Sabaody Archipelago, Grove 13.
Shakky's Rip-off Bar.
Wangchuan sat at the bar, holding a glass of rum.
Ace sat beside him, shirtless, the Whitebeard tattoo on his back particularly striking under the warm light.
Three empty glasses already stood before him, and Shakky had just filled his fourth.
"Hey, Mr. Wangchuan."
Ace raised his glass, his expression turning unusually serious.
"I never properly thanked you for what happened during the Paramount War."
Wangchuan swirled the liquor in his glass.
"What for?"
"For saving me and the entire Whitebeard Pirates!"
An undisguised sincerity shone through Ace's voice.
"If it weren't for you, Pops would've..."
He didn't finish.
But that scene-Marine Headquarters, Akainu's Magma Fist-remained vivid in his memory.
Wangchuan took a sip.
"I told you, it was just a deal."
"A deal with Whitebeard."
Ace scratched the back of his head and grinned, looking a little embarrassed.
"Well, that's true..."
"But no matter what, you're the man who saved the Whitebeard Pirates."
"I had to thank you in person."
He set down his glass, planted both hands on his knees, and solemnly bowed his head.
"Thank you!"
Wangchuan paused, then smiled and nodded, accepting the sentiment.
Just then, Ace suddenly slapped his forehead.
"Ah!!"
"I remember!"
Wangchuan looked at him.
"What is it?"
"The treasure!"
Ace sprang to his feet, sending his chair sliding backward with an earsplitting scrape.
"All the treasure Pops prepared is on that big ship!"
He pointed outside, looking both annoyed and amused.
"I was so happy earlier that I started drinking the moment I came in and completely forgot!"
Wangchuan set down his glass.
"Treasure?"
"That's right. Delivering the treasure to you was the whole point of my trip."
"It's docked over at Grove 41, the ship I came on."
Ace gestured, tracing a large circle