Ace himself wasn't worried. As a pirate, he was used to risking his life.
It was just—
Ace glanced worriedly at Luffy behind him. His little brother was still young. How could he endure such a brutal battle?
"I see..."
Momousagi's aura surged as she pointed her sword at Ace. She was still fuming over her inability to defeat Sarutobi Hiruzen. A Whitebeard Second Division Commander was a much more suitable target.
After all, strictly speaking, Sarutobi Hiruzen had no bounty, while Ace was an honest-to-goodness great pirate.
"Then I'll take you down first!"
Just as the two sides were poised to clash, a teasing voice rang out.
"Admiral candidate Momousagi."
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood with a thin layer of sand beneath his feet. Behind him, Crocodile controlled the sand, keeping himself afloat above the sea.
"Looks like you're in a bit of trouble."
"Need a hand?"
Momousagi glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen, surprised that he was willing to get involved. But she didn't bother with pleasantries.
"As a Shichibukai, you do have a duty to support the Navy..."
"I'm requisitioning you as an admiral candidate. Help me capture Fire Fist Ace!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Ace, who was standing ready for battle, and smiled meaningfully.
Originally, Ace had been pursuing Blackbeard and happened to pass through Alabasta.
But Sarutobi Hiruzen had changed the course of events, and, by sheer coincidence, Ace had run into Momousagi, an admiral candidate.
If he could help it, Ace didn't want to fight Momousagi head-on. But he couldn't just stand by and let anything happen to Luffy.
But...
Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze turned dangerous, too. If he wanted to change the course of history, the events surrounding Ace were undoubtedly among the most significant.
Ace's death, the Summit War, the prison break, Blackbeard's rise—all of them.
That