The sun had climbed high into the sky by the time the duo returned, its scorching rays blanketing everything beneath in oppressive heat. Sweat trickled down their faces as they trudged forward, their bamboo baskets landing on the ground with a heavy thud.
Ace wiped his brow with the back of his arm, barely pausing before snapping his attention to Dadan.
"Where is Luffy?" he asked.
Dadan lazily shrugged, her feather fan waving back and forth in a slow, steady rhythm. "Not back yet."
"What?" Ace's brows drew together in a deep frown. "He still hasn't returned? That blockhead! He's probably off somewhere, messing around, completely forgetting the errands we specifically asked him to do. It was an easy task!"
Sabo, already gulping down mouthfuls from a bottle of chilled water, let out a long, satisfied sigh before saying casually, "Or maybe he stopped by Makino-san's place to rest. It's midday, after all. Maybe he's sitting down to lunch right now."
"Tch." Ace clicked his tongue in frustration, crossing his arms with a scowl. "He could have wrapped everything up in half the time if he just stayed focused. Always running his mouth about being a 'grown-up,' but he can't even handle grocery shopping without wandering off. Unbelievable."
"Ha!" Sabo snorted with laughter. "If Luffy heard you say that, he'd throw a fit and try to punch you."
Ace rolled his eyes but could not hide the faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Yeah, well, it's still true."
Their banter was cut short when Dadan chimed in, her voice carrying over the heat-induced haze. "If you're that concerned, why don't you two go find him? And don't forget to pick up some grain while you're at it. We're running low."
Sabo gave her a playful salute, grinning widely. "Aye aye, boss lady!"
Magra strolled over just then, handing them a few crumpled bills. "Here. The money I gave Luffy earlier wasn't enough to cover the grains. Make sure you get the right kind this time."
Ace took the bills and tucked them into his pocket with a curt nod. "Yeah, yeah, we'll take care of it."
"Keep your eyes open out there," Magra warned as the boys turned toward the trail that led down the mountain.
"And don't even think about showing your faces after sundown!" Dadan shouted after them, flapping her fan with exaggerated flair.
"Yeah, yeah, we hear you!" Ace called back without turning, giving a lazy wave over his shoulder.
"We'll be back before dinner's ready!" Sabo added cheerfully, jogging a bit to keep up with Ace.
As they descended toward Foosha Village, the first thing that caught their attention was a massive ship anchored at the port. It was an impressive vessel with black sails and an unmistakable skull-and-crossbones flag fluttering ominously in the ocean breeze.
"I-It's a pirate ship!" Sabo exclaimed, clutching Ace's shoulder as he shook him in disbelief. His eyes were wide with a mix of awe and panic. "There are real pirates here! Shouldn't we call the marines or something?! Why is everyone acting like this is normal?!"
Ace did not share Sabo's urgency. His gaze swept over the port and the village beyond, calm and thoughtful. The villagers were going about their business as if it were just another day. There was no screaming, no panic. It was just like anyone's usual day.
That alone told him enough.
"I don't think we need to call the marines," Ace said coolly, shrugging one shoulder.
Naru had once explained the difference between pirates. According to her, there were two kinds.
The troublemakers and the ones who minded their own business.
The troublemakers were the worst kind. They looted, pillaged, and left ruin wherever they went. When it came to that kind, one should not hesitate but to call for help fast. Naru always said that if they ever saw pirates like that, the best thing to do was contact their grandfather directly. After all, Garp wasn't just any marine. He was a Vice Admiral, a living legend no pirate in their right mind would want to cross.
Then there were the others, the ones who caused no unnecessary chaos. They came ashore quietly, restocked, rested, and left without bothering anyone. Their morals might have been questionable, sure, but at least they didn't bring destruction along with them.
Judging by how relaxed Foosha Village was, Ace figured these pirates belonged to the second kind.
Besides, who would be foolish enough to pick a fight on an island protected by the Marine Hero himself? No one with a brain would risk angering Garp.
That old man might be a lunatic sometimes( well, most of the time) but even Ace, who had more than a few complaints about him, had to admit that Garp was a capable marine who fought against injustice. Thanks to him, Dawn Island had been peaceful for many years.
At least, that was what Ace and the others had been told by Naru, who was the only one in their family truly interested in learning about the world's affairs.
"Come on, let's go check the bar," Ace said, nudging Sabo as he started walking.
Reluctantly tearing his eyes from the ship, Sabo hurried to follow..
A short walk later, they stood outside the bar. They hadn't even entered the bar yet, but they could already hear the rowdiness and laughter of the people inside.
After sharing a glance, Ace and Sabo pushed open the door together and stepped inside. The sight that greeted them was chaos and cheer combined: rough-looking men they didn't recognize were laughing, drinking, singing, and enjoying themselves. The bar was so crowded it was hard to find a path through.
Ace wrinkled his nose. "It smells too much like booze and sweat."
"And cigarette smoke," Sabo added.
Dadan and the others drank too, but ever since they had started raising children, they'd become careful not to act like real bandits around them. They did not drink as recklessly as these pirates did.
"It's kinda fun, though," Sabo whispered, grinning as he scanned the lively room.
"There! Luffy's over there!" He nudged Ace with his elbow before pointing toward the familiar figure of their younger brother.
Ace squinted and saw Luffy sitting in his usual spot near the counter between two unfamiliar men. One was a redhead wearing a straw hat, and the other had curly blond hair.
Meanwhile….
Completely unaware that his two brothers had arrived, Luffy was listening intently to Yasopp, the man with curly blond hair wearing a headband with his name on it. The pirate was deep in his cups, telling a familiar story about the son he had left behind to pursue his dream of becoming a great pirate.
"My boy, Usopp, hic, he's about your age, hic," Yasopp slurred, raising his glass. "If he were here, you two would definitely be best buddies! Bet he's as tall as you by now!"
"Haa, Yasopp-san is talking about his son again," one of the crew muttered with a grin.
"This is the fifth time this week," said another with a laugh.
"Well, he met someone new who hasn't heard about Usopp, so of course he's telling it again," another chimed in, earning chuckles all around.
"As expected of Yasopp-san!"
"Wahahaha!"
The boisterous laughter filled the bar, drowning out all other sounds until a sharp voice cut through the noise like a blade.
"Oi, Luffy!"
Ace's distinct tone immediately caught Luffy's attention, as well as that of everyone else in the crew turned their heads toward the entrance to see two children making their way through the crowd. The contrast between their small figures and the rough, rowdy pirates was striking enough to quiet the room for a moment.
"Huh? More pipsqueaks?" Shanks muttered, scratching the back of his head as he studied the newcomers. His sharp eyes lingered on the dark-haired boy wearing a frown that could rival a storm cloud.
Luffy's face lit up at the sound of their voices. "They're not pipsqueaks! They're my brothers!" he shouted, jumping down from his seat. Ignoring Shanks' comment entirely, Luffy ran toward them and threw his arms around their shoulders before dragging them back toward the counter.
"These are my brothers!" he announced proudly to the pirates he'd been sitting with.
Yasopp grinned and raised his glass. "Hi there, Luffy's brothers! Welcome to our little party!"
"Oho, didn't know you had brothers, Luffy," Shanks said casually, his piercing gaze shifting from Sabo to Ace. His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied the freckled boy, who was looking back at him with an intense, almost defiant expression.
Sabo, ever the polite one, offered a cheerful wave. "Hi! Nice to meet you!" His easygoing smile stood in complete contrast to Ace's guarded glare.
For a fleeting moment, an indistinct sensation inexplicably welled up within Shanks as he closely observed the frowning boy, evoking an odd sense of recognition in him. It seemed peculiar considering that this was their initial encounter. In fact, it was his first visit to this island, so there should not have been any hint of familiarity between them, albeit faint and fleeting.
That must be because he looked like his brother, Shanks decided to brush off the peculiar feeling.
Unaware of Shanks' inner thoughts, Luffy began the introductions with his usual enthusiasm. "This is Ace, and this is Sabo! They're the best brothers ever!"
"Best brothers, huh?" Shanks said with a grin. "Well, it's nice to meet you two."
"Ace, say hi!" Sabo nudged him, but Ace merely grunted, his frown deepening.
"Luffy!" Ace snapped suddenly, his tone sharp. "You were supposed to come home hours ago! What are you doing hanging out with pirates? Did you even finish the task Nee-chan gave you?"
Luffy blinked, confusion flashing across his face. "Huh? Task?" Then his eyes widened. "Ahhh! I totally forgot about that!"
Ace sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Of course you did. Typical." He crossed his arms, his expression an almost perfect imitation of Naru's whenever she was about to scold someone. "When Nee-chan gets back, I'm telling her everything."
"Telling Nee-chan? Boo! Ace, you're such a snitch!" Luffy whined, sticking out his tongue.
"I'm the second in command! Reporting to her is my duty!"
"Snitcher!"
"Brat!"
"Nice meeting you all!" Sabo told the amused crew, steering his brothers toward the exit. "But we've got things to do, so we'll be leaving now!"
"Eh? But I want to hear more stories!" Luffy protested, digging his heels into the floor.
"Luffy, be quiet and walk," Ace grumbled, grabbing his arm to help Sabo drag him out.
As the trio disappeared through the doorway, Shanks and Yasopp exchanged amused looks.
"They're quite the handful, aren't they?" Yasopp said with a laugh.
Shanks leaned back in his seat, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah… but they've got spirit. Especially that freckled one."
He glanced once more toward the door, that same peculiar feeling still lingering in the back of his mind.