Chapter Five: Ray of Light

"Just call me Sabo," He introduced in a casual tone. He didn't offer a handshake as he knew he would be turned down. "What's yours?"

The raven-haired boy was just stuck staring at him with his rueful gray eyes. Even at a young age, he seemed to carry hatred on his shoulders that could last a lifetime. Sabo knew he was being cautious. After all, they were strangers who seemed to have issues trusting other people.

"Ace…" his gray eyes widened as he unconsciously revealed it. Ace growled, glaring at Sabo with such ferociousness. "It's none of your business."

"Suit yourself," Sabo rolled his eyes. It was the first time Sabo had heard his voice and it sounded heavier than he anticipated.

He silently watched as Ace treated the fresh wound on his right arm.

Earlier that day, Sabo had run into trouble with the thugs whose turf was in Edge Town. He was at the wrong place at the wrong time. He was outnumbered and he knew there was no way that he was winning a fight against ten men alone.

And as Sabo reached Gray Terminal, the boy was in his path. Sabo passed him but the thugs pushed the boy away. Next thing Sabo knew, the boy was throwing fists against the men ten times his size. And instead of just hiding, Sabo decided to help the boy since he held grudges against them.

Though battered and bruised on every part of their bodies, the two of them remained victors. Sabo had a hiding place where he stocked a first-aid kit. He offered the boy to come with him and he followed silently.

"Thanks for your help earlier," Sabo said. He really meant it but it sounded rather mocking when it came out of his mouth.

"I didn't do it for you." Ace scoffed, tone disgusted. "And you don't have to be pretty chummy with me. It's just making you look pathetic."

Sabo was entertained. He seemed to be an interesting boy and it wouldn't hurt him if he tried befriending him. Sabo knew Ace wasn't a liar, not unlike those people back in High Town. Those nobles only pretend to like him but Ace was straight-out honest about his viewpoint. Besides, if it wasn't for Ace's help, Sabo would probably have ended up gutted.

Ace stood up, although limped, and started walking a few meters away. Sabo remained still, eyeing as he left the place.

"Where do you live? I can escort you there if you want," Sabo offered.

Ace looked back one more time, looking all high and mighty. "I don't reveal my place to people I don't trust."

Sabo gave him a taunting smile. "Yeah, whatever. We'll see each other again."

"And next time that happens, I'll kill you if you ever get in my way." Ace threatened with his best menacing voice.

His reply only made Sabo chuckle loudly and it seemed to surprise Ace. "I'd like to see you try. Come and get me. I'm always here hanging out in Gray Terminal."

Sabo has never seen such a hateful boy before.

"Pirate ship? You guys wanna be pirates!? I wanna be one, too!"

Sabo turned his head, eyes widened with fright. Together with Ace, they ran toward the source of the voice. They jumped down the tree and immediately mugged the kid wearing a straw hat.

The boy kept on mumbling random things about pirates as Sabo and Ace tied him in a bark. Sabo almost felt pity as he could see that the boy had so much innocence in him, something he wouldn't see in a place like Gray Terminal.

"Wow, Ace. I didn't know you traveled this far every day," he said without any ounce of fear in his tone, blissfully unaware of the danger in his situation.

"Shut up," Ace hissed, putting both of his hands on his hips.

"This is the Luffy you talked about?" Sabo questioned, looking at him. Ace did tell a thing or two about the boy, hating how he kept on bugging him every day.

"You told him about me!?" Luffy looked happier this time, making Sabo bewildered.

"I told him how annoying you are." Ace deadpanned.

"He also told me you're empty-headed," Sabo added, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Oh yeah?"

"You know we're dissing you, right?" Sabo's eyes started twitching uncontrollably.

"He finally got here even though I didn't use any walkable routes," Ace said with a sigh.

"Are you Ace's friend? Be my friend, too, buddy!"

"Don't call me 'buddy'," Sabo scowled. He could see now why Ace hated the kid. Their personalities were in spades. Ace has a track record of disliking people who just wanted to be friends with him.

"What's your name?" Luffy asked excitedly.

"Sa…" Sabo stated, out of habit. He quickly snapped out of it. "I'm not telling you!"

The kid just laughed merrily. If Sabo thought Ace was confusing enough to figure out, Luffy was ten times more puzzling.

Sabo has never seen such a joyful kid before.

"Did you know that when men drink together they become brothers?"

Brothers. Such a foreign word to Sabo. But it only meant one thing for him. Love. How wonderful it was to be able to choose a family, to have a reason to exist, and to never feel lonely anymore.

"Brothers, really?" Luffy mouthed in awe.

"Maybe we'll not be pirates on the same ship but we will be united by our bond of brotherhood," Ace smiled freely at that moment and nothing else mattered. "No matter what we do or where we are, our bond can't be broken!"

They picked up the cups and put them in the air.

"From now on, we're brothers!" Ace declared.

They clicked their sakazuki cups together before taking a drink.

And for the first time in his life, Sabo finally knew what family meant.

When he opened his eyes, everything was blurry. It was dark, though colors did gradually return. Above were the blinding white lights. Slowly, he blinked, vision still adjusting to work properly but nothing changed. He closed his eyes once more, not wanting to overdo it. Headache ensued and it was painful to deal with.

Memories from the past have resurfaced in his mind, including those ones way before he had gotten the scar on his eye. The endless summer he spent together with them, the familiar feeling of love and camaraderie, and the sense of belonging and freedom, all became clear now. He got it all back, just like what he always wanted.

In his surroundings, he could hear the beepings of machines, probably his own heartbeat. He turned his head and saw a window to his left, the pale light of dawn filtering through the curtains. Outside, the sea went about its business, unaware of his awakening. He took a deep breath and tried to move his arms, but they felt heavy and unresponsive. He was in a ship, feeling the swaying of the sea, cradling him gently.

"Sabo…?"

He knew the voice by heart now. Koala's voice was hoarse with a tint of yearning and hope. Sabo opened his hazel eyes, gazing at his partner. She looked tired, bags under her eyes indicating she hadn't been sleeping much. Her hair was disheveled and it was longer than Sabo remembered it to be.

"Hey…" Sabo croaked, smiling fervently.

"Hi," Koala greeted back, tears slowly forming. She held his left hand and maneuvered it towards her cheeks, rubbing it gently. "I missed you."

"I know…"

"Wait for a moment, okay? I'm going to call a doctor."

The next bit was a haze. Koala sat near him during the whole procedure. The doctor was a familiar face Sabo frequently has seen in the newspapers over the years. It was Marco the Phoenix. Sabo didn't even know he was a doctor. He started asking questions, though Sabo had difficulty answering most of them. Marco checked all his vital signs, heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature. It was normal, all things considered.

And then came the physical exam where it all went downhill. He could move his limbs slowly but surely, although his muscles still feel very weak. Next, Marco assessed his visuals. He carefully removed the bandage on the left part of his face. Using a light pen, he shone it directly into Sabo's eye.

"I think i-it's blind…" Sabo stuttered, remorseful. He swallowed the thick lump in his throat. "I can't see a thing."

"W-What?" Koala mumbled in confusion.

"From what Ivankov has told me about the incident that caused your amnesia years ago, I feared that it might be the case." Marco sighed as he began to explain. "Magellan's poison is a combination of toxins that are so complex it's hard to determine what's mixed in it, yoi. It seems like the poison has affected the occipital lobe of your brain. And there might be other chronic effects on your kidneys or endocrine system. I'm still going to run other tests to know other underlying effects."

"You lose some, you win some…" Sabo breathed out, placing a hand on top of his left eye. He always knew that he might be blind one day. The doctors from the army have confirmed that it will slowly deteriorate, the only difference is that it's sooner than anticipated.

"Your amnesia?" Marco asked.

"I've got my memories back," Sabo replied in a happy tone.

"That's good to hear, Sabo-kun," Koala smiled, wiping away her tears.

"Ace and Luffy, where are they?" Sabo questioned. "Are they alright?"

"They are now, don't worry about it," Koala assured, tightening her hold on his hand.

"They just got back after taking care of some business. I forced them to nap in the room across here. Do you want me to get them?" Marco offered.

Sabo nodded slowly. Marco immediately obliged and went out of the room, leaving the two alone.

"How am I supposed to face them now?" Sabo asked, not sure if he was questioning himself or Koala.

"I'm sure you'll find a way."

"I can't believe I treated Luffy so horribly." Sabo groaned, grabbing his blond hair in frustration. "I y-yelled at him so many times…"

Koala chuckled lightly, "Luffy is well… Luffy. I'm sure he doesn't take those harsh words by heart."

"And please do remind me to thank Dragon-san," Sabo looked at her with a terrified look as realization dawned upon him, leaving a heavy feeling in his stomach. "I was so close to not being able to help Ace. If Dragon-san didn't let me leave Baltigo then Ace would probably be…" he shuddered, unable to finish the statement.

"No more what-ifs, things already happened the way they're supposed to go," Koala reminded, eyebrows furrowed together.

"So what did those two do?"

"Rayleigh-san found a way for Luffy to contact his crew. They went to Marineford. Since the admirals were deployed elsewhere to hunt down those who escaped from Impel Down, Luffy and the others easily infiltrated inside for a few minutes."

Sabo's mouth hung open. "So let me get this straight, in just three months, Luffy has sneaked inside Enies Lobby, Impel Down, and Marineford, three of the most powerful strongholds of the World Government, with no consequences whatsoever."

"Congratulations, Sabo. I no longer consider you the most insane person I've ever met," Koala deadpanned with a clap.

"That's my little brother for you," Sabo chuckled, thinking about how far Luffy has come. He's no longer the boy who kept on chasing after his older brothers.

"Luffy rang the Ox's Bell as a distraction. His true intention was tattooed on his shoulders."

There was a newspaper on the table and Koala showed it to Sabo. Sabo squinted his eyes, looking at the picture below the page. It showed Luffy standing notably with a fierce look. His signature straw hat was hanging on his nape. On his left shoulder, showed ciphers that were meant for his crew. On his back were Rayleigh, Jinbei, and Ace.

"One more thing," Koala's face showed grim. She unfolded the newspaper and the front page was revealed. "Do you know about this…?"

Fire Fist Ace, The Pirate King's Son!

"Bloody hell…" Sabo cursed, immediately grabbing the newspaper from Koala.

If there's one thing Ace despised the most, it was his heritage. He hated the legacy the Pirate King left, forcing him to forever live in a shadow. Ace's dream has always been to make a name for himself, even greater than that of Roger's, to be able to prove his existence and be free from the chains of his blood. But now that the whole world knows about it, Sabo could see that it won't end well with Ace.

"Ace-kun wanted to come along to prove that he's been saved and that no one should mess with the Whitebeards. I guess that backfired for him," Koala sighed, unaware of Sabo's inner turmoil. "They also announced Luffy's connection to Dragon-san."

"Ace didn't truly tell me about that fact but I figured it out along the way…" Sabo muttered. Over the years, Ace would go over drunk men and ask what they think would happen to Roger's son. It was not hard to connect those things together as Ace didn't even try to hide it enough.

"Well, that's all for now. Try to rest, okay?" Koala said, smiling. "I'm going to get you water."

Sabo nodded silently, letting his mind wander elsewhere.

"Sabo!"

Before he could turn and look, Luffy had already tackled him in a hug. Sabo jerked from the sudden movement, groaning as the muscles in his body ached. Luffy yelped, letting go of his injured brother, not wanting to hurt him further.

"I'm sorry! I just missed you so much! You've been sleeping for so long and you missed like a bazillion meals! I was so worried you might not be getting any food but Pineapple explained that—" Luffy started babbling excitedly.

"I'm fine. Sorry, I had you worried," Sabo smiled, content in seeing him as energetic as he could be. "Give your brother a hug, Lu? More gentler this time?"

Luffy obliged, embracing him more mildly. Sabo placed his chin on Luffy's shoulders. Closing his hazel eyes, he allowed himself to mellow in Luffy's warmth. Even when they were younger, Luffy loved giving hugs and Sabo loved indulging them. Growing up in a family that never showed physical affection, Luffy's embrace was always a nice treat.

Then his eye locked in with Ace.

And even now, he seemed to carry the hatred of the world behind his back.

Ace was a mess. His wounds were already healed and his body looked healthy. And yet, the look on his face told Sabo otherwise. Ace stared at him with a downcast gaze, gray eyes were dull and empty. His shoulders were slumped as he took a step slowly, movement seemed forced, approaching them.

Tears flowed freely on Ace's cheeks and it made Sabo tense.

It was the first time he had ever seen his brother cry.

Sabo moistened his dry lips. He could feel the beating in his chest, loud and fast. His hand felt cold, scraping the underside of his fingers, hoping it could remove the worry away but to no avail. There was a knot in his stomach. Sabo gulped, unable to moisten his parched throat.

Ten years. He was gone for ten years and yet, the familiar feeling of love and hope was still present in his heart. They were his family and the three of them were together again, at last. They were the reminder that Sabo would never be alone anymore. He wouldn't experience the same pain of yearning for who he was because the answer was finally in front of him.

He's Sabo. The brother of Ace and Luffy. And for him, that's all that matters.

Something in Ace broke and he rushed towards them. His arms embraced them both, weeping. And with that, Luffy's walls opened, crying freely as he started babbling about how much he had missed them. Under his breath, Sabo muttered reassuring words to their younger brother.

"I'm sorry…" Ace apologized, wiping the tears away using his shoulders. "I-I'm the one who's supposed to—"

"I refused to hear those words, Ace," Sabo stopped him midway. "You and Lu are my brothers and I want to protect you with everything that I had."

"Lu? You called me Lu," Luffy perked up, and joy came in a surge. "Does that mean you got your memories back!?"

"Yes," Sabo confirmed with an enormous smile spreading across his face. "I remember drinking sake with you two on that fateful day."

"Sabo!" Luffy screamed, back on a full-blown cry again.

"You didn't have to suffer because of me… I'm not worth it..."

"Those times I've spent with you and Luffy were the happiest I've ever been," Sabo smiled nostalgically. He took in a breath before saying his next words. "It's all thanks to you. You gave me a little brother that loved us despite our flaws. And I had you, the first friend that I ever had, the person I trusted the most. You're damned well worth it."

"S-Sabo, I-I…" Ace stuttered, biting his lower lips. He sniffed, looking up and hoping that the tears would stop. "Thank you. Just thank you."

"That's much better, don't you think?"

"I half expected you to punch me, to be honest," Ace snorted a laugh, easing the tension in his shoulders.

"Would you like me to?" Sabo raised an eyebrow.

"If it helps you then why not?"

"Oh please, I don't want to listen to a masochist's pitiful pleas." Sabo did an eye roll, snorting. "Besides, I'm the one to talk. I abandoned you and Luffy."

"Abandoned!?" Ace repeated in absurdity. "That's out of your jurisdiction! It isn't your fault that you've had amnesia. It's those damn Celestial Dragons!"

"I happily punched one for you, Sabo!" Luffy interjected all smiles.

"And you," Ace turned his attention to the youngest. "Next time you go punching those scumbags, invite me, okay?"

"Will do!" Luffy mockingly saluted, gone the trace of melancholy in his face.

Sabo let out a chortle, shaking his head. He thought about how easily they went back into having playful banters.

"But seriously Sabo," Ace leaned forward, steadying an eye contact. "Could you please stop being a martyr for once?"

"No," Sabo scorned.

"Martyr complex."

"Guilt complex."

"Sophisticated."

"Arsonist."

"Cravat!" Luffy derided, intervening.

"Cravat is not an insult, Luffy," Sabo said roughly. "And why are you taking his side?"

"Luffy loves me more," Ace proudly presented with a smirk. "And I'm the oldest."

"Says who?" Sabo's nose scrunched, scowling.

"Says the guy who's born on the first day of the year. I've always known it." Ace explained.

"March 20th…" Sabo whispered, realizing that after ten years of celebrating his birthday on a random day of the year, he finally remembered when it was. It would save Koala the trouble of picking a day.

"Ne, Sabo," Luffy called out, ending his trail of thoughts. "I'm really happy you remember us now."

"No more sacrificing yourself to save us, okay?" Ace prompted with seriousness.

Sabo just gave him a genuine smile. "If it means protecting my brothers, I will never regret those decisions."

The losses may have outweighed the victories. Sacrifices were necessary and he had to endure them first to strengthen his heart. Still, Sabo considered them as lessons, experiences that made him who he was today. They could never turn back time and wished for a much better outcome. All they could do now was to move forward. And this time, the three of them would face them together.

Days passed by and Sabo slowly regained his strength.

Luffy and Ace were stuck by his side all the time. With Ace making sure he wouldn't move an inch and Luffy forcing him to eat meat as much as he could, it got exasperating real quick. Sabo let them be. After all, they wanted to make up for the years lost.

They narrated stories about each other's life, the adventures they had on the seas, the islands they sightsaw, and all the people they met along the way. Most missions Sabo did were confidential but he found a way to tell it to them without revealing too much information. It was exactly what they wanted when they were children, the freedom of adventure.

Koala and Hack were eying him like a hawk, frequently checking on the infirmary to make sure Ace and Luffy haven't done anything that could kill Sabo. After learning that he was awake and making sure he was fine, Ivankov bid his farewell to get back to his kingdom. Of course, the okama queen gave Sabo an earful about his recklessness first. Sabo also learned that Karasu was the first one to leave with his men without waiting for him to wake up. Duties in the army come first above anything else.

He got visitors from the Whitebeards, too. Mostly the former Spades Pirates who were now in the second division under Ace. He had a long conversation with Deuce, complaining about Ace's behavior much to Ace's chagrin. There were also guests from the division commanders. Most notable were Izou who gave him a beautiful flower arrangement and Haruta who told endless embarrassing stories about Ace.

On the fifth day since he awakened, Marco deemed him well enough to be out of bed rest. Sabo took a quick shower and got into much more comfortable clothing, cravat still included. After that, his brothers gave him a tour of Moby Dick with everyone greeting them. It's the biggest ship Sabo has ever been on.

The last place they went to was the deck where the captain's ship, Whitebeard, was currently located. Other crewmembers were also hanging out trying to get fresh air.

"My name is Sabo," he introduced himself with a radiant smile, wanting to give a nice impression. "As the Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army, I would like to express my deepest gratitude. You've been very hospitable to us during our stay."

"You have manners. Unfortunately, you weren't able to share that with your brother." Whitebeard poked with a grin.

"I do have manners!" Ace complained, stomping his feet.

"The first time you met Oyaji, you literally tried to blow his face off," Rakuyo deadpanned, crossing his arms.

"And you also tried murdering Oyaji at least one hundred times!" Haruta added with a chirp.

"You kidnapped us! What do you expect me to do! Remain civil!?" Ace defended. "And why are you guys bringing this up now!?"

"Ace did that?" Sabo blurted out, side-eying his brother who was groaning in a mortified manner. "Of course, he did that, this is Ace we're talking about."

"It's okay, Ossan! That's how Ace makes friends!" Luffy exclaimed, taking his older brother's side.

"Ace threatened to kill me the first time we met. He also tried feeding Luffy to countless ferocious animals in the forest we grew up in," Sabo illuminated in a very happy tone that got Ace's siblings worried.

Ace reached for his face, hiding in embarrassment. "Slandering me now, are we?"

"Sabo-kun," Izou uttered, looking at him with an interrogating stare. "Did you say that you're the Chief of Staff?"

"Chief of what?" Luffy repeated, tilting his head in confusion.

"Your brother is basically the second-in-command of the Revolutionary Army," Jozu summarised, amusement in his tone.

"Why?" Luffy asked again.

"What do you mean 'why'?" Sabo asked in a fake offended tone. "You don't believe in my abilities? You hurt me, Luffy."

"No, you're not." Ace's brain was haywire, looking at him with a blank expression.

"Yes, I am. Why do my own brothers can't believe I can achieve that?"

"The RA is doomed. They're being led by a complete sociopath…" Ace spouted in terror, making Sabo roll his eye.

"Brotherly banter, what bliss," Whitebeard remarked. "I still haven't said my appreciation. I would like to thank you for saving my son, Sabo, Luffy."

"I didn't do it for you!" Luffy said, scowling.

Ace hit him in the head. "Don't show that kind of behavior!"

"Sabo! Ace is being mean!" Luffy complained, making others laugh at the scene they were causing.

"What do you say about becoming my sons?"

Sabo and Luffy simultaneously looked back at the man, sharing an expression that looked bewildered yet intrigued.

"Accept it, yoi," Marco encouraged with a sly smirk. "If Ace has a habit of attempting homicide, Oyaji likes to adopt strange oddballs."

"Nah, I already have a dad. Two dads would be too confusing," Luffy explained in the simplest logic possible for his brain to comprehend.

Ace shook his head. "Believe me, Luffy. Oyaji would be the much better option."

"I'm good, too, but thank you for the offer," Sabo declined politely. If he also had to consider the closest thing he had for a father, it would be Dragon.

"If that's your decision then. You can still come back here anytime you want," Whitebeard said in merriment. "Let's have a celebration! For Ace's homecoming and his brother's welfare!"

"Aye!" Collective cheers of agreement were heard throughout.

In just an hour, the party was already in full swing. The deck was immediately full with the crew members wanting the taste of booze. Joyous yells and blasting music were heard throughout the ship. Food was served to everyone, hot and fast.

Sabo was not used in that kind of environment. Sure the army did have events every now and then but not with this intensity. The Whitebeards were surely a rowdy bunch. And from what Sabo could tell, they probably had parties frequently evident from the way things were going. There were bets on going, karaoke where voices were breaking, card games where every participant was cheating, and other things.

There he was on the farthest corner of the deck, together with Koala and Hack which he fetched earlier. They already ate dinner and were now sipping a few liquors. They watched the scene in front of them, not wanting to stand out too much.

"So what have you two been up to?" Sabo asked, kind of guilty that he's been ignoring them and has spent most of his time together with his brothers.

"We're hanging out with Jinbei," Koala answered before putting a takoyaki in her mouth.

"Though he already left three days ago to return to Fishman Island," Hack remarked with a wistful sigh.

Sabo nodded unconsciously. After being with Koala for many years, he learned things about her more than anyone. Sabo knew how much respect and admiration Koala has for Jinbei. If Sabo had a reunion with his brothers, he's happy Koala got her own with the said Fishman.

"What's your plan for now?" Hack inquired, swirling the liquor in his hand.

"Ace said that Rayleigh-san will fetch Luffy soon to begin his training. Do you think Dragon-san will let me come with them?"

"He's not heartless. He'll understand," Koala replied with a shrug. "But Hack and I have to return soon to look after your paperwork so you should thank us now."

Loud yellings interrupted them, causing them to look at the commotion. Sabo searched for his brother which he effortlessly located. Luffy was amid the uproar happening. He was dancing and singing, whilst eating anything he could grab. It was very entertaining indeed as Luffy was the only one who could multitask those things all at once.

"Luffy-kun really is the spotlight everywhere he goes," Koala commented, blue eyes twinkling.

"There's something special about him," Hack remarked in agreement.

"Luffy is the kind of person who's not afraid to love…" Sabo smiled, warmth enveloping his heart. "How can you not love someone like that?"

Luffy was rare, Sabo and Ace always knew it. He was the kind of boy who lived life to the fullest, with no hesitation nor fear, to simply exist and live freely. He's not afraid to show his emotions or feel too deeply. Luffy's childlike innocence made Sabo appreciate life. Most of all, Luffy has the power to save people. Whether it was Ace who he saved from the clutches of existential dread or Sabo who he saved from loneliness, Luffy always had that influence over others.

And Sabo was proud to call him brother.

"There you are!" Ace yelled, running over to him. "This party is for you guys! Don't just stand there."

"Oh no, we're not brave enough for pirates," Hack laughed while stroking his mustache.

"Drunk and rowdy pirates," Sabo added mischievously.

"We're used to stealth and not public appearances, Ace-kun." Koala chuckled.

"So the supposed mysterious and enigmatic organization in the world was nothing against a simple party?" Ace taunted, smirking as he put both of his hands on his hips.

"Sabo! Look!" Luffy appeared in front of them, meat in both of his hands. Between his nose and mouth, there were chopsticks inserted, making his appearance as comical as it could be.

Sabo snorted a laugh. "What is that for?"

"Idiot…" Ace jeezed, snickering uncontrollably.

"C'mon! Let's go and have some fun! Ossan said that we can eat all the meat we want!" extending his arms, Luffy wrapped them and started dragging all of them toward the middle.

The after-party was always the quietest.

It was two hours past midnight. Most were already passed out, drunk, and would most definitely have a headache once they awakened in the morning. The deck was full of grown men who decided that they would spend the night sleeping on the cold hard floor. To see the most formidable crew in the world be reduced to party animals was nothing but entertaining to Sabo.

During these times, the three brothers went up to the crow's nest, hiding away from the rest of the world. It's been days but they seemed to have neverending stories to share and narrate with each other. Sabo craved it more than he realized.

"Ne, Sabo, are you a pirate now?" Luffy laughed, pointing at the eyepatch.

Sabo touched the eyepatch on his left eye. He put it on earlier just because he could. He saw Ace's face turning into a mush of guilt again and it just made Sabo sigh.

"Yar!" Sabo reenacted in his best piratey voice. "I am here to get ya booty!"

"Surely we don't act like that," Ace snorted, placing a hand on his chin.

"Yeah, you're the type of pirate to get stuck on an uninhabited island and almost starve to death." Sabo shrugged playfully.

"Deuce told you about that?" Ace grumbled, unamused.

"He told me about how you got your Devil Fruit," Sabo said. "Did you also think it's a dessert like Luffy?"

"It's the most disgusting thing I've ever tasted," Ace grimaced, making a face.

"I don't remember how it tastes though," Luffy pondered, tilting his head, deep in thought. "But it's probably delicious!"

"Of course, only you Luffy…" Ace did a facepalm, shaking his head.

"Oh, by the way, Lu," Sabo said, thinking that it was the right time. "I have a present for you."

"A present! What is it?" Luffy's eyes lit up, hands flailing.

"Ta-dah," Sabo revealed the gift hidden inside his coat. It was covered in a gift wrapper that had a childish blue pattern of pirates.

Luffy wasted no time grabbing it and tearing it all apart.

"Even now, you're still finding ways to spoil him," Ace chuckled, ruffling Luffy's raven hair and making their younger brother pout.

"When did I spoil him?" Sabo raised an eyebrow.

"You always gave him the biggest piece of meat—"

"It's 'cause you're always stealing 'em!" Luffy defended, stopping what he was doing.

"—never letting him do chores—"

"You always complain that I kept doing it wrong!"

"—And you're always giving him gifts like what you're doing right now."

"I didn't ask for them!"

Sabo smirked. "Sounds like somebody's jealous."

"Yeah," Ace scoffed, before realizing what he uttered. "No, I'm not!"

"Oh, dear older brother, am I not good enough as a gift?" Sabo questioned mischievously.

"I got it!" Luffy exclaimed, raising the telescope in the air. He immediately peaked through, looking up at the sky.

Sabo let out a chuckle. "I'm sorry it's ten years late."

"How and when did you have the time to find one?" Ace asked while staring at Luffy who was acting as childishly as he could be. "I am honestly impressed."

"Koala works magic," Sabo replied then tapped Luffy's shoulder to get his attention. "Lu, the next time you see Koala say thank you to her, okay?"

Luffy nodded enthusiastically, still looking through the telescope. "Look, Sabo! It's the Ursa Major!"

Sabo immediately looked up. They had been blessed with a clear night sky, allowing the stars to shine bright. The constellation Luffy said was one of the easiest to find and sure enough, Sabo found it.

"You still remember them?" Sabo murmured, smiling softly.

"Of course, I had the best teacher!" Luffy complimented as an enormous smile flashed across his face.

"Back when, you're… well, away. We still do stargazing from time to time," Ace replied with a soft smile.

"But I couldn't remember the stories behind them though?" Luffy pouted before an idea came to his mind. "Please tell them again!"

With the happiness Luffy was showing, Sabo felt as if he could never say no to his little brother. He nodded eagerly, wanting to make his younger brother exhilarated.

"Okay, so once upon a time…"

It was easy to go back to the routine they had most nights when they were still children. Sabo was the one narrating the myths then Ace and Luffy would listen to him keenly.

Soon, Luffy's head settled on Ace's shoulders. Their younger brother's eyes became heavy, closing them and allowing sleep to cradle him. His soft snores resounded. Sabo couldn't imagine Luffy more innocent than he looked at that moment. He's seventeen now but Sabo still sees him as the kid who used to chase after him and Ace just to be his friend.

"Nothing changes, huh?" Ace murmured, sniggering. He supported Luffy's head towards his thighs, making Luffy sleep in a more comfortable position.

"We're only twenty but I'm already getting sentimental," Sabo said, sighing deeply. He took the telescope from Luffy's hand, afraid that it might be damaged. "When we were younger, those days we spent together seemed to be endless."

"I know what you mean. Like, look at what happened to those boys now."

Sabo smiled, "Well, the boy found himself a family once again by utilizing murder and arson."

"What can I say? They love me," Ace said proudly.

"So how did they react when they found out about your father?"

Ace's grey eyes quickly lost their glimmer. His lips quivered, head bowing down and clenching his fists. Sabo knew he struck the nerve, opening up the most sensitive part of Ace's, one of the biggest influences in his life.

"They…" Ace started, breathing deeply to calm himself. "They accepted it more easily than I could ever imagine. I-It's not what I imagined honestly. We just got back from Marineford and I was not even aware of that news. I was backed down in a corner and ready to just run away but Marco stopped me…"

"Did you honestly think they'd kick you out of the crew?" Sabo questioned, narrowing his eye.

Ace shook his head. "Oyaji knows about my connection to Roger even from the start. Marco and Thatch… I also told them about it long ago. I guess Oyaji talked to them, that's why there's not much of a fuss that went on. Everyone is a child of the sea or so Oyaji says."

"You got adopted by your father's arch nemesis." Sabo humored, sniggering.

"And you got adopted by your little brother's father of all people." Ace remarked, furrowing his brows in confusion. "Wait, how does that work? This whole family thing is very weird."

"Dragon-san didn't adopt me." Sabo shrugged. "And I don't think he will now that I'm literally an adult."

"Well, I'm glad that you and Luffy have found someone to look up to," Ace whispered, smiling. He started patting Luffy's hair who was still comfortably sleeping on his lap. "I've made peace with my heritage. Not everyone in this world will accept who I am. What matters is that I found a family that doesn't care about my blood. They see me as me. And for that, I would forever be thankful."

"I'm happy for you, truly am…" Sabo's smile became wider.

Ace laughed, placing his hand on the floor. He closed his eyes, allowing the sea breeze to cool his body, enjoying the moment they were having. Sabo stared at his brothers, memorizing every tiny detail about their appearances.

"Ace, c'mon meet my Dad!" Luffy enthusiastically screamed, inviting him to come over.

Ace was sitting in the corner, crossed legs as he simply watched his brothers call the leader of the Revolutionary Army. Sabo didn't understand the hostility on Ace's face. Ace just seemed to always have an antagonistic view about fathers in general.

It was the next morning and the three of them had a sleepover in Ace's room. Dragon called right before they could go out and eat breakfast. Ever since Sabo had awakened from a coma, it was the second time they had the time to talk. The first one had been cut short as Dragon was busy over something.

"Nah, I'm good," Ace shrugged nonchalantly.

"You introduced us to Ossan lemme introduce you to mine, too!" Luffy complained, pouting.

"I don't like him because he abandoned you, Luffy," Ace explained with a sigh.

"It's for Luffy's own good."

Sabo raised an eyebrow, not expecting that Dragon would actually reply to Ace's statement.

"I wanted him to have a normal childhood as possible, free from the burden of my name."

"Oh yeah?" Ace reacted, unamused, not even the slightest bit. "Why did you raise Sabo then?"

There was silence on the other line. The three of them patiently waited for a reply. Sabo opened his mouth then closed it again, wanting to defend Dragon's actions but he couldn't really find a justifiable means.

"I'm glad to hear that you're alright now, Sabo," Dragon said, completely ignoring the earlier question.

"Don't just change the subject!" Ace yelled. He stood up, clenching his fists, making his way towards the den den mushi. Sabo and Luffy just shared a laugh over their brother's reaction.

"Dragon-san," Sabo snapped his fingers. "I think Ace here has a point."

"I'm fine with it honestly." Luffy blinked innocently.

"Stay out of this," Ace stated harshly, scowling at him.

Luffy's pout even grew further. "But you're talking about me so I have a right to say my opinions!"

"Your older brothers know what's the best for you," Ace dismissed.

Sabo rubbed his temples. It was still early in the morning and yet his brothers were already engaged in a screaming match. "Dragon-san, it seems like you're no better than Garp-san."

"Oh, so you've met him?" Dragon sounded so enthralled by the thought.

"Unfortunately," Sabo deadpanned, dreading all the beatings they suffered from the marine hero. "Who could ever forget the infamous Fist of Love?"

It made Dragon chuckle and it's been a while since Sabo has heard him laugh like that. His superior always maintained his serious demeanor and it's nice to hear him lighten sometimes. Sabo concluded that Dragon was the original receiver of the Fist of Love. Just the thought of being punched by Garp in his prime was enough to send shivers down Sabo's spine.

Maybe the Fist of Love hurt so badly Dragon never outgrew his rebellious phase.

"Your sarcasm is still intact, I see."

"It's the one thing I won't ever lose in life." Sabo marvelously remarked.

"I'll give you a one-month break to catch up with your brothers. Make sure to cherish that."

"We're not giving Sabo back!" Ace screamed, putting the receiver closer to his mouth.

"Yeah!" Luffy backed up.

"Well, good luck with that. I trust my Chief of Staff to find his way home," Dragon challenged. Sabo could imagine that there was a smirk on the man's lips at that moment. "It's nice to meet you, Ace, and thank you for being there for my sons. I'm going now."

"Bye, Dad!" Luffy bid, waving his hand as if his father could see him.

"Sons, huh?" Ace questioned, smiling smugly. He threw the den den mushi back at Sabo.

"It's all your fault." Sabo caught the snail midair as he sighed in an exasperated manner. "Whose idea was it again to be brothers?"

Three days later, Rayleigh was back at the Moby Dick.

The preparations he made for Luffy's two-year training were all set out, though the man was tight-lipped over where they would stay. Rayleigh had his own ship but the Whitebeards provided a much more spacious and sturdier one knowing that Ace and Sabo would tag along as well. After tons of food loaded up that could last them weeks were boarded, the journey of an old man and three brothers started. They also had the Striker roped in as Ace's transport once he gets back.

Sabo did enjoy the tranquillity of being alone with his brothers. As much as he took delight in the Whitebeards, it was overwhelming meeting and interacting with Ace's many, many siblings. It was exhausting and his social battery was drained. This was a much-needed vacation after all the things that have transpired with his life over the past few weeks.

They were all at the deck since the weather was pleasant. Sabo was entertaining Luffy by sparring. Between Sabo's proud grin and Luffy's unending giggles, neither were taking it seriously. Sabo was still not in the best condition but he considered the match as some sort of light exercise. The sparring match ended as Luffy's stomach growled, signaling his fourth meal of the day. And so, Luffy went inside the galley to feed himself.

Sabo kept glancing in Ace's direction. Ace was slumped next to the rails, cowboy hat covering his face away from the sun, arms crossed over his chest. His brother seemed to be napping. Sabo could see that Ace was not himself around Rayleigh. Ace preferred to not acknowledge the man when he was around. Not that Ace needed to since Sabo didn't want to push him into doing something he obviously doesn't want.

As for Rayleigh, he was steering the helm. Sabo noticed that the man was watching them silently earlier. Sabo made his approach, wanting to know some details about their trip.

"Now that we are far away from Moby Dick. May I ask where you're planning to take us?" Sabo inquired in a neutral tone.

Rayleigh smiled, grabbing something in his pocket. He threw it towards the young man. Sabo caught the eternal pose, needle pointing towards the south.

"Rusukaina? I don't think I've heard of it." Sabo handed the eternal pose back.

"It's an uninhabited island in the Calm Belt. It has a harsh environment as seasons change weekly. There are also hundreds of ferocious animals roaming so it is perfect for Luffy to tame," Rayleigh explained.

"Animals, huh? We used to hunt back when we're still kids. It would be nice to do that again with them."

"With you and Ace-kun, I bet a mass extinction would be underway in just the first week." Rayleigh shook his head, chuckling.

"We'll make sure to leave some for Luffy then." Sabo smiled mischievously. "I never struck you as a navigator, Rayleigh-san."

"I am knowledgeable enough in seafaring. You never know what it's like in these seas."

"Of course, you'll know. You're the vice-captain of the only pirate crew to have ever circumnavigated the Grand Line."

"Star-struck now, are we?"

Sabo shrugged his shoulders. "Well, it's not an everyday opportunity to hear stories from such an acclaimed pirate. If you don't mind sharing them, that is."

Out of the corner of Sabo's eyes, he saw his brother stirred. Ace sat up, ears tuned in with their conversation.

"That's gonna take us a while," Rayleigh remarked as he stroked his beard, though appearing enthralled by the idea.

"Good thing we have time then. You have to babysit us for a month before we leave Luffy in your care," Sabo exclaimed, grinning.

"Rayleigh," Ace acknowledged, standing before them. He cleared his throat before continuing. "I've had realizations in these past few weeks. Apparently, being stuck in prison waiting for your impending doom is enough for someone to look back on everything about their life. So to make peace, I'd like to hear a story or two about Roger."

Sabo raised an eyebrow, eying his brother leery. It's obvious to everyone that Ace ignored Rayleigh because of his connection to his biological father. Sabo was glad that Ace was the one taking the initiative into finding out more about his heritage.

"He's the type of man to name his son after his sword."

There was silence as the two young adults stared at the old man in front of them. Sabo blinked, then glanced at Ace, before staring at Rayleigh once more. Rayleigh had a jesting smile plastered on his lips as if he had told them the wildest joke in the world.

"Pardon…?" Sabo faltered.

"What the fuck?" Ace reacted in aggravation.

Rayleigh didn't answer right away as he burst into a burst of booming laughter.

"Answer my question, old man! What do you mean by that!?" Ace insisted, clenching his fists.

Rayleigh hid his smile, not wanting to aggravate him further. "I am sorry to be the one to inform you, Ace. I am certain Newgate knows about it too but he doesn't have the heart to tell you."

"But Roger is not a swordsman as far as I am aware," Sabo pointed out with a snap.

"He never considered himself to be one. Though, I must say he is skilled. Roger did use it occasionally as it's one of the Supreme Grade Blades."

"It's okay. There are names definitely worse than Ace," Sabo consoled. He patted his brother's back as a way to show his sympathy. It was Sabo's turn to laugh at the grief-stricken Ace who had his jaw dropped.

"And that is?" Ace questioned in irritation.

"Jiji named his only son Dragon as if their family name isn't already an animal-themed one."

"Huh," Ace exclaimed, perking up. "No wonder he's the most wanted criminal."

"Why're you guys talking 'bout my Dad?" Luffy mouthed, appearing next to them out of nowhere. He took a bite out of the meat in his hand after.

"Roger…" Ace trailed, breathing deeply. He used his hands to wipe his face. "He's an idiot, isn't he?"

"Very," Rayleigh confirmed.

And as time ticked and they had nothing else better to do, the brothers listened as Rayleigh recounted the tale of a lifetime.

Rusukaina is an island flourishing in fauna and flora. Its jungle had trees that towered high above, trunks covered in thick layers of moss and vines. The season was spring when they arrived and the whole place was covered in green grass. With the help of Observation Haki, Sabo could sense the monsters that lurked deep within the forest, eyes gleaming in the dim light. They posed no threat as for now so he paid them no heed. They helped Rayleigh set off camp exactly in the midst of the island. There stood an ancient town, the only proof that it once stood there was the crumbling ruins. Once done, Rayleigh let the brothers wander on their own. After all, it was a place of mystery and adventure.

"Look at what I found, Sabo!" Luffy showed it to him excitedly, laughing uncontrollably. It was a mushroom that was bright yellow in color, top covered in green.

Sabo grabbed the mushroom and inspected it with mystified eyes. "Hmm… I don't think it's edible."

"Too late, I already ate it!" Luffy said between giggles.

"Are you trying to die!?" Ace grilled, pulling Luffy's ears as he lectured him.

"Well, I'm hungry and it looks very delicious and it is!"

Sabo looked at Ace, deadpanning. "How on earth did you manage to keep Luffy alive all these years?"

"In Luffy's own catchphrase, it's a mystery." Ace shook his head in defeat.

"C'mon, you should try it! I bet it's gonna taste good when it's grilled with meat! Sanji could make it better and I know—"

An arrow pierced through the mushroom that Luffy was holding, launching towards the bark of a tree.

In an instant, Sabo grabbed the staff on his back, readying a stance for action and will attack if provoked enough. Luffy fell over on the ground, still laughing like there was no tomorrow. Sabo concluded that Luffy's actions were the result of the mushroom he had eaten. Ace stood in front of Luffy, protecting him from whatever enemy they might have to face. Their eyes scanned the dense forest ahead, ready for the adversary to make a move. Sabo cursed under his breath. He allowed himself to be at ease just because he was together with his brothers. It was a stupid move to lay low just because this island was uninhabited.

Suddenly, a group of figures emerged from the depths of the forest, their forms illuminated by the fading light of the day. They were dressed in colorful leather armor adorned with intricate patterns. They moved in such a precise manner, moving in their formation gracefully. The bow in their hands was pointed at them, ready to be unleashed any moment.

Amid the entourage, Sabo recognized the woman he certainly had seen in pictures before. She was a lot taller than he expected. She strode through the forest with the grace of a snake, a lithe figure moving graciously. Her hair, the color of a raven, flowed behind her back up to her waist. Dignity and class oozed from her very appearance. Her glittering eyes surveyed her surroundings, not a trace of fear in her expression.

"Boa Hancock…" Sabo hissed, gripping his staff tighter. He took a deep breath and tried to calm his nerves, thinking quickly as he surveyed the terrain. The protocol given in the army when meeting face-to-face with a Warlord was to find the best escape route as fast as possible. But Sabo was never the one to follow the directives from the above, especially now if it involves the safety of his brothers.

"They're Kujas," Ace muttered under his breath. "And here I thought we're gonna have a peaceful vacation."

"Straw Hat Luffy…" Hancock muttered the name with animosity, spitting it out like poison. She held her head high, staring over at the said pirate who was still laying on the ground.

"Whatever it is that you need from him, you must face us first," Ace growled, ready to defend his brother any moment.

"You are a wanted man whose crime happens to be assaulting a Celestial Dragon. Do you plead guilty?" Hancock interrogated with a seething expression, only focused on the teen.

"Yeah, so what 'bout it!?" Luffy screamed, gone was the trace of cheerfulness in his voice, replaced by the desire to defend his actions.

And just like that, Hancock's whole demeanor changed.

"R-Really!? And you manage to live and tell the tale! How magnificent!" Hancock squealed in delight, hands clasping together. Her deep brown eyes had a dreamy look, lost in thought as if she were thousands of miles away. "Bring out the refreshments. We must celebrate such a trivial accomplishment!"

And just like that, the ice was broken. The Kujas dropped their weapon as they did exactly what their leader had ordered. The air was filled with the tantalizing aromas of cooking, making their stomachs growl in response to the inviting smell. A flurry of activity erupted as the Kujas emerged, each carrying a platter or bowl overflowing with food. They revealed enormous amounts of food, ranging from meat, fruits, and desserts, all arranged beautifully and presented with care.

"Eh?" Ace blinked rapidly, glancing at Sabo who looked just as confused as he was.

"Luffy! I know how much you love meat so I brought you plenty!" Hancock gushed, showing a plate of steaming hot meat next to her.

"Thanks!" Luffy hollered in joy, launching himself towards them.

"Wait, Lu—!" Sabo shouted.

Sabo and Ace didn't have the time to stop their younger brother towards the supposed enemy territory. In old typical Luffy fashion, he immediately devoured everything in his sight. Luffy didn't even care if the food was poisoned. All he had in mind was to replenish his famished stomach.

As she watched him eat, Hancock was completely enamored by the teen. Her eyes were fixed on Luffy with an intensity that was impossible to miss. She was absorbed in the sight of him as if nothing else in the world existed except for him and the food he was eating. It was as if she was trying to memorize every moment, every gesture so that she could relive it later on.

"Don't be alarmed by our sudden appearance. We mean you no harm, nyon," said the elder Kuja who approached the two.

A sharp cough interrupted them before Sabo could say something.

"These boys have been through a lot. It's understandable that they're on edge, Gloriosa," Rayleigh bespoke, crossing his arms.

"Rayleigh," Elder Nyon acknowledged. "It seems like you are getting soft at your age."

Ace cleared his throat, interrupting their pleasantries. "Do you know why the Pirate Empress— the leader of the supposed legendary Kuja tribe— is here and currently gushing over my brother?" He inquired dramatically, saying the question Sabo also had in mind.

"She is suffering from love sickness," Elder Nyon answered, shaking her head in exasperation.

"Huh?" Sabo blinked rapidly, expecting this whole thing to be a joke.

"Ever since Hime-sama learned about the news of a rookie pirate punching a Celestial Dragon she despises the most, her utmost desire is to meet Straw Hat Luffy," Elder Nyon explained.

"A Warlord that hates Celestial Dragons?" Ace questioned, finding it hard to believe.

"Understandable. There's nothing to like about them," Sabo commented dryly. Whether one's from the marines or revolutionaries, it seemed like everyone shared a mutual universal hatred towards the supposed world nobles.

"Are you saying she's in love with Luffy!? Our Luffy!?"

"As the saying in the east goes by, love is a hurricane, nyon."

"And how did you manage to track us down? That surely concerns me," Rayleigh voiced out.

"Hime-sama is desperate and Shakuyaku's intel works wonders. What a small world it is. Shakuyaku provided us not just Straw Hat's whereabouts but also his height, weight, likes, dislikes, and love for meat. The list goes on." Elder Nyon elaborated.

"And who's this Shakuyaku?" Ace asked.

"My wife," Rayleigh answered, smiling.

"You have a wife!?"

"My, everything just surprises you, Ace-kun." Rayleigh chuckled out loud. "And what about you, Sabo-kun? You're spacing out."

"I'm…" Sabo trailed, uncertainty in his tone. He heaved a heavy sigh, hands reaching to comb his unruly blond locks. "I'm so confused…"

"Hey, Sabo," Ace called out, looking ever so serious. "Are you sure we didn't take those magic mushrooms from Luffy earlier?"

Sabo's mouth dropped open. "Does a hallucination ever hurt like this?" He proceeded to pinch Ace's cheeks hard, making him yelp in pain.

"Hello. Luffy mentions that you're his older brothers so I think it would be better if you'd also join him in eating," Hancock whirled around, all smiles as she faced them. "Please don't be shy and help yourselves so— Rayleigh-san? You're also here?"

"So dense!" Elder Nyon complained.

"It's been a while, Hancock," Rayleigh greeted first before turning to the two brothers. "You can trust them. We shared history all the way back."

Sabo raised an eyebrow. He looked over at Ace who shrugged exasperatedly. If Rayleigh trusted them, Sabo concluded that it was fine to socialize around.

They shared food together, singing and eating. If someone told Sabo three months ago that he's going to have a party with a commander of the Whitebeards, the vice-captain of the Roger Pirates, and the empress of a supposed mythical tribe, he would surely laugh. But here he was now thinking that life really is unpredictable as it seems. The next day came by swiftly. Hancock left together with her crew, promising to visit Luffy once a month to provide food and other necessities for the two-year-long training he was up ahead.

As the three brothers stood on the shore of the beach, the sound of the waves crashing filled the air. It was hard to believe that a whole month had already passed since they reunited after ten years of being apart. It felt like just yesterday that they had hugged each other tightly, tears streaming down their faces as they reconnected after so many years. But now, as they looked back on the past month, it seemed like a blur— a whirlwind of laughter, reminiscing their childhood, and making new memories together. It was as if time had flown by in the blink of an eye, not stopping for anyone, leaving them with a sense of yearning for more moments spent together.

It had been an incredible experience but now as Sabo looked back at his brothers, his heart was filled with a sense of longing— wistful for more time together, for more moments spent exploring the world, and more sharing stories with each other. He had grown so accustomed to having his brothers by his side, to the feeling of being part of a family once again.

Alas, time was never enough for them.

A week before, Sabo had already contacted their base. He arranged for a vessel to come and picked him up. Rusukaina was almost nonexistent on new maps but they managed to track him down using old ones. And on the morning of the last day of the month, the vessel flying the symbol of revolutionaries came fully into view, signaling the end of their reunion.

"You're leaving, huh?" Ace asked, grey eyes staring at the horizon ahead.

"Being an adult also means you'll have responsibilities," Sabo responded with a hum. "It's not like it's the end. We've already established that we'll visit Luffy together every four months."

"What 'bout you, Ace? When are you leavin'?" Luffy asked, blinking.

"You want me out already, Lu? I'm hurt." Ace faked an offensive tone.

"Nu-uh! I just thought you'd leave together with Sabo."

"Me and Sabo leaving might sadden you, Lu. I'll leave in the next few days."

"Please take care of him for me," Sabo flashed an affectionate smile. "For a while, at least."

"You do know that's the same request you asked me ten years ago, right?" Ace smirked, crossing his arms across his chest.

"Yeah, and you actually managed to do it. I'm impressed," Sabo replied, clapping mockingly.

"Tsk, tsk. Have some faith in me, little brother."

"Well, this is it, then," Sabo muttered with a wistful sigh, dropping his shoulders.

"Yeah…" Ace nodded, smiling sadly.

"I am so happy that I found you two again. I'm glad that—"

Luffy hugged Sabo before he could finish his little speech. Sabo could feel Luffy's body tensing as if stopping himself from unleashing the whirlwind of emotions he was currently feeling. Sabo held him tightly, feeling the years melt away in that single moment. He could feel Luffy's heartbeat against his chest, and he knew that he would do anything to protect him. The bond between them was unbreakable, and it had only grown stronger with the distance that had separated them. The little boy he had once known had grown into a young man, but the same playful spirit and a mischievous glint in his eye remained.

Ace was there to embrace his two younger brothers as well. He could feel the strength and solidity of his older brother's frame, and he clung to him, almost as if he were a lifeline. The embrace was warm and encompassing, a cocoon of safety and familiarity that he had missed more than he had realized. They held tightly to each other for the longest moment, neither wanting to ever let go.

"C'mon guys, I'll miss you, too." Sabo laughed a little, breaking the silence between them.

Luffy unwrapped himself, staring intently into Sabo's eyes. "Take care of yourself."

"I should be the one telling you that, Lu." Sabo grinned, showing his teeth.

"Please don't ever forget us now," Ace requested, smiling radiantly. "Or I'll go to the ends of the earth just to track you down in Baltigo or wherever the heck you are."

Sabo laughed. "I'll make sure of that."

Sabo began walking away towards the vessel that shall carry him back to the home he considered for ten years. He boarded and stood on the deck, looking back at his brothers on shore. Sabo spotted Rayleigh standing far away from them, giving the brothers their own moment. With no words between them, Sabo and Rayleigh nodded at each other as a token of farewell.

"Ace! Luffy!" Sabo screamed their names at the top of his lungs. "We really did it! We meet at the top!"

"See you soon, Sabo!" Luffy howled as loud as he could, waving both of his hands energetically as the vessel sailed away toward the sunset.

"See ya again, Bo!" Ace also yelled, hands cupping around his mouth, matching Luffy's enthusiasm.

Sabo could feel the wind whipping through his hair, the salty spray of the ocean on his face, and the steady rhythm of the ship beneath his feet. The world around him seemed vast and infinite, full of possibilities and unknowns.

As the ship sailed away from the shore, he watched his brothers grow smaller and smaller until they were mere specks on the horizon. But he could still feel their presence with him, a constant reminder of the love and support he had in his life. Even if he didn't remember them for ten years, the feelings they shared were like a treasure buried deep down.

Sabo turned his gaze towards the setting sun, ready to face whatever lay ahead with courage and determination. His heart was full of hope and excitement, knowing that his journey was about to continue. But this time, he finally remembered the reason why he was doing all of this, the reason and bane of his existence.

The sea was a very vast place. Despite the distance, they still found each other.

Their bond would never be broken.

A/N:

It's finally finished although it took longer than I expected haha. ASL would always be my favorite anime brothers and they do deserve a happy ending.

I never liked the idea of Ace punching Sabo once he learned he's still alive and yada yada. Rayleigh saying that Ace is named after his father's sword would never fail to make me giggle because Roger is a big dum dum and Ace doesn't need anymore reason to hate his bio dad lol. Also, Hancock is never a part of my first draft but since some people are asking for her, I managed to insert a scene so yayyy.

Does anyone knows the inspiration behind the chapter titles~?

Thank you for all the support! (•͈ᴗ•͈)