Under the starry night sky, the moonlight appeared softer than usual, as if enveloping the entire fleet in a warm, ethereal glow. The gentle light reflected off the calm ocean surface, creating an almost magical atmosphere that seemed appropriate for the momentous changes taking place.
Standing at the railing of The Piece of Spadille, Jerry looked out at his friends scattered across the deck, all of them laughing and talking with the carefree joy that had become increasingly rare during their months of uncertainty. Despite the weight of the decisions they had all made, there was a sense of relief and celebration in the air.
Jerry, Ace, and Deuce had positioned themselves against the ship's side, each holding a bottle as they prepared for what they all knew would be one of their final conversations as crewmates of the Spade Pirates.
"Well, it's really time to say goodbye, Jerry," Ace began, his voice carrying a mixture of melancholy and acceptance. "I know you've always been more laid-back than the rest of us, never getting too worked up about things that would stress other people out."
He took a sip from his bottle before continuing, his tone becoming more reflective. "Like when you decided to go to sea with us in the first place—you just went along with it without making a big deal about it. Playing together, fighting together, entering the New World together, challenging Whitebeard together..."
Ace paused, staring out at the moonlit ocean. "To be honest, I don't think I ever really understood what you wanted out of all this, just like I didn't understand what I wanted for the longest time."
His voice grew warmer, filled with genuine gratitude. "Thank you for your company along the way, Jerry. Now I've finally found my home, the place where I belong."
He turned to face Jerry directly. "I think you should really consider what path you want to take next. You've got the whole world ahead of you."
Probably because he had consumed a fair amount of alcohol without eating much to absorb it, Ace seemed unusually talkative and philosophical, his words flowing more freely than usual.
"Hey, hey!" Jerry interrupted with mock alarm, waving his hands dismissively. "Don't start talking like we're some couple going through a dramatic breakup! I definitely don't swing that way!"
Jerry quickly drew an imaginary line in the sand between them, not wanting anyone to misinterpret the emotional nature of their conversation. Then, his expression became more serious as he continued.
"Besides, instead of worrying about me and my future, you should focus on taking care of yourself first," Jerry said, his tone shifting to one of genuine concern.
"You know what my abilities are like, and you know I can sense things that others might miss. You need to be especially careful around that hairy-chested Teach who's been put in charge of managing your integration into the crew."
"Teach?" Ace's brow furrowed with curiosity. "Marshall D. Teach? Do you sense something wrong with him specifically?"
Ace had indeed formed a strong impression of Teach during their months on the ship. The man had been assigned to handle Ace's day-to-day needs and orientation, but he spent most of his time either eating enormous quantities of food or engaging in various unsavory personal habits. Apart from delivering information when there were specific orders from the division commanders, it was unclear what exactly he was supposed to be responsible for.
"I can only say that his heart is darker than his curly hair," Jerry replied carefully, choosing his words with precision. "Just pay attention to him, alright? I'm not going to be a member of the Whitebeard Pirates, so it's difficult for me to say too much about internal politics."
Ace nodded seriously, understanding that Jerry's warnings were never given lightly. "Okay, I'll be careful. I trust your judgment on these things."
Jerry's abilities and his instincts about people had proven accurate too many times for Ace to dismiss his concerns casually.
"Hey, Deuce," Jerry said, turning to their quieter companion, "try to be happy about all this. Even though we have to say goodbye for now, it's not like we can't stay in touch."
He gestured toward the Den Den Mushi that each of them would be carrying. "The world's gotten smaller with these communication devices. Distance doesn't have to mean losing contact entirely."
Deuce managed a smile, though it was tinged with sadness. "I know. It's just... we've been through so much together. It feels strange to think about going separate ways."
"That's what makes it an adventure," Jerry replied with characteristic optimism. "If we all stayed together forever, doing the same things in the same places, it wouldn't be much of a story worth writing about, would it?"
A few days later, the Moby Dick was bustling with activity and excitement. Today marked the ceremony for Ace's official induction into the Whitebeard Pirates, and virtually all the main members of the organization had gathered to witness this significant moment.
The former members of the Spade Pirates stood quietly on the sidelines, dressed in their best clothes for the occasion. After nearly half a year of daily challenges and gradual integration, Ace had evolved from being viewed as an entertaining nuisance to becoming a genuinely respected figure within the fleet.
The crew's attitude toward him had transformed completely. What had started as people simply watching the spectacle of his daily defeats had gradually become genuine acceptance and, eventually, enthusiastic support for his decision to join their family.
On the main deck of the flagship, a long ceremonial table had been set up, laden with wine bottles, ornate glasses, and other items necessary for the formal induction ritual. The atmosphere was both solemn and celebratory, befitting an occasion that would fundamentally change the life of everyone involved.
The sound of measured footsteps drew everyone's attention as Ace walked slowly into the designated ceremonial area. For this important moment, he had removed the hat, knife, jewelry, and other personal accessories that he had worn consistently throughout their adventures. His appearance was more formal and serious than anyone had seen before.
As Ace stepped into the center of the gathered crowd, Izou, the Commander of the 16th Division of the Whitebeard Pirates, moved forward to preside over the ceremony. Known for his dramatic flair and attention to protocol, Izou was the natural choice to ensure that everything proceeded with appropriate dignity.
"This is the oath-taking ceremony for the formal adoption of Portgas D. Ace into the Whitebeard Pirates family," Izou announced in his clear, carrying voice.
At the request of both Whitebeard and Ace, the ceremony had been designed to be relatively simple and straightforward. Neither of them was particularly fond of elaborate pageantry, preferring substance over style in most matters.
Even though they had kept things simple, the division commanders had insisted on maintaining certain formal elements. After all, this represented the binding together of two people who shared no blood relationship but were choosing to spend the rest of their lives together as family. Regardless of their status as pirates, this was a genuinely important life event that deserved proper recognition.
Following the established protocol, Ace accepted the ceremonial wine glass that Whitebeard handed to him. The glass was ornate, clearly reserved for special occasions, and filled with high-quality sake that had been aged specifically for moments like this.
Without hesitation, Ace drank the wine in a single, decisive gulp, the action symbolizing his complete acceptance of the commitment he was making.
Afterward, he moved through the assembled crowd, taking turns to toast with each of the division commanders present. This portion of the ceremony was designed to demonstrate that he was being accepted not just by Whitebeard personally, but by the entire leadership structure of the organization.
Finally, Ace returned to stand before Whitebeard. The two men faced each other with solemn expressions, each understanding the weight of the moment.
They drank together once more, then clasped hands firmly as a formal oath of mutual commitment and loyalty.
After a moment of respectful silence, the assembled division commanders began encouraging Ace to speak. It was traditional for the new family member to say a few words marking the occasion.
Ace cleared his throat, clasped his hands together in a formal gesture, and spoke slowly and clearly:
"I have been wandering for half my life, and I only regret that I have never met a wise master. If you don't abandon me, I am willing to acknowledge you as my father."
The moment these words left Ace's mouth, Jerry couldn't help but burst into laughter despite the solemn atmosphere. He immediately pressed his lips together and tried to stifle his amusement, rolling his eyes around as he fought to control himself until his stomach began to cramp from the effort.
As someone who prided himself on maintaining appropriate behavior, Jerry normally wouldn't laugh during such a serious ceremony—but this was a special case that he simply couldn't help.
The previous night, while they had been drinking and sharing stories, Jerry had been in particularly high spirits and had told Ace about a classic scene from an ancient story involving sworn brotherhood and family loyalty. In a moment of mischievous inspiration, he had suggested that Ace try adapting those famous words for his own ceremony.
Hearing Jerry's barely suppressed laughter, Ace wondered to himself whether he had just been set up by his friend. But the atmosphere had already reached this emotional peak, and he found that he genuinely felt no resistance to what he was saying.
Looking up at the towering figure of Whitebeard, Ace prepared to speak the two words that would change everything.
His feelings toward the massive man before him were complex and layered. A long time ago, when they had first been captured, Whitebeard had extended his hand and said simply, "Be my son."
Ace had refused at that time, leading to all the challenges, struggles, and emotional growth that had followed.
Now, after a long and difficult journey of self-discovery, he was finally ready to say what he had been unable to say before.
"Dad."
The single word carried the weight of months of internal struggle, personal growth, and the acceptance of a bond that transcended blood relations.
"Congratulations! Congratulations to both of you—you are now officially father and son!" Izou announced with obvious pleasure.
The declaration was met with an explosion of celebratory sounds—whistles, applause, cheers, and shouts of approval echoed across the deck and carried to the surrounding ships of the fleet.
Seeing that the ceremony had been successfully completed, the division commanders on both sides began talking excitedly among themselves, clearly pleased with how everything had proceeded.
Marco approached Ace with a warm smile, but also with the bearing of someone who had important business to discuss. Since Ace had now officially joined their extended family, there were certain things that needed to be addressed.
"As one of the witnesses to this ceremony," Marco began, "I think it's time for me to tell you about your new position within our organization and—"
"Please let me speak first!" Ace interrupted, turning to face Whitebeard with a expression of determination.
He rolled up his sleeve to show the tattoo on his arm, where the letters "ASCE" were clearly visible.
"My name is Portgas D. Ace," he declared proudly. "This name comes from my mother, who was the greatest woman who ever lived."
He pointed to his tattoo. "And these letters represent my brothers and the family I've chosen for myself."
Ace paused, his voice growing stronger and more confident. "Now that I have drunk your wine and called you father..."
He turned his back to Whitebeard and continued with unwavering resolve.
"My back will bear your mark, Dad."
Since he had already decided clearly that what he wanted was here, and since he truly recognized Whitebeard as his father, Ace was determined not to go back on his commitment.
He wanted to have the Whitebeard Pirates' jolly roger permanently tattooed on his back, declaring to the entire world that he would carry Whitebeard's beliefs and represent his family with pride.
"Gurarararara!" Whitebeard's distinctive laughter boomed across the deck, full of genuine joy and satisfaction.
"Then you can sail on this sea, bear my name of Whitebeard, and do whatever you want!" the Emperor declared with obvious pleasure.
"Ace really gets it," Jerry murmured to himself, watching the scene unfold. "He understood exactly what needed to be said and done."
Looking at Whitebeard's delighted laughter and the division commanders whose expressions had shifted from shock to excitement and approval, Jerry couldn't help but feel moved by the genuine emotion of the moment.
What followed was, naturally, a grand pirate banquet that would continue well into the night.
The celebration included not only the crew members of the Whitebeard Pirates but also the former members of the Spade Pirates, all of them eating, drinking, and enjoying themselves with the kind of uninhibited joy that only comes from significant life milestones.
Deuce and Skull moved through the crowd, quietly saying their farewells to the many people they had become close to over the past few months. The relationships they had formed during their time with the fleet had been meaningful, and it was clear that everyone had gained something valuable from the experience.
Jerry, meanwhile, had his own plans for the evening. He retrieved a special bottle of alcohol from his system storage, a premium 1982 Château Lafite —one of the many random items he had accumulated from various treasure chest rewards over the months.
Jerry's current system space had become something like a magical pocket, filled with all kinds of useful and unusual items that appeared at random intervals.
The strong, fragrant, and incredibly smooth taste immediately conquered Whitebeard's palate, making the Emperor want to reach out and offer Jerry the same famous invitation he had given to so many others over the years.
But Jerry had no intention of recognizing Whitebeard as his father. After sharing a few bottles with the Emperor and enjoying his company for the evening, Jerry generously produced a dozen additional bottles and presented them as a parting gift.
This generous gesture was enough to satisfy Whitebeard's immediate craving while ensuring that he would have something special to remember Jerry by after their paths diverged.
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