Sabo felt like it was an eternity during his flight to the Holy Land, yet somehow, at the same time it felt like it was not enough. He was extremely dreading landing his foot on the cursed island once again. And this time, he would probably never be able to leave. To him, Mariejois is a prison, no, a living hell.

The jet landed near the Outlook family's main mansion. The estate was still as terrifyingly big as he had remembered. The neatly trimmed shrubs and the huge fountain were still there for aesthetic purposes, but Sabo felt sick looking at them. He reached his hand into his pocket, feeling the locket Luffy had given him. Maybe it was Luffy's magic at work, but Sabo felt his racing heart calm down.

"Young master, your father is waiting for you inside."

Sabo rolled his eyes. He just wanted to quickly get this over and done with. Not waiting for the black suited men to guide his way, he stormed off into the main entrance of the mansion. Sabo flung open the heavy doors like it was nothing and glared at what awaited him.

Well…it wasn't his father, but two rows of maids and butlers lined up to greet him. He figured as much.

"This way, young master. We have everything prepared. You'll have a new face in no time!" A young maid smiled brightly at him.

Wait…what did she say…?

"By five, you'd be able to meet with your father! He'd be so pleased with your new face!"

"New face…what do you mean…?" Sabo managed to choke out. Did he hear her right?

"Oh…! Weren't you told?" She gasped, placing her hand in front of her mouth. "Well…your father has arranged with some specialists to give you plastic surgery to get rid of your scar!"

Sabo stared blankly at her.

What. The. Fuck.

"Of course he did. The princess wouldn't be marrying a man with a hideous scar like that," Lucci scoffed as he barged in from behind Sabo.

Sabo was starting to shake with anger. Get rid of his scar…that man still had the audacity…! It's not like Sabo particularly enjoyed this scar of his, but did he even remember who gave it to him in the first place!?

Sure, sometimes he wondered what it would be like without his scar. But…he's had it with him since before he left Mariejois. He's met all kinds of people with it. Those who would shun him away because of how hideous he looked, those who would point and laugh at him, those who would pity him…

Those who helped him open up, those who saw past his scar and accepted him for who he was, those who loved him, scar included, wholeheartedly…

Luffy…Luffy loved his face because it was his face. Perhaps…somewhere along the way, Sabo had learned to love the face that Luffy loved as well. To change his face just to get rid of his scar was just…absurd.

"I'm not getting rid of my scar."

It is part of who I am.

"But you must."

"I'm not doing it."

What would everyone…what would Luffy say if Sabo changed his face?

"You'd have to do it, whether you like it or not."

"I won't."

Would they…would he still recognise him…?

"We'll use force if we have to."

"You won't…you can't…!"

They took the opportunity when Sabo was still in shock, overpowering him in numbers and dragging him away; everyone was silent and the only thing that could be heard was Sabo's screams.


Sabo never thought that his hatred for the damned noble could get even deeper, but it did.

He was gasping for air in front of the mirror, staring back at what seemed like was his reflection.

But it wasn't his face he was looking at.

Sabo cursed at the new unfamiliar face. It had been less than half a day in Mariejois and Sabo felt like he was going insane already. He touched the left side of his face, where the scar was supposed to be but isn't. It's really gone…

Sabo wanted to go home. Back to where everyone was. Where Hack, Koala, Ivankov and his other colleagues were. Where Ace, Marco, Thatch and his other friends were. Where Luffy was.

"Too bad, this is your home now."

Lucci came up to him, sneering in a condescending tone, as if he knew what Sabo was thinking about.

Sabo gave him a hateful glare. What was this man smirking about!

"Hurry up, you imbecile. Don't keep your father waiting too long."

Sabo gritted his teeth. Lucci's face just became more annoying to look at. Feeling frustrated, Sabo walked out of the room to the next venue, with Lucci following behind.

As he finally entered the room where the noble was, Sabo found him sipping some tea like any other day. He didn't even react to Sabo's presence in the room.

"Master, your son has returned," Lucci announced.

"That was to be expected. Now, remind me again, when is the meeting with the princess?" He didn't even bother looking up.

"Tomorrow, master."

"I see. Make sure my son is in top condition when that happens."

"Is that all, master?"

"Mm. Oh, and," he paused. "Don't let him in my room ever again. Even without the scar, he is still an eyesore."

Sabo bit his lips. Even after all that…!

"Understood, master. Then, we'll be on our way."