Seventh chapter:
Luffy is staring out of the window. Luffy can't help but wonder what's Sabo taking so long. Sabo's mother and Stelly are sitting on the other side of the room with their backs towards the others. His mother is frustrated and Stelly seems bored. He's looking at his nails.
''When will he come back?'' He looks at Ace. ''I don't know.'' Ace honestly doesn't know what Sabo and his father are discussing. Sabo doesn't talk much about his past. He doesn't want to think about it. All Ace knows is that Sabo doesn't think of them as his family. But Ace can't accept that. At least he has parents. Ace never had any parents and Luffy doesn't even remember his father's face. Luffy's grandfather only visits him once a year during summer vacation to spend time with the three of them. Luffy moved in with Makino when he was only 7 years old. Sabo hates his parents, but why? He knows what they've done, but still.. Ace can't seem to understand it.
''It stinks in here. Hey, you. Open the window.'' He points at Ace. Ace looks at him and doesn't answer. He doesn't move an inch and refuses to do as he says.
''What are you waiting for?'' Stelly looks annoyed.
''You've got your own legs kid. Go open it yourself.'' The Chief was reading the report that's hanging on the end of the bed.
Makino isn't listening to the conversation and cleans Shanks' face. ''Ace-kun, can you please give me the water bottle and the tissues in my handbag next to you?''
''Sure Makino-san! Here you go.'' He takes out the bottle and the tissues and passes it to Makino. Ace can't help but smile at Stelly. Luffy can't hold his laugh in either. Stelly looks like he just had a slap in his face.
The door opens and Sabo walks in. ''You can leave.'' He said it to his mother and Stelly. His mother stands up but doesn't leave. ''What.. why all of a sudden?''
''He's waiting outside.'' Sabo takes a chair and sits next to Shanks' bed. ''Sorry for that. I didn't expect them to come now of all times hehe.'' He smiles while looking a bit awkward.
''Eh? But what happened? What did they want from you? Aren't you going with them?''
''Of course I'm not going Luffy. I never agreed to that.''
''But what were you talking about with your dad then?''
'' Nothing.. It wasn't anything serious.''
''Yes, it was! Nee, Sabo!'' But Sabo is ignoring him.
''Luffy, it's fine. He's here and not with them. Doesn't that count too?'' Sabo frowns thankfully to Ace.
''Fine..'' He looks troubled but forgets about it immediately.
''Isn't it time for us to go? It's already late.'' The Chief puts the report back in it's place after watching the three brother's discussion.
Makino continues cleaning Shanks' face. ''I'm staying. I can't leave him here all alone.''
''Get yourself some sleep okay? Don't overdo anything.'' They all knew too well how worried Makino could be sometimes about not only Shanks, but also the three boys.
''Hay hay..'' She smiles and waves at them. The others stand up and say goodbye to Makino.
The next few days pass on normally and the picnic that was planned that Sunday is postponed until the summer vacation. The weekend is over and they have to go to school again. Luffy visits the hospital every day after school. Makino is staying there. She just can't leave Shanks alone while he's still unconscious. Meanwhile, Dadan is taking care of the boys and Sanji helps Sabo out in the bar as much as possible. On Friday Ace and Sabo are watching the television in the bar while waiting for dinner. Luffy stays at home because of the new Jump Special that comes out that day. He just has to finish it before he comes to the bar.
The news is on and the bar is filling with people. Dadan isn't as strict as Makino and gives the boys a beer. Ace drinks it in one go and asks for a second. Sanji is looking at the news while smoking a cigarette. His eyes grow big and he turns on the volume. Everyone in the bar is quiet and listen carefully. Teach is shown on the television. It's the same picture as last time.
''…he escaped today around 03:00 o'clock in the morning. It's still unknown how he managed to escape. The police won't give any information and are still researching on this matter.''
Dadan gave Ace his second bottle of beer but it falls out of his hands.
