, Garp was always incredibly robust, strong, and terrifying—like a humanoid monster. The sheer volume of information today was overloading his brain.

If Garp knew that Tang Shen was pinning an affair and an illegitimate son on him, he would likely cough up three liters of blood.

Tang Shen spoke with righteous certainty: "Of course you do. Everyone has a father. Your father used to be a Marine, a high-ranking one at that, but he grew dissatisfied and deserted. He’s probably very powerful now; you’ll understand eventually. That’s why the old man has always wanted you two to become Marines. Since his own son quit, he pinned all his hopes on you—though it’s clear you have no intention of joining."

Perhaps inspired by the name he’d chosen, he spoke with increasing fluidity. He was on a roll.

Upon hearing this, Luffy and Ace sat frozen, their faces twisted in shock. They finally understood why Garp was so obsessed with forcing them to become the greatest Marines.

*How infuriating!* They had been beaten so many times since they were kids, especially whenever they declared their goal of becoming the Pirate King.

By this point, they had actually bought into Tang Shen’s story; everything he said sounded so logical and plausible.

Still...

Ace asked with a complex expression, "Is your name really Monkey D. Ro...ger?" He wasn't hung up on the surname, but the name "Roger" itself.

Tang Shen nodded, sighing like a weary elder: "Your father wasn't a good man, but he did kick off the Great Pirate Era. Still, if he were alive today, I’d want to tan his hide and teach him a lesson."

Ace: "..."

He had intended to be angry, as the name "Roger" always triggered him, but hearing the rest, he couldn't muster any rage—only a deep, awkward silence. Though he wouldn't admit it, Roger was his father, and hearing someone talk about him like that made him feel deeply uncomfortable.

Luffy was still reeling from the discovery that he even had a father; it was an explosive, completely unexpected revelation.

Tang Shen sighed again. "The old man has had it tough. His son defected, and the two grandsons he raised with such effort spend every day shouting about becoming the Pirate King. It’s a real disgrace to the family."

Luffy: "..."
Ace: "..."

They hadn't thought about it much before, driven by their dreams—Luffy by the heroics and freedom Shanks had shown him, and Ace by the need to surpass his biological father. But now, looking at it, their family really was a mess. It did feel like a disgrace.

"Heh heh," Luffy suddenly grinned. "But that's why we have you, Uncle! You can be the Marine instead, and then Grandpa won't be mad at us anymore!"

Luffy was quick to accept new things, his mind simple and resilient. He would be shocked and deeply affected for a moment, only to brush it off immediately. Ace, hearing this, nodded in agreement.

That made sense. If Tang Shen became the Marine, that would be fine. Maybe then the old man would leave them alone. Perfect!

Tang Shen curled his lip. "Not interested. Being a Marine is too boring. I might play along for a bit, but I intend to wipe out the Celestial Dragons and overthrow the World Government one day. It’s just a pity the old man is too cowardly to do it."

Luffy: "..."
Ace: "..."

They didn't fully grasp the weight of what Tang Shen was saying, given their limited knowledge of the world, but they felt a deep sympathy for their grandfather. The family truly was a disgrace!

Tang Shen’s words had struck a nerve. Luffy and Ace fell into a deep silence.

Because the three of them hadn't lowered their voices, everyone in the bar had heard everything. The patrons stood with wide eyes and slack jaws. Although they were commoners, they read the newspapers and knew more than Luffy and Ace did.

Makino, standing nearby, was utterly overwhelmed. The amount of information was staggering. Luffy had a father? Garp was so obsessed with them joining the Marines because of that? Garp had a mistress? And this man was their uncle?

She thought back to Tang Shen’s earlier words. *Good heavens! This family is terrifying. Their way of thinking is terrifying. Poor Vice Admiral Garp.*

She knew all too well how often Luffy and Ace had shouted about becoming the Pirate King since they were children. It really was a disgrace to the family.