In the interrogation room of High Town, the door to Ace and Luffy's cell was opened by a guard with an expressionless face.
"You're free. Get out," the guard barked impatiently when he noticed Ace and Luffy standing there in confusion.
Ace grabbed Luffy, glared at the guard, and stepped out of the cell. The moment he crossed the threshold, his eyes immediately landed on Sabo, who was standing behind the guard with a grin.
Sabo flashed a wide smile and said to the bewildered Ace, "Let's talk after we get out of here."
...
"So, you're leaving? Going to that school or whatever it's called?"
On a small hill by the sea, Ace asked Sabo excitedly.
"Ace, I've always wanted to leave this country, to explore the world freely, and to record everything I see and experience in a book," Sabo said with a smile. "So, I need to learn enough about navigation. This opportunity might be just what I need."
Sabo was telling the truth, but not the whole truth. He didn't mention that his father had threatened him with Ace and Luffy's safety, forcing him to agree to attend William's school. Sabo knew Ace's personality too well; if he told him the truth, Ace might do something reckless.
"You can learn that here, can't you? I was planning to make you my navigator when we set sail in the future!" Ace said, clearly displeased.
"Who knows what the future holds? Besides, going to school isn't like going to prison. I'll definitely come back to visit you guys when I get the chance," Sabo replied.
"'Us'?" Ace asked, his face darkening as he followed Sabo's gaze to Luffy, who was standing nearby. "You mean him?"
Sabo waved Luffy over, and when Luffy approached, Sabo asked, "Luffy, why do you keep wanting to be friends with Ace? And even after the way he treats you, why did you still risk yourself to save him?"
Ace crossed his arms as Luffy glanced at him, then shouted, "Because I hate mountain bandits!"
"Mountain bandits? You mean the Dadan Family? Sabo glanced at Ace and teased with a grin, "Well, you have that in common with Ace."
With Sabo acting as a mediator, Luffy finally had the chance to open up in front of Ace.
Because of his experiences in Foosha Village, Luffy had developed a deep dislike and aversion to mountain bandits. After being left in this unfamiliar place by his grandfather, Garp, he had no one else to turn to except Ace, who was the only person his age around.
For someone like Luffy, living a lonely life was more painful than physical suffering. As such, Ace's presence held a special meaning for him.
Ace pursed his lips and remained silent. But Sabo, who knew him well, pulled him over with a grin and dragged him to stand beside Luffy.
"We're all people without anyone to rely on, so we can only rely on each other," Sabo said, giving Ace a nudge. "Didn't you say you hate those mountain bandits too?"
Sabo worked hard to bridge the gap between Luffy and Ace because he felt that after he left, Ace would need another companion to depend on.
Portgas D. Ace—that was Ace's name. He carried his mother's surname, but his true name was Gol D. Ace.
Ace was the son of the Pirate King, and he had known this since he was very young. As a result, he grew up constantly hearing others insult and curse his father. He was raised in an environment that perpetually denied his very existence.
This upbringing made Ace both strong and fragile. He was obsessed with becoming a great pirate, someone who could command the world's attention. Not because he had grand ambitions, but because he hoped that by achieving such recognition, people would be forced to acknowledge and accept him.
This was why, in the original story, when the Whitebeard Pirates accepted Ace into their family, his goal shifted from becoming an independent great pirate to supporting Whitebeard in becoming the Pirate King. In the Whitebeard Pirates, Ace found a family that accepted him and gave his life value.
At just ten years old, Sabo couldn't fully articulate these conclusions, but he was an exceptionally clever child. After spending five years with Ace, he understood Ace's personality very well. At the very least, he knew that Ace craved recognition. If left completely alone, Ace would undoubtedly feel the same deep pain that Luffy did.
But because of his sensitivity, Ace was also irritable and quick to anger, like a hedgehog that resisted others' attempts to get close. He could only wait for others to approach him on their own, which was what worried Sabo the most.
Over the next four days, Ace, Sabo, and Luffy spent their time adventuring around Mount Colubo and the Gray Terminal. Sabo tried his best to forget the fact that he would soon leave this land and his friends, playing carefreely while also working to strengthen the bond between Ace and Luffy.
This effort led Luffy to develop an even better impression of Sabo than of Ace. On the eve of Sabo's departure, Luffy even suggested that the three of them set sail together immediately so they would never have to part. However, Sabo, being more rational, rejected the idea. Two ten-year-old boys and a seven-year-old who couldn't swim trying to survive on the sea was simply unrealistic.
Ace, on the other hand, had a sudden idea. He told Luffy and Sabo to wait for him, then ran to Dadan's room and stole a bottle of liquor.
"Sabo, Luffy," Ace said excitedly, his small face glowing with anticipation as he returned. "Let's become sworn brothers!"
"Sworn brothers?" Luffy asked, confused.
"All we need to do is drink together, and from now on, we'll be brothers. No matter how far apart we are," Ace said, looking seriously at Sabo and then at Luffy. "No matter what obstacles come between us, we'll have a special bond that keeps us together!"
After saying this, Ace uncorked the bottle, only to realize he had forgotten to bring cups.
As he scratched his head, a pair of small, dirty hands cupped together like a bowl appeared in front of him.
"Here!" Sabo said with a grin.
Luffy quickly mimicked Sabo, holding out his hands in the same way.
Ace hesitated for a moment, then poured the liquor into their hands. Grabbing the bottle, he clinked it against their makeshift cups. "Sabo, from now on, no matter where you are, don't forget—you have two brothers by your side."
Sabo didn't say a word. He tilted his head back and drank the liquor from his hands. The fiery taste burned all the way to his head, and tears streamed down his face.
...
On the fifth evening, when William and his group set off, their party included a small new figure.
Sabo, feeling sullen, followed William and the others onto the ship, barely speaking to his parents who had come to see him off.
As the ship sailed along the coast past the Gray Terminal, Yasopp, who had been leaning against the railing, muttered, "What's that?"
Sabo, sensing something, ran to the railing. On the shore, he could faintly make out two figures chasing after the ship as it picked up speed.
William pulled out a telescope and looked toward the shore. He saw two boys running, their faces covered in sweat, waving desperately in the ship's direction.
William's gaze lingered on the boy in the straw hat—Luffy—for a moment. He frowned slightly, then smiled and handed the telescope to Sabo.
Watching the shore through the telescope, Sabo wiped away his tears. Seeing this, William walked to the stern and spoke briefly with one of the Four Seas Trading Company's crew members.
On the shore, Ace and Luffy finally ran out of land. They could only watch helplessly as the ship carrying Sabo sailed farther and farther away. Luffy burst into tears, while Ace bit his lip in frustration.
Just then, they noticed a series of sky lanterns rising from the ship's stern. The lanterns floated into the sky, swaying beautifully in the warm air.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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