Summary
The Marineford War is one of the most significant moments in One Piece, reshaping the world and leaving a lasting impact on its characters and fans alike. It’s a tale of sacrifice, brotherhood, and the pursuit of freedom, leaving a lasting impact on both the characters and fans alike. Yet, many fans have wondered: What if Marineford never happened? Could the tragic loss of Ace and Whitebeard have been avoided?
However, these speculations have nothing to do with the story but as Oda likes to imagine we fans like to guess not only the future but the past also. So, In this speculative theory, we explore an alternate timeline where Gol D. Roger entrusts Ace not to Garp but to Silvers Rayleigh, Roger’s right-hand man. Could this single decision have changed the entire course of One Piece? Let’s dive into the possible consequences of this intriguing “What if Gol D. Roger Gave Ace to Rayleigh.”
An Overview of the Marineford War
Why did Marineford happen?
The war at Marineford, the Navy’s headquarters, was triggered by the planned execution of Portgas D. Ace, the son of Gol D. Roger and the adopted brother of Monkey D. Luffy. The Marines hoped Ace’s death would deter future piracy by making him an example. This sparked a massive conflict involving some of the world’s most powerful figures, including Whitebeard, the Admirals, the Warlords of the Sea, and the Revolutionary Army.
Ace’s execution was more than just a battle between the Marines and pirates—it was a fight to save a beloved brother. The bond between Ace and Luffy became the emotional heart of the arc, pushing Luffy to charge into battle at any cost.
Also Read: What if Luffy Unlocked Gear 5 at Marineford?
The Big Moments of Marineford
- Whitebeard’s Arrival: Edward Newgate, known as Whitebeard, arrives at Marineford with his entire fleet to rescue Ace. As one of the Yonko, Whitebeard’s presence is overwhelming, and his Devil Fruit power, the Gura Gura no Mi, shakes Marineford to its core, literally causing earthquakes.
Whitebeard showcases his strength and dominance on the battlefield making him a force to be reckoned with, even at the age of 74. On the other side three Marine Admirals Akainu, Aiokiji, and Kizaru are leading the Marine force with their strong Magma, Snow, and light powers respectively.
- Luffy’s Entry: After breaking out of Impel Down, Luffy also arrives at Marineford with a group of powerful allies, including Jinbe, Ivankov, Crocodile, and others. His arrival is a significant moment as he charges headfirst into the war to save Ace.
- Ace’s Rescue ( A Climatic Moment): After a desperate struggle, Luffy manages to reach Ace with the help of the Whitebeard Pirates and allies. In a climactic moment, Mr. 3 creates a key from his wax to unlock Ace’s shackles, leading to a brief but joyous reunion between the brothers.
The moment Ace is freed is a turning point in the war, with a surge of hope among the pirates. However, this victory is short-lived. The Marine Admiral Akainu taunts Ace about Whitebeard, questioning his loyalty and sparking a confrontation. Despite Luffy’s pleas, Ace engages Akainu to defend his captain’s honour.
- A Tragic End of Ace: In one of the most heart-wrenching moments of the series, Ace sacrifices himself to protect Luffy from Akainu’s magma punch. Ace’s death is a devastating blow to Luffy and marks a tragic end to the war.
- Whitebeard’s Death: After Ace’s death, Whitebeard is filled with anger and goes on a rampage. Despite suffering numerous fatal wounds, he remains standing, refusing to fall. In his final moments, Whitebeard declares that the “One Piece” is real, reigniting the Great Pirate Era.
- Blackbeard’s power Grab: In a shocking turn, Marshall D. Teach, known as Blackbeard, arrives at Marineford with his crew. Blackbeard uses a mysterious method to absorb Whitebeard’s Devil Fruit power, making him the first person in history to wield two Devil Fruits.
- Shanks’ Intervention: As the war reaches its peak, Shanks and the Red-Haired Pirates arrive at Marineford. Shanks declares that the war must end, and respectfully retrieves Ace and Whitebeard’s bodies, ensuring they receive proper burials. His intervention and diplomatic approach bring the chaotic war to an end.
Marineford Would Never Happen If Roger Gave Ace to Rayleigh
The Marineford War has brought many unwanted turns for One Piece fans and they really want to reverse them if it would be possible. We would love to see Ace become a Straw Hat and be proud of Gol D. Roger after reaching Laughtale. Additionally, we would not have to see such a brutal end of generous Yonko Whitebeard.
For speculating this story we would have to suppose that GolD. Roger gave the responsibility of Ace to his Vice Captain Rayleigh rather than Garp. This choice could have drastically altered the story, sparing Ace and Whitebeard from their tragic fates and leading to a very different One Piece world.
However, from Roger’s point of view giving Ace to Garp was the wisest decision to protect him from the Navy as the Navy was searching Roger’s Son in the entire world. So a Navy officer’s house was the safest place for his son. But if somehow he would give Ace to Rayleigh and Rayleigh would succeed in escaping and saving Ace then how things would be different will be seen further.
Ace Would Be as Strong as Shanks
If Ace were trained by Rayleigh, he would undoubtedly be one of the strongest pirates in the world, perhaps even a Yonko like Shanks. Rayleigh’s training could make Luffy incredibly powerful in just two years, so imagine how strong Ace would be if he had trained with Rayleigh from childhood. Being the son of Gol D. Roger, Ace would have a natural9 talent for Haki and combat, making him a force to be reckoned with. Few would dare challenge him, and his reputation could rival that of Shanks or even surpass it.
Ace Would be Proud of Gol D. Roger
If Ace had been raised by Rayleigh, the Dark King would have likely shared stories of Roger’s greatness, bravery, and sacrifice. This could have radically shifted Ace’s perspective. Rayleigh’s guidance might have allowed Ace to see his father not as a villain but as a hero who lived by his own code and changed the world. Ace would have grown up understanding the true nature of Roger’s quest, possibly leading him to embrace his father’s legacy rather than reject it. He might have strived to uncover the One Piece himself, fulfilling the will of his father.
With Rayleigh’s mentorship, Ace would have had a deeper understanding of why Roger handed over himself to the Marines. Instead of viewing it as a selfish act, Ace might have seen it as a noble choice to set the stage for the future of piracy and the dawn of a new era. This could inspire Ace to become a leader in his own right, driven by his father’s ideals rather than running from them.
A Different Path for Ace
If Ace embraced his father’s legacy, he might have been driven to seek out Laugh Tale or even protect the secrets of the Void Century. This newfound purpose could have made him a major figure in the world of One Piece, perhaps even setting him on a collision course with the World Government as a revolutionary or a powerful pirate.
Whitebeard Would Still Be Alive
Whitebeard was old and suffering from illness, but he might not have met such a brutal end if Marineford had never occurred. If Ace had been under Rayleigh’s protection, he might have avoided capture altogether, sparing Whitebeard the need to launch a rescue mission. This would have allowed Whitebeard to live out his days, continuing to challenge the new pirate era. Moreover, Whitebeard’s extraordinarily powerful Devil Fruit ability, the Gura Gura no Mi, would not have fallen into the hands of the treacherous Blackbeard, preventing a significant shift in the balance of power.
Brotherhood of Luffy And Ace Might be Missing
One of the most cherished aspects of the One Piece series is the deep bond between Luffy and Ace. If Ace had grown up with Rayleigh, he would likely have been exposed to a vastly different environment. Rayleigh, being a former pirate and one of the most powerful figures in the world, would have raised Ace in the shadows of the pirate world. Ace would have been trained rigorously from a young age, preparing him to carry on the legacy of Gol D. Roger. This kind of upbringing might have kept Ace isolated from normal childhood experiences, including forming bonds with others his age.
Luffy, on the other hand, grew up in the peaceful and remote village of Foosha. His carefree childhood, filled with dreams of adventure and inspired by Shanks, allowed him to form natural, unguarded friendships. If Ace had been raised by Rayleigh, he might not have met Luffy during those formative years. Their paths might not have crossed until much later in life when both were already seasoned pirates with their own crews and goals.
Ace And Luffy Might have been Rival
Even if Ace and Luffy had eventually met, their relationship might have been more distant or competitive. Without the shared experiences of growing up together, surviving in the wilderness, and dreaming of adventure, their bond might lack the deep emotional connection that drives Luffy to risk everything to save Ace at Marineford.
Ace, trained by Rayleigh and possibly burdened with the knowledge of his father’s legacy, might have viewed Luffy differently—as a fellow pirate rather than a brother. Their encounters could have been marked by rivalry rather than brotherhood, especially if Ace had become a prominent figure in the pirate world early on.
Impact on Major Events Pre and Post-Marineford
The alternate relationship between Ace and Rayleigh would ripple through the entire One Piece storyline, affecting major events and character developments not only pre- but also post-Marineford.
- Formation of the Straw Hat Crew: Without Ace’s influence and his close bond with Luffy, the formation of the Straw Hat Pirates might have been significantly different. Ace’s presence provided not only emotional support but also strategic advantage. Without him, Luffy might have needed to rely more heavily on other crew members for guidance and strength, potentially altering the crew’s dynamics and individual growth paths.
- Impel Down and Marineford: If Ace had never been captured due to Rayleigh’s protection, the events leading to his imprisonment in Impel Down would never have occurred. Consequently, Luffy’s breakout from Impel Down, his alliance with various powerful figures, and the subsequent Marineford War would be entirely different. This would prevent the massive loss of life and the deaths of key characters like Ace and Whitebeard, leading to a less tumultuous shift in the world’s power structure.
- Blackbeard’s Rise to Power: Blackbeard’s acquisition of Whitebeard’s Devil Fruit power was a pivotal moment that significantly altered the balance of power in the One Piece world. Without the Marineford War, Blackbeard’s opportunity to usurp Whitebeard would be delayed or even prevented. This would slow down or change the trajectory of Blackbeard’s rise, possibly leading to a different set of antagonists rising to prominence.
- Revolutionary Army’s Influence: The absence of the Marineford War would mean fewer casualties and less mess, potentially limiting the Revolutionary Army’s immediate actions against the World Government. However, with Ace’s enhanced capabilities under Rayleigh’s training, he might have taken a more active role in opposing the World Government, aligning with the Revolutionary Army in new ways and possibly accelerating certain plot points related to the revolution.
- Luffy’s Growth and Motivations: Luffy’s journey is deeply influenced by his desire to honour Ace’s memory and continue his legacy. Without Ace’s tragic death, Luffy’s motivations might shift more towards fulfilling his own dreams rather than being driven by a desire to protect his brother. This could lead to a different approach in his leadership, decision-making, and the challenges he faces along the way.
- Alliances and Rivalries: Ace’s prominence as a powerful pirate would influence the alliances and rivalries within the pirate world. His leadership and reputation could attract different allies or provoke different enemies, altering the political landscape of the New World. This would have a cascading effect on various story arcs, potentially leading to earlier or entirely different confrontations with other Yonko and powerful factions.
Final Thoughts
In Conclusion, while Marineford was a devastating loss, it also shaped Luffy’s growth and solidified his resolve. In the end, the emotional highs and lows of One Piece remind us that even in a world of pirates, it’s the bonds of family and friendship that drive the heart of the story. Hence Oda’s imagination power resembles the true lesson of life that it is always the mixup of happy and sad moments.