Time flew in the blink of an eye and as seasons came and went so did the days, months, and eventually years. The time had come for Ace to leave the island and start his journey out to the great sea. It was a day that both Luffy and Yamato had dreaded but they knew it had to happen. They knew that no matter what may come with Chaos and its changes they would ensure Ace remained alive and safe.

The trio gathered around three sake cups set on a log with a tall bottle of above-average sake. Ace took the bottle and carefully poured each cup with a generous amount of the rice alcohol and set it aside and turned to his left where Luffy stood tall. Yamato kept her distance a ways behind Luffy and quietly observed. She didn't want to disrespect this moment and knew the significance of it. Especially on a day like today.

Ace gathered the small red o-Choko cup in front of him and raised it to his chest. Luffy did much the same and looked at his older brother and smiled morosely. Ace returned the smile as best he could and began to speak.

"So, Sabo. Today is the day. Today is the day we spoke of all those years ago. I'm finally setting out to the sea to live out our dream of becoming a pirate and having all the freedom a person could ever want. I want you to know that both Luffy and I hold you in our hearts every day. We raise these cups to remember the day we became brothers. I only ask that you keep Luffy company a little longer until he leaves. We miss you brother. We love you."

With his speech concluded both he and Luffy brought the cups to their lips and drank down the dry sake with a single swig and placed their cups back down on the tree stump. Ace put a hand on Luffy's shoulder and smiled at his younger brother. Luffy returned the smile and then looked over at Yamato.

Yamato was surprised to be on the receiving end of both of the brother's gaze but simply stood up from leaning against a tree and walked up to them. She noticed Luffy and Ace exchanging small smiles, Ace proceeded to reach into one of his pocket pouches and pull out a small object carefully wrapped up in white fabric. Yamato could feel her anticipation skyrocketing by the minute simply because there has been not a single word uttered since Ace's speech finished. Coincidentally enough, Ace began to speak once he held the object in both hands.

"There is more to this day as well. Yamato, you have been with us since the day we lost Sabo and though he can never be replaced you have certainly helped us through our mourning and helped care for our well-being. You've been a most welcome friend in our lives for the past seven years and it's safe to say both Luffy and I have come to care for you and love you in a way we thought would never come again after Sabo. So, with that being said.."

Ace trailed off as he unwrapped the mystery object in his hands and moved over to present it to Yamato. It was a white o-Choko cup with a light bluish-green hue around the edges. Yamato immediately held her hands out and took the cup with a great deal of grace and care. She felt tears beginning to sting the corners of her eyes as she gazed down at the gift. Ace moved back to the cups and sake bottle as he began pouring again and this time gestured for Yamato to hold her cup out. She obliged and watched as the beautiful cup was christened in fresh alcohol. Ace corked the bottle and set it aside and raised his cup once more and spoke.

"Yamato, we know Sabo would have loved you and we know he would have no problem with us sharing this moment with you. I know it's sudden but I wanted to do this with you before I left. I want to live my life with no regrets and so I'm here to ask you. Yamato, will you share this sake with Luffy and me and become our sister?"

Yamato felt fat tears run down her eyes. She felt as if her legs might give out any second upon hearing the question. She couldn't even begin to comprehend what was happening and yet she spoke her answer without any hesitation.

"Yes! Yes, I will!"

Ace and Luffy smiled and raised their cups upward with Yamato following suit.

"With this, starting today, we're siblings!"

Ace spoke out with joy as the three clinked their cups together and drank down the sake and smiled at one another. Yamato couldn't stop her tears from falling but she didn't care. This moment was everything to her and she wouldn't ever forget it.

Ace smiled at his now older sister and quickly shifted the mood to be less emotionally charged.

"Now then! Enough with the tears! I have one more thing I want to do before I leave so let's go to the cliffside. The place where it all began!"

The siblings made their way through the forest and to the cliffside where they had declared their dreams with Sabo.

Ace walked up to the edge and let the salty sea air fill his lungs and settle his nerves. He spoke gently, barely above a whisper but just enough that Luffy and Yamato could hear him.

"I'm going to make a name for myself. I'm going to be so big that everyone will know who I am and that will be proof of my life. Proof that I lived my life with no regrets."

Yamato smiled gently and looked at Luffy. He met her gaze and gestured his head toward the cliffside. She smiled exuberantly and ran up beside Ace. In the last seven years, Yamato had grown even taller. As if she wasn't already tall enough. She had also managed to regain the physique that she was so proud of. She had turned into a strong woman and she was so ready to set out to sea and live her life. She braced herself and spoke up loudly and proudly.

"I'm going to see everything that these great oceans have to offer me! I'm going to live freely and without worry and I'm going to write all about it as proof that I did so! I will find out what it means to live life on my terms."

She finished speaking and gazed at her brothers with a treasure-winning grin. Ace returned the smile as did Luffy but he quickly started to run toward the cliffside. Yamato pulled away from it as her brother shot past her.

"Alright then..!"

He slammed to a halt mere inches from the edge as he threw his fists into the air and joyously declared his dream.

"I'm gonna..!!"

The waves crashed against the rock face and drowned out his words. It wasn't quite time for the world to hear him but at this moment his brother and sister were all he needed.

The trio set out to a small section of the island where Ace's ship awaited him. A small gathering gathered to see him off and wish him luck. Ace turned to his siblings one last time and offered his fist to the two of them. They each bumped it and gave each other a solemn look.

"I'll see you guys again when you set out in three years. Yamato, look after this fool will you?"

Yamato laughed heavily as she wiped her wet eyelids.

"Oh don't worry! I'll be right by his side!"

Luffy laughed along with their antics and watched as Ace hopped into his small sailer and waved at everyone.

"I'll see you at the top Luffy."

Luffy smiled with excitement and felt the fire in his belly roar to life.

"Count on it."

With those parting words, Ace finally set out to sea. Everyone eventually dispersed until no one but Luffy and Yamato remained. Luffy cracked his knuckles and let out a steamy huff of determined air. He looked at Yamato and smiled.

"Three years! We have three years left until I set sail so let's make the most of it yeah?"

Yamato began walking back into the forest with a determined grin.

"Absolutely. Let's get ready to shake the world up a bit!"

Luffy put a pep in his step and joined his sister's side as the two disappeared into the forest to continue their training and get ready to finally set out together.