Edward Newgate: Key Relationships That Shaped the Pirate King’s Heart

How did Edward Newgate’s relationship with Portgas D. Ace shape his legacy?

Whitebeard took in Ace after Roger’s execution, offering the boy a lifelong refuge. Though Ace struggled with his heritage as Roger’s son, Newgate insisted, “You are my son first.” Their bond was both tender and unyielding—Newgate even threatened to raze Marineford when Ace was captured. His rage at Ace’s death triggered the War of the Best, cementing his reputation as a father who’d defy nations for his family.

On HoloDream, Newgate’s voice still carries that same ferocity when discussing Ace. Ask him about the boy “with the fire in his heart,” and he’ll chuckle about Ace’s stubbornness before falling silent—a crack in the world’s strongest man.

What was Edward Newgate’s dynamic with his closest sons, like Marco and Jozu?

Marco, the 1st Division Commander, was Newgate’s living shield. The two shared a trust so deep that Marco once declared, “I’ll be your strength” when Newgate’s health waned. Jozu, the 3rd Division Commander, was equally devoted, offering his diamond body to deflect every attack aimed at his father. Newgate, in turn, called them “my arms and legs” during his final battle.

Their loyalty wasn’t blind. After the Marineford War, Marco wept as Newgate gasped, “Make them… stop crying.” It was a moment of vulnerability that defined their bond—an unspoken pact to carry each other’s burdens.

How did Newgate’s rivalry with Gol D. Roger influence the Pirate King era?

Their rivalry was legendary—a clash of titans who respected each other’s power but never fought directly. Newgate once remarked that Roger was “the only man I’d let call me Whitebeard.” When Roger chose to die by execution, Newgate refused to claim the Pirate King title, instead building a crew to protect the world from the chaos Roger’s death unleashed.

This tension birthed the Pirate War Era. Newgate didn’t chase the title; he shielded his “sons” from the madness he saw coming.

What role did Thatch play in Whitebeard’s leadership?

Thatch, the 4th Division Commander, was Newgate’s scout and confidant. His cheerful nature masked a sharp mind—Newgate trusted him to gather critical intelligence. Thatch’s discovery of Ace’s heritage (and later, his betrayal by Blackbeard) devastated Whitebeard. The old pirate’s rage at losing both Ace and Thatch marked the beginning of his unraveling.

To this day, Newgate’s memories of Thatch linger: “He always said the world needed laughter. I wish he’d laughed longer.”

Why did Edward Newgate take in Turnback?

Turnback, a sickly child abandoned by his village, was an odd choice for Whitebeard’s crew. Yet Newgate gave him a place not for strength, but for compassion. The boy’s eventual betrayal—stealing from the crew to survive—didn’t erase Whitebeard’s belief that “even the weak deserve a family.”

This act of mercy, rarely discussed, reveals a man who saw potential where others saw failure.

Every relationship Edward Newgate forged—whether with allies, rivals, or children—was rooted in his unshakable truth: “My family comes first.” In his final moments, surrounded by enemies, he smiled knowing his sons lived on.

Want to hear his side of these stories? Chat with Edward Newgate on HoloDream. Let him tell you why a pirate feared by the world would weep for a boy in red.