Rumors that the Straw Hat Pirates is still alive have been making the rounds in the Sabaody Archipelago lately.
But Ace didn't pay them much mind—because it was true!
He sparred regularly with Sabo near Grove 17, where the Thousand Sunny was hidden and guarded. Naturally, he knew exactly how his little brother Luffy was doing.
Six months ago, "Dark King" Rayleigh, who had been training Luffy in Haki, returned briefly to Sabaody—but then disappeared again. Probably off looking for money to buy more booze.
It would be harder this time, though. The Marines had cracked down hard on the human trafficking operations in the area, making Rayleigh's old ways of making money far less viable.
Even while Ace was stationed in Sabaody on rotation, Rayleigh didn't show up to meet him. Ace didn't go looking either—perhaps that, too, was an unspoken understanding between them.
Just a few days ago, Roronoa Zoro, the swordsman of the Straw Hat Pirates, was the first to appear on Sabaody. He stopped by Shakky's Rip-off Bar before wandering off on his own…
He had intended to visit the shipyard at Grove 17 to check on the Going Merry and the Thousand Sunny, but…
He got lost.
And stayed lost—for days.
So when shipwright Franky finally arrived at the mangrove dock where the Sunny was moored, Ace, who happened to be sparring with Sabo, immediately realized it: the Straw Hats' return was happening—soon.
But then…
"Recruiting crewmates? What the hell is that about?"
Ace, knowing Luffy better than anyone, didn't buy it for a second. There was no way his brother would publicly rally a bunch of lowlife pirates on Sabaody and try to recruit them en masse.
Those people would never be called nakama by Luffy.
"Rear Admiral Ace! Captain Sentomaru of the Science Division has deployed the Pacifista squad, but he says that won't be enough to stop the resurrected Straw Hat Pirates. He's requesting your backup!"
Ace snapped out of his thoughts, now fully intrigued.
"Sentomaru's already on site? Then it's the real 'Straw Hat Luffy' for sure… but this 'recruitment' thing still doesn't add up. I'll check it out myself!"
Ace grabbed his Marine cap and flung on his Justice cloak, a grin spreading across his face.
"Bring the team. We're moving out!"
"Yes, Rear Admiral!"
By the time Ace and his squad arrived…
The Pacifistas were sweeping the area. Sentomaru had just smashed a "Fake Straw Hat" into the pavement with a swing of his axe.
"PX-5! Who's this guy?"
"Wanted at 26 million berries. Pirate known as 'Three-Tongued Demaro Black'!"
"Hah~~!!"
"A fake!"
The watching pirates erupted in chaos. That bounty was among the lowest of anyone in the area…
"Hmph. Take them all in… And as luck would have it, the real Straw Hat Luffy is already here. PX-5 detected his presence the moment he set foot on the island!"
Sentomaru scoffed, "Round up all these frauds and fools! PX-5—target Straw Hat Luffy!"
BOOM—!
PX-5 fired a powerful laser blast, stripping away Luffy's disguise in a burst of light.
"Oi! What the hell?! That's dangerous!"
The exact face from the wanted poster. The same iconic straw hat. The real Monkey D. Luffy had arrived—and the pirates around him were stunned.
"Huh? I know you…"
Without Hancock's overly elaborate bento boxes this time, Luffy didn't seem to mind. He'd packed plenty of roast meat himself—his backpack was stuffed to bursting.
Still, Hancock hadn't made things difficult. She helped him in every way she could—and even escorted him to Sabaody herself.
After all, he was Fleet Admiral Wright's kin. And her kin too, in a way.
"You guys again?! I was specifically told not to cause trouble… and I haven't done anything yet!"
"There's no need for you to set sail. Unlike two years ago, I'm officially a Marine now. Today's the day you're getting arrested!"
Sentomaru roared, "PX-5—engage!"
And thus began the all-too-familiar scene… where the Pacifistas got wrecked.
Zoro and Sanji arrived on the scene. Just like Luffy, they easily destroyed a Pacifista. Sentomaru immediately noticed something—
"Their attacks are imbued with Haki!"
"Zoro! Sanji! This time, I'm not seeing things—it's really you! Long time no see!"
"Oh my… Not bad, Luffy."
Just as Luffy was about to reunite with Zoro and Sanji, a light chuckle rang out—followed by a flash of flame.
"Fire Fist!"
BOOM—!
A massive flame punch came crashing down between the trio, forcing them to leap back!
"Ace!"
Luffy's eyes went wide as a blazing silhouette descended from the sky—flames twisting into human form. Ace touched the brim of his Marine cap, his Justice cloak billowing behind him.
"You've come a long way, Luffy. But don't underestimate the Navy."
"It's Rear Admiral 'Fire Fist' Ace!"
The Marines cheered. Sentomaru let out a breath of relief.
"Rear Admiral Ace arrived just in time. We've got this under control!"
"Everyone—assist Captain Sentomaru! Arrest all pirates present!"
Ace barked, "You're not strong enough to take on the Straw Hats. Leave it to me!"
"Yes, Rear Admiral!"
Ace's fists ignited in pure white flames as he looked toward the overjoyed Luffy and the now-serious Zoro and Sanji. Waves of heat warped the air around them.
"Luffy, it's been two years. I've missed you… You two as well. Come at me together!"
"As a Marine, I did promise Captain Shanks I wouldn't go out of my way to stop you… But what can I say? It just so happens I'm stationed here on Sabaody right now."
"You practically delivered yourselves to my doorstep. If I don't act, wouldn't that be irresponsible?"
"Hahaha! Ace! Have you seen Sabo? How's he been these past two years?"
Luffy asked excitedly—but Ace's expression darkened.
"Oi, oi! I'm your big brother, remember?!"
"But I haven't seen Sabo in over ten years…"
"…Beat me, and I'll tell you."
Zoro and Sanji exchanged looks, wincing at the brothers' emotional reunion. With a sigh, they readied themselves for battle.
"So… Luffy and Rear Admiral Ace…"
"Big brother? So there's a second brother too? That's not what he said back in Water 7…"
"Well, either way, we're fighting. This big bro Rear Admiral doesn't look like he's going to go easy on us."
Zoro drew his swords. Sanji raised his leg into stance. Alongside Luffy—who had already activated Second Gear—they charged forward with Haki-coated fists, blades, and kicks.
Ace grinned, flames flaring white-hot around his arms.
"Good… come at me!"
He swung a blazing punch.
"Blazing Fire Fist!"
WHOOOSH!
"WAAAH! That's hot! Too hot!!"
"Run! He's a Logia-type user!"
"Is that fire?! That's way too hot!"
The pirates nearby scattered in terror. Ace's reputation in the New World had grown considerably in recent years. Even these newer pirates quickly pieced it together:
"That's Rear Admiral 'Fire Fist' Ace from Marine Headquarters!"
"He's insanely strong—even for a Rear Admiral!"
"Is that really the power level of a Rear Admiral?!"
"He's holding off three Straw Hats at once!"
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