Sabo was crying uncontrollably, tears streaming down his face.
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, Luffy! I only just remembered who you are! I only remembered after Ace died! I'm so sorry!"
The two brothers cried together for a long while. Slowly, Luffy's emotions began to stabilize.
"Sabo… I saw you die… what happened?" Luffy asked, his voice trembling.
Sabo wiped his tears and spoke quietly.
"The truth is… I never even got a chance to set sail back then. I was hit by a cannonball before I could leave."
He lightly touched the scar on his face.
"That scar… it's from the Celestial Dragon who struck me all those years ago."
"After I was hit, Dragon saved me, but the force of the blast… I lost part of my memory."
"Then, just a few days ago, I saw news of Ace's death, and it all came back at once. I remembered Ace, Windmill Village, you… everyone!"
"But the shock was heavy, because I realized it all too late."
Tears welled in Sabo's eyes.
"I thought I would never have a chance to make things right for all of you, but then Boss told me to bring you back. That's why I rushed here as fast as I could."
Sabo told Luffy the story of his ordeal, then gently placed a hand on Luffy's shoulder.
"Luffy… I know things are rough right now, but you have to pull yourself together. Think of your friends they're waiting for you!"
Luffy's body shivered at Sabo's words.
"You're right… my friends are waiting for me! I want to see them so badly!"
Sabo nodded firmly.
"Then you must stay strong, Luffy!"
With Sabo's encouragement, Luffy finally began to recover, taking large, hungry bites to regain his strength.
"What's your plan now, Luffy?" Sabo asked.
Luffy swallowed a chunk of meat with difficulty.
"I'm going to see Uncle Rayleigh."
Sabo paused.
"You mean the Dark King Rayleigh?"
Luffy nodded.
"Yes. I want him to train me. Right now, seeing my friends isn't enough."
Luffy's mind flicked to Ezra.
"Even if we meet now, it won't help. We can't sail in the New World not with our strength. I have to train under Rayleigh! And… I need to make sure everyone knows I'm okay."
He fell silent, considering the difficulty of sending news to his crew while he trained.
Sabo spoke gently.
"We can use the newspapers. Everyone will see it."
Luffy's eyes brightened.
"Sabo… do you have a way?"
Sabo adjusted his top hat.
"Well… it's not perfect, but it should work."
He turned to Ivankov.
"Ivankov, the funeral of Whitebeard and Ace won't that be in the newspapers?"
Ivankov nodded slightly.
"Most likely, yes. No problem there."
Sabo looked at Luffy.
"When you attend the funeral, find a way to send your message to your friends. You can't speak it aloud; writing or secret signs are better."
Luffy thought for a moment, then smiled.
"I've got it! I'll do it this way… then this way…"
He explained his plan to Sabo, who nodded in approval.
"Good idea, Luffy. Let's get started!"
"Yeah!"
Three days passed quickly.
At the site of the old Marineford, the deep pit had long since been filled with seawater. The area where Marineford once stood was now empty.
A small ship approached, carrying only Luffy, Sabo, and Ivankov.
"Ivankov, are you sure this is the place?" Sabo asked, looking over the endless sea.
Ivankov nodded calmly.
"Yes. Don't worry, I know the spot."
"Then let's begin," Sabo said.
"Not yet," Ivankov replied. "Wait a moment for the press."
Luffy remained silent, waiting. Soon, a few seagulls carrying cameras appeared.
Sabo exhaled, relieved.
"Luffy, now we can start."
Together, they brought out Ace's ashes and scattered them over the sea. Luffy had wanted to ring the Ox Bell, but Marineford was gone, so he refrained.
The shutters clicked as photographers captured the moment. Luffy removed his straw hat and held it in front of him in silent mourning. His right arm bore the mark: 3D2Y.
After the moment of silence, the three looked at one another.
"Sabo… is that enough?"
Sabo nodded.
"It should have been captured. Let's go if we wait too long, the Marines will arrive."
The two quickly set sail, leaving the area.
"Sabo, is Rayleigh really coming to Baldigo?" Luffy asked.
Sabo smiled.
"Don't worry. Boss has already informed him. He'll arrive soon."
Luffy nodded, relieved that he wouldn't waste time searching for Rayleigh. More time for training!
The seagulls carrying cameras flew away from Marineford toward Morgans. Soon, Morgans received Luffy's photograph.
"Hmm… a funeral held for Ace. This photo will do. Let me think of a title and send it out."
He muttered to himself as the news quickly spread worldwide:
"Monkey D. Luffy Returns to Marineford to Hold a Water Burial for His Brother Portgas D. Ace."
The image showed Luffy removing his straw hat, the 3D2Y mark visible.
Crew members across the world received Luffy's message. Three days had passed, but the reunion was now set two years in the future. These two years would be the time for Luffy to make everyone stronger.
The Straw Hat crew understood Luffy's intention. They could finally train in peace. The Straw Hat Pirates officially began their journey of growth and training.