Ace is an Idiot!

"Where have you been all these years?" Luffy cried, "Ace and I thought you were dead."

You have no idea how heartbroken we were.

After saying that, Luffy seemed to remember something and added, "That Ace guy even told me in a fierce tone not to cry, and to remember this pain and strive to become stronger..."

As Sabo listened to his younger brother recount the past, his expression softened even more.

He could understand what Ace meant by those words, after all, the letter he left behind stated that he was entrusting Luffy to Ace.

Therefore, the other side must pull themselves together in order to protect Luffy.

As for those fierce words?

As the only older brother, Ace cannot show his weakness, otherwise... how will he protect his younger brother?

But when that guy is alone, he must be heartbroken and crying his eyes out.

As his brother, he knew Ace all too well.

Thinking of this, Sabo couldn't help but recall how Ace first met him.

That bastard doesn't put on any act in front of him, hahahahaha.

"I understand, I understand everything." Sabo reached out and ruffled Luffy's hair, saying, "I'm sorry for being gone for so many years, Luffy."

"It's alright, it's good that you're alive."

Luffy rubbed his eyes, jumped off Sabo, and then grabbed Sabo's clothes as if he was afraid Sabo would disappear again.

"Don't worry, I won't disappear this time," Sabo said.

"All right."

After confirming once again that Sabo was still alive and wouldn't leave, Luffy released his grip on Sabo's hand.

Then he asked, "Where have you been all these years?"

"It's a long story," Sabo said with some emotion. "After leaving Foosha Village, I unfortunately encountered Celestial Dragons and was blown unconscious by his cannon."

"When I woke up, I found myself with Mr. Dragon."

"Huh?!"

Luffy looked at Sabo in surprise and said, "Are you with my father?"

Why is my older brother staying with my father?

"Um?"

"Um!!!"

Bartolomeo stared at Luffy in shock, wondering if he had just heard something incredible.

Is Luffy the son of Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army?

Ah?

Is it true or not?

Did this senior colleague actually have such a background?

This is absolutely astonishing!

"Luffy is actually Dragon's son?" Perona looked at Luffy in surprise, clearly not expecting him to have such a background.

"Um?"

You don't know either?

Xi Yan looked at Perona with some surprise. Although this matter was a secret, everyone in the Straw Hat Pirates should know about it.

Has no one mentioned this?

"I only got on the ship after you all gathered, okay?" Perona retorted. "Besides, Zoro never mentioned it, so I don't know what's so strange about it?"

Nobody mentioned this before, how would she know?

"That's true."

Xi Yan nodded in understanding; it was perfectly normal that Perona didn't know from this perspective.

He then explained, "Luffy is indeed Dragon's son; this was confirmed by Garp himself."

After he finished speaking, Xi Yan's expression became somewhat strange.

It seems that old man Garp didn't consider this a secret at all.

Is it because he trusts the navy on his ship, or does he feel it doesn't matter if they find out?

Perona nodded, then looked at Luffy and Sabo with a thoughtful expression, seemingly lost in thought.

"Once I've fully recovered, I'll join Mr. Dragon's Revolutionary Army and start training my physique there," Sabo said. "It's just a pity... I've completely forgotten my past."

"That's why I don't remember you."

Sabo paused for a moment, then said with some guilt, "I'm sorry, Luffy, I couldn't help you during the Marineford War."

"It doesn't matter."

Luffy shook his head and said, "After all, you didn't remember us back then, so it's normal that you didn't come."

"Besides... with me and Xi Yan here, we can manage just fine."

He wouldn't be angry with Sabo over this, since there was a reason why Sabo didn't come.

Sabo smiled upon hearing this, thinking, "As expected of Luffy."

Then, he looked at Xi Yan with gratitude. If it weren't for Xi Yan, his brother might not only have failed to rescue Ace, but might also have been left in the Underwater Great Prison. So he was very grateful to Xi Yan.

Seeing this, Xi Yan smiled and then gestured with his Luffy, meaning: Luffy and I are partners, so you don't need to do that.

Sabo laughed even harder upon seeing this. Luffy was truly fortunate to have such a partner.

"How did you come up with that idea later?" Luffy asked curiously.

"This...?"

Recalling the previous scene, Sabo laughed and said, "I ran into Ace because of some things. He didn't recognize me at the time, and I didn't have any memories of you, so... we ended up fighting."

As he said this, a hint of helplessness appeared in Sabo's eyes.

Who would have thought that the two brothers would recognize each other in this way?

"You got into a fight?"

Luffy was stunned for a moment. Not only did Ace not recognize Sabo, but he also fought with him?

This...

Ace was an idiot!

"Yeah, we had a fight," Sabo said. "But don't blame the guy, since I was wearing a hat the whole time."

"Oh, I see."

Luffy had a look of Satori realization. No wonder Ace didn't recognize Sabo; it was because he was wearing a hat!

That makes sense, since he didn't recognize who Sabo was wearing the hat just now.

Then Luffy continued, "And then what happened?"

"And then..."

Sabo said, "Later, as the fight went on, my hat fell off, and at the same time, that guy recognized the weapon I was holding."

"Here it is."

As he spoke, Sabo pulled the Water Pipe out from behind his cloak, which surprised Xi Yan.

Dude, where did you get that from?

Is your cloak perhaps also a dimensional pocket?

"Isn't this the weapon you and Ace used to use when you were kids?" Luffy grinned.

He remembered clearly that Ace and Sabo used to fight with these Pure Gold Water Pipe when they were little.

"Yes, this is the weapon we liked to use when we were kids." Sabo raised his hand and gently stroked the Water Pipe in his hand, saying, "That's one of the reasons that guy recognized me."

If it weren't for the fact that Ace recognized his face and weapons, they might not have fought for much longer, and there might even have been casualties!

So he was quite relieved.

"So you came with Ace this time?" Luffy asked.

"I guess so."

"I guess so?"

Luffy paused for a moment. Yes is yes, no is no, so what does "yes" even mean?

"I did contact Ace before, planning to come here with him, but he didn't answer the phone," Sabo explained. "So I came here directly."

Luffy blinked. Oh, I see.

"So, you haven't seen Ace yet today?"

"Yes."

Sabo said with some emotion, "But that guy doesn't have time right now, so I haven't contacted him again. We'll get together after the battle is over."

"Perfect timing, this time the three of us brothers can get together."

At the end, Sabo couldn't help but laugh again.

After more than a decade, the three brothers are finally going to reunite!

"We definitely need to get together!" Luffy grinned, "Perfect timing, I'll introduce my crew to you."

"They are all wonderful people!"

In the end, Luffy proudly raised his head.

In his view, his partners are the best partners in the world.

"A truly wonderful person..."

Hearing Luffy's very straightforward words, Xi Yan couldn't help but laugh. Luffy really knows how to compliment people.

Perona turned her head away, somewhat embarrassed. How could Luffy, that idiot, suddenly say something so awkward?

"That's right, Luffy's crewmates are truly amazing people!"

Bartolomeo nodded in agreement, but unfortunately no one paid him any attention.

"Okay, I understand." Sabo smiled. "After things are settled here, you can introduce us to them."

"Okay, it's a deal!" Luffy grinned, showing his teeth.

The two of them seemed completely unconcerned about what was happening here.

This scene excited Bartolomeo even more.

Is this the kind of courage and determination that Luffy and Sabo possess?

Even Doflamingo couldn't make them hesitate even a little... That's amazing!

"Oh, right, Luffy."

Sabo's expression suddenly softened, and he said, "Ace and I have met Dadan."

Although their time together was short, he felt maternal love from Dadan, so he was very grateful to her.

"Real?"

Luffy asked with delight, "How is she doing now?"

It's been over two years since he last saw Dadan.

"He's doing quite well," Sabo laughed. "When he saw us that day, he even dragged Ace and me out for drinks all night."

"You could say they were extremely happy."

"Ha ha ha ha."

As for the other party's emotional outburst and tears?

There's no need to say that, after all... he also has to save face for his 'mother'.

"That's good," Luffy said, relieved.

He quite liked Dadan and her group, so he was relieved that they were doing well.

"Dadan is..."

"Ah, she's kind of our foster mother," Sabo said, looking at Xi Yan. "When the three of us were little, she didn't take care of us, so we've always stayed with Dadan."

Xi Yan:???

What does it mean to have no one to take care of you when you were little?

Although he didn't know what was going on with Sabo, Ace and Luffy had family!

That old man Garp is still alive!

Why didn't that guy come to take care of them?

Even if you don't have time to take care of it, you still need to find someone...

Oh, I see. Dadan is the person that guy found, right?

Then, Xi Yan thought to himself, "Serves you right for not finding a Marine to take care of you. Now look what happened, you two have both become pirates."

As for Ace?

Even though this guy is the Son of the Pirate King, who says the Son of the Pirate King can't be a Marine?

The very existence of such a force within the navy is the best form of recruitment propaganda!

Look, even the Son of the Pirate King has abandoned his evil ways and joined our Marines! What are you waiting for?

In this way, the arrogance of the pirates will be severely suppressed!

As for whether the World Government will cause trouble?

If the World Government were to cause trouble for Ace over something like this, Garp would definitely not tolerate it.

This can be seen from the other party's independent and self-willed way of doing things.

Thinking of this, Xi Yan nodded in deep agreement.

"It seems I'm still quite lucky," Perona said. "At least Lord Moria was by my side when I was little."

Although Lord Moria doesn't play with her often, he creates all sorts of zombies for her to play with, so she is still very grateful to Lord Moria.

Upon hearing this, Xi Yan glanced at Perona. It seemed that this girl truly regarded Moria as a father figure.

Although Perona never admitted it verbally, her actions perfectly conveyed this.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Xi Yan shook his head, then looked at Sabo and asked, "What's wrong with you?"

"Could it be your family...?"

"Family?"

Upon hearing those two words, Sabo's face showed a mocking expression, and he said, "My family... ha, let's not talk about them."

To him, those three people couldn't even be considered family, so he couldn't be bothered to mention them anymore.

Seeing that Sabo had no intention of speaking, Xi Yan didn't ask any further questions, since asking would only be like rubbing salt into the other's wounds.

In short...

Sabo composed himself and then said, "Dadan said after she got drunk that she misses you too, so if you have time, go see her."

This time, Luffy didn't answer the question immediately, but instead thought back to what Dadan looked like.

He then said, "After I've circumnavigated the Grand Line, I'll go to the East Blue to see her."

Although he missed Dadan quite a bit, he wouldn't stop himself just because he missed her.

His dream is to become the Pirate King!

Therefore, he will not go back until he achieves his dream.

"Pirate King, huh...?"

Sabo, of course, knew what Luffy's dream was, so he smiled and said, "Okay, I understand."

"But if you want to become the Pirate King, you might still need to fight Ace ~"

At this point, Sabo laughed even harder, but it was a gloating laugh.

At this moment, he was really looking forward to seeing Ace get beaten up by his younger brother Luffy!

Hahahaha.