Luffy crouched on the ground, clutching his head, a large, clearly visible bump on his forehead.
He raised his face, a face that screamed "I've been hit," with tears still glistening in his eyes.
"Ouch! Ace, why are you as violent as an old man!"
"The old man will beat you even harder if he hears that."
Ace crouched down and tapped Luffy's Straw Hat.
"Also, you're running faster than before. You weren't this fast back in the mountains behind Foosha Village."
"That's because I've gotten stronger!" Luffy rubbed his head, stood up, and grinned.
Half an hour later, the Straw Hat Pirates assembled under a date palm tree on the edge of the town square.
Zoro leaned against a tree trunk, three swords slung diagonally over his shoulder. Sanji stood beside him, a cigarette dangling from his lips, the cigarette between his fingers.
Nami sat under a tree, studying a map she had spread out.
Usopp told Chopper about the strange and wonderful things he had seen at the market.
Then Luffy grabbed Ace's arm and came over.
"Everyone--! This is my Ace!"
Luffy's voice was so loud that people on half the street turned to look.
He spoke in a boastful tone, as if Ace were a super rare beetle he had just found.
The Straw Hat Pirates turned to look at Ace.
They had previously witnessed giants fighting in the Little Garden and saw a 5,000-meter-high snow-capped mountain on Drum Island.
They had seen bounty hunters roaming the valleys of Whiskey Peak, but this young man before them exuded a completely different kind of oppressive aura.
"Thank you for helping Luffy out of that situation before."
Sanji was the first to speak.
"That guy's gotten himself into trouble again, hasn't he?"
"I'm used to it."
Ace smiled and nodded at Sanji.
"You guys are Luffy's crew, right? That kid's always been a handful since he was little. Thanks for your hard work."
"It's not hard work—yes, you'd be wrong!"
Nami looked up from the map and glared at Luffy.
"This guy has caused countless troubles since he set sail."
He just ditched us again and ran off! We agreed to meet at the town entrance, but instead, he went off to eat by himself!
Luffy retorted confidently, "I'm hungry!"
When are you not hungry?
I'm so hungry!
Zoro did not participate in this argument.
He leaned against the date palm tree, his gaze never leaving Ace.
His fighting instincts told him that this person was not in the same league as Luffy at all.
It wasn't just a difference in strength, but also the kind of aura that comes from experiencing countless life-or-death battles.
" Fire Fist Ace of the Whitebeard Pirates."
Zoro spoke up.
"I've heard of you. A big shot from the New World."
"Not quite a big shot."
Ace sat down next to Luffy, took the drink Sanji offered him, thanked him, took a sip, and then continued speaking.
"But he is indeed a bit stronger than this kid."
"Impossible!"
Luffy retorted defiantly.
"Right now, if I fight Ace, I can at least hold out—I can hold out—"
He counted on his fingers for a moment, then gave a very confident smile.
"It can last at least thirty seconds!"
"You said ten seconds last time," Ace reminded him.
"That was before I set sail! Now I'm stronger!"
Nami put down the map and asked the question everyone wanted to ask:
" Ace, why are you in Alabasta?"
"The commander of the Whitebeard Pirates went to the first half of the Grand Line, surely not just for a vacation?"
Ace's smile faded slightly. He put the drink down on the ground, his fingers unconsciously twirling the flame ring on his index finger.
I'm chasing someone. A traitor.
"Traitor?" Sanji frowned.
His name is Marshall D. Teach.
He was a member of the fourth division of the Whitebeard Pirates. A few months ago, he killed a crewmate, stole Devil Fruit, and then defected.
As the Second Division Commander, it is my responsibility to bring him back.
Pops's orders are one thing, but more importantly—those who kill their comrades must pay the price.
When Ace spoke the last few words, there was no anger in his voice; instead, it was unusually calm.
But this calm was more unsettling than any roar.
Luffy listened quietly, unusually without interrupting.
Zoro and Sanji exchanged a glance.
The Whitebeard Pirates are known for their strict rules in the New World; killing a comrade is an absolute red line that cannot be crossed.
This guy named Teach not only killed someone, but also stole Devil Fruit and ran away, which is the worst betrayal in the entire pirate world.
"So you chased me all the way here," Nami said.
"Hmm. The clues point towards Alabasta."
Ace sat side by side with Luffy, his hands Luffy on his knees.
Sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves of the jujube tree, dappling the brothers and casting mottled shadows on the ground.
"Speaking of which— Luffy, do you still remember Shanks?"
Luffy's eyes lit up instantly. "Of course I remember!"
He came to Whitebeard's territory a while ago.
I happened to be there too, so I chatted with him for a bit.
He was very happy to hear that you had gone to sea.
He said when you shouted at the sea from the Foosha Village pier that you wanted to be the Pirate King, he thought you were just a kid fooling around.
Now it seems you weren't joking."
Luffy didn't say anything.
His hand unconsciously rested on his Straw Hat; the brim obscured his eyes, but it couldn't hide the curve of his lips.
Shanks also said that this straw Straw Hat was his bet on you.
He said you'll definitely become the Pirate King, and then you returned the hat to him.
Ace reached out and ruffled Luffy's straw Straw Hat.
"Even Shanks said so, so as his older brother, I can't say anything discouraging."
He stood up and patted Luffy on the Luffy.
"Do a good job. Don't die halfway through."
"I won't die!"
Luffy tilted his head back, grinning, and said...
"I'm going to be the Pirate King!"
No one can defeat me until I become the Pirate King!
Luffy has said this countless times.
At the docks of Foosha Village, on the Execution Platform in Loguetown, and every time they faced a formidable foe.
But Ace would laugh every time he heard it.
It wasn't mockery, but the kind of genuine smile a brother has when he sees his younger brother so successful.
Ace pulled a white piece of paper from his pocket.
The piece of paper was small, with some irregular tear marks on the edges, and it shimmered with a warm yellow light in the sunlight.
"This is Vivre Card."
He tore off a corner of the paper and handed it to Luffy.
"The bond between us brothers."
It will guide us to meet again—no matter how far apart we are.
Luffy took the Vivre Card and carefully held it in his hands.
The piece of paper was very light, almost weightless, but Luffy held it as if it were a priceless treasure.
" Ace."
Luffy's voice suddenly became very serious.
It wasn't the usual lighthearted tone; it was genuine, heartfelt seriousness.
"I will be stronger when we meet next time."
So strong that I can protect everyone—so strong that I'll never let you pay for my meals again.
Zoro leaned against the tree trunk, watching this scene, a slight smile unconsciously creeping onto his lips.
Sanji turned around, a cigarette dangling from his lips, pretending to look at the distant scenery. Nami's eyes reddened slightly.
Usopp rubbed his eyes frantically, Chopper tugged at his pant leg, asking him what was wrong.
Luffy carefully folded the Vivre Card and placed it inside the brim of his Straw Hat.
He patted the brim of his hat to make sure the piece of paper wouldn't be blown away by the wind, then looked up at Ace.
" Ace, you need to be careful too..."
I'll handle him.