The Striker ploughed through the blue sea, rising spray of water on the side. Ace sat down in his own fire, while Sabo leaned down his back against the mast, legs crossed to avoid the flame.

"Uh-oh."

Sabo opened his eyes. "It doesn't sound like a good uh-oh."

"Do you know any good uh-oh?" Ace replied. He wanted for Sabo to lean the hands on his shoulder, before nodded to the big vessel in front of us. It wasn't the three-mast ship to worry him, neither the row of big cannons ready to shot, but the jolly roger. Kaido's jolly roger.

"Uh-oh" confirmed Sabo.

"Doesn't sound good either" Ace said, a little amused. He lowered his fire. "I'm still not used in this political game... But am I wrong in thinking the pirate emperors are in a sort of cold war? They shouldn't attack us." Not that it could be a problem: Ace was pretty grateful ships were made of wood, because they burned in a shot.

"You're not wrong, but..." Sabo bitted his lips, his eyes fixated on the vessel.

"Not a good but, right?"

"We're kinda in a crisis with Kaido right now." Sabo sighed and then leaned again against the mast. "You remember I was far from the Moby Dick when you challenge Pops?"

"Yes."

"I was on a mission, because one of our territories was under attack by a new crew of pirates" Sabo explained. "It happens from time to time. Pirates arrive in the New World thinking things works as the Paradise. But they don't, and they learns it in the hard way."

Ace chuckled. "Oh, really?" It was something he learned in the hard way too.

"Sorry, too long explanation" Sabo smiled. "Anyway, I beat them as usual. But, as we found out later, that crew was a new ally of Kaido... Who, on response, sank one of our ally crew."

"Good job!" Ace exclaimed.

Sabo pouted. "It wasn't my fault! They didn't identify themselves, and each ally of an emperor should know not to attack other emperor's territories. They were just jerk."

Ace looked at Sabo's childish expression, amused: it looked at lot as Luffy's. Hey, wasn't Sabo supposed the one to keep him and Luffy on the line? Maybe every little brother is like Luffy. But then he shook his head: nobody could be like Luffy.

"Okay, their good job then" Ace said. "But now?"

"That's the point. Pops didn't want a war with Kaido. And I'm pretty sure Kaido doesn't too. But it is a matter of proud."

"I get it. Kaido shouldn't have attack our ally, since it was his fault. So we're not even with him."

"But, at the same time, Pops didn't like the idea to go on with this feud. He'll definite prefer to resolve things as soon as possible."

Ace nodded. It wasn't used to this politic things, before the New World he was sure pirates just went around being free. Instead, pirate emperors got territories and vassals. And, as a proud member of the Whitebeard Pirates, Ace needed to behave accordingly this new policy.

"What if we welcome ourselves on that ship?" Ace proposed. "I mean, someone has to talk with them, right?"

Sabo looked at him. "And I'd like this someone to be me. I didn't appreciate create problems just because others are idiots."

Ace smiled, then rise his flame again, to lend the striker near the vessel. As soon as they approached them, than cannons started shoot. There was not even a warned shot, or something else to give them an opportunity to show their good intentions. The numerous cannons were all aimed at them.

"Well, at least now we knew Kaido's position." Sabo rise up, but Ace stopped him, his arm on his chest.

"I'll handle this."

Ace fed his fire, managing to speed up the striker as much as it was necessary to slide between the cannon balls. For the ones they couldn't avoid, his flame spears did the trick just well. Ace created them with both hands, and threw them carefully. He wanted to hit the balls, not the vessel. Not he could mind to damage it, but he got time. For now, the Kaidou pirates were safe. Ace could still burn down the entire ship later.

Sabo didn't need a nod: as they were under the vessel, in a spot were the cannons couldn't reach them anymore, he jumped. Ace followed him soon after, with the rope of the striker in one hand. They landed right in the bow. Some of the crew were ready there, their pistols, rifles and swords aimed at them.

While Sabo looked just annoyed, Ace was mostly indifferent. He tied up the rope of his striker at the railing, because he was not so going to lose it in the ocean, paying the enemies not attention. But, just swinging his hand, he managed to create little fireflies that ended up blowing up all the weapons, and warmed so much the swords to force pirates to leave them.

Before Sabo could speak - not he really was willing to do so... a fight would have suit him better - a loud voice came from behind. "Enough!" The pirates split in two groups, to leave the center of the deck free for her to walk. She stopped right before them, a couple of meters away, but since Sabo smiled watching at her, Ace shifted behind him.

He looked at the woman. She was probably in her middle-thirty, but she was really skinny. The fact that she was dressed only with a short white shirt and a even shorter black skirt didn't help to cover her skinny form: no breast at all, ribs are showing. Still, her legs appeared muscular, stripped in very long boot, with so high and sharp heels Ace was wondering how could she actually walk.

Red hairs divided in two low tails left completely free her sharp face, with a pointed chin and a squashed nose. Her eyes were big, with thin pupils, and when she smiled, her white fang showed.

Ace recognized her straight away: Circe dei Vicoli, one of the best man (woman) of Jack the Draught from the three calamity of Kaidou. In Whitebeards dictionary, it was almost as speaking with a Commander.

"I'm sorry for the bad welcome" she said, and she was almost purring. "My men told me a rookie was attacking us." Her gaze shifted on Ace, before turning in Sabo.

"No offence taken" replied Sabo. His smile was a little tense. "I guess Ace joining us isn't general knowing yet."

"At all" Circe confirmed. "It seems you got a nice addition here."

"Unfortunately, I can't say the same thing for you."

Circe sighed. "With all the pirates wannabe around here, one couldn't be too picky. But yeah, they were idiots. Actually, most of our men are but, well, intelligence isn't the only value."

"So, you can agree it's useless to waste our time for such idiots?"

"Oh, you're here for that..." she said, annoyed. "Fine. Come with me." And, when Sabo hesitated, she added: "You want to risk for any marine to see us? They'll piss themselves if they see us talking."

"Oh, well..." Sabo smiled, and Ace followed him. He didn't care about them at all, but it could be nice seeing them freaking out.

"Disgusting" Circe spat out.

"Do you got any food?"

Circe's gaze was firm on Ace. "Does he eat as much as you?"

"Yes." Sabo's expression was sorry, but not as much as he could.

"We'll manage." She rolled her eyes, then she disappeared in the lower deck. The pirates looked at Ace and Sabo with glare, but they paid them non attention. They used the hallway their split had make and followed Circe.

She seated them in her private office, which was big enough for a table for eight people. Circe sat and let them decided which seat they preferred. Sabo went straight for the one in front of her, and nodded at Ace to sit next to him. None of them speaking until the food was served. Ace admitted Circe didn't hold back.

"Can I trust it isn't poisoned?" he asked, but Sabo simply smiling. A second after their mouth were already full of food, while Circe just rolled her eyes.

"Wonderful meal!" said Ace at the end. He burped, then he stood up and bow. "Thank you."

"Some manner, finally." Circe raised a perplex eyebrow to look at him, then she turned her attention on Sabo. "In my opinion, there's nothing to talk about. You sank one of ours, we sank one of yours. We're even."

"We're not" Sabo replied. "Yours were attacking one of our territories. I had every right to sink them. And no, idiocy isn't an excuse."

"Okay, okay." Circe was annoyed again. "But nobody knows, so, why bother? You don't want to start a war, don't you?"

"But nobody know the crew Sabo beat up was yours, right?" Ace interrupted. "It means, for everyone including marine it looks you're the one that wanted to start a war."

Circe was uncertain. She looked at him, eyebrow raised. "...it would be."

"And, if we don't react, it'll seem that the Whitebeard Pirates aren't strong enough to give back a punch" Ace continued. "So, which one it is? Do you want to start a war or do you want to make us look weak?"

"Or none of them and everything is just a big coincidence" Circe replied. "You're assuming things."

"I am" Ace confirmed. "What I'm not going to assuming here... is our reaction." He leaned forward her. Now her black pupils are big in the soft light, and she wasn't winking. "We're not going to let it slide and you'll better watch your back, if you don't settle this."

Circe diverted he gaze from him, looking at the paint hung up behind her desk. Then, she returned on Sabo, who was slightly amused. "And how you suggest to set things?"

"My best shot is for us to defeat one of your ally." Sabo sighed. "We'll be kind enough to let you decide who. Maybe someone who isn't useful anymore? Your choice. You're an army, nobody you can't replace in the future."

"Oh, very convenient" Circe snorted. "You got your pride intact and we... the fame of warlike?"

"I thought you already have that" Ace commented, with a big smile. In response, he got a glare from her and a kick under the table from Sabo.

"Accident happens. If we end in this way, it'll look just a mistake from both parts" Sabo explained. "Unless you really would like to show our weakness, which could only result in being... still not very convenient for you."

"Nice assuming you could beat us... I actually would like you to try." Circe smiled, revealing her white fangs again. "Still, I'm tired of this story. We didn't plan anything... yet. So I'll talk with my boss and see what we can do. Would you like to stay for the night?"


Ace sank happy in the bed. Well, it wasn't really a bed, more like a stockpile of pillows. They were so big a man can lie down in one of them with ease, and really soft. As much as Ace loved his striker, it wasn't the most comfortable place to sleep into. And even realizing he shouldn't be so carefree in a rival ship, but he was sure he could fall asleep in any minute.

Sabo lied down next to him. "You bluffed" he said. Then, he checked around, as he feared someone was listening to them, then he turn his face at him and smiled. "You totally did! You knew Pops wants to end this as soon as possible."

"Well, maybe a little bit" Ace answered. He was satisfied about how their negotiation went. "But is it true, right? Pops won't leave the harm of one of his go unpunished."

Sabo bent his head. "Yes... but a war isn't something we're looking for. Still, good job." And punched him soft in the arm.

Ace smiled and try to respond to the attack. He remembered clearly how usually things went back then, in their little shelter, when they fought even before bedtime, to become stronger and stronger. But touching him, Ace's mind recalled what Sabo had said to him in Dressrosa about them having sex. That was embarrassing.

Was okay for them sleeping together in the same bed - sorry, pillow? But then Ace scoffed everything: Sabo was his brother and his crewmate. Nothing to be ashamed of. Still, the moment was lost and Ace sank again in the pillow. Sabo looked at him curious, but said nothing.

"It is okay for us to sleep here?" Ace asked. "I'm not sure they could try something, but still..."

"Yeah, better stay on guard" Sabo nodded. "I take the first one, you go to sleep."

"Why me?" Nor that it really mattered, still he was used to be the one to remain awake as first.

"Well, I suppose you're tired, after driving the striker all day" Sabo said. "And it's time you learn how be a little brother means."

Ace chuckled. "Which is fun, because I'm the older one between the two of us."

"Seriously?" Sabo had a very funny face, half surprised half horrified.

"Yes!" Ace's soft chuckle became a full laugh. "You've born three months after me."

"Damn." Sabo snorted and widened his arms in the pillow. "I can't believe I'm the little brother even when I'm suppose not to!"

"Well, Luffy is the little brother, not me. If something, we're even. The two big brother." And that was the amazing thing of everything, for Ace. They weren't conventional, because they didn't care. Ace never asked for a big brother, or to another little one. Sabo was just the brother, as him.

Still, Ace now had a lot of new big brother and a new crew with a new captain, and he need to get used at the different things his position brought. "But you're a Commander."

"And what is this about?" Sabo replied, annoyed.

"That despite be younger by age, you're older in term of experience and position" Ace explained, amused, but at the same time proud. "Your... Our big brother rely on you and on your decision. Pops chose you because you can do the job, right?"

"Right..." Ace was about to ask him how things had gone when he was nominated, but then Sabo added: "then you should have let me dealing with Circe."

The tone was amused, still Ace froze a little. Back then, he hadn't think much. He got the point of the entire problem about the clash with Kaido and had acted according. As he was the captain he used to be. "You're right. I'm sorry."

"I was kidding..."

"Yeah, but that's not the point" Ace replied. "I'm a Whitebeard Pirate now. I need to act as one. Which also means respect the Commander and their authority, as I trust Pops'. I already respect the capacities of you all, but it's hard to forget I'm not a captain anymore."

Sabo smiled softened. "We're a family. We need Commander to keep thing in order, but other than that... And you did well with Circe. You should be a Commander too."

"Well, I hope so. We'll be even again then." Ace smiled again, the turned his back at him and placed himself better in the pillow. "But for now... I'll take my place as little brother and sleep without feeling guilt."

"That was your plan from the beginning, right?" Sabo was laughing. "Okay, I'll wake you up in five or six hours. Just remember... If you ever saw a red cat, shot it."

"Why?"

"Because it looked Circe wanted to slash your throat open. And her claws have Haki."


Blinking, Ace woke up feeling a strange air stream tickling his face. He supposed to be awake and on guard, but he had made the mistake to eat the fruits that was in the room to distract himself from becoming bored, and the narcolepsy hit him hard.

But then, as always happened after collapsing while sleeping, Ace was completely awake and saw with horror the red cat sitting on him, its furry muzzle bowed on him, smelling his nose. He remember what Sabo told him and immediately flames erupted from his face and torso. He jumped still soon after, ready to fight.

After jumping off him before getting burned, the cat rush elegantly near the door of the room. Only then, with enough space between her and Ace, the cat turned back in Circe.

"I suggest you to do something to keep your range in control" she commented, annoyed. A frown was on her face.

The commotion woke up Sabo, who emerged from the pillow with a very sleepy expression and his long hair, not anymore collected together, were a mess around his head. As he saw Circe, though, he jumped off the pillows and rushed next to Ace, completely awake.

"What do you want?" he asked. His voice was still a little dried, but his eyes was active.

"You know, you're not nice at all" she protested. "I worked all night for you." The two boys just raised an eyebrow: the timing was so perfect it looked they're twins. Circe scoffed, and she reached for her bags. An Eternal Pose was fats in her hand, and she kept high with the tip of her fingers, as it was something precious. "It points to an island not very distant from here. One of the few still under the World Government."

Sabo and Ace said nothing. They both got she was giving them information slow, but it was better to follow her lead to understand what she meant.

"It's a little island, not very interesting. It got thermal bath, but that's all" she explained. "We have information one of our ally, the Black Tulip Crew, will reach it in few days." She seemed unnerved by the way Ace and Sabo didn't ask anything, but she had no other choice that went ahead. "We're... about to end out relationship with them."

In the end, Sabo spoke. "So you're asking us to defeated them for you, and for everyone else out there it'll look that we're even."

"Yes." Circe threw the Eternal Pose at them, and Ace caught it. He passed from hand to hand, uncertain. "Master Kaido wasn't happy, but he understand this is the best way of action. It's up to you to accept or decline." And then, with a shrugged and a last glare, she turned back in her cat form. "Now, please leave. This cease-fire will not last long."

"No breakfast?" Ace asked. In the middle of this negotiation, it seemed a very unusual request, but he was hungry. And his face was so innocent, Sabo couldn't help but smile. Besides, he was hungry too.

"You finished all our supplied yesterday."


Sabo had a doubt. His first wish would be following Circe's advice and kick that Black Tulip crew's ass, hoping to resolve the controversial with Kaido once and for all. And repairing his mistake. But, on the other hand, there was the possibility that Circe was just playing with them so, before acting, Sabo needed to ask Pops for permission.

He still had some time to think about it. The Black Tulip weren't yet in town, and Circe hadn't ask to defeat them right away. They could follow them in the other island before attacking them, if they ever decided to do so.

In the meantime, he and Ace could enjoy a little break. Ace went only once in a thermal bath, so Sabo proposed they rested in an Onsen, the local hotel with the lake with thermal water. However, for such a small and not well know island, there was a lot of tourist, and they didn't find yet a place to stay.

They reached the end of the town, where the maple forest began, only to find a small Onsen who definitely had seen better time. Ace shrugged.

"It remembers me Dadan's house" he said. He looked at Sabo. "Dadan is..."

"Yeah, I know, you told me about her" Sabo assured him, with a small smile. "We can see if they have a room for us."

"I'll go" Ace offered, with a smile. He fixed a little his yellow shirt and his hat, before disappearing into the ruined hotel. Sabo waited outside, looking careful at the surrounding. Circe told him the island was part of the World Government, but no marine were on sight. Still, better be careful. He used his Observation Haki to check if there was something strong in the town, and he was surprise to feel someone powerful coming from the sky.

Since Ace was still inside, he moved just a few step to look at the sky, where there was no tree to cover his vision. The sun was bright, so Sabo lift his hand to protect his eyes. He saw a black something climbing down in his direction. Sabo took a step behind, hiding at the shadow of the trees, ready to attack. But when there was anymore the sun to blind his vision, Sabo recognized him, so he returned on the main street and waited for him to land.

"Hi" he smiled, when Marco regained his human form in front of him. "I suppose you're not here for a causality."

Marco wasn't as happy as him. "What are you doing?" he asked, without even a greeting. "This island isn't on Dressrosa's route."

Sabo floored. Marco had followed his step only once, the first time Sabo had left the Moby Dick alone. After that, he trusted him enough to not worry about his late arrival or his sudden change of plan "No, well... We're done in Dressrosa and we made a stop returning home."

"Why?"

"Ace would like to go at the thermal bath." It was a blatant lie, but Sabo kept a straight face and crossed his arm. Marco needed to stop to treat him like a child right now. And it was a pleasure to see his perplex face, as he realized he was worried over nothing.

"Oh... Okay then."

Ace came back in that moment. "Hey, I found a room! ...Marco?" he added, not expecting to see him. "What are you doing here?"

Before Marco could answer, Sabo chirped in. "He's checking the children in the park."

Ace snorted. "We can handle ourselves, you know?"

Sabo chuckled. Marco's exhausted expression was priceless. "No, he doesn't. Get use to it."

Ace shrugged, and Marco had enough. He grabbed Sabo's neck with his arm and kept him hold, covering his mouth. And he didn't seem fazed at all by the kicks Sabo was throwing him to get free. Ace looked at the scene asking himself if he should intervene, but Marco spoke first. "I know you can handle yourself, but that doesn't prevent me to worry about you. You will get use to it... and you also should understand, yoi."

"Oh, well..." Ace did understand, having deal with Luffy for so many years. "I think I do" he admitted, and ignoring the betrayed look Sabo was giving him. Not that Ace could help, Sabo knew as much he's the little brother.

"Good" Marco said, and smiled. He released Sabo, who didn't miss the opportunity to kick him a last time. "Now, would you please tell me about Dressrosa? It was just a myth the all can-read-minds-devil-fruit?"

Sabo and Ace exchange a look. "Not really..." Sabo murmured, realizing it was time to tell Marco what had happened with Circe too. "Why don't you stop with us? We have something to talk about."

"Well, of course I'm not going until you told me everything."

"Great, I'll go ask if they had a spot more for us" Ace said, smiling a Marco. Sabo sighed: he didn't ask, but Ace was okay with Marco staying with them.

As soon as Ace was again inside the Onsen, Marco commented: "I guess you don't have your memory back." He wasn't looking at him, but at the door where Ace disappeared a moment before.

"Not yet." Then, Sabo smiled. "I get it."

"What?" Marco turned at him a second later. His eyebrow was raised, perplex.

"You weren't worry, you were jealous" Sabo stated. There was satisfaction in his voice.

"What are you talking about?"

"Come on, Marco, you'll always be my favorite brother. Yes, Ace is Ace, but that doesn't change anything." Ace came from his past, even if Sabo didn't remember, but Marco was his big brother for seven years, years that Sabo wouldn't erase just because there was someone else in his past. No matter how much Ace was important to him.

Marco shook his head. "Now you're imagining too much." But he didn't negate, and he didn't look amused too.

"Hey, guys, they have a room for all of us!" Ace put his head outside the door and nodded at them to join him.

"We're coming" Marco said immediately, and he seemed relief. Sabo smiled, and he followed him in the hotel.


Marco sat on a small rock, his head resting on the bank, his body only half immersed in the water so it was not affected by it. Sabo put himself at his side, without saying anything. When Marco looked at him, he smiled innocent. "What? I'm spending some time with my dear big brother."

Marco looked annoyed. "You're not going to stop with this story, do you?"

"Nope." Sabo laughed. "Now you know what I feel about the all child thing, old man."

"Fair enough" Marco admitted, with a slight smile.

Silence fell upon them, and they rested in the hot water, enjoying the warm and the company. It was unusual such a calmness on the Moby Dick, so it was a nice option. But, at the same time, it felt strange.

"What do you think about this all thing of Kaido?" Sabo asked. When he had told him, Marco hadn't looked convinced, but since he hadn't said an immediately no, he was probably thinking about it.

"Just that I don't want to be used by them" Marco answered. "I'm gonna call the others to ask them for information... First thing, let's find out who this Black Tulip Pirates are."

Sabo nodded. He agreed with him, and even if would like to kick some ass, he tried to hold himself.

"Ah, here you are!" Ace was at the bank on the other side of the lake, naked, waving the hand in their direction. He had fallen asleep in his meal, so Marco and Sabo had let him rest in their room. Well, it was Sabo's idea, a plan to make Marco stop being jealous of him.

"Hey!" Sabo greeted him back. "Join us, the water his amazing."

"I had to shower" Ace replied, but came closer following the bank. "I just want to show Marco a thing."

Marco was curious and turned to look at him, as before was not paying attention at all.

"My tattoo." Ace smiled, and then turned around so Marco could have a good look at Whitebeard's jolly roger that covered his entire back. Sabo's lips curved: he already see it as he was the one to remove the bandages when they had travelled towards Dressrosa. But Ace was so damn proud of it! And Sabo was relief to prove again how much Ace loved his family and not just him.

"So?"

"It's amazing."

At that exchange, Sabo scrutinized Marco's face and froze, his mouth half open. He didn't recall to have ever seen that expressions. Marco was looked at Ace's back in awe, his usually bored eyed opened and the lips curved in a very open smiled.

"I know" Ace said, proud.

"But in that position people can't see it. I believed you want to show it."

"Sure. I just need to go around shirtless" Ace shrugged, as it was normal. "After all, I can't get cold."

"You have a point" Marco replied, pleased.

"I'll shower and I'll be back in a minute."

Marco still followed him with his gaze until he was back on the hotel, and Sabo still watched his expression. "God" he exhaled. "I was wrong."

Marco frowned. "What?"

"You're not jealous of me. You're jealous of Ace."

Sabo didn't know how to react at this discover. Sure, in the years he spend aboard the Moby Dick, Marco, as every other brother, had had some relationship, something important, something just for fun. Maybe less than other, less than Thatch, but still something that happened before. But with Ace... in some way, Sabo was possessive with Ace, which is stupid because they were pirates and they were free. But Ace was his brother, a brother before joining the crew. And he didn't expect someone else to feel something for him. He didn't expect Marco to feel something for him.

This time, Marco was prepared. He just raised an eyebrow and smiled sarcastic. "Now you're going too far, yoi."

"No. No, I was joking before. But now..." Sabo was sure. He saw his expression. One didn't look normally in that way, not even for such an important event as the new tattoo. And then he was the jealous one.

"Now you're just wrong." Marco ended up the sentence for him.

"Well if you said so, you don't mind if I make my move, right?" Sabo replied, with a big smile on his face. He climbed on the bank, paying Marco and his uncertain expression no attention, and headed back to the hotel. Ace was there, sitting in one of the small stool, brushing his dark hair with shampoo. "Need some help?"

Ace turned at him and used his hand to wash his face from the soap. "Sure."

Sabo took another stool and sat down behind him, as Ace reached out for a sponge and let Sabo took care of his back. Sabo focused his attention on the tattoo, admiring it, and touching its borders lightly with his index.

"We used to wash each other" Ace said suddenly. "Well, wash... We mostly joked around Dadan's small bath. She wasn't happy." And chucked at the memory.

"You always talk about you past with me" Sabo stated, blunt.

"Oh, sorry" Ace replied back immediately, and his tone was so guilty that Sabo felt back.

"No, no... I mean, I get why you do" he said. "It's just hard because I can't reciprocate it."

"It's not your fault... Sorry" Ace replied, before falling silent, and Sabo felt even worse.

Sure Ace hoped to bring back his memory by nominate their time together every time the situation permitted it. But despite everything, Sabo still didn't remember a thing, not even something blurry. Ace's stories were not different from a stranger, not different from one of his brother narrating him some of his adventures. It was painful.

Sabo would just like for Ace to stop thinking at him only as the brother he had lose... and start watching at the brother he became. And, at the same time, he realized why it was impossible to Ace, because he remembered everything. He was so, so jealous of Marco.

He stood up. "Sorry, I got soap in my eyes."


"I made some research about this Black Tulip Pirates" Blamenco announced at the Den Den Mushi.

"So?" Marco asked.

"They're asshole." Marco smirked: he didn't expect any less from someone of Kaido's band. He didn't comment, waiting for some other information. "Their captain, Dumas, has a Zoan Fruit, and I suspect this being the reason of his association with Kaido. He has a thing for Zoan, you know" Blamenco continued. Marco knew: he was asked to join his crew more than once. "But they caused Kaido a lot of problem. They also attack other allies sometimes."

"So Kaido wants to get rid of them and uses us as his personal street sweepers" Marco concluded, not pleased.

"Basically" Blamenco agreed. "So nobody of the other will find out Kaido is after the Back Tulip Crew defeat. But for Pops didn't care, not until we can end this story."

"Okay. We'll handle it and then we'll be heading home."

"Say hello to Sabo and Ace from us."

"Sure."

Marco ended the call and sighed. He knew they had to accepted some political games, but it was tiresome sometimes, especially as Pops' condition started get worse. He stood up and returned back to the room they had rented in the small hotel. It was more like a small flat, with two different rooms. Marco opened a little the sliding door of the bedroom, seeing Sabo and Ace sleeping peacefully in their futon. Sabo - no doubt in Marco's mind that it was his doing - put as far as possible from them the last futon, the one Marco is supposed to use.

With a smile, he closed the door and returned to the other room. Since tea was one of the specialty of the island, Marco took the cattle and boiled some water. Someway, Sabo's attitude was cute. The two of them had a very close relationship, most because Marco felt a lot responsible of his health, being the one saving him and so. With Ace in the picture, everything was different: no matter how much Sabo and Ace loved the family, there was a strong connection between them that could be denied. It was just reality.

He wasn't jealous, on the contrary he was happy to finally met someone from Sabo's past. And discovered that Sabo was loved. Now Marco's wondered what kind of feeling Sabo was developing for Ace, and if he was transformed their legacy in something else, at least judging by his reaction... Even if Marco couldn't negate Ace was someone it was easy fell in love with.

He poured the water in the ceramic cup and looked at the heat creating some strange figures before disappearing in the dark of the room. The sliding door opened a little, just as much Ace needed to leave the bedroom.

"What are you doing?" he whispered, making clear Sabo was still sleeping.

"Drinking tea. Do you want some?"

"Uh. Sure."

Ace sat down at the other side of the table, as Marco poured a cup for him too. Marco didn't expect to have a chance to spend some time alone with Ace, and at the same time he felt guilty towards Sabo. So he didn't say anything, just appreciated the company while they both drinking tea.

"It's bitter" Ace commented, after the first sip. But when Marco passed him the sugar, he shook his head. "No, I like it."

For another couple of minutes, silence fell upon them. Marco drank his tea, which was bitter indeed, and just observed Ace. He looked a little unease, making Marco hoping Sabo hadn't say nothing embarrassing to him.

"Can I ask you something?" Ace said, suddenly.

"Sure." Marco wasn't so comfortable either.

"There is couples between members of the crew?"

It wasn't a direct ask about them, still Marco was suspicious. He took a sip of his tea thinking about how to put the answer. "Yes" he said at the end. "We're more than thousand people, it is no strange that some relationship became closer. Some broke up in the past, but some other still exist."

"I see." Ace looked at him, waiting, but Marco didn't ask. He wasn't a curious person to begin with, but no way he was going to press further Ace in such a dangerous matter. So Ace went on: "Sabo asked me if I'd like to have sex with him."

Marco was drinking and almost cough everything out. He didn't expect that. Sabo definitely was rushing things... and now Marco was curious to find out what Ace had answered.

"Well, he didn't ask of out the blue" Ace added, a little embarrassed. "We were talking about relationship and... you know, things happen."

Marco wouldn't put 'asking for sex' under the 'things happen', but didn't press, since Ace seemed already flustered. "It still surprised you."

Ace nodded. "He's my brother... Okay, not by blood, but I've ever seen out relationship in a very peculiar way, more than friends and crewmates... I just didn't feel the need to add sex at it, not even just to try."

Marco felt relieved to find out nothing happen between them. And, the second after, he realized of much of a jerk he was to hope in something like that. Sabo probably was sad and he shouldn't feel happy for something that made his little brother suffer. Still, he answered: "You don't have to, if you don't want. I'm pretty sure Sabo understand."

"It is me that need to understand" Ace replied. "Sabo grew up with you all, in a very different environment, and no matter what I can tell him, he didn't feel the same as me."

"That is correct." Marco finished his tea and put the cup on the table. It was a discussion they need to face sooner or later. "For seven years, Sabo was someone else. He's still someone else, since he didn't remember. And even when he'll remember-"

"If" Ace cut him.

"If he remembers" Marco corrected himself, unwilling. "He still have everything he learned different from you in this seven year."

"I was so happy to have my brother back, that I didn't realize he wasn't the same anymore." Ace voice was filled with sorrow, but he talked with awareness. "The fact is that Sabo, my Sabo, died seven years ago."

"But you got a second chance, and this is not something that happens often." Marco reached from his hand, the one rested on the table, and placed his one above. Ace looked at him with surprise, but he didn't move. "You could stop thinking about the years you lost, about the brother you lost, and start to look up at the brother you gain now."

"It's hard. But I'll try." Ace's hand moved just a little, and now their palm united. But then the door opened, and Marco rushed to pull back.

"What are you doing?" Sabo asked. There was sincerely curiosity in his voice, but Marco didn't miss the suspicious look he threw at him before turning on Ace.

"Oh, just telling Ace some adventures..." Marco replied carefree. "I told you that time when Sabo put some firecracker under Pop's chair and blew up all his sake?"

Ace's eyes widened, and then he busted with laughters. "Really?"

Sabo blushed. "Not the best idea..." he admitted, and then glared at Marco. "What are you drinking?"

"Marco made me tea" Ace answered. "Do you want some?"

"Tea?" Sabo replied, with a smile. "You really are an old man. I prefer something stronger."

"Do as you prefer, kid" Marco replied, with a smirk. "So you can show Ace what you can do as drunker. Oh, about that I've definitely some interesting stories, yoi."

"You just take advance by the fact you can't get drunk because of your fruit. It's unfair."

"Wait, you can't get drunk?" Ace asked. "Wow, I hate your fruit more and more."

Marco chuckled. "I recall you enjoyed our little fly..."

Ace pouted, remembering Sabo so much Marco asked himself if they weren't related somehow. Sabo frowned. "You flied with him?"

"Yes, some time ago. It was amazing" Ace admitted, with a little smile.

"Yeah, it is..." Sabo turned the head to look at Marco, who shivered. It was very, very unusual for Marco to transport something in his phoenix form.

"Blamenco called to inform me about Pops' decision" Marco said. He had no intention to give Sabo more reason to become jealous.

Sabo sat down next to Ace and both of them leaned forward, ready to find out what he said. They wore the same face, filled with expectation, and Marco sighed internally.

"Pops gave us permission to defeat the Black Tulip Pirates. They're not so important for Kaido, so we can trust Circe's words."

"Can I be the one to fight with them?" Ace asked.

"They didn't seem so strong" Marco warned him. "You'll get bored."

"I don't care" Ace replied. "Circe said nobody knows I joined you. And I want everyone to find out."

Oh, well, defeating a crew with that tattoo on his back definitely would do the trick, Marco didn't doubt it. And he smiled: he appreciated how much Ace cared about being part of the crew.

"Can I, Commander Sabo?" Ace asked again, turning his head to him.

Sabo was surprise by the way Ace called him, but then smiled. "Sure. Let's show everyone what they lost."


"Well, I'll go."

The Black Tulip Pirates' ship hadn't docked it, but Ace brought with him his striker and it was ready to leave. As he promised, he didn't wear a shirt anymore and his tattoo was showing in all his glory.

"Are you sure?" Marco asked. "You could wait and fight on the ground."

"Nah, I got this." His feet fire lighted and in a minute the striker was surfing in the sea at high speed, and Ace didn't turn around.

Sabo moved close to Marco, and they both try to keep their gaze on the battle. And it wasn't easy, since after the first two cannon shots, the ship was already on fire.

"About what happen yesterday" Sabo began, all of sudden. "I was joking. If you really like Ace you have my bless."

Marco rolled his eyes. This mocking was getting really annoyed. He hoped Thatch wouldn't know about that. Then, he noticed Sabo wasn't looking at him, but had his gaze fixed on the burning ships.

"Ace won't see me more than the brother he lost" Sabo said. In his voice, there was the same sorrow and awareness of Ace's.

"I won't be so sure about that." Marco couldn't tell him what they talked about, but Ace promised to try and Marco was sure things could get better. "Plus, I told you already that you got everything wrong."

Finally, Sabo turned to look at him. "You're stubborn."

Marco didn't satisfy him of an answer.