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Across countless worlds, everyone was waiting for Fire Fist Ace's "heavenly sacrifice."
But things didn't quite play out the way anyone expected.
After reuniting with his little brother Luffy, Ace didn't get caught up in the Alabasta incident at all.
He traveled with his brother for a few days, but when he couldn't find the person he was looking for, he simply said goodbye and went on his way.
"Huh?! Well, that's... definitely not where I thought this was going!"
"I figured the big brother showing up meant he'd help resolve the Alabasta crisis!"
"And then, during the struggle, he'd burn everything he had and die heroically!"
"That death would push Luffy to grow stronger—classic shōnen setup!"
"But... the Straw Hat's brother just popped in for a cameo and left?"
All across the worlds, people were gossiping and griping, practically rewriting scripts on the spot just to have Ace die right there.
"Well, whatever. Being alive's not exactly a bad thing. It's not like there's some rule that every hero's big brother has to die for the plot!"
In the Detective Conan world, Conan let out a sigh of relief.
"I'm really glad Luffy's brother made it out safe. He's strong, polite, and he really loves his little brother. It'd be way too sad if someone like that died."
In the Demon Slayer world, the Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji, patted her chest in relief.
"Haha, I was scared for a second there! Thought the poor big brother was really gonna die! Phew, thank goodness he's fine!"
"Yeah, the Straw Hat crew's not like the Demon Slayer Corps or Night Raid. They're not burdened with tragedy or revenge—they're just a bunch of happy idiots!"
"Exactly! They've been to so many islands by now, and not a single person's died yet, let alone a family member connected to the main character!"
One by one, people across the multiverse began to relax.
They figured, maybe this time, the protagonist's brother had finally dodged his fate.
"Huh... did this old Daoist misread the stars?"
In the World of One Man, Taoist Wang frowned, full of doubt.
But no—he hadn't been wrong.
Ace's short-lived fate was real.
A protagonist's brother dying was never a maybe. It was only ever a matter of when.
The sacrifice might be delayed, but it never misses its cue.
Not "if." Only "not yet."
And now...
Fire Fist Ace was already walking that path. His end wasn't far off.
The only ones aware of this grim development were the people of the pirate world itself.
Because just moments ago—
The Navy and the World Government had issued a joint announcement:
"Ten days from now, at Marine Headquarters, the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates—Fire Fist Ace—will be publicly executed."
The world erupted.
"So it's true... the hero's brother can't escape his destined death!"
"He didn't die in Alabasta—he's gonna die at Marineford!"
"Hey, this isn't the time to joke around! The whole sea's about to explode!"
"This execution isn't just about the main character's brother dying—it's way bigger than that!"
"That Ace guy's the Second Division Commander under one of the Four Emperors, Whitebeard!"
"And Whitebeard sure as hell isn't going to sit by while one of his own gets killed!"
"That means... WAR! A full-scale war between the Navy and Whitebeard's crew!"
"Forget the recap show—this is history happening live!"
People who got the news early were left speechless in horror.
At Baltigo, the Revolutionary Army headquarters—
"Sabo, what's wrong? You've been staring at Fire Fist Ace's name this whole time. You know him or something?"
The revolutionary girl, Koala, tilted her head.
"No... I've never met him," Sabo replied quietly, shaking his head.
On the Sabaody Archipelago, inside Shakky's Rip-Off Bar—
"Hey, Monkey, that Fire Fist Ace... he really your brother?"
Shakky's expression turned serious.
"Yeah, that's right! Ace—"
The moment Luffy started talking about his big brother, he couldn't stop. His face lit up with excitement, and his words poured out in a rush.
Hearing that, Shakky understood one thing very clearly:
Luffy loved his brother.
And for that brother, he'd do anything.
"What's wrong?" Robin asked softly, noticing Shakky's odd expression.
"Oh, nothing," Shakky replied, shaking her head. She discreetly tucked the freshly printed news report under the counter.
"Come on, keep watching. Honestly, I've looked into the Alabasta situation myself, but the Navy's made it hard to find any real info. Getting to see your adventures firsthand is a real treat."
She changed the subject smoothly.
"No, no, we're not that amazing," the Straw Hat crew said modestly.
The day after Ace parted ways with Luffy,the Straw Hats followed Vivi to the once-prosperous oasis city of Yuba.
But what they found was nothing more than ruins—and a stubborn old man still digging for water in the endless desert.
Koza and the rebel army had long since moved to a city near the port where the Straw Hats had landed.
Meaning, after all their wandering, they'd come full circle.
Fate had a twisted sense of humor.
Disheartened as they were, the crew had no choice but to keep going.
The next morning, they set out again, carrying a small bottle of water the old man had dug up.
But—
They hadn't gone far before Luffy suddenly stopped and sat down by the roadside.
"What's wrong, Luffy?" Vivi asked, confused.
A question echoed not just among his crew, but through countless worlds watching the scene.
Luffy wasn't the type to get tired easily. His strength and endurance were monstrous—there was no way he'd just stop from exhaustion.
After a long, heavy silence, the Straw Hat captain finally spoke.
"I'm done!!!"
The multiverse:
"???"
"WHAT?!"
He's... quitting?!
After all those days of effort—now he wants to quit?
"Wait, wait, wait—does that mean the Straw Hat kid's backing out?"
"He actually said he's done? What's this, he's just throwing in the towel? Why? Is he throwing a tantrum?"
"Sure, Princess Vivi messed up the intel and made them run in circles, but that's no reason to just walk away!"
"I was even thinking—if the Straw Hats really saved Alabasta, I'd admit they were heroes. Guess I spoke too soon!"
"In the end, pirates are still pirates. How could anyone expect them to risk their lives for another country without asking for anything in return?"
"If you ask me, that Straw Hat brat's probably trying to raise his price—maybe even force Princess Vivi to become his woman!"
For a while, chatter erupted across countless worlds—every realm, every watcher, speculating wildly.
Some even started projecting their own fantasies onto Luffy, convinced he'd fallen for Vivi and had less-than-honorable intentions.
But then…
What happened next was like a slap across every one of their faces.
"Not doing it anymore?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Luffy, we don't have time to mess around with you right now!"
"Come on, we've gotta turn back and stop the rebel army—for Vivi's sake!"
One after another, his crewmates spoke up on the glowing screen.
"This is so boring."
Luffy brushed off Sanji's hand, frowning as he turned to Vivi.
"Vivi, I want to beat the crap out of Crocodile. Even if we stop the rebel army, can you stop Crocodile yourself? Even if we make it to Katorea, it won't matter. We're pirates, you know. Not going might actually be better!"
His calm, cutting words shocked not only his crew—but everyone watching across the worlds.
No one expected the goofy Straw Hat kid to say something that sharp.
And then it clicked for everyone:when Luffy said he was "done," he wasn't quitting or giving up—he meant something entirely different.
"You want a war where no one dies—neither the citizens nor us. But our enemy's one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. This is a rebellion involving millions of people! Don't you think that's a little too naïve?"
Luffy's voice was steady, his gaze unwavering.
"What's wrong with not wanting anyone to die?" Vivi shot back.
"People die."
Luffy said it simply, almost quietly.
That was the last straw for Vivi.
Smack!
Her hand came down hard, sending Luffy flying several meters.
"Don't say things like that! We are stopping them! The rebels, the royal army, the people—they're not to blame! Why should anyone have to die for this? It's all Crocodile's fault!"
Vivi's whole body trembled as tears welled in her eyes.
Luffy's response was a single, "gentle" punch that sent her sprawling to the ground.
"Then why are you gambling your own life?!"
He shouted down at her.
"One life isn't nearly enough to stake!"
"Then what am I supposed to bet, huh?!"
Vivi grabbed him by the collar, tears spilling freely.
"I have nothing else left to gamble!"
"That's not true!!!"
Luffy roared back.
"You've still got us! Bet our lives too—we're your friends!"
He stood, eyes blazing with conviction.
"I know it—you're the one who's the most frustrated, the one who wants to punch that bastard the most! So tell me, Vivi—where's Crocodile hiding?"
At that moment, as his voice rang out…
Vivi couldn't hold back anymore. The strong princess finally broke down and cried.
And across all worlds, countless people wiped at their own eyes.
"I was wrong! God, I was so wrong!"
"I'm sorry, Straw Hat! I can't believe I doubted you!"
"The Straw Hats were chosen as heroes for a reason—how could I think otherwise?"
"Straw Hat Luffy… I really underestimated you."
"Sorry, Luffy—I always thought you were just an idiot!"
"I never should've doubted you. Damn it, I feel awful…"
Everywhere, people were apologizing, their earlier cynicism replaced with regret.
"I told you—no way a real hero would give up halfway! Though, uh, that punch to the princess looked really painful. Vivi, are you okay?"
In the Akame ga Kill world, green-haired Lubbock winced, heart aching for the crying princess.
"Still can't believe that goofy Straw Hat kid actually said something so spot-on!"
From the Demon Slayer world, boar-headed Inosuke blinked in surprise.
"Hey, Inosuke! Don't talk about Mr. Luffy like that—it's disrespectful!"Tanjiro scolded him.
"Nah, the Straw Hat kid really is a bit of an idiot," Reborn said bluntly from the Katekyo Hitman Reborn! world. "But there's such a thing as being smart in your own dumb way."
"Involving the princess with the pirates would've made things worse. Instead of running in circles, he chose to strike straight at the root of the problem."
Twilight, the top spy from the Spy x Family world, analyzed coolly.
"The true source of Alabasta's suffering is Crocodile of the Seven Warlords—and Luffy saw right through that."
In the Hunter x Hunter world, Killua nodded thoughtfully."Guess we really underestimated him. He's not dumb—he's cleverly simple."
In the Naruto world, Tsunade raised an eyebrow, impressed."So that kid's a fool with hidden wisdom, huh?"
Meanwhile, in the One Piece world…
"That kid Luffy… he's something else."
"Didn't think that blockhead could say something that deep!"
"He's really grown up."
Among the Red-Haired Pirates, the older crew members smiled fondly.
In Alabasta itself…
"Feels like it all happened just yesterday," Vivi murmured, gently touching the cheek Luffy once struck.
"Ah! Miss Vivi, what's wrong? Don't tell me that punch left lasting damage! Honestly, that boy—hitting a lady in the face like that!"Igaram nearly panicked.
"No, no, I'm fine, Igaram." Vivi smiled softly. "Luffy's punch was exactly what I needed. Without it, I might've stayed lost in that dream—and Alabasta would've been doomed."
At Marine Headquarters…
"Bwahahahaha! As expected of my grandson—sharp as ever!"Garp laughed proudly.
"Sharp? You mean stupid," Sengoku muttered, rolling his eyes.
"Sengoku," Garp said with a smirk, "looks like even you can't cover up the truth about Alabasta this time."
The jab hit home.
Sengoku's face darkened, while Garp sat there looking far too pleased with himself.
That's what you get for calling me an idiot.
At the Marine training grounds…
"Smoker, sir—you look pale. Are you alright?"Tashigi asked worriedly.
"It's nothing," Smoker muttered, shaking his head.
"It's not your fault, sir. HQ forced that mess on you," she said, trying to comfort him—thinking he was worried about how the Alabasta incident might affect his record.
But in truth, Smoker wasn't thinking about that at all.
He was terrified the footage of his encounter with Straw Hat in Rainbase might surface—the one where he got caught, right alongside that idiot pirate.
His biggest humiliation.
And sure enough—
The screen shifted.
Under Princess Vivi's lead, the Straw Hats arrived at Rainbase, where Crocodile—the true culprit—waited.
Just when everyone braced for an intense, all-out war…
The Straw Hats did what they did best—made a mess of everything.
Luffy dashed into a restaurant to buy water, only to bump straight into Smoker.
The chase that followed turned Rainbase upside down.
And when Luffy finally stumbled upon Crocodile's casino, Rain Dinners—he fell right into a trap.
Dragging the dignified Captain Smoker down with him.
Captured. Both of them.
Across the multiverse, jaws dropped.
"…I take it all back!!!"
"Yep. The Straw Hat kid really is an idiot!!!"
"..."
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