On the farm at the eastern outskirts of Gourmet Island, the atmosphere was lively as the three of them talked about all sorts of things.
Ash patiently answered every question Aunt Martha had, and Fidel quickly bonded with him as well, ultimately deciding to join the Dawn Group.
Reuniting with a childhood friend, strengthening himself, and continuing to explore the world, it all lined up perfectly.
They talked until the sun began to dip below the horizon. Only then did the Den Den Mushi in Ash's pocket start ringing.
After agreeing to return for dinner, Ash used his ability and instantly returned to their base in Gourmet City.
Bonney was already asleep.
Her eyes were swollen and red, tear stains still visible on her cheeks. It was clear she had cried for a long time.
After speaking briefly with Kuma, Ash understood everything. Kuma had not hidden anything from his daughter. He had told her everything directly.
When Bonney learned that her father was about to live on the run, she could not accept it. In her mind, people on the run stayed hidden, but Kuma planned to appear openly and draw the World Government's attention.
That was no different from provoking them outright.
It would only make the pursuit more intense.
Bonney had been overwhelmed with worry and insisted on going with him. Kuma had spent a great deal of effort calming her before she finally fell asleep.
Silence filled the room.
Kuma stood there quietly, while Ash had nothing to say.
"I have not properly thanked you for taking care of Bonney," Kuma said at last. "For some time, I will have to trouble you to look after her."
Ash waved it off. "We get along well. She will be fine with me. You do not need to worry."
Kuma looked relieved. After glancing once more at his sleeping daughter, he prepared to leave.
As Kuma stood up, Ash thought for a moment and spoke again.
"You will be traveling around the world. If you pass through Foosha Village in the East Blue, remind that brat Ace not to go out to sea as a pirate. If he does, I will break his legs."
"Understood," Kuma replied.
With a soft sound, he vanished.
Ash blinked. "What kind of Paw Paw Fruit is that? It feels more like a Space ability."
He walked over to Bonney's bed and lightly smacked her on the backside.
Bonney jolted awake, her sleepy eyes still red and unfocused.
Ash smiled. "Food's ready. Want to eat?"
"Yeah!"
She instantly perked up.
Ash did not expect Kuma to be this efficient.
He had only just given the message at sunset, yet Kuma delivered Ace's response by nightfall.
By the time dusk settled, Uncle Markel had returned to the farm. Ash, Bonney, and Markel gathered together with Aunt Martha. The group prepared a bonfire and started a barbecue.
Then Kuma called again.
Ash glanced at Bonney, who was excitedly tending the food, then stepped away. His figure flickered, and he appeared above the sea before answering.
Kuma spoke plainly.
"After we parted, I went to Foosha Village. Ace had already set sail on his birthday, January 1st."
"I tracked him through a Revolutionary Army informant in the East Blue and delivered your message."
"Ace said he is searching for the meaning of his existence. He will not return. If you try to stop him, he will defeat you."
Ash let out a short laugh. "That brat. Let him try. I will still break his legs."
He had already warned Garp, and now he had warned Ace through Kuma. That was enough.
Even though he liked Ace back when he watched the story in his previous life, that did not mean he would go easy on him.
Kuma added, with a rare hint of humor, "You and Ace are the same age. His birthday is earlier, so technically, he is older."
"That does not matter," Ash replied. "He already formed a crew, right?"
"Yes. He has gathered a few capable companions."
"The crew is called the Spade Pirates. Their ship is a small three masted vessel named the Striker."
"Good," Ash said. "Thanks. Now go make your move against the Marines."
He ended the call.
Ash was satisfied.
Ace, who had just set sail, was still just Ace. Only after gaining the Mera Mera no Mi would he truly become Fire Fist Ace.
Back when the Dawn ship traveled across the East Blue, Ash had already discovered Sixis Island, the place where the Mera Mera no Mi would later appear.
It was not far from the Goa Kingdom, so finding it had been easy.
At the time, he had plenty of energy, but no mission required collecting Devil Fruits. More importantly, he had hesitated.
Because of that, he left the fruit untouched.
Even after the mission activated later, he could still have retrieved it using the spatial markers he left behind.
But in the end, he chose not to.
It was not laziness.
The fruit would eventually end up with Ace anyway. There was no need to interfere.
Since Ace refused to listen, it was only a matter of time before he crossed paths with Ash again.
When that happened, Ash would deal with him properly.
Thinking further was pointless.
Ash returned to the farm.
"Wow, Ash, you disappeared during the barbecue, and now you are back just when the meat is ready," Bonney complained as she rushed toward the grill.
Markel reacted immediately and caught her midair.
"This little glutton," he said with a laugh. "You cannot just jump into the fire."
He had learned that lesson the hard way.
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