Grandfather and Grandsons

Five days later, Zou Fortress residential district.

"Vrom, serve our guests some tea."

Giving Vrom beside him a meaningful look, Long Yi wore a faint smile as he turned and fixed his gaze once more on the travel-worn Ace not far away.

"Pancakes. More pancakes."

Seeing the chief steward of the inner residence turn to leave, apparently to prepare tea, Karp, who had just been released from prison, hurriedly called out to remind him to bring his favorite hearty snack as well.

"Understood, Mr. Karp."

With a smile, Vrom answered and withdrew in an orderly manner.

Only the grandfather, grandsons, and Long Yi remained in the living room.

"Then, let's talk."

Once the chief steward, an "outsider," had left, Long Yi crossed one leg over the other. The smile on his face faded unconsciously, replaced by the indifference a high-ranking Marine officer ought to show a pirate.

Public matters were public matters, private matters were private matters. They had to be kept separate!

"As agreed, I have disbanded the Whitebeard Pirates. I hope you will keep your promise as well and stop causing trouble for us."

Ace spoke in a low voice, staring into Long Yi's eyes as though he wanted to find some clue in them.

But to his disappointment, there was not the slightest ripple in Long Yi's gaze as he spoke.

"As agreed? Heh heh."

Ignoring Karp's somewhat worried expression beside him, Long Yi let out a cold laugh, his fingers lightly tapping the dragon-patterned scabbard in his arms.

"I don't think so."

Ace's expression changed at those words, and the worry in his heart finally became reality.

This was the price of indecision.

"Hey! Don't go too far!"

Just as Ace was about to speak, Luffy, who had remained silent until then, suddenly slapped the armrest