Upon returning once more to the Red Line, Ghidorah received some exhilarating news.
Members of the Clan of D, scattered across the world, had begun converging into the Grand Line. Some had even crossed the Red Line and established themselves on islands near the Forward Base.
According to Dragon's vision for the future, all islands within the seas surrounding the Forward Base were to be incorporated into the Kingdom of Joy.
As for construction, that responsibility would fall to the allied factions. Wealth was never a problem for those powers, and with them taking on the burden, the Revolutionary Army's land forces would be freed to focus on developing the base itself.
But in the midst of these preparations, Dragon received troubling news. The report came from the messenger, King.
King relayed his encounter with Luffy, and made clear that the boy had refused to return. As for Doflamingo's schemes, he held nothing back.
When Dragon learned that his son had nearly been killed at Doflamingo's hands, he said nothing—but the cold, flickering fury in his eyes revealed his rage clearly enough.
As for Luffy's refusal to come back and his chosen course on a particular path of the seas, Dragon was worried, but in the end he let him be. After all, he himself had not been a man inclined to obedience in his youth.
Meanwhile, the Forward Base—damaged once again—was being rebuilt faster than ever, thanks to the combined efforts of Aokiji and the Whitebeard Pirates.
"Hey, Sabo, we're sworn brothers, aren't we? Can't you just let one slide for once?"
On a beach, Ace lay sprawled on the sand in swim trunks, soaking up the sun beside Aokiji. Freckles darkened his face as he glared at Sabo, who had just walked up, irritation written all over him.
As brothers, Ace had nothing but loyalty to Sabo. But as a leader? His grievances were endless. His sworn brother's ruthless, no-nonsense approach to work left him constantly exasperated.
If he had known it would end up like this, he would've chosen to accompany Marco's group on supply runs. That would've been far better than staying behind on this island, trapped under Sabo's thumb day after day.
Sabo frowned slightly, then replied evenly:
"But your work isn't finished yet. If you take a break, then who's going to get it done?"
Truth be told, he wanted to let Ace rest. But Ace's work was critical to the construction of the Forward Base. Without him, countless projects would grind to a halt—and halts meant delays.
So, much as it pained him, he had no choice but to be ruthless.
But the moment he brought it up, Ace exploded like a powder keg.
He leapt to his feet, arms flung wide, and shouted:
"You call that work?!
Even a work mule on a production team wouldn't be pushed this hard!"
His voice rose, eyebrows shooting upward in anger.
"I'm the wielder of the Flame-Flame Fruit! Not your personal stoker, and definitely not some factory laborer for your steelworks!
Look at me!" He jabbed a finger at the dark circles beneath his eyes. "Up early, working late, day in and day out like some damn donkey! You forge the stuff nonstop, and I burn nonstop—
When the hell is it ever going to end?!"
Aokiji, who had been dozing peacefully, cracked an eye open and glanced at the fuming Ace and his clear exhaustion. He sighed inwardly.
This kid's done for.
Then, catching Sabo's gaze shift toward him, Aokiji quickly shut his eyes again and muttered lazily:
"I've already finished my share."
And with that, he went right back to pretending to sleep.
"Hmph!"
Sabo sneered inwardly, then turned back to Ace.
"Why can't you just understand that this is for your own good?
Having you refine those metals with your flames—it's not just work. It's training. Haven't you noticed how much stronger your fruit powers have become?"
"Stronger powers, my ass! My body's completely drained—I've got dark circles to prove it!"
Ace shot back angrily, then added:
"And don't think I don't see through you. All those metal lumps you're making—no one but me and my flames can melt them. You dress it up as training, but really, you're just using me like a damn beast of burden!"
"This time, I'm done! No way am I doing it again!"
Sabo knew that tone. Ace had made up his mind, stubborn as stone.
He thought for a moment, then a spark lit in his eyes. He offered up a silent prayer: Brother, forgive me. There's no one else available. Don't blame me for being underhanded.
Putting on a show, Sabo sighed heavily and turned away with mock regret.
"Then I suppose I'll just have to go to Master, tell him you can't keep up anymore, and ask him to find someone else…"
"Dammit!"
The name alone was enough to make Ace shiver. The thought of Ghidorah's methods made his blood run cold. He spun toward Sabo, seething.
"Sabo… why the hell did I ever drink that oath of brotherhood with you?!"
Grumbling with fury, he stomped off toward the smoking tower at the heart of the island.
"Are you sure that's really the right way to handle him?"
Aokiji lifted his blindfold again once Ace had gone, asking dryly.
"No choice." Sabo flopped down beside him, explaining: "News just came in—Ivankov's forces are already clashing with two World Government member nations. At this pace, war will break out any day now.
We don't have time. Ace has to develop his powers fast, push his fusion with the fruit to the limit. That's the method Master himself laid out.
And you've experienced the results yourself."
"…That's true."
Aokiji lay back again, feeling the surging, far more volatile energy within his own body than before. He nodded reluctantly.
The two fell silent. Together, they stared up at the rolling clouds drifting across the clear blue sky.
After a long time, Aokiji finally spoke:
"When the war comes… what kind of world will be left behind?"
"Probably one where the people can barely survive."
Sabo exhaled deeply, like venting a weight pressing on his chest. Then he spoke slowly:
"But it's unavoidable. If we want to liberate the world completely, to make everyone truly equal, war is inevitable.
The only thing we can do… is end it as quickly as possible, and keep the damage to a minimum."
Aokiji kept his eyes on the sky, his voice quiet.
"To this day, I still don't know what 'justice' really is. I don't even know if your way is right or wrong.
But… I believe in you. And I believe in Ghidorah. If he really can create the kind of world he talks about… then I think people will live happier lives."
"Of course!"
Sabo smiled, rising to his feet and dusting off his pants. "But before that, you've got a new task."
"Hey, hey, I already finished my share. I'm not your damn workhorse!" Aokiji protested immediately.
"Heh. Sorry, but this one's not up to you. It has to do with Nico Robin…"
Sabo's lips curved into a knowing smile. "And I'm pretty sure you won't be able to say no."
"You…" Aokiji froze, then let out a sigh. "You really don't leave me much choice, do you? That kid… I practically watched her grow up. She carries my friend's dream on her shoulders."
"Fine. What is it you want me to do?"
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