Hello there !
Happy new year (and Happy Birthday to Ace). I hope you enjoy this holdays and didn't drank too much.
So for now, thanks for reading and enjoying the other chapters. So, for now, it will be the chase of the Suth Bird there.
Somone asked, a will back, what will be different with the Shirohige up there.
Other than something with the D. that will begin up there, I do have something funny for you.
Hint : the snake and Nami are responsible of this.
So before we're at this, I hope you will enjoy the chapters to come.
Everyone was out, reunited, when Cricket made the announcement that he would tell them everything about the Sky island.
Marco stayed a little in the back, eyes closed, against a wall to listen. He had a lot of theories on the lasts events. Cricket could confirmed them. Robin was sitting on the ground, not far from him, legged against her chest, giving all her attention to the man. Ace was sitting by the table outside, separated from Nami by Usopp, his brother sitting on his knees, who had, in turns, Chopper in his arms. Zoro was a little further, sitting crossed legged, and we could wonder if he was still awake. For Sanji, he was cooking, nothing surprising.
-I don't know if it's true, so free to you to believe me or not, Cricket stated.
- We know that there is a Sky island! The D. brothers exclaimed.
- The source is reliable beyond any doubt, Cricket-kun, Marco declared.
Exactly, Rayleigh words couldn't be questioned. He wouldn't lie to his boys.
-Well, going from this statement, even if I'm curious to know this source, will say that there is indeed something up there, Cricket said. There is a strange phenomenon, in this part of the ocean. The night sometime fell, very brusquely, on one part of the sea.
And he show a part of the sea with his finger.
- We saw this! Luffy exclaimed.
-It's true, Usopp added. The night fell and a lot of monster appeared.
-Kage, Marco breathed.
-Nothing surprising from a navigator with as much experience as Marco-san. He already found out the theory behind the giants, Cricket stated. But let this apart for now. This sudden night is caused by…
- Cloudy accumulation, isn't it, yoi?
-If you want to steal the words from my mouth, and take the light, tell me, Marco-san ! Cricket huffed.
-I'm only asking for a confirmation, sorry to have offended you. I won't say anything anymore, yoi.
A small smile lingered on the Phoenix's lips. He was right then, that was what he wanted to know, the rest he let this to the Mugiwaras.
-Some cumulonimbus? Nami wondered. But these clouds can't conceive a darkness this black!
- Why not? We are on the Grand Line after all, Ace stated.
-Ace one, Nami zero, Luffy deducted with a giggle.
- Ace, without wanting to vexe you, when we talk about cloud, we say it's covered, Usopp said.
-Imperionimbus, Cricket cut. It's what these clouds are called. They accumulate in high altitude, but don't produce rain, or atmospheric current. Only, when they appear they obstruct totally the sunlight and the day become night. What does the theory about imperionimbus say, Marco-san?
-Cloud "fossilized" who wander in the sky since some thousand years. Petrified cloud, yoi. Said the Phoenix.
-But it's impossible! Nami yelled jumping on her feet.
- Nothing is impossible on the Grand Line, Nami, Ace told her.
-But no cloud are formed without an atmospheric current! The redhead refuted.
-Free to you to believe me or not, Cricket declared shrugging. I already said so.
-Some magical clouds then, Luffy resumed who had understood it all.
- This time, I agree with my otouto! Ace grinned.
And he tighten his grip around Luffy to tickle him, making the younger soon ask for pity.
-We could see it like that, Ace, since the science still don't explain it, Marco smiled softly.
Ace turned around and gave him a huge grin.
-It's the first time, thatsomeone of the first float tell me that I'm not telling absurdity when I explain omething… Arigatou, Marco! Nihi!
-Always a pleasure, Ace, the Phoenix assured.
Robin had a mysterious smile and a little laugh while watching the byplay of the two lovers.
- You understand, however? If the Sky Island is real, it can only be there. Cricket stated.
-So ka, Ace assured.
- Direction the clouds! Luffy told standing, a big idiotic smile on the lips. Zoro, wake up!
-Hun, already the morning, the swordman asked.
-Calm down Rookies. Little question for you… how will you make your boat go in the sky, yoi? Marco pointed.
He, he had wings, he didn't care, but the others…
-HOW MANY TIME DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO GO THERE! An annoyed Nami yelled.
And in less time than need to tell it, the three excited were full of bumps and much more quiet.
-It's a method, Marco sighed. Now, if you go over the serious matter, yoi?
This woman was scary. She had hurt a logia without Haki, he'll keep an eye on her.
-Let me tell you that you will risk your lives, Cricket warned them.
-We're already half dead… the hurts people mumbled.
- Marco already told you about the Knock Up Stream, I think, this vertical current we find by there. You will have to take one to go on the Sky Island. It's the theory, understand?
-It's a sort of geyser who'll propel the ship in the sky, isn't it? Nami asked.
-The only time I found myself on a Knock Up Stream, my Striker finished broken in hundreds pieces. Ace sighed.
- And we heard of the ships who taking it, finished by crashing in the sea.
-It's only a current, you just have to know how to take it. It's your duty as the navigator, yoi, Marco pointed to Nami.
- All is a question of timing. It can seem easy to take a sea current, at first, but I assure you that it's far from a gentle cruise, Cricket told them. Fall on the Knock Up Stream is a disaster, Portgas seems to know that.
- Careful, Cricket-kun… Ace is a D., don't ask too much, please, Marco said a hand up.
-I take all I said back. Normally, sailors search avoiding it at all price.
- Still a current who go in the sky… Nami breathed.
-Volcanic pocket underwater, cold water going in it, steam and pressure built-up and boom, explosion, remember Nami, it's Marco who told it, Luffy said.
Everyone look at Luffy surprised. Even Ace. Whoa, Luffy remember something that the Phoenix had said?
-This day is marked with a white rock, Marco commented. I succeed in making a D. learn something, without trying… I know one who will have a good laugh. How long last the phenomenon, here, yoi?
-One minute.
-It's amazing, Ace breathed. During one minute the sea and sky are communicating together…
-It must be a really big explosion to produce an effect like that! Nami choked.
-You signed for the most unexpected surprise when you said yes to a D., Marco noted.
- However, the explosions never appear at the same site, Cricket declared. And there only five by month.
- It's… It's a sure way to be crushed into hundreds pieces, Usopp wined almost afraid.
- I would never have though hearing Yassop's son be scared, Marco said.
- Marco, Usopp is still a kid… you can't hold it against him, he only a peaceful island, without those he saw with Lu', Ace defend. He's not a D., him.
- I was only making a statement, I didn't want to seem mean, sorry, yoi.
-Usopp… think of your dreams… don't you think that it's enough to risk your life, if it allow you access? Luffy asked.
-True.
Cricket turned his back to them to say:
- Well, whatever, it's still a fantastical natural phenomenon. We don't explain it with big words, or beautiful theories.
- Cricket-ossan… this current, it's the only way to access the sky island? Ace asked.
-Yep… the risks are big. And if you don't find anything there, you will crash in the sea and end up in shreds. Well, Marco-san would have a chance to live, with his wings.
- Yosh! We give up the Sky island! Usopp decided.
The D. brothers were laughing.
Even with Usopp's tentative to persuade them to give up, they wouldn't change their minds. They want to see the island.
-Don't worry! Let's go! Luffy declared with a huge smile. Nii-chan, you're with us?
- Marco would have to bind me with kairoseki for me to not put a foot on Skypiea! Ace nodded. I'm in, Lu'!
The two brothers clapped their hands smiling.
They would see the sky island that was one of the many stories that marked their childhood.
- Did you see the state of the Merry ? Usopp cried.
It was true that the poor ship was to be pitied. He wouldn't survive in this conditions.
-He is not wrong, Cricket stated. But even new, this wreck, wouldn't resist.
-Nani? Usopp said pissed.
-Speed, weight, resistance… this boat would immediately fall in piece when he touch the explosion, Cricket continued.
-Marco we shoul have came down on one of the small Moby Dick, Ace sighed.
- They stay in the Shin Sekai, yoi. Only in extrem cases, they have to stay at proximity of the zones at risk of the Shin Sekai, to take action quickly from a side to the other of Oyaji's territory, Marco reminded him. After all, Cricket-kun, you can't blame them, they only just came on the Grand Line.
- It's true! It's at Water Seven that Gol D. Roger gained the Oro Jackson! Luffy defended.
- How do you know that? The green head asked.
- Himitsu desu! Nihi!
It was Rayleigh who had told them after all, that it was there that the ship who saw the world altogether was born.
- No worries. Masira and Shôjô will help you with the restoration, Cricket told them. Of course, they will reinforce the structure.
And the monkeys assured their cooperation.
-Thanks, it's cool! Luffy told them.
- I give you my infinite thanks for your help in the quest that me and my otouto are sharing, Ace thanked while inclining his body.
-The night and the day, Chopper commented, face to Ace politeness.
-Aaace… you really don't want… Nami winned.
-No, the young commander cut promptly.
And Nami went away, depressed. Ace was beginning to feel annoyance face at her advances.
-Ace… Luffy began.
- Yes, alright, I'll do it… I began to have enough, he mumbled, understanding that his brother wanted for him to tell his navigator clearly what it was question of.
- But, do you at least know what you're doing, guys? Usopp asked. Firstly, we can only stay on this island until tomorrow, maximum.
- He isn't wrong, passed this time, the log will indicate another island, Marco told them. But the chance is with us, my instinct told me, yoi.
-That's right, Cricket smiled. Tomorrow afternoon. You really should begin to work, no?
-Marco… do I have horns to be this lucky? Ace asked worried.
-You're insulting me, Ace! The Phoenix growled.
Ace dared doubt his fidelity?! The D. was naturally lucky! There wasn't any need for Ace to be cheated on for that. In any case, Marco could never find someone who could push him past his limits, other than Ace, and his feelings for the young man were strong enough so that he didn't need to go search elsewhere.
-Your answer is enough! Sorry! Nihi!
Ace gave him a cute smile in apologize. Yep, they will talk about it later, the two of us.
Usopp and Nami were too busy panicking to think about Ace paroles.
- If you don't want to go, I don't force you, Luffy stated. With or without you, I'll go up there.
-It's suspicious! Usopp declared pointing Cricket with his finger. We just met and you help us! There something strange here!
-Two Shirohige are going with you. I value my life enough to know that setting a trap is stupid, if I want to keep existing, Cricket answered. If something happened to them, I would be killed. After, with Masira help, I notice a cycle, that led me to say that it's for tomorrow. The birds instinct can sense that, and Marco-san can sense the same thing. And last, I'm happy to have met a crazy group like you. More so for you two… that was a long time ago that I last saw a D. and it's still an exceptionnal meeting. You look like your father, kid, as for the physic, than for the character, even if without wanting to break your image of him, you seems to be a less idiot than him.
Ace inclined a little his head as a thanks. One, for letting his anonymity continue, and two, to have said that he look like Roger, since it was always a pleasure. And last, he had said it was a pleasure meeting the two D.
-Dinner is ready, Sanji declared coming out.
- Then, time to go to eat, Cricket smiled. I offer you the hospitality for the night… friends.
The D. brothers had a little laugh before running to the table.
- Come on Usopp, time to eat! Luffy yelled.
And they went in the house. Marco went to see Usopp who hadn't moved and whispered in his ear:
- Believe in Mugiwara. The D. have a damn good instinct. If neither tell that it's fishy, then, it's alright, yoi. Take that as an advice from a sempai.
-Arigatou, Usopp whispered back.
-You can chiken out somtimes, it's alrigth for your age. Learn to trust your captain. The more you get experience, and the better it will get with the time.
-I'll go apologize.
- Good initiative, yoi.
-Marcoo~! I dreamed or you said 'chicken', my dear fried chicken! Ace mocked in the door entrance.
-Don't provoke me, Matchstick, Marco warned going in the house direction. We have something to talk about, eye to eye, alone, yoi.
And to not change the meal became a party, with a Cricket totally drunk.
Marco had isolated himself outside to give some news to the crew.
"I'm listening, son." said Shirohige when Marco was connected.
-We are on Jaya, Oyaji. The log point on a sky island where Roger could have explored, so Ace would like to see it, with his brother, yoi. We'll take the road again, once his curiosity satisfied. I finished my mission, on the akuma no mi, Marco declared.
"What is your opinion about it?"
-Either Thatch eat it, either we take it out of reach from evil people. I don't like this fruit, Oyaji.
"I'll keep it in security, waiting for you to argument, What of today's rookies?"
-Bellamy the Hyena, fifty five millions berrys. He pretend to be of the New Era of Piracy, under the Shichibukai Doflamingo, yoi. I didn't search the others, but I know that Ace did a good job on this subject, seing the number of newspapers he consulted, yoi. Oh, and he found what should have been Marshall's crew. He killed in the egg the threat they represented, yoi.
"This a good new. What do you think about Ace's younger brother?"
Marco take a look to look at the party and answered with a smirk:
-He found ambitious and talented people. He even found Yassop's son, yoi.
"Eeeh?"
-His first mate interset greatly Mihawk. Ohara's survivor is with him too for now, but Ace is a little mistrusting about her, since she was Crocodile right-hand. If we find her at Shaboady, then she trustworthy, yoi.
"And for the one who pretend to the throne of Kaizoku Ou?"
-He's like Garp and Roger, but less idiot, yoi. He's a straight boy with a good heart. Very appealing. A mini-Ace, in a sens, yoi!
"Gurarara! This is interesting."
-But he have more control than his oldest, he is calmer. I see him take Roger's place, yoi. He is more stubborn than Ace too!
"All of this give thinking matter, and stir up my curiosity. What about his strength?"
- We can sense that Rayleigh didn't have the time to form him as well as Ace, however, he has a good level and evolve constantly, yoi. He pass a long time to spar with his older brother, and he hold is ground very well. After all, he did best Crocodile with only a scratch on his ankle, yoi.
"Thanks for this first rapport, son. Be prudent on your way back, you and Ace."
-Of course Oyaji.
And Marco hung back. He didn't need to turn around to know that Ace was behind him.
-You resent me for the remark back there? Ace asked.
- It hurt me.
-It wasn't my intention, I talked without thinking, again. I always was told to think twice before talking.
Ace let himself fall on his knee and passed his arms around Marco's neck to kiss his cheek.
-We make peace? Ace begged.
- Ace. I love you and only you, yoi. I'm happy with you, I don't have any reason to go see elsewhere. Don't ever think about the stupid idea that I could cheat on you. The day where there will be someone else in m life, it will be when our relation is over, and pray Davy Jones to spare us this eventuality, yoi. Am I clear?
-Yes, Marco.
The two men kissed tenderly, and Marco stood up.
- I let you call Rayleigh, I'll eat a little, yoi. The Phoenix stated.
-Haiii~!
Ace looked at Marco's form going back in the house, and composed the numbers of Shakky's bar denden.
"Moshi moshi, Shakky desu."
-Hey, Shakky! It's Ace! Ji-chan is here, or did he have game debt to pay again?
"He just came back after coating a ship. I give him to you, Ace-chan."
-Arigatou!
Ace wait a moment, and had Rayleigh online.
"Ace?"
-Konbanwa, Ji-chan!
"I'm happy to hear your voice. So, did you find your brother?"
-Yep. Lu' is all grown up, it's amazing!
"Ooh, I don't doubt it, just seeing his bounty. So, how is his begining?"
-Beautifully, he beat Crocodile with just a scratch! He saved two kingdoms, even if he wasn't asked. Oh, and guess!
"What about?"
-Ohara's survivor. Is she named Nico Robin?
"Shakky said that yes, why?"
-I'll tell you more when I'll see you, but to be short, she joined Luffy's crew. But since she was the right-hand of Crocodile, I can't stop myself from doubting her.
"It's your instinct as big brother, Ace, it's normal that you're worried for Luffy."
-Maybe. However, Ji-chan… guess where the log is pointing, where we are?
"Mmmh… I don't have any idea..."
-Skypiea.
"Oooh, you'll see, with your brother, this island that I talked so much about, when you were small."
-I'm following Roger's path, Ji-chan… it's… how can I tell…
"I know, my boy, don't worry about me."
- To come back to Luffy. He has a good level, until his arrival to Shaboady, he will probably be ready for the Shin Sekai, but he must still improve, even more his Haoshoku no Haki. He has trouble controlling it. Under his emotions, it can escape him. If Lu' hear that it's me who thinks that he need more training, he would skin me alive.
"I'll see about it with my own eyes, Ace, don't worry about it. Since I'm talking to you, you're entitled to know that I had some words with Dragon."
-So?
"I think he understood that he didn't have any right on Luffy, but I don't know if he'll try again to see him. What did he say to your brother?"
-Nothing. Luffy didn't realize that this man was at Loguetown. He didn't introduce himself. To say it all, the only thing that marked him, it's that Doke no Buggy wasn't strong. He kicked his ass, so I can understand him.
"Buggy may have been ambitious, and had great capacities, but he never gave himself the means to attend his goal. You only need to look at Shanks to understand that he had all the tools, but neglected them."
During this time, Marco went to sit down apart the other, at Robin side, so to not be drive against his will in a bad situation.
-You're reading something interesting, yoi? Marco inquired drinking his cup of saké.
-Norland's logbook, was the answer from Robin. You don't party?
- My bad season of the year is coming, and if I lose myself to the alcohol, I'm scared to not be able to answer of my actions. Ace and me will probably be on the way to our crew, before it become to complicated, yoi.
Marco sighed. He never talked about it with Ace. What will he do, damn it…Before, Ace wasn't with him at this time of the year, but know... He did know that it was always a bad ending for the person sleeping with him...
-The life of a Zoan mustn't be easy everyday, Robin noted.
- You can't imagine half of it.
Robin turned another page and found something intriguing.
- The right eye of the skull… Cricket growled, appearing brusquely before them.
Not too brusquely, since Marco had the time to grab him in his talons to assure himself that he wouldn't approach more.
- 'I saw gold by the right eye of the skull'.
This simple words silenced the whole party. Even Ace passed his head in the house.
-Me too, Ji-chan. Yes, I'll kiss him for you, Ace said ending the conversation.
Cricket stood up, making that Marco didn't need his talons to keep the distance anymore.
-Full of tears, these were the last words said by Norland wrote. 'I saw gold by the right eye of the skull'. It was the day of his sentence. Even since my arrival at Jaya, I still don't understand the meaning of these words. The right eye of the skull. Maybe the name of an extinct antic city. Or it could be an image about his own imminent death. The followings pages don't give any explanations. It's why we're driving! At the pursuit of the dream! In the deep of the sea!
Ace took his mug and raised it to give a toast:
- For all of our dreams, I raise my glass! Kampai!
- KAMPAI! Everyone told.
-Lu' reassure me, there isn't alcohol in your glass... Have I to recall you what happened the only times you drank something? Ace worried swallowing whole his glass.
-Baaakaaa! Tomorrow, we'll go fly to Skypea! I can't allow myself to be sick! You could have let me talk to Ji-chan, before hanging back! You're mean ! an offended Luffy said back.
-You'll have all the time at Shabaody. However, he kiss you, and say he can't wait to see your progress.
And he kissed his brother on the forehead, making him giggle.
- Hug! Luffy yelled.
And he tackled his brother on the ground to have a big hug, making them laugh. Marco took the logbook and began to read it aloud, making things almost alive.
It was almost if we were hearing of the bird and the sound of the golden bell.
- Take a look, Cricket told them.
And he took out from his things a little golden bell. Three golden bells. Nami began to embrace almost lovingly one of them. The proof that there really was a prosperous population in there, was that. And just after, they could see a golden bird.
-Na, Marco… Your family? Shihihihi! Luffy mocked making his finger go from him to the statue.
-You're lucky to be Monkey D. Luffy, because I would have killed you for less, yoi, hissed Marco.
-What does it change? Sanji asked.
-I don't want to be killed by this gaki of Akagami, neither by Ace, nor Sabo, nor by their uncle, and let alone by his grandfather. I want to be the Lord of the Sky, of the Shin Sekai, for a long time, yoi.
-Akagami? Robin questioned.
-Mm. It from him that Lu' received his hat. If Shanks hadn't say no, well, today Luffy would be on the Red Force, Ace explained. For some time, it was Lu's big ambition to join the crew of Shanks. Roughly, the Yonkou is like a big brother faraway that we could sometimes be ashamed of… na, Lu'?
- Hai!
- But seriously, who can be their uncles and grandfather to scare the right-hand man of the King of the Sea… the archeologist murmured.
-For Ji-chan you have to wait until Shabaody for the answer, for the jiji… pray to never meet him… Ace shivered.
-Problem? Cricket asked.
- Monkey D. Luffy… Marco repeated.
And he made a hand gesture to say to his friend to think about it. He couldn't not remember Genkotsu no Monkey D. Garp.
- Otherwise, we can find South Bird here, on Jaya. I heard their songs when I was on the denden, yoi, Marco said to change the subject.
- Time ago he was used to… began Cricket.
The silence fell.
-SHIMATA ! The two ape brothers and Cricket yelled.
-Ola, What is it? Sanji asked.
-I forgot, it's bad! You have to go in the forest! On the South of the forest!
-Eh? Everyone said.
- What did you forgot to tell us, yoi? Marco asked sighing and standing up.
-You have to capture one of this birds! Now!
-Why? We need another bird, even with Marco? Ace asked.
For once, the Phoenix let it go.
-Tomorrow, you'll go against the Knock Up Stream. You have to go South. But how will you go there?! We are on the Grand Line! Once on the sea, it will be impossible to locate!
Everyone turned their head to look at Marco who shook his head.
- I have a natural log pose in the head, maybe, able to take the place of a log of the Shin Sekai, but in the Grand Line, don't ask me the four cardinal points, yoi. These birds have the particularity, them, to always be able indicate the south, no matter the conditions.
- It's true that our objectif isn't an island but a point on the sea, Nami understood. Therefor, we need one of these bird. We form teams to find the bird faster! Robin, you'll be with Marco-san and Zoro. Luffy with Chopper! Sanji with Usopp! Ace, with me! Let's go!
Everyone stood up and throw themselves in the forest.
-You'll talk with the readhead? Marco whispered to Ace passing by.
-Yes, I'll set the record straight, no problem? Ace answered also whispering.
And soon, they disappeared in the wood, armed with landing net given to them.
Even with the dark night, they'll find the bird.
-Juuu!
- Aaaaah! What was this noise! Nami freaked out clinging to Ace.
Ace arranged his hat, thinking, and looked around.
-I think that's the bird. We need to search where it came from.
-How can you stay calm in this sort of jungle, Ace, Nami cried.
- I was a kid that I was already hunting wild beast in the jungle and mountains, and ridiculed bandits, in Dawn. So, it's not that that will scare me.
-You're so courageous, so strong… Oh Ace…
Ace sighed and stopped, his landing net still on his shoulder.
- Nami, please… you're a nice girl, but you begining to annoy me with your tentative of flirt non stop, Ace said.
- I can't help it, the readhead navigator apologized, with an air of a kid caught doing something wrong.
-You don't have a chance with me.
- Why?!
Ace raised two finger and said:
-I'm gay, and I'm already taken.
-You're WHAT!? Aaaah! A spider! Here on your shoulder!
-Yes, I'm gay. And it's only a spider, don't worry about it.
- WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL IT EARLIER!
- Because it doesn't concern you. I was hoping that in staying indifferent, you would understand, but you're very persistent. With my oponent, I like it, but there, no.
Nami fell on here knee to cry.
- I hate you Ace…
- Careful where you place your hands… look at this centipede!
Ace picked up the big bug with his hand, and show it to Nami, who resulted in the girl running away yelling.
The trio Marco, Zoro and Robin turned their head a moment, hearing the yell.
-What a funny yell, Robin stated.
- It's only Nami, yoi. Let's carry on, Marco said. Roronoa-kun, you quit us already?
Zoro stopped going back on their step, and turned around eyebrows furrowed.
-It's this way, Marco indicated with his thumb the other direction not taken by the kenshi.
The swordsman blushed embarrassed and followed the direction taken by Marco and Robin.
They heard the new cry of the South Bird.
-Heee, I would like to see it, Marco said with a smirk.
-You understood it, Fushisho-san?
- Yes. This dear bird tell us that he'll kill anyone who trouble the calm of this forest. Let's walk quietly, yoi.
-Tch, it's not a damn feathered being who will tell me what to do, Zoro grumbled.
Marco throw a brief look behind his shoulder, under Robin's giggle.
-I wasn't talking about you, Zoro corrected, understanding the little problem.
-I had understand that it was about the South bird, yoi.
He cleared his throat and let go a long cry:
- Yooooooooooiiiii…
The forest quietened immediately.
-What did you do? Robin inquired.
- Only answered to the dare. Masculine pride, don't worry, yoi. Spongy soil ahead.
Robin stride the area, but Zoro sank, resulting in the Phoenix having to help him out.
After lot of events, including giant bugs in the forest, they finished by being all reunited.
- I get this birdie and I roast him, Ace growled.
And went back to throw up.
- What happened to you? Luffy asked.
- I had a narcolepsy attack, and some damn caterpillars wanted to visit my mouth.
-Burk, have mercy and spare us the image, Usopp moaned.
-Didn't see any of those birds. However, I heard the cry of a strange bird, who didn't seem normal, Sanji mumbled.
- It must have been me saying to the South bird that if I caught him, I'll tear out his feather one by one, yoi. Marco informed.
-Mataku… we're nine, and we're unable to catch a damn bird. Usopp scolded.
Nami fell on her knees.
- I can't run anymore, she sighed.
There was wing-beat, and the bird they were searching settled on a branch to mock them.
- I think that you have a great want to let off some steam, Fushisho-san, smiled Robin seeing the palpitating vein on Marco's forehead.
More wasn't need for a blue and golden fire to shine on the forest, and the South bird was in the talons of the giant phoenix.
- We are still some losers unable to catch you, huh? What do you say now, yoi, Marco breathed with a threatening expression.
- Hurray! everyone yelled.
- Nico-san could have done it. Thank you to let me close his mouth, yoi.
Robin answer was only a smile.
They went out of the forest. Marco holding firmly the foot of his prey, when they saw what happened during their absence.
- Uso… Ace breathed.
- But what happened?! Nami exclaimed seeing the hurts and the ruins.
-But who would dare to do this! Sanji growled diving to catch Shôjô, who was floating unconscious on the sea. Oy, give me a hand!
Chopper came to his help.
Usopp yelled with pain and hatred seeing the state of the Merry, whose figurehead was now kissing the ground.
-Suman… Cricket breathed.
-Ossan! Luffy said. Oy, ossan, you're awake!
Ace took care of turning him delicately to not increase the damages of his wounds.
-I'm… really sorry… Cricket breathed before coughing once. We were there… but… we couldn't do anything… But… there still are some time… to repair your ship.
And he tried to stand up, but Ace and Luffy restrained him.
- Stay Quiet, ossan, Ace told him. Tell us first what happened!
- It's nothing… Cricket assured. Don't worry about that… It's not important aymore… as long as you have the bird…
-Ace! Do you recognize this mark?! Marco called.
Ace raised his head, imitated by Luffy. Marco was showing a mark painted on a wall.
-The gold disappeared… and a business card was dropped, Nami noted with dismay.
Luffy sensed the anger accumulate in his veins.
-It's nothing… Cricket assured. Don't worry about that…
Luffy was already standing up, with Ace.
- It's Doflamingo's mark. And there is only one person in the city using it, Ace hissed. My Striker is unharmed?
-Yes, why? Asked Robin who had already taken a look over the Merry.
Ace climbed on the wrecked of the Merry and throw his Striker on the water. He crouched on it, letting his brother climb on his shoulders.
-We will be back fast, Luffy assured.
- If you're not here at dawn, we go back to Oyaji's side, Ace. It your only chance to see this island, for now, yoi, Marco warned. You have less than three hours.
-We will be back on time, Ace growled.
And he straighten up, securing his brother the best he could.
Ten years.
Ten years of a life wrecking his health. And the result of this work stolen in one night.
- You do it, or I do? Ace asked inclining his hat.
- I'll do it myself, Ace. You can't do anything without involving your captain and your crew. Let me this pleasure, Luffy hissed.
-But someone stop them! Cricket moaned trying to stand up.
Zoro gave him a katana.
- If you want to stop Luffy, you need this, but even with it, I doubt that you'll be able to do it, Zoro told him.
-Even with this you can't stop Ace, yoi, Marco stated a hand on his hip.
The two brothers cracked their knuckles.
- We'll be back before dawn, they said together.
- Aaah, here we go… a drunk said pissing in the port. I'll be a little dehydrated after this… Well, it seems like there isn't a drop!
And he zip his pants to go back in the city, still as much drunk as before, mumbling something intelligible.
At the same time a New Coo let fall a newspaper.
- I wonder what are today's bad news… the drunk man commented taking the piece of paper.
He found the update of the bounties first.
-Mataku, this city is really crazy, I'm tired of these punks… oh, the two Shirohige from before… viiouu, there's a lot of zero turning… they must be commander… however, this Portgas must be stronger than what he look like… hehe… What is more interesting…? Huh?
He just fell on Zoro and Luffy's bounty.
-These is the scared cats from this afternoon… to wonder why two commander protected them! Hihi! They make us have a good laugh with their story of sky island! He can't be more than forty five millions if I remember right…! Heh?
And he took a closer look… before laughing his ass off. He must have drank too much… really too much.
Eeeeh, shit, no, it wasn't the drink who make him hallucinate.
One hundred millions berrys…
He ran to the closest bar where Bellamy was drinking and yelled:
- IT'S BAD!
- Oi, what is this important at this hour of the night? A pirate asked.
- This afternoon! The men in the bar…! Bellamy! You're still here!? You should go from there right now! You… you're in danger of death!
- Tch, what are you talking about? Bellamy grumbled. In danger? Me?
The drunkard show the poster
A mug broke on the ground, before the surprise of everyone.
A heavy silence fell on the room.
Monkey D. Luffy, dead or alive, one hundred millions berrys.
Roronoa Zoro, dead or alive, seventy millions berrys.
The two men that Bellamy had mock... The two men, who traveled wit the two first commander of Shirohige, had a bounty superior to Bellamy's.
He was going to be killed.
Everyone wanted to run away, but Bellamy's voice cut the flight. False bounties, it's what it was. It was impossible that these littles runts could have a bounty this high.
It when some blood thirst appeared in a corner of the room, with a chuckle.
- A fifth of my bounty… eheh… as an aniki, I can only be proud that this idiot that is my otouto is catching up with me. He follow my step to better surpass me.
Everyone turn in this direction, to see Ace, slumped on a chair, his feet on the table.
-It's the Nibantaï Taïshou of Shirohige, someone whispered. Hiken no Portgas D. Ace, the little prodigy of the piracy…
- What do you want? Bellamy asked.
-Cricket's gold.
Before Bellamy could answer, Luffy's yell reverberated in the road and the whole city:
- BELLAMY! COME OUT!
- Bellamy-kun… you're await outside, I think. My otouto must have found enough self control to not destroy the whole city, Ace stated.
-Otouto? Someone whispered.
- Yep. Monkey D. Luffy is my lil' bro'. The boy who will take up the torch that I threw away to join the Shirohige. The one who will become the new Kaizoku Ou. What are you waiting for, Bellamy? If it's a false bounty, go see it by yourself.
- Eeeh, I heard my name. The little brother want to defy me, but it's the big bro' who'll give the punch?! Bellamy mocked.
- It's not the will that is missing, so don't tempt me. I'll gently keep my ass on this chaire, waiting that you surrender Cricket's gold, so I can give it back. You can't attack dreamer without facing the consequences…I'll enjoy looking at your pathetic-self crawling at the feet of a future supernova. You're scared ?
- Tch. It's not your presence who'll scare me! Hehe!
And Bellamy stood up and walked calmly out of the bar, followed by Ace who sat down just before the entry, crossed leg, hand under his nose, his hat hiding his eyes sparkling with anger.
Luffy was on a roof, under the full-moon.
- We were just talking about you with your adorable nii-chan! Hehe! You want something? Said Bellamy with a cruel smirk.
- That's right! Ace must have told you, right? We want you to give the gold you stole to Cricket-ossan back!