At the invitation from Luffy's older brother, Luffy barely reacted, but Zoro and Sanji swallowed nervously. Usopp's eyes positively shone as he looked at Ace and said,
"Whitebeard... then that tattoo on your back really is..."
"That's right. He's my pride and joy... so, what will you choose, Luffy?"
Ace first answered Usopp's question, then turned to Luffy with a stern expression.
"No thanks."
Cold sweat nearly poured off Usopp. He was terrified that Ace would get angry and kill everyone aboard, but Ace didn't. Of course, he wouldn't do anything that stupid.
"Hahaha, I knew it. Don't worry, I was just asking."
Rather than getting angry, Ace laughed, as though his idiot little brother hadn't disappointed him at all.
But Ace's smile only lasted a moment before his expression grew serious again.
"Of all the pirates I know in this era, Whitebeard is the strongest. Not even Master Barn can match him. And I'm going to help him become the Pirate King, not you, Luffy."
Luffy remained completely relaxed as he replied,
"That's fine. We can fight it out when the time comes."
Zoro and Sanji both smiled at Luffy's back. His seemingly casual answer hadn't disappointed them.
Even Usopp slowly nodded, though the knowledge that they might someday face a great pirate like Whitebeard kept the cold sweat running down his forehead...
Just then, Sanji, who had been smoking in the corner, suddenly spoke.
"Hey, if you're going to talk, why not come inside? I'll make you a snack."
"Oh, no thanks. Don't trouble yourself. It's nothing important."
Ace politely declined Sanji's invitation. Instead, he gave Luffy another long look without saying anything, a smile on his face.
Then he took two slips of paper from the brim of his hat, which bore two strange smiling faces.
"Here."