Chapter Six

Ace finally reached the island Marco had directed him to. It was, as he had been told, a small summer island. As he drew nearer to the island, he caught sight of a port that had been built next to a town. It was a picturesque scene, as if some artist had brought their painting to life.

Earlier that day, he had discovered that he was getting low on his food and his water jug that held freshwater was empty. Feeling content with himself that he had made his small amount of supplies last for three days, he was also relieved that he had reached his final destination.

Slowing the small boat that he used his fire to power, he drifted up to one dock that protruded out into deeper water, convenient in the case he wanted to make a quick and speedy getaway from some marines or bounty hunters. One of the workers on the dock walked up to him and asked for 100 berri to dock his boat. Reaching into his bag, Ace retrieved the requested money and went on his way.

After he had sat down and had a meal, Ace decided to start asking around about the Red Haired pirates. If they were still there, the people would know where they were, and if not, they might be able to send him in the right direction. He started with searching the bars in town for any drunken pirate who looked vaguely familiar.

Anyone who talked to Shanks knew that he and his crew were overly fond of alcohol and its properties. When Ace had first met the powerful pirate, he had been invited to the party they were having at the time. He was fond of those memories, and recalled that the reason to that meeting was to thank Shanks for saving his little brother's life.

As he started to ask the bartender, he noticed one of the patrons in the bar stand up and walk over to them. "Hey, Max," he called to the bartender, "how about you give this man an ale. It's on me!" Ace was slightly startled by his loud, drunken voice, but noticed that he had no trouble with his other motor functions. The man was only acting drunk, no doubt to fool him into giving away something.

"Sir, I must gratefully decline your kind offer," Ace replied hastily, moving back a step. He nodded to the bartender, grinning. "I don't mean to stay longer than need. I have to find some people" Patting the drunk man on the shoulder, he picked up his bag and slung it over his shoulder, leaving the building.

The 'drunk' man called after him. "Wait, 're ya lookin' fer Shanks?"

Ace cast a quick glance back at the man and nodded, pausing for a moment to let the man catch up. Now that he looked more closely, Ace noticed that the man was familiar in some way. Perhaps he had seen him at... Marineford...

"Alright, 'Fire Fist', I'll show ya where he's at," the man said, steering him by the shoulder down the path. "I'm sure you got some sorta question fer the cap'n, anyways, and he wouldn't 'ave wanted me to leave ya there."

"... thanks," Ace replied quietly. He didn't want to be around these people at the moment, his heart heavy with dread. If Shanks didn't know who took the sword he had given Yuki, then that would be an end to the only lead he had. He would have to sail all around the Grand Line and the New World just to find one or two leads. If nothing else, he would have Shanks' crew draw up a picture of the sword so he could ask others more easily.

"Hey, 'Fire Fist'! We're almost there, so make sure ya remember yer manners when talkin' ta the cap'n," he snapped. "The cap'n's been in a foul mood since we've been ta Marineford. Probably 'cause o' Yuki's death. I remember hearin' 'bout her when I first joined the crew, he made Luffy and the lass sound like gods, the way he went on and on 'bout 'em."

Tears welled up in his eyes as memories flooded his head. "They were so sad 'cause of that. I guess I was a bit sad, too. Not like ya care 'bout me, who never spoke ta her before, but I knew 'er from the joyful stories we were told."

Ace looked at the man for a minute, feeling slightly more relaxed around him. A person who knew her worth was guiding him to one of Yuki's closest friends. Even if the crew couldn't help him find the sword, they could give him peace of mind about her and her death.

Soon the two of them reached the campsite for the Red-Hair Pirates, and the vice-captain, Benn Beckman, gladly greeted them. Shanks was sitting in one of the long shadows cast by the outcrop of nearby trees, and he eagerly hopped up when he caught sight of the three men.

"Ace! You're... here," he greeted warmly, but with a little surprise. "What can I do for you, today?" He led Ace to a place farther away from the crew where he'd been sitting originally, and sat him down on a log, sitting across from Ace.

"Do you need help coping?" Shanks asked quietly. For a moment, Ace's mind flashed back to the scene of Luffy after Yuki died saving him. His little brother couldn't take the compiled stress of it all, and had snapped.

"No," he replied firmly. Shanks calmed a little, so he went on. "I came to ask you about the sword that you gave to Yuki. You left it on her grave, correct?"

"Yes, why? Is it gone?"

"Exactly. I can't find traces of who took it, and I assumed that you may be able to help me with something, even if you don't know where the sword currently is," Ace explained, trying to keep down the anger in his voice. Why would someone desecrate her grave, right after she had been killed? It made him furious.

"I don't know what you expect us to be able to do, but we'll certainly keep an eye out for that sword. If we see it, we'll send word," Shanks pressured. He could see the anger in the young man's eyes, and wished that the whole ordeal could be over with, for everyone's sake.

"Shanks, do you remember the details of the sword's appearance? I'd like a drawing of what it looked like so I can ask if anyone's seen it more easily," Ace asked, standing up and stretching.

"Sure, I have a few artists who can draw a sword, too. Give me a few minutes," he said, grinning. Then an idea popped into his head. "Or better yet, why don't you drink with us for a while? We could always use a new face at a party!"

Ace finally smiled, for the first time since he found the sword was missing. It felt good to be around Shanks and his crew. They were all so friendly and warm, there was a sense of security that followed.

"I guess I can spare some time," Ace replied, jokingly. The two of them ran down the rocky slope to the camp, grinning like idiots enough to make the others doubt their level of sobriety.