Apprentice Marine

"Which would you choose: changing the world or becoming a pirate?"

Ace fell silent.

Once, he had dreamed of being like the man before him, wearing a Justice Cloak, admired by thousands, and doing what he believed was right.

He had admired Xia Le deeply and listened to his mother tell stories about him countless times.

But time had passed, and everything had changed.

"My dream of joining the Marines?"

"That shattered long ago!"

Ace shook his head and smiled.

"Pops treats me well."

"Marco, Jozu, and Vista are my brothers, too!"

"If you think that's just a childish game of make-believe, then think what you want!"

After a pause, he said earnestly,

"But to me, that's the family I've been looking for!"

Xia Le was startled for a moment, then he laughed.

"The hardest thing in life is knowing what you truly want."

He rose slowly and turned toward the sea.

"Ace!"

"Never forget: anger makes people stupid."

"Whenever someone mocks or curses you, look deeper. Ask yourself why they're doing it and what they really mean!"

Ace stood there, stunned by his words.

For a moment, he saw the man who had once held him and lifted him high into the air standing before him again.

Back then, Xia Le had taught him much as he was doing now, telling him what was right and what he must never do.

Ace's expression softened a little.

"If there's anyone in this world whose mistakes I could forgive,"

"it's you, Ace. You're the only one."

The sigh in Xia Le's voice made Ace's heart tremble. He looked up sharply.

"You may be a pirate. You may still resent me. But arresting you myself?"

"I couldn't do it!"

By the end, his voice had grown gentle.

"But be careful. Marshall D.