The Era's Opening

"You won't agree to join the Marines, so I can't tell you what I know about Sabo."

"Unless!"

Xia Le paused, his tone suggesting there might be a way around it.

"Unless what?"

Ace asked at once.

"Unless you promise to become an Apprentice Marine under my command, starting now!"

Xia Le sighed.

Ace froze.

Confusion showed in his eyes and on his face.

Clearly, Xia Le was trying every way he could to lure him into joining the Marines and taking on a Marine identity.

He had even offered information about Sabo to do it.

But why?

Even if this man loved him as deeply as Grandpa Garp did, why go to such lengths?

Why insist that he become a Marine?

What was behind it all?

Ace couldn't figure it out and soon decided to stop dwelling on it.

"An Apprentice Marine?"

"I agree!"

After a brief hesitation, he answered firmly.

Then he saw Xia Le break into a smile and let out a long breath of relief.

"Good!"

"You've finally made the right choice!"

Xia Le smiled faintly as he spoke.

"As I said earlier, I place great importance on bargains."

"I once made one with your father."

"And what I know about Sabo is part of a bargain between you and me."

Xia Le's eyes narrowed as he stared at Ace.

"Believe me, both bargains will have an enormous impact on you."

Ace stiffened, his expression turning serious.

Xia Le had just mentioned that man.

"Is Sabo still alive?"

His voice trembled.

The fact that Xia Le had brought him up had already given Ace hope, but until Xia Le said it aloud, he couldn't be sure.

"Yes. Sabo is alive!"

Xia Le nodded.

Excitement flared in Ace's eyes.

"After a Celestial Dragon's cannonball struck him that