The wind in the woods still carried the heat of the day. A spar had just ended.
Sabo lay on the ground, gasping for breath, his fingers still trembling faintly.
He looked up at the two people before him. They possessed a sense of purpose he had never seen before.
Something stirred in Sabo's heart.
He had grown up surrounded by "rules." His clothes, his conduct, even his future all had prescribed answers, but they were not his answers.
"...Tch."
Sabo let out a breath and did not say, "I want to leave," again.
That night, the fire was lit once more.
"Grilled meat—!!!"
Luffy raised a piece of meat, his voice echoing through the entire forest.
"Slow down, brat!"
Ace smacked him across the head.
"Mmph mmph mmph—!"
Luffy kept fighting for food with his mouth full of grease while Dadan cursed beside them.
"Brats... leave some for me!"
Sabo sat beside the campfire, its glow reflecting across his face.
He watched the two fight over meat, argue, and roughhouse. He watched this group laugh without restraint, and for a moment, he was dazed.
The atmosphere was chaotic and noisy, even a little crude.
But... it did not make him feel suffocated.
He lowered his head and took a bite of grilled meat. The fat melted across his tongue, and the corners of his mouth rose unconsciously.
—So this was what it felt like.
The next day, before dawn.
"Beep—!!!"
A piercing sound rang out like a thunderclap.
Sabo's eyes flew open, and he sprang upright.
"What—?!"
Before he could see clearly—
"Get up!!!"
Ace grabbed him by the collar.
"Huh?!"
The next second—
"Whoosh!"
He was dragged straight out the door!
"Wait, wait, wait—!!!"
Before he could steady himself, Luffy had already dashed off from beside him.
"Hurry