At the edge of the training ground in the distance, while Zephyr and Dragon were having a friendly chat, Ace was also pulling Sabo aside and asking him all sorts of questions.
Oh, right, they must be asking each other questions, because they really have so much to share!
Ace, with a piece of grilled meat in one hand and a drink in the other, asked Sabo while eating.
"I was too hasty before, and our two bosses were constantly fighting, so I didn't have time to say anything to you!"
Sabo, I'm so glad you're still alive!
As soon as he finished speaking, Ace gave Sabo a very greasy hug.
Feeling the greasy hands and pig's leg rubbing against his back, Sabo pushed him away in disgust. It took him a long time to finally break free from Ace's embrace.
"You're so oily!"
Sabo first chuckled and complained, then rubbed his face.
"I don't even know how I survived."
At that time... at that time I simply couldn't stand my aristocratic family anymore, so I made the decision to go to sea!
Speaking of which, I also need to apologize to you, Ace.
Nobles truly inherit their titles and status at the age of eighteen, which is why I have always made a promise with you that you will set sail at the age of seventeen.
As a result, you kept your promise, and Luffy is still waiting in Foosha Village until he turns seventeen.
But... I seem to have set sail too early..."
At this point, Sabo nostalgically adjusted his hat, while Ace tapped Sabo's chest.
"Forget about that stuff, let's get to the point: how did you end up on the Revolutionary Army's ship, and even join Revolutionary Army!"
Didn't we agree to become Emperors of the Sea together and then have a final showdown to determine who will become the Pirate King?
So you actually gave up your pirate identity halfway through and became Revolutionary Army...
"Ha, are you sure you want to ask me that?!"
Sabo frowned slightly upon hearing Ace's question.
"You have no right to talk about me like that, Ace."
After all, you gave up your pirate identity and joined the Dark Bird Ship, didn't you?
Neither of us kept our promise.
But it's alright, as long as we're alive.
When I regained my memories and found myself alive to see you all, I felt...
Some promises don't matter if we don't keep them, as long as we don't lose each other!
As he spoke, Sabo sighed sadly, and his eyes gradually welled up with tears.
In the days when I didn't have myself, or rather, in the days when I thought I was already dead.
Ace and Luffy must have been very unhappy...
Beside him, Ace silently rolled his eyes as he watched Sabo's dejected expression.
"Yes, it's good that you're alive. Seeing you is the best news I've ever received."
Sabo, if Luffy knew you were still alive, he'd jump for joy!
But... damn it, something seems to be wrong with my tattoo!
As he said this, Ace extended his left hand toward Sabo.
"See for yourself, brother."
I thought you were dead, so I tattooed your name and mine together on my body!
ACE is my name, so I added your logo below the A.
When you wrote to us back then, didn't you use this "S" with a cross on it as your mark?
And your pirate flag, isn't it also an X-shaped skull with an S written on it?
I originally wanted to live on for you too, to become a good older brother in Luffy's life.
Looking back now, it seems I should have gotten rid of the tattoo!
At this point, Ace laughed and put his arm around Sabo, then led Sabo toward Kuma and Ivankov.
"Kuma!!"
Ace shouted as he came up behind the Kuma, laughing.
"Your Paw-Paw Fruit should be able to swat away things like tattoos, right?"
So, could you do me a favor, sir?
Please take a picture of the tattoo on my arm!
As soon as he finished speaking, Ace gently tapped Sabo on the head.
"Since this kid is still alive, let him take on his responsibilities. Let him handle his part of taking care of his younger brother Luffy, haha!"
As for my arm, I'll get a new tattoo later.
I've actually thought about it for a long time. Sometimes I even dream about it: if you were still alive, I would tattoo three letters on my arm.
Those three letters, of course, are ASL, haha!
After saying that, Ace looked at Kuma expectantly.
Seeing the different expressions on Ace's and Sabo's faces, Kuma nodded slightly.
"It's very simple."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Kuma casually slapped his hand, instantly making the tattoo on Ace's arm disappear.
Looking at the ink molecules floating in the air, Ace let out a long breath.
"I ate the Flame-Flame Fruit, so if I want to continue getting tattoos, I need to find a tattoo artist who knows Armament Haki."
"Uncle Xiong, which senior member on our ship do you think is skilled in both Armament Haki and tattoos?"
"Well..."
Kuma was taken aback by Ace's question, but he quickly realized what it meant.
"Tattooing? Nobody on our ship offers that kind of service."
Although there's no professional tattoo artist, Sister Shakky should be able to handle it if it's just a tattoo.
Before Rocks Pirates, Shakky was the queen of Amazon Lily and also served as the captain of the Kuja Pirates.
The female warriors of Amazon Lily, except for Hancock's generation, all have a tradition of skin painting and tattoos.
So, you've come to the right place by looking for Sister Shakky!
"Why?!!"
The news from the bear stunned Ace, and it took him a long time to process it.
"Shakky was actually the former queen of Amazon Lily?"
Then... why did she Rocks Pirates?
This doesn't make sense, does it?
"What's unreasonable about it?"
In response to Ace's question, Kuma chuckled and offered an explanation.
"Back in the day when Sister Shakky was active on the high seas, the World Government didn't have a system like the Shichibukai."
So you can probably guess that Amazon Lily is almost adjacent to the Marine Headquarters and Impel Down. Its geographical location means that it needs the protection of a top-tier maritime power.
Otherwise, the Calm Belt alone cannot stop a true powerhouse.
Therefore, during Rocks' era, it was Rocks' pirate crew that protected Amazon Lily.
After the Rocks Pirates disbanded, the Amazon Lily Roger Pirates became the protectors of Amazon Lily.
After Roger was executed, Rayleigh took over as the protector of Amazon Lily.
It wasn't until Hancock joined the Amazon Lily Shichibukai that Amazon Lily came to be protected by both Hancock and the World Government.
As they were talking, the Kuma waved to Hancock was listening intently from afar.
Hancock naturally looked up as the Kuma waved to her.
However, just as she was about to put on a haughty expression, she suddenly froze in place.
Because on this ship, Kuma, Rayleigh, and Shakky are all somewhat special.
The three of them knew perfectly well that Hancock had once been a slave of the Celestial Dragons.
So, after a brief moment of thought, Hancock simply snorted and turned her head away haughtily.
Seeing Hancock turn her head away with an air of arrogance, Bear awkwardly pursed his lips.
"Well, according to Amazon Lily's tradition, the next king must defeat and kill the previous king in order to inherit the throne."
However, this tradition has experienced a slight break in the last fifty or sixty years.
So, well, Hancock has always been somewhat dissatisfied with this matter.
"It's nothing, it's a small matter. We're teammates, aren't we? Everyone will understand."
At this point, Kuma gently patted Ace on the shoulder.
"In short, just go find Sister Shakky, she'll definitely get a tattoo."
Also, you should have a good talk with Sabo; you two probably have a lot to discuss.
"Indeed!"
Sabo, standing nearby, picked up where the Kuma left off and spoke earnestly.
"We do have a lot to talk about, and we're even getting matching tattoos."
But besides that, Uncle Xiong...
This is the first time I've ever seen you say so much while smiling!
Sabo shook his head with a sigh.
"Is life on the Dark Bird Ship so easy for you? How interesting! I'm starting to look forward to my stay on this ship!"
"Ha ha!"
Sabo's words made the bear laugh out loud. He held the book in one hand and patted Sabo's shoulder hard with the other.
"Just keep looking forward to it, kids. You guys go find Sister Shakky."
Ivankov and I continued our conversation about the Grand Line.
It's good for you to hear this, since you'll find out sooner or later, or rather, Ace already knows.
In the coming years, we will blockade the Grand Line, and those who will be blocked will be far more than just pirates.
The Revolutionary Army was clearly also within the area under blockade.
So, I'm advising Ivankov to relocate his base. After all, he's the commander of the Revolutionary Army Grand Line Army. If the Grand Line is blocked, he'll be like Nezumi in a pot, with no way to escape.
Anyway, once you're done with your work, please persuade that cunning Ivankov for me.
No matter how many petty schemes one has, they cannot go against the general trend. Intrigues and schemes can only ever have an effect in the shadows.
"When it comes to overt strategies, covert schemes pose no threat or obstacle!"
After saying that, Kuma met Ivankov's deep gaze and gently pushed Sabo and Ace away.
Then, Ace and Shakky walked towards Shakky's direction.
At that moment, Shakky was sitting next to Kureha, listening to Crocus's constant complaints about Kureha.
Crocus has now accepted his job, and he constantly shares with Kureha his concerns about the health of the Dark Bird Ship's crew, as well as his anger and worry about the crew members not following medical advice.
"These guys are really going too far!"
They all knew perfectly well that they were no longer young. Every single monster on this ship, even Gion, was only two or three years away from being forty!
They're not young people anymore; do they think their bodies can still be as reckless as they were when they were young?
They're overthinking things. Their vitality has already started to decline, yet they're still willing to do things that damage it!
At this point, Crocus slammed his fist on the table.
"In short, the schedules of all the officers on board, including Captain Gawain, need to be adjusted slightly."
Gawain's habit of waking up at six o'clock is really good. He gets up at the end of the third watch of the night and at sunrise in the fourth watch of the night, and he will be full of energy all day.
But those who get up at this time must not be busy all day; Gawain and the crew must lie down for a while!
I don't know if you can understand the necessity of sleeping in a high position, but whether you understand it or not, sleeping in a high position is a fine tradition that has been passed down for countless years.
Therefore, we must all take a nap for about half an hour every day at noon!
It's settled then!
"Hmm~."
Kureha nodded nonchalantly in response to Crocus's words.
"Although I don't quite understand what you mean by 'vital energy' and 'yin and yang,' since you yourself think it's right and have made it a habit, then it must be a good habit."
You are almost seventy years old now, but after a physical examination, your organs are only at the aging level of a forty-year-old.
These are all genuine achievements, so I respect your medical theories.
If the two of us ask together, even Gawain will slightly change his lifestyle!
"That's right!"
Crocus nodded in satisfaction.
"I specifically brought this up with you because I wanted to invite you to join in the proposal. If we both agree, the captain will abide by it."
He complied, and the crew members naturally followed suit!
In short, Dr. Kureha, thank you for believing in and understanding my medical theories, even though you're a surgeon who only knows how to treat the symptoms, not the root cause.
"Are you looking for a beating?!"
Beside her, Kureha's face suddenly filled with black mist, while Crocus gently covered his mouth.
"Sorry, I spoke too quickly!"
"You're just being blunt, aren't you, Crocus brat?!"
So all I know is how to treat a headache by treating the symptom, and a foot pain by treating the foot, right?
Then come on, let's have a proper fight!
"After I've made that incision on you, you can come back and see if your own energy is more effective at healing major injuries, or if my surgery is more effective!!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Kureha, with a cigarette dangling from her lips, threw Crocus onto the training field.
Immediately afterwards, Kureha's throwing knife collided with Crocus's harpoon.
At that moment, Ace and Sabo arrived in front of Shakky.
"Shakky ~."
Ace grinned and laughed as he stretched out his left arm in front of Shakky.
Do you get tattoos, the kind with Armament Haki paint?
If you know how, could you please get me and Sabo tattooed? Thank you!
As soon as he finished speaking, Ace pulled Sabo aside and rolled up Sabo's sleeve.
Immediately afterwards, Ace began showering Shakky with his expectant, sparkling eyes...
Looking at the expectant Ace and the shy Sabo, Shakky glanced at the Kuma in the distance.
The Kuma was waving at her.
Shakky nodded.
"I do have some tattooing skills, and if you want a tattoo, no problem."
Wait here a moment, godson, I'll go get some tattoo equipment.
And my godson's brother, wait a moment, decide on the design you want for your tattoos~."
Shakky, with a cigarette dangling from her lips, chuckled as she ruffled Ace and Sabo's hair.
Then, she went to her room and took out her best tattoo tools.
When Shakky returned to Ace and Sabo's vicinity, Ace stretched his arms and said happily.
"Thank you so much, Shakky, I want to get three letters tattooed!"
A·S·L!
A is Ace, S is Sabo, and L is Luffy!
Of course we're going to get our three brothers' names tattooed on our bodies!
"Why?"
Sabo, standing nearby, suddenly paused for a moment, then gently patted Ace's arm.
"No, Ace, the order is wrong!"
It should be SAL!
Because I'm the eldest brother, okay?!
"What are you thinking, Sabo? Are you dreaming?!"
I'm two months older than you, you should know that!
Ace grabbed Sabo by the cheek and laughed as he spoke to Sabo.
"Therefore, I am the eldest brother, and ASL is the rightful order of succession!"
"Ha, does that mean we can only decide the order based on age, Ace!"
We are men of the sea; shouldn't we decide who is the leader based on the order in which we set sail?
"I set sail long before you, Ace!"
"What's the point of saying all that? You're not going to sea to be a pirate. Are the Revolutionary Army pirates?"
If joining a faction counts as going to sea, then wouldn't we Dadan's bandit group long ago? Did we go to sea when we were only five or six years old?
So, I was the first to become a pirate and the first to have a bounty, you should admit that, right?
My bounty is a whopping 600 million now. Even though Uncle Gawain helped me raise it, I'm still more qualified to be the boss than you, a guy who doesn't even have a bounty!
At this point, Ace and Sabo started fighting, and within two seconds, Sabo received a hard blow to the face.
However, the two only wrestled for a moment before embracing each other.
This time, the two of them really cried; they cried especially hard.
Because they finally remembered their bumpy, resilient youth.
They finally understood what they had lost, and how precious what they had finally found was!