The tall grass swayed gently in the wind.
Four small figures lay hidden within it.
Ace, Sabo, and Lucas crouched low, branches stuck awkwardly on their heads as makeshift camouflage. Beside them, Luffy lay flat on his stomach, proudly wearing grass and wildflowers tangled into his messy hair.
From their hiding place, they watched Bluejam's men search frantically around the large tree where the treasure had once been hidden.
"…That was close," Sabo whispered, exhaling softly. "Good thing we moved the pirate funds in advance."
Lucas nodded. "If we'd been even a little late, it would've been discovered."
Ace snorted. "That guy Bluejam must be furious."
Sabo glanced sideways. "Ace and I should go to the Gray Terminal and check the situation."
Lucas turned to him. "Then I'll take Luffy back to Dadan's place first."
Ace immediately shifted closer to Luffy, keeping a firm hand near his shoulder.
"Okay," Sabo said quietly. "Don't get spotted."
"No!"
Luffy's sudden voice cut through the tension like a knife.
Ace and Sabo froze.
Lucas slowly covered his face with his palm.
"…There's no way around it," Lucas muttered.
Ace immediately shoved Luffy down and clamped a hand over his mouth. "Be quiet!"
Luffy blinked innocently.
Sabo sighed. "Yeah. No point arguing."
Not long after, all four of them hid behind a large rock near the Waste Terminal.
Below, Bluejam's men were swarming the area, patrolling far more seriously than before.
"They're everywhere," Sabo said, standing on Ace's shoulders to get a better look.
Ace frowned. "That bastard's really desperate."
"They're serious this time," Lucas said quietly. "We should avoid direct conflict."
Suddenly—
"Hey! You kids!"
A middle‑aged man appeared behind them, pointing straight at their hiding spot.
"The ones you're looking for are right here!"
"RUN!"
Ace grabbed Luffy without hesitation.
They bolted into the forest, weaving between trees, leaping over roots, using the terrain to their advantage. Shouts echoed behind them, but gradually faded as the forest swallowed them whole.
They didn't stop until they were deep among the trees.
Sabo collapsed against a trunk, breathing hard. "…Even the people at the terminal are being bribed."
Lucas frowned. "We'll have to stay hidden for a while."
"If they come, we fight," Ace said indifferently.
"That's not smart," Sabo replied. "They're real pirates—not just thugs."
Lucas nodded. "And Bluejam already knows about Luffy."
He looked down at the sleeping child leaning against his side.
"I can't keep bringing him up and down the mountain every day," Lucas said quietly. "Ace. Sabo. I'll have to leave Luffy with you for now."
Silence.
Ace and Sabo stared at him.
"…WHAT?!" Ace shouted. "I'm not babysitting!"
"Lucas, aren't you staying with us?" Sabo asked, surprised.
Lucas scratched the back of his head. "Not yet. I still need to go back to Windmill Village every day. Makino needs help at the tavern—and I need to earn money for Luffy and me."
He smiled gently. "Besides, Dadan's place is already cramped."
Ace turned his head away. "I'm not taking care of some baby."
Lucas chuckled. "You like Luffy more than you admit."
"I DO NOT," Ace snapped, face burning red.
Sabo laughed quietly.
That night, under the moonlight, Ace and Sabo carried the crocodile they'd hunted, while Lucas walked beside them, Luffy asleep in his arms.
From that day on—
Life changed.
For the next year, Ace, Sabo, and Luffy lived together at Dadan's place.
They hunted together.Trained together.Fought together.
Lucas traveled daily between Windmill Village and the forest. Some days he hunted with them. Other days, he helped Makino until nightfall. When Luffy fell asleep, Lucas, Ace, and Sabo would sometimes sneak out to fend off thugs lingering near Gray Terminal.
They became inseparable.
One afternoon—
"Ace! Sabo!" Luffy pleaded, eyes shining. "Take me to the Gray Terminal!"
Ace and Sabo immediately turned away.
"No," Ace said flatly. "You're too young."
"I'm seven!" Luffy argued.
"You're six," Sabo corrected calmly. "Almost seven."
"We'll take you when you're seven," Ace added. "That's final."
"Ace is scary," Luffy muttered. "Sabo is nicer."
Ace bonked him on the head.
"OW!"
Sabo laughed. "We're having crocodile rice tonight. Lucas should be here soon."
"CROCODILE RICE!" Luffy cheered instantly.
Ace shook his head. "…Hopeless."
Later, the three stood in a tree overlooking the river.
"Don't get eaten again," Sabo warned.
"I won't!" Luffy said eagerly.
"Just watch," Ace added. "You'll only slow us down."
Moments later—
The crocodile surfaced.
"NOW," Ace shouted.
Luffy jumped.
"…LUFFY!"
Ace leapt after him.
After some frantic chaos, they dragged the crocodile onto land.
Ace turned away. "Fine. This one counts as yours."
"REALLY?!" Luffy hugged him tightly.
Ace froze.
"…LET GO!"
Lucas arrived just in time to witness it.
"…What happened to him?" Lucas asked Sabo.
Sabo smiled. "He's being honest."
That night, as they ate together, Lucas looked at Ace and Sabo.
"Bluejam shouldn't be searching anymore," he said. "Soon, we'll be able to move freely again."
The fire crackled.
Four brothers sat together.
And for the first time—
They truly felt like a family.