"Just think about it, Captain! Shichibukai Firefist sounds great!" Saber cheered, raising his glass in Ace's direction.
The teen grinned and shook his head, not bothering to look up from the meal the bartender had placed in front of him. "You can't be serious. Shichibukai have to take orders from the World Government. I don't take orders."
*Yeah, but only sometimes, Ace." Banshee pointed out, tipping her bottle towards the missive the government has sent. "The rest of the time they get to do whatever they want."
"And they're untouchable. Think of all the crap we could do!" Ducky shouted, causing the rest of the crew to cheer loudly.
Ace had to admit they were right about that. It was tempting, if he was going to be honest with himself. Ace would be able to make his mark on the world with little to no fear of retaliation by the Marines. Even better, it was basically carte blanche to attack anyone who pissed him off and that was always a long list. The downside was the very real danger if someone discovered who's blood ran in his veins.
Was it really worth the risk? That was what he had struggled with over the past week, docking at this island to stock up before heading to the nearest Marine base and giving his answer. He knew Garp would want him to take it. The old man had already sent a letter saying as much, assuring the teen that simply dropping his mother's last name would be more than enough to further protect himself and the legacy his blood carried.
What would Luffy think, though? His little brother was very simple, and even if it was a good chance, Ace didn't think he could stand it if Luffy was angry because of it when they met next. Which would be in a little more than a year now. Time sure flew, and Ace wasn't embarrassed in the slightest for asking Makino for a current picture of his little brother. He was a growing kid, it was important no matter how much his crew teased him over it. Might as well take advantage of being in one place for a while.
It wasn't a surprise then when Deuce arrived at the bar a short while later with a letter from home. "Lookit here, boys. Ace got mail from home!" His second in command called, waving the envelope above his head as the crew whooped and whistled.
It was easy enough to ignore the good natured teasing, especially when he finally got his hands on the envelope. Seeing how thick the envelope was Ace got excited, thinking maybe his little brother had taken the opportunity to try and write him something. "Alright you bastards, you've had your fun teasing me! Let me read this damn thing in peace." He laughed, opening the letter.
Ace,
It is wonderful to hear from you, truely. Luffy has been following your journey as well as able to given the news articles we have seen.
Ace grinned at that, imagining Luffy bouncing with nervous energy as he tried to read the paper.
I am so proud of you, and though I know it's your decision to make I think you should take the offer.
The teen frowned, not at the words but at the tear stains that had blurred them and the passage below until it was nearly unreadable.
- went missing - waited - home. The treehouse - no sign - Garp-san -
Ace swallowed hard, stomach twisting as his heart clenched up in fear. He couldn't think, not with all the noise. Something was wrong, but maybe he was panicking over nothing. "Everyone, SHUT UP a minute!" He ordered, his crew instantly quieting down as they picked up on his tension. He barely noticed as he squinted at the paper, forcing himself to make out the words in the shaky stained writing.
I don't know if there's anything he can do. By the time I realized he was not just off having fun the ship was long gone. Dadan has been working herself and her men as hard as she can to find him. Why, even now Dogora and the mayor should be arriving at Logetown at any moment.
I am off to Dadan's now and hopefully when you receive this letter we will all be having a laugh over Luffy and his antics.
Ace. I I don't know what I'll do if they can't find Luffy.
Makino
Ace shook nearly tearing the paper as he struggled not to light it on fire. He wouldn't. There were still three pages left. He would get to the next page and find everything was alright.
Brat,
I don't want you to go thinking I haven't done all that I can to find that little idiot. I had my men combing the city and the woods as soon as we noticed he was actually missing.
There's no two ways about it, we found out too late about that ship. Supposed to be some merchant vessel. Let me tell you, if that was a merchant vessel I'm a noble.
The next few lines scratched out violently enough that Ace could almost imagine Dadan doing it, teeth clenched around her cigarette.
Found someone who saw the crew with Luffy and some others. Now, I know the kid wants to go out to sea, so I checked. That ship didn't stop at any other island in the East Blue. Pulled in some favors and it's not good.
Ship switched flags right after clearing reverse mountain. Didn't stop, didn't follow one of those stupid routes. I don't need to tell you what that means, Ace.
No, she didn't. Ace swallowed dryly. Only two types would do that, and the first wouldn't bother to hide who they were in the weakest of the seas.
Take that position, brat.
Here there were a few stains, some smelling faintly of liquor but Ace knew better.
I don't have the heart to tell Makino. But we can't put it off forever. So listen here, Ace, take it and find Luffy before I have to tell that girl slavers took our boy.
Her letter wasn't signed. Instead there was a list of names and denden numbers. He realized it had to be her old contacts, from before. Dogra had once mentioned the Dadan bandits had used to be so much more, but Ace had thought it was the puffed up words of a weakling. Spotting such names as the Dark King, Ace had obviously been wrong.
Which for once he was glad of. Taking the list and shoving it in his pocket he finished his drink, not even feeling the burn.
He stood and turned to his crew. "I'm taking the position."
"Captain?" Saber stood as well, the question of what was wrong went unspoken.
"I'm taking the position and we're finding my brother!" He hissed, flames raging along his arms and back. He'd find his baby brother and burn everyone who had dared to touch him. He had already lost one brother to the whims of the tenryuubito. He wasn't about to lose another.