Eighth Chapter:
Sabo's phone is ringing, but he doesn't pick up. Ace is standing up but Sabo stops him. ''What are you going to do? You can't possibly find him!''
''I don't care! I'll find him somehow!''
''Calm down first, you're panicking!'' Sabo grabs Ace's arms.
''Don't tell me to stay calm. Why the hell would I stay calm. He was FINALLY, after all those years locked up. How the hell did he manage to escape? I'm going to kill that guy!'' Ace is almost screaming this. His hands are shaking and he's trying to get away from Sabo but Sabo won't let him.
Marco also stands up and walks towards Ace. ''That guy is miles away from here. He could even be in another country. Don't go jumping to conclusions and chase someone like him, Ace!'' They stare at each other for a while. It's as if they're having a silent discussion. Marco and Ace have known each other for so long now, they know exactly the thoughts of one another.
But Ace can't accept it. ''I don't care! You know what he did! And now Shanks. It killed Luffy from the inside you know! Let me go Sabo.'' He looks frustrated at Sabo.
''No, I won't let you go. What can you do? We all know what he did back then and what he did now. But we don't know anything about him or his gang. How the hell are you going to find him and get revenge for what he did?'' Sabo won't let go of Ace's arms and wants him to calm down first. His phone is ringing again. He takes it out and looks who it is. ''Shanks..?'' He picks up the phone and talks to him. Apparently Shanks wants Ace to come over, but he can't get in touch with him. Ace isn't picking up his phone so he had to call Sabo. ''You've regained consciousness?''
''Yes, this morning. Let Ace come here, before he does anything reckless. I'll talk to him.''
''Ok..Bye. Ace, c'mon, we're going to Shanks. He wants to talk to you.'' Sabo says while putting his phone back in his pocket.
''Why would I.. I don't have time for this! He'll try to talk me out of it anyway!''
''Just come with me okay?'' Sabo is still holding Ace's arms and won't let go until the freckled man calms down first.
''Tsk.'' He forces his arm out of Sabo's grasp and takes the auto keys. Sabo follows him and they drive together to the hospital.
Once arrived they go to Shanks' room. He looks really weak and tired, but he always has a warm look on his face. ''Where is Luffy? Didn't he come with you?'' Shanks looks surprised.
Ace refuses to answer and takes the same spot next to the window as he always does when visiting Shanks.
''He wasn't in the bar yet. So he probably doesn't know. At least, that's what I hope.''
Ace looks at him: ''Shit..That's true. If he finds out he'll be going after Teach right away.''
''You were going to do the same. So why wouldn't you let Luffy go after him?'' Shanks looks at Ace.
''There is no way I'm going to get Luffy involved in this! He's already been targeted once and I won't let him get into danger this time!''
''Then what would Luffy do if you lose against Teach? You should think about that too Ace. You are his family. Both of you are his entire world. If you expose yourself to this danger then that would literally break Luffy.'' Ace doesn't answer.
''Then what should we do? I mean, I understand what Ace is trying to do you know. I want to find that guy too.'' Sabo looks almost pleading at Shanks. He doesn't know what to do either anymore.
''Even you Sabo?'' The red-haired man takes a deep breath. ''Listen, if you two go after him, then who the hell knows what might happen. I know I can't stop you. But here is a reminder: If something happens to you, then I'm going to be responsible for that. Especially Luffy would feel responsible. He already feels ashamed of what happened.'' He frowns and waits for their response.
''Then we'll make sure nothing happens to us. We'll find that guy and make the police lock him up for good this time.'' Ace walks out of the room and Sabo follows him. Shanks calls Ben and asks him to make sure nothing serious happens to Sabo and Ace.
Luffy is in his room. He has a poster of Soul King hanging on his door. It's a small room filled with pictures. He has pictures of his friends on his desk. One picture with Sanji and Zoro. Another with Usopp and Nami. Nami is holding a stuffed toy in her hands. It's a little reindeer from a manga. He's called Chopper and she has that cuddle for years now. Luffy won it at a festival. It was his only and very first win, but Nami took it away from him assuming he won it for her. He also has a picture above his bed with Ace and Sabo. He has lots of pictures hung up on the wall in his room. All his friends are there and they mean a lot to him. But there is one more thing. He calls it his treasure. Shanks gave him a hat when he was seven. Luffy just had moved here back then and Shanks gave it as a welcome present to Luffy. It's a strawhat with a red lint. He even gave it a name: Mugi. Luffy is lying on his bed reading his Shounen Jump. He is the only one in his class who reads manga. He doesn't understand why other people don't like it. He finished reading it and stands up. His stomach is growling. ''I'm hungry. Time to go to the bar. I hope Sanji cooked and not Dadan..'' He walks out of the house with this jacket on and goes to the bar. Makino decorated the bar in a spring theme a few weeks ago. There are flowers in the windows and she bought new light green satin curtains. He opens the door and takes a seat. ''Sanji! I'm really hungry, is the food ready?''
''Uhm.. Luffy. There is something we need to tell you. Shanks regained consciousness this morning and..'' But Sanji couldn't finish what he actually wanted to tell Luffy.
''REALLY? I wanted to visit him tonight. I'll go right after dinner!'' He can't wait until he can finally talk to Shanks again and looks around to search for the food. ''Hey, where is the food?''
''The food is not ready yet.'' Dadan appears from the back door and looks worried at Luffy.
''Then I'll go to Shanks first! By the way, where are Sabo and Ace? I thought they'd be here.''
''They 're already at the hospital. They didn't want to disturb you.''
''Ara.. That's weird. Ah well! I'm off!'' Luffy runs outside and goes to the hospital to visit Shanks.
