The Double D Flag Flew! The Flame Emperor Pirates Were Founded

Three days later, at the port of the Drum Kingdom.

The members of Ace's Spade Pirates arrived one after another-they had been waiting aboard their ship on the other side of Drum Island and only came after receiving guidance from Ace's Vivre Card.

"Captain! Are you really disbanding the Spade Pirates?" asked a burly man with a scar on his face. He was Ace's second-in-command, Isuka, nicknamed "Heavy Cannon."

The dozen or so other crew members gathered around as well, their expressions complicated.

Standing on the deck of the Flame Emperor, Ace looked at the companions who had adventured with him for three months and took a deep breath.

"That's right. The Spade Pirates disband today."

A stir ran through the crew.

"But-" Ace raised his voice. "This isn't the end! It's a new beginning!"

He turned and pointed at Lin Yan. "This is my older brother, Monkey D. Yan. Starting today, we're forming a new pirate crew-the Flame Emperor Pirates!"

Lin Yan stepped forward at just the right moment, letting his presence bear down on them. Although he did not release his Conqueror's Haki, his battle-hardened aura made even the veterans of the Spade Pirates tense inwardly.

"I'm Monkey D. Yan, captain of this ship," Lin Yan said calmly. "Anyone who wants to follow me can stay. Anyone who wants to leave will receive sufficient severance pay and a ship. I won't stop you."

Isuka was the first to step forward. "Captain Ace's brother is my captain! I'm joining!"

"I'm joining too!"

"Count me in!"

"The Fire Fist brothers teaming up? This is bound to be interesting!"

In the end, sixteen of the eighteen former Spade Pirates chose to stay. Only two chose to leave for family reasons-Lin Yan kept his promise, giving them a small sailing ship and enough treasure to live comfortably for the rest of their lives.

"Then let's establish our positions." Lin Yan surveyed everyone on deck. "The founding core members of the Flame Emperor Pirates are as follows-"

"Captain: Monkey D. Yan."

"Vice captain: Portgas D. Ace."

"Navigator: vacant. I'll fill in for now."

"Ship's doctor: Tony Tony Chopper."

"Combatants: Isuka, Heavy Cannon; Laina, Swift Sword; Bern, Shield Guard... sixteen in total."

He paused, then added, "We also have a 'special adviser' who will meet us in Alabasta."

Ace asked curiously, "Who?"

"Nico Robin," Lin Yan said. "A survivor of Ohara who can decipher the Poneglyphs."

The crew gasped. Poneglyphs-that was a taboo of the World Government!

"Scared?" Lin Yan raised an eyebrow.

"Scared, my ass!" Isuka laughed. "With you leading us, Captain, we'd dare tear the sky apart!"

"Good." Lin Yan nodded. "Now, raise our flag."

He pressed the button on the figurehead.

Vmmm-!

A crimson pillar of light shot skyward, bursting into an enormous virtual projection: a burning "D" on the left and a normal "D" on the right, the two Ds intertwined against a backdrop of roaring flames.

"The Double D Flag symbolizes our bond as brothers, as well as the passing down of the will of D," Lin Yan declared. "Our goal isn't treasure or fame, but-"

He drew Flame's Protection from his waist and pointed its tip at the sky.

"To end eight hundred years of lies and clear the name of the D clan!"

"To that end, we will overthrow the World Government, topple the Celestial Dragons, and establish a truly free age!"

The crew's blood boiled as they shouted in unison:

"Flame Emperor! Flame Emperor! Flame Emperor!"

Ace looked at the flag, then at his older brother beside him, an unprecedented light kindling in his eyes.

He had once set sail only to prove that he was not a "son of evil."

But now, he had a greater goal-to change the world alongside his brother.

[Ding-]

[Team mission: Fame Across the Seas (Stage One) completed]

[Reward: Bond System unlocked]

[Current bonds:]

[1. Ace (younger biological brother): Bond level Lv. 2 (Trust), unlocked 'Brotherly Resonance' (ability synchronization rate +20%)]

[2. Chopper (ship's doctor): Bond level Lv. 1 (Friendly), unlocked 'Life Link' (can heal crew members remotely)]

[3. Isuka and fifteen others: Bond level Lv. 1 (Recognition), unlocked 'Team Morale' (all members' combat strength +10%)]

[New mission issued: Make a Name in the East Blue]

[Details: Defeat at least three pirates with bounties exceeding ten million in the East Blue, or destroy one Marine Branch]

[Time limit: 30 days]

[Rewards: Ability template draw chance ×1, ship upgrade blueprint ×1]

Lin Yan dismissed the system interface and ordered, "Set sail! Destination-Cocoyasi Village in the East Blue!"

"Aye!"

The Flame Emperor set sail, leaving the Drum Kingdom behind. Onshore, thousands upon thousands of the kingdom's citizens came of their own accord to see them off, waving simple Double D Flags they had just sewn and shouting their thanks.

Chopper stood at the stern, watching his homeland recede into the distance, his eyes brimming with tears. "Everyone..."

Ace rubbed his hat. "Don't cry. A man has to be strong. Once we've fulfilled our dreams, we can come back whenever we want."

"Yeah!" Chopper wiped away his tears and clenched his little fists. "I'm going to become the greatest ship's doctor in the world! I'll cure everyone's illnesses!"

Lin Yan smiled faintly at the sight.

In the original story, Chopper would not board Luffy's ship for another two years. Now, because of his intervention, this little reindeer had set out early on the path to becoming a "cure-all."

"Brother." Ace came over. "You said Luffy was in the East Blue... Are we going to see him now?"

"No rush." Lin Yan shook his head. "Luffy won't set sail for another three years. Seeing him now might disrupt his growth. We'll deal with some 'trash' first."

"Trash?"

"Yes." Lin Yan's gaze turned cold. "For example... the Fish-Man Pirates who've occupied Cocoyasi Village for eight years."

Ace frowned. "Fish-Men? Are they strong?"

"By East Blue standards, they're a local powerhouse," Lin Yan said. "Their leader, Arlong, has a bounty of twenty million Beli. Relying on his Fish-Man physique and a saw blade, he's enslaved the entire village."

"Twenty million?" Ace scoffed. "I could finish someone like that with one punch."

"That's why I'm leaving him to you." Lin Yan patted his shoulder. "This is your first battle as a member of the Flame Emperor Pirates. Don't embarrass yourself."

Ace grinned. "Don't worry! I'll make sure this Arlong guy gets a taste of a real Fire Fist!"

The Flame Emperor pressed ahead at full speed.

Meanwhile, at Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

Inside the Fleet Admiral's Office, Sengoku frowned deeply at the intelligence that had just arrived.

"A coup in the Drum Kingdom, Wapol overthrown... The perpetrator was a mysterious man calling himself 'Flame Emperor,' suspected to be a Logia flame user..."

He looked up at Garp, who sat across from him eating rice crackers. "Garp, where's your grandson been lately?"

Garp played dumb. "Which grandson? Luffy's in Foosha Village, and Ace went to sea. I have no idea."

"...I mean the one you adopted, Monkey D. Yan."

"Oh, Yan." Garp scratched his head. "He said he wanted to go to sea to gain experience, so I gave him a ship. What is it? Did he cause trouble?"

Sengoku slapped the intelligence report onto the desk. "Was he responsible for what happened in the Drum Kingdom?!"

Garp leaned over and glanced at it a few times, then burst out laughing. "Hahaha! Could be! That brat's loved standing up against injustice since he was little!"

"And you're laughing!" Sengoku snapped. "He attacked the king of a World Government Member State! And he's using an arrogant title like 'Flame Emperor'! Cipher Pol has already started investigating!"

"Let them investigate." Garp was utterly unconcerned. "Young people ought to be a little arrogant. Besides, trash like Wapol should've been dealt with long ago."

"You..." Sengoku pressed a hand to his forehead. "Forget it. But warn him not to take things too far. The situation in the New World is tense right now, and Whitebeard and Kaido are clashing again. Headquarters can't spare anyone to handle matters in the East Blue."

"I know, I know." Garp got up and headed out. "I'll give him a call."

Once he left the office, the smile faded from Garp's face.

He took out an encrypted Den Den Mushi and dialed.

Aboard the Flame Emperor, the Den Den Mushi tucked against Lin Yan's chest rang.

"Buru buru-click."

The Den Den Mushi mimicked Garp's face. "Yan, you brat, you've really stirred things up."

"Grandpa." Lin Yan walked into the cabin. "Word spread that fast?"

"Even Sengoku knows. Cipher Pol has already started investigating the identity of 'Flame Emperor,'" Garp said gravely. "You have two choices now. First, keep a low profile and conceal your identity for the time being. Second..."

"I choose the second," Lin Yan interrupted.

Garp froze for a moment, then roared with laughter. "Hahaha! Good! Then make an even bigger splash! Let the World Government know the will of D isn't dead yet!"

"But remember, don't reveal that you're Roger's son. For now, just say you're my adopted grandson, a hand-to-hand combat prodigy who awakened flame abilities."

"Understood."

"Also," Garp lowered his voice, "there's a captain named Smoker in the East Blue, a Logia Smoke-Smoke Fruit user. He's straightforward and won't tolerate wrongdoing. He might come looking for trouble with you. You... handle it as you see fit."

"Smoker?" Lin Yan recalled the White Hunter who had constantly chased Luffy in the original story. "Got it."

After hanging up, Lin Yan returned to the deck.

Ace was sparring with Isuka and the others, flames clashing with blades as their heated bout continued. Off to one side, Chopper held a medical book, studying intently.

This was his pirate crew.

Though they were still weak now, one day they would grow strong enough to shake the world.

"Captain!" the lookout shouted. "Ship spotted ahead! It's flying... the Sun Pirates' flag?!"

Lin Yan's gaze sharpened.

The Sun Pirates? The Fish-Man pirate crew Fisher Tiger founded? No, Tiger was already dead. Jinbe should have taken over by now...

He leaped onto the mast and looked out.

Sure enough, a large, oddly shaped ship with a sun emblem on its bow sat on the distant sea. Beside it, several Fish-Men were facing off with a merchant ship.

Strangely, though, those Fish-Men weren't attacking. Instead, they seemed to be... protecting the merchant ship?

Lin Yan saw three pirate ships surrounding and attacking the merchant ship, while the Fish-Men held the pirates off.

"Interesting." He jumped back onto the deck. "Ace, prepare for battle. But this time... we might not be enemies."

The Flame Emperor accelerated toward them.

As they drew closer, Lin Yan saw clearly-the Fish-Men's leader was a burly, blue-skinned Whale Shark Fish-Man.

Jinbe!

The future Shichibukai and captain of the Sun Pirates!

At that moment, Jinbe also spotted the Flame Emperor and the Double D Flag projection at its bow.

His pupils contracted slightly as he murmured to himself:

"That flag... Could it be..."