Thanks for the reviews. I hope you guys are liking this story so far. I feel like I sidetracked from the main story for a bit in this chapter. But whatever, I like Ace's and Luffy's relationship as brothers. And that's what this chapter is about this time. Enjoy!
"YOU BOTH ARE IDIOTS!" Usopp shouted.
"Shishishishi, well whatever. *turns around* Back to adventuring!" Luffy said already running off into the deep forest of trees.
"Jeez, just how careless can that guy get?" Usopp questioned, talking to no one in particular.
~A short while later~
"Usopp! Luffy's missing!" Chopper said shaking his arms around in worry.
Usopp looked around,"Oh no, this is bad!"
It took a while for Luffy to realize that he was alone, especially since he no longer heard Usopp's voice. He wondered why it was strange that he didn't hear that constant nagging. Luffy tried to remember the last thing Usopp said.
Aww, yes, he called Luffy an idiot. Not that Luffy cared anyways. After all, he really is an idiot and probably the biggest one there is.
Luffy looked around to see if he could trace his way back to Usopp and Chopper. Everywhere he looked was the same. The same trees, the same ground, the same everything. What's the point? Every time he turns to go one way, he would end up even further away from where he started.
Luffy threw his hands up in the air. "Guhhhh! I give up! There's no way I'm going to find the others like this!"
Suddenly he felt the presence of another person nearby. He used haki to try to locate the person. Luffy turned in the direction of the mysterious person.
It was weird. Luffy first thought that it was either Usopp or Chopper. But, this person seemed a little different. Using his haki again, Luffy figured that this person was strong. Like really, really strong.
"Oi! Who are you?" Luffy asked.
No answer.
"I said, 'Who are you?'" Luffy repeated. He was starting to get mad.
Still no answer.
"OiI! CAN U EVEN HEAR ME?" Luffy asked.
Luffy could hear the person shifting from behind a tree. He started to move towards the tree where the person was. Finally approaching the tree, Luffy placed his hand on it. But just as he did that, the person behind the tree had vanished.
Luffy quickly ran around the tree but found no one there. What the? Where'd he go? I could've sworn there was someone here. Luffy thought to himself.
Without warning, Luffy felt the presence of another person. No, this was the same presence from before. It was the same person. But this time, the person was behind a tree where Luffy was when he first noticed the mysterious person. Luffy looked over at the spot where he stood before feeling the person's presence. He blinked. That tree is in the exact same spot where I was standing before. But, that's impossible. Trees can't move. Can it? A walking tree? Is it edible? Great, now I'm hungry.
Luffy walked around the tree he was currently at and leaned against it with his arms crossed and waited. He wasn't going to fall for the same trick again and since the person didn't seem to want to talk to him, he'll just stay silent and wait for the person to come out himself.
The person made no movement for a while. It was quiet and Luffy was starting to get sleepy. Just how long will this person take? I'm tired of waiting. He thought before yawning for who knows how many times already. Sleep was now already taking over Luffy's body. Without making any sounds, he felt his back sliding down the tree falling asleep in the process.
The person from behind the tree turned around and walked quietly towards the sleeping Luffy. He crouched down so that he was eye level with Luffy and lifted his hand at Luffy's face. He pushed his hand up even further to brush off some of Luffy's hair away from his face. The person smiled gently at his cute little brother sleeping ever so carelessly.
He bent his head over Luffy's ear. He spoke softly in his ear, "I miss you, Luffy. I'm really sorry I couldn't keep our promise. I regret leaving you at such a harsh time two years ago. But, I'm sure you've gotten stronger since then. I will forever be with you in your heart. Please stay alive for me, Luffy. You're my most precious little brother and I'm always so worried about you. But, so long as you carry my will, I know you'll be just fine. I'll be leaving you in Sabo's care, so behave and stay safe."
The person hesitated for a moment to check that Luffy didn't wake up and told Luffy four more words, "Luffy, I love you".
Luffy immediately opened his eyes and jumped forward. He looked around.
"That's weird. I could've sworn I heard Ace just now. Was it my imagination?" Luffy said still checking around the area in hopes of seeing Ace.
Then he remembered the war from two years ago and Ace dieing in his arms. Thinking about it made him want to cry. Luffy bit his lip trying to hold back the tears that were already swelling up his eyes.
There were so many things he had wanted to tell Ace. Things about his crew. Things like all his adventures. He wanted to show Ace how strong he had become in the past two years. He wanted to tell him that he and Tra-guy formed an alliance and planned to take out Kaido. That he pissed off Big Mom and that they were going to battle it out someday for the claim of Fishman island.
But even more than all that, there was one thing he wanted Ace to know ever since he found out himself in Dressrosa.
Luffy stood up and began walking down a random path that led to who knows where. He spoke softly while looking up through the trees at the sky, "Ace, guess what? Sabo is alive."
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I thought it was really touching. Like I said before, I know this may seem a bit sidetracked, but this works out with the rest of the story. Please stay in touch for the next chapter.
