As Ace fell into his arms, Luffy instinctively reached out to catch him, only to touch the wound Akainu had punched through his back. He felt its searing heat, then lifted his hand and saw it covered in Ace's blood...
But Ace could no longer feel the pain. He simply held Luffy gently and said in a low voice.
"Sorry... Luffy..."
Only then did Luffy recover from his shock. Staring at his blood-covered hand, he shouted.
"Ace! Hurry, someone treat him..."
But before he could finish, Ace interrupted him...
Ace spoke in a terribly weak yet incredibly gentle voice.
"You all came to save me for nothing... I'm sorry..."
"What are you talking about?! Don't say stupid things!"
"Someone, hurry and treat him! Save Ace!"
Luffy stopped listening to Ace. He pressed his hands tightly against the wound in Ace's back and shouted.
Hearing Luffy's cries, the pirates around them shouted as well.
"Hurry, get the ship's doctor! He needs emergency treatment!"
"Ah!"
Just then, a man carrying a sword on his back and a medical kit in his hand rushed over.
But as soon as the ship's doctor reached Ace's back, he heard Ace's weak voice.
"It's no use! Hah!"
"...I know my life has reached its end..."
The ship's doctor saw the wound in Ace's back. His expression darkened, and he called softly.
"Ace..."
But Ace continued.
"My organs are burned to a crisp... Hah... It's no use... So..."
"Listen to me, Luffy..."
Hearing Ace's words, Luffy screamed hysterically. He could not believe Ace was dying before his eyes, nor could he accept a life without Ace.
"...What are you saying... Ace, are you going to die?"
"...Ugh... Didn't we promise each other?... Hah..."
"Didn't you say... you would never die? Ace!"
At Luffy's words, Ace closed his