Reunion in Nanohana

The scorching sun baked the earth, and the air was thick with a stifling heat.

Lin Feng and Bart had trekked through the desert for a long time before finally reaching Nanohana Port City.

From afar, its towering buildings and bustling crowds stood in stark contrast to the surrounding desolation.

"It's really lively here."

Lin Feng sighed as he looked at the prosperous scene before him.

Cries of vendors rose and fell, merchants called out enthusiastically, and the air was filled with the aroma of all kinds of food.

Lin Feng's attention was drawn to a peculiar stall.

Several golden apples were displayed on it, gleaming enticingly beneath the sunlight.

"Golden Apples?"

The corners of Lin Feng's lips curled up slightly in an amused smile.

He remembered that Usopp and Chopper, those two living treasures, should be right across from this stall.

Sure enough, Lin Feng spotted two familiar figures gathered around the stall, curiously examining the Golden Apples.

Usopp's exaggerated expression and Chopper's innocent gaze made Lin Feng unable to hold back a laugh.

"Can you really live for a thousand years if you eat one?"

Chopper asked curiously, his eyes wide.

"Of course! These are Golden Apples. Eat one, and you'll live forever!"

Usopp declared with complete confidence, as though he had seen it himself.

Lin Feng watched the scene and laughed to himself.

Those two were as adorable as ever.

However, he had no intention of going over to disturb them and merely watched from afar.

Just then, Lin Feng sensed an unusual gaze watching him from the shadows.

Without changing expression, Lin Feng scanned his surroundings, yet he found no suspicious figures.

"What's wrong, Lin Feng?"

Bart noticed his odd behavior and asked quietly.

"Nothing."

Lin Feng shook his head and did not dwell on it.

Maybe it was just his imagination.

Meanwhile, in a hidden corner of Nanohana Port City, two mysterious figures watched Lin Feng's every move.

"So that's Lin Feng? He doesn't look like much."

One voice said in a low tone.

"Don't let your guard down. We can't be careless with anyone the higher-ups specifically warned us about."

The other voice cautioned.

"Hmph. So what if he's strong? He'll still obediently become our prey."

The first voice said disdainfully.

The two exchanged glances, their eyes gleaming with conspiracy.

Lin Feng and Bart continued wandering through the port city, taking in its local customs and atmosphere.

Before long, they arrived at a restaurant called "Spice Bean."

The restaurant had a unique decor filled with exotic flair, and the sign outside was especially eye-catching.

"This is the place."

A slight smile appeared on Lin Feng's lips.

I've finally found you, Ace. He pushed open the restaurant door and walked inside.

The restaurant was bustling inside. Customers chatted and laughed while the waiters hurried back and forth among them.

Lin Feng's gaze quickly settled on a particular figure.

A shirtless man in a cowboy hat was sprawled across a table, fast asleep.

There were still scraps of food sitting in front of him.

The surrounding customers all assumed he had eaten some strange mushroom and been poisoned.

"Did this guy go stupid from eating desert mushrooms or something?"

One customer muttered quietly.

"I think so too. He's sleeping like that."

Another customer agreed.

Just then, the man suddenly woke up.

He rubbed his sleepy eyes and stared blankly at the people around him.

"What's going on? Are you guys putting on some kind of comedy skit?"

The man asked in confusion, his voice still tinged with sleepiness.

"Hahaha!"

Lin Feng could not help laughing as he walked over to the man.

"Ace, you're as funny as ever!"

Hearing the familiar voice, the man abruptly turned his head.

The moment he saw Lin Feng, a delighted smile spread across his face.

"Big Brother?!"

Ace cried excitedly and threw his arms around Lin Feng.

"It really is you! I thought I was dreaming!"

Lin Feng patted Ace on the back and smiled.

"It's been a long time, Ace."

"Yeah, Big Brother! It's been so long since we parted ways with the Whitebeard Pirates."

Ace scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.

Lin Feng and Bart sat down at the table beside Ace's.

"Oh, right, Ace. Let me introduce you. This is my partner, Bart."

Lin Feng pointed at Bart as he spoke to Ace.

"Hello, Bart."

Ace greeted Bart warmly.

"Hello."

Bart was a man of few words and merely nodded.

"Bart, this is my younger brother, Ace."

Lin Feng then introduced Ace to Bart.

"Younger brother?"

Bart glanced at Ace in surprise, seemingly not expecting Lin Feng to have a younger brother.

"Hahaha, that's right. We're brothers."

Ace said with a laugh, patting Lin Feng on the shoulder.

"Big Brother, how have you been lately? What brought you to Alabasta?"

Ace asked curiously.

"As for me, I've just been traveling around and seeing the world. I also came here to find you."

Lin Feng replied with a smile, not revealing his true purpose.

"You came to find me? Big Brother, you're the best!"

Ace said emotionally, his eyes full of excitement.

"Oh, right, Big Brother. Did anything interesting happen to you after you came here?"

Ace asked curiously.

"Interesting things? I did run into a few, but it's not time to talk about them yet."

Lin Feng gave a mysterious smile and did not reveal much.

The two began catching up and talking about their respective experiences.

Lin Feng learned that Ace had also been traveling around recently, searching for the meaning of his own existence.

Meanwhile, in the desert not far from Nanohana Port City, a boy wearing a straw hat was so hungry his chest was practically stuck to his back.

When he spotted a city in the distance, his eyes immediately lit up.

"Wow! A city! I can finally eat something delicious!"

The boy shouted excitedly and sprinted toward the city.

"Big Brother, I feel like you've become stronger."

Ace looked at Lin Feng and spoke seriously.

"Haha, you're not bad either. Looks like you haven't been slacking off lately."

Lin Feng said with a smile, sensing the powerful aura emanating from Ace.

"Of course! I'm the man who'll become the King of the Pirates!"

Ace declared confidently, his eyes filled with ambition.

"Haha, then I'll be waiting for that day."

Lin Feng said with a smile, his heart filled with anticipation.

He knew that Ace and Luffy's meeting would soon arrive.

"Big Brother, where are we going next?" Ace asked, his eyes full of curiosity.

"Let's rest here for now. Then we can take a look around this country."

Lin Feng said with a smile, his gaze drifting into the distance.

"Okay!"

Ace replied excitedly, his face full of anticipation.

Yet at that moment, Lin Feng faintly felt a trace of unease in his heart.

He had a feeling that something was about to happen.

"Looks like Alabasta is even more interesting than I imagined."

Lin Feng murmured, a trace of excitement in his voice.