First half of the Grand Line.
A strange little boat spewing flames from its rear raced across the sea.
The owner of this boat was Portgas D. Ace, captain of the Whitebeard Pirates' Second Division, known as Fire Fist.
"The Autluk Family."
While casually releasing his Devil Fruit Ability to power the fire-spewing boat, Ace focused intently on a booklet that had already spread far and wide across the seas.
Reading its contents, Ace could not help muttering to himself:
"This Autluk Family that was wiped out by the Celestial Dragons..."
"That was Sabo's family, wasn't it?"
"Sabo?"
A rough voice sounded beside Ace's ear. "Is that Captain Ace's friend?"
The speaker was Ace's capable subordinate, Marshall D. Teach, an elite pirate of the Second Division.
"Yes."
Ace adjusted the brim of his cowboy hat, which had been blown crooked by the sea breeze, then openly revealed his grief before Teach.
"He was my brother when I was a child, but he died many years ago."
"Ha ha ha..."
Teach took a huge swig of rum and used his hearty laughter to liven up the somewhat heavy atmosphere.
"If he could become Captain Ace's brother, then young Sabo must have been a heroic man too!"
"That's right, ha ha."
A few words from Teach were enough to make Ace laugh aloud.
Teach was good at reading people, and his usual manner was bold, open, candid, and straightforward, so he was well-liked among the Whitebeard Pirates.
Ace, the newly appointed captain of the Second Division, was Teach's direct superior. After several encounters, he had come to see Teach as a trustworthy close friend and regarded him as his most capable assistant.
"Captain Ace."
Teach showed no change in expression as he acknowledged a young man nearly twenty years his junior as