Chapter 398 Ace's Collapse
Roger stared at Ace with his eyes wide open, as if trying to understand the determination in Ace's words.
His lips moved slightly, but no sound came out, as if he was choked by Ace's words.
He frowned slightly, and the wrinkles on his face were like marks carved by time, revealing a hint of pain and loss.
Roger's eyes became dim, like a star that had lost its luster.
An indescribable pain surged in his heart, and that pain was like a sharp thorn that pierced deeply into his heart.
His eyes were full of self-blame and regret. He knew that as a father, he had not fulfilled his responsibilities.
He thought of his adventurous past, days full of glory and challenges, but he neglected his responsibilities as a father.
Although he knew before that Ace recognized Whitebeard as his father, he really didn't expect Ace to be so resistant to him.
Roger's heart was filled with helplessness and bitterness.
He knew that his appearance was a huge shock to Ace, and he also understood Ace's loyalty and dependence on Whitebeard.
But he didn't expect that Ace would reject him as his biological father so resolutely.
There was a trace of confusion in Roger's eyes. He didn't know how to break down the barriers in Ace's heart, how to make Ace accept him.
His heart was filled with guilt, which was like a heavy shackle that made it hard for him to breathe.
Roger knew that he had missed too much time with Ace and missed the opportunity to witness Ace's growth.
He regretted that he had not been by Ace's side when he needed a father the most, and had not given him the love and protection he deserved.
Roger's eyes were filled with pain and self-blame. He stood there silently, his heart filled with guilt towards Ace and regret for the past.
After Ace said that his father only had a white beard, he ran towards the banquet angrily like a wild horse.
His figure shuttled through the forest, bringing up a gust of wind.
Ace's face was terribly gloomy, and his eyes were burning with flames of anger.
He bit his lips tightly, as if trying to suppress the anger and grievance in his heart.
His steps were quick and powerful, and every step seemed to leave a deep mark on the ground.
The footsteps sounded like rapid drumbeats, echoing in the forest, as if telling of Ace's inner anxiety and uneasiness.
Ace seemed to want to escape from this place that made him feel confused and painful, escape from this man who suddenly appeared, and escape from this truth that made his world collapse in an instant.
His body leaned forward slightly, his arms swinging vigorously, like an athlete running hard, just to get away from this place that made him upset as quickly as possible.
Ace's heart was filled with anger and grievance. He didn't understand why this man suddenly appeared.
His mind was in a mess, with all kinds of emotions intertwined, making it impossible for him to think calmly.
"Isn't he dead?" Ace kept asking himself in his heart.
This question was like a heavy shackle, tightly binding his mind.
Ace had heard of the legend of Roger, knew that he was the Pirate King, and also knew that he had been executed.
He never thought that this dead person would suddenly appear in front of him.
Ace's heart was filled with confusion and anxiety. He didn't know how this man survived, nor did he know why he showed up now.
Roger looked at Ace's departing back, which was getting farther and farther away among the mottled shadows of the trees, but it was like a heavy rock pressing on his heart.
His eyes were filled with helplessness and pain, a deep sense of powerlessness, as if no matter how hard he tried, he could not reverse the current situation.
Roger followed Ace's eyes closely, watching his determined and angry steps, and felt bitter in his heart.
He knew that his past choices had caused too much harm to the child, and now it seemed so difficult to make up for it.
He knew that he still had a long way to go if he wanted to gain Ace's recognition.
This road may be full of thorns and bumps, and may require him to put in more effort and time.
But Roger also had a gleam of determination in his heart. He was determined to make Ace accept him as his father no matter how difficult it was.
He closed his eyes slightly and took a deep breath, as if to cheer himself up.
Then, he slowly opened his eyes and looked in the direction where Ace left again, with more determination and expectation in his eyes.
He sighed slightly, and the sigh seemed particularly heavy in the silent forest.
This sigh contains too many emotions, including guilt, regret, and worry about the future.
Roger knew that he couldn't just give up like that. He had to take responsibility for his mistakes and work hard for Ace's future.
Then, he turned and disappeared into the depths of the forest. His figure gradually merged into the darkness, as if carrying endless thoughts and missions.
Buggy and Kaido looked at each other, their eyes filled with complicated emotions.
There was surprise and confusion in Bucky's eyes.
He was surprised by Roger's appearance and his relationship with Ace, and wondered what would happen next.
He frowned slightly, wondering in his heart what impact this sudden change would have on their world.
There was a hint of contemplation in Kaido's eyes.
He looked in the direction where Roger disappeared, then looked at Ace's departing back, and seemed to be weighing something in his mind.
Both of them were silent, and the air was filled with a tense and depressing atmosphere, as if waiting for a storm to come.
Buggy and Kaido stood there, their hearts filled with mixed emotions like a tangled mess, making them not know how to view this sudden truth.
They also didn't know how to comfort Ace. Ace's anger and grievance were so obvious that they could feel the pain in his heart.
But they didn't know what to say to ease Ace's mood.
Buggy wanted to chase Ace, but he didn't know what to say. He was afraid that his actions would make Ace even more disgusted.
Kaido remained silent, knowing that in this situation, words of comfort might be powerless.
They could only stand there silently, looking in the direction Ace left, their hearts filled with worry.
Their eyes followed Ace's back closely, as if they wanted to see his inner world through the figure that was getting farther and farther away.
They were worried that Ace would fall into deeper pain because of this truth, and that he would do something impulsive.
Their hearts were filled with worry, yet they were powerless to do anything.
The wind blew gently, and the leaves rustled, as if telling of their helplessness.
Buggy and Kaido stood quietly, their figures looking particularly lonely in the afterglow of the setting sun.
They didn't know what the future would be like, but they knew that Ace needed time to accept the truth, and they could only pray silently in their hearts, hoping that Ace could get through this difficult time.
