To Ghostie : Oh, thanks for your compliment! At first I didn't think to include Ace in the story, but my brain told me to do it— and I'm happy because you were happy too when I decided to actually bring him into the story:'DD
And I never thought about posting on AO3, but maybe I'll consider it, thanks for your suggestion :)
Thank you for waiting! I made this chapter longer than all the chapters until now. I hope you all enjoy this chapter too!
One Piece © Eiichiro Oda
Treasure of Our Memories © Reinachi327
..
All the characters and elements I use in this story belong to Oda.
"Ace?!"
Ace couldn't blink his eyes, his eyes just widening as he looked at his brothers who were standing in front of him, with shocked expressions and shouting his name in the same tone as Ace did when he call them.
Ace himself really didn't understand what he had just gone through, he hit his head quite hard earlier. He hoped it wouldn't make him crazy and create hallucinations where he saw his brothers.
Because as far as he knew, Sabo should be somewhere — he forgot the name of the place where Sabo was — with the Revolutionary Army at the moment, and Luffy was probably still in Wano Country or had already left the Country.
So, How could they be in this place? In the place who somehow looks familiar in Ace's eyes.
Ace remember just a minute ago he was on the Moby Dick which was still docked on Hazina Island. He should have been with the Whitebeard Pirates when he was about to open the Treasure Chest he got from the Island.
—Flashback before Ace met Luffy and Sabo—
Ace and the Whitebeard Pirates have docked on Hazina Island 3 days ago (Also, 3 days before Ace met his brothers), of course it is easy to dock and stay on the island because Hazina is one of the many islands that is also affiliated with the Whitebeard Pirates. They docked there to restock their ships, Moby Dick.
Now 3 days have passed, they are almost finished to restock all of their supplies. Making today the last day they docked on this island, Ace thought about at least have a walk around this island again before they set sail.
"Ace!"
Ace was about to jump down from the Moby Dick, but he stopped when a familiar voice called his name. Ace turned around to look in the direction where the voice came from.
"Where are you going-yoi?" The voice that called him came from the 1st Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, Marco. He walked closer to him as he asked, Ace then responded with a grin on his face.
"We're going set sail today, right? So, I decided to walking around the Island for a bit."
Standing right next to Ace, the Phoenix put his hands on his waist and returned Ace's grin with his usual smile, "Oh, i see. Want me to accompany you?"
Ace pursed his lips, "Come on, Marco. I think I'm old enough to be accompanied just because I want to go for a walk." Ace answered in a sour tone, he wasn't a kid who would get lost— unless his narcolepsy attacked him and made him sleep in the middle of nowhere.
Marco just shrugged his shoulders and gave Ace a slightly mocking smile before he turned around, "Haruta, Vista and some of our other crew are also still on the island, so if you meet them make sure to remind them that we are leaving this afternoon-yoi, Ace."
He waved over his shoulder and walked away, "Also, you too, Ace. Don't return too late to the ship or we will leave you on this island and pick you up a year later."
Ace grumbled for a moment and only hummed in response to Marco's words and immediately jumped off the ship after that. Stepped onto the island again. It's still bright enough, it doesn't take much time just to walk around, right?
Ace began his journey around Hazina Island, enjoying every inch of the island's beauty along with the treasure chest decoration which always looked cool to Ace no matter how many times he has visited this island.
Some people gave Ace snacks, some greeted him, and some little kid sometimes gave him flowers or other little thing as gifts when Ace passed through the streets.
Ace was already used to the treatment the islanders gave him, or more precisely, to the Whitebeard Pirates. They are respected and liked by the people of this island for many reasons, some of the reason is becaude of the kindness or protection they have given to this island and the people for a long time.
Ace is of course happy to accept every gift they give, Ace is also happy to see the children of this island living peacefully and smiling happily. While he was walking around he met Haruta, Vista and several crew of the Whitebeard Pirates, Ace didn't forget to remind them that they would be sailing this afternoon as Marco had told him.
Ace immediately continued to wander around after reminding them of that. This time he went to the south side of town, to visiting a forest filled with a lot of tree houses.
Ace personally really liked that place because the atmosphere there was very cool with views of large trees with wooden houses built on their branches. How the dense leaves of the trees that block sunlight also create a beautiful patterns of shadow on the ground. Ace also visited several tree houses to greet the owners because he was quite good friends with the people who lived there.
Another reason or the main reason he likes that place is because it makes him .. Reminiscing about his childhood.
Reminds Ace of an unforgettable childhood memory where he built a tree house with his brothers, making him wonder what happened to their tree house now. Maybe it had been destroyed by a storm and swept away by the wind and time, and no longer left a single trace.
Maybe one day I should visit Dawn Island with Luffy and Sabo to see it, and besides, it would definitely be fun if we visited there without giving any news first. We can surprise Makino and the others especially that old hag Dadan.
Ace thought, making him giggle at the thought of Dadan's stupid face who was surprised because of their visit one day.
Talking about his childhood, Ace also remembers how much he really hated his own existence when he was a child, cursing himself for being born as the son of the Pirates King, Gol D. Roger. He was called the devil's child by people, making him think that he was not worthy of being born.
He thought like that before he finally met Sabo. He had doubts about be friend with Sabo before he finally told him about his identity as Gol D. Roger's son. In the hope that Sabo would insult him and stay away from him, but no.
'I see, well, that's interesting. But I don't really care whose blood flows in your veins. Roger's son or not, you're still you, right? There hasn't been any change in who you really are and how I see you, i consider you as my friend, Ace. The one i trust the most.' was Sabo's answer to him.
Ace was shocked because it was the first time he heard someone say something like that to him, he had never even once to received a response like that, which ultimately made Sabo the only person he trusted in this world. Someone who taught him about trust, and what it felt like to be acknowledged.
Until finally Luffy also came into his life, no, more precisely into both of their lives. Luffy appeared with a smile and full of energy that made him look stupid, a boy who was so naive, but full of honesty, a boy who shone more than any light in the world.
It was him, their Little Brother who gave and taught them what it was like to be given affection, love, how it feels to be appreciated and how it feels to be given absolute loyalty.
Luffy is the most beautiful gift the world can give them, even though they are both embarrassed to admit it directly. But it didn't take a year for him to completely got their hearts and attention, make them both think they would die just to protect him.
That's why for Ace, Luffy and Sabo are the reason and foundation that made Ace the person he is today. His brothers who gave him the determination and desire to live and set his feet on the earth until this day.
And the fact that he couldn't protect one of them, Sabo, better will always be one of his biggest regrets.
Even though in the end 5 years after he and Luffy thought they had lost Sabo in that tragedy, they were shocked by the arrival of another letter from Sabo, they doesnt want a false hope so they thought the letter was a mistake or— whatever, but they recognized their brother's writing style from the letter. So they decided to read it.
After reading the letter, both Ace or Luffy crying more than the day they lost him, because after 5 years of thinking their older brother was dead, they finally found out that in fact their brother was actually still alive.
He had been saved, and he had been suffering from Amnesia for those five years, that's why he couldn't give them any news about himself. And now he is in a safe place. Become part of the Army called the Revolutionary Army. And they were fine with it at least Sabo was fine, safe and.. Alive .
However, Ace's disappointment with himself still exists to this day. Sometimes, Ace even dreams, and wishes he could turn back time so he can correct his mistakes and keep Sabo with him and Luffy, enjoy their company for each other more longer until they can finally leave Dawn Island together when they are 17 years old.
"Hm.." Ace slowly opened his eyes, blinked and looked at the sky which had turned orange above his head, he sat down on the bushes and looked around, "Oh crap, since when i fell asleep?"
He stood up, stretched his body before dusting off the dust on his pants and body, "It's getting late already. Well, time to go back to the ship before Marco gives his lecture."
Ace yawned, rubbed his eyes, he felt quite sleepy even though he was currently walking towards the pier to return to the Moby Dick which he believed was still docked around the pier, and on the way back Ace met Haruta, Vista and... Is that Izou?
Ace sighed, if they were still here that meant he wasn't left behind for a year. Ace saw the three of them talking together before they finally noticed his presence and their eyes fell on him, so Ace waved at them.
"Ace! Great, now Izou doesn't have to look for you anywhere now." Ace was already beside them when Haruta spoke to him.
"What do you mean?" Ace's gaze, which previously looked at Haruta, now turned to the 16th Division Commander who stood front of him.
Izou tilted his head and smiled softly at Ace's astonished face, "Marco is quite busy so I was asked to pick you guys up."
Ace's eyebrows rose, his face become even more confused, "I think I heard it wrong, please repeat what you just said?"
"I told you I'm here to pick you guys up." Izou repeat his words like Ace want him to.
Ace stared in disbelief, Haruta and Vista also had the same gaze but with a sigh. It turns out that instead of leaving them for a year on this island, they was picked up like a child.
"Really? But, I'm not a child. Look, I was walking to Moby before I met you!"
"That's right, Vista and I were also walking to Moby before you came, Izou!" said Haruta.
"We pretty much know the time!"
The two younger commander looked annoyed and complained to Izou before Vista covered their mouths with both of his hands, "Enough, let's go back to Moby first and after that you both can complain there as much as you want."
Both of them just nodded silently, Izou snorted in amusement and held back his laughter because he noticed their eyebrows furrowed in annoyance but still obeyed to Vista's words.
"By the way, i can understand when it comes to Ace and Haruta, but, why do I have to be picked up too?" Vista whispered to Izou, he believed he was old enough to be 'picked up'.
Izou shrugged, giving Vista his cheesy smile, "I don't know, maybe just to be sure."
"Just to be sure for what?" Izou didn't give an answer in the end, making the 5th Division Commander who was beside him wonder but didn't open his mouth to ask again.
They walked side by side, returning to their Moby Dick.
During these 3 days, Ace took the time just to walk here and there, going back and forth between ships and islands to help restock their ship. So he was quite satisfied with getting around today — even though he seemed to have fallen asleep for a while.
Moby Dick should still have a lot of food and drink stock for the next few months, they certainly wouldn't have run out of stock if a week before they docked at Hazina Island 3 days ago, the Whitebeard Pirates, led by Shirohige and Red Hair Pirates, led by Shanks, didn't hold a banquet together.
Shanks came to Moby Dick to take Ace, Marco and Izou back after helping Luffy, his crew and his alliance in fighting Kaido and Big Mom in The Land of Wano.
Ace returned to Moby along with the news that Luffy had been recognized as one of the Four Emperors by the world after dethroning Kaido and Big Mom along with his crew ans alliance. News that brings happiness to most people who know him so well.
With the reason of Ace, Marco, Izou's return to the ship and the good news about Luffy, the Whitebeard Pirates and the Red Hair Pirates decided to hold a banquet together to celebrate these two things for the whole night, consuming a lot of food and drink supplies from both ships who belonged to both of the Emperor of the Sea.
After the Paramount War 2 years ago involving the Whitebeard Pirates because of Ace, their 2nd Division Commander who was also the older brother of Monkey D. Luffy, Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates would be executed at Marineford.
The Whitebeard Pirates and their Captain known as Shirohige, are indebted to Luffy. They liked him and respect him because of the boy's determination in saving Ace, of course they know Luffy saved Ace only because he is his brother but that doesn't change the fact that Ace was their family too, and Luffy risked his life, broke into Impel Down and didn't hesitate to show his face at Marineford just to save him.
Another surprise came when Ace almost died because Admiral Sakazuki aka Akainu almost stabbed Ace in the chest with his magma fist when he tried to protect Luffy, but luckily both of them were saved by the arrival of someone they never expected would come, Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army, Sabo.
Which finally revealed the fact that the number two of the Revolutionary Army was Luffy and Ace's brother too, a fact that shocked the whole world except for Luffy, Ace, Garp, and several people who close to Sabo on Dawn Island. They knew Sabo was still alive — They were very grateful for that — but they had never seen him in person for the last 10 years after he was separated from his brothers and made them even more surprised to find out that he also came to save Ace with bring several Revolutionary Army.
The Navy thought they would just fight against Shirohige and his entire Whitebeard Pirates, but everything changed in an unexpected way. Luffy came with the Impel Down prisoners, followed by the Revolutionary Army led by Sabo, then followed again by the Red Hair Pirates, led by Shanks to end the war. The war ended with the defeat of the Navy and failed to execute Ace.
Everything went on but it left many victims, because of that Ace still thinks about how stupid he was at that time, if he was not being controlled by his selfishness and anger towards Teach, maybe he wouldn't have put so many victims to save him. It made him angry with himself every time he remembered it, if he could repeat the day when he want to looking for Teach, he would rather listen to Pops and his family's warnings at that time.
He always teasing Luffy about how careless he is, but it seems that Ace also has the same nature as his youngest brother.
And now, 2 years after the Paramount War, two of the Sea Emperors who were involved and had a big role in that war are now having a banquet together. Ace also didn't sleep all night because he enjoyed the banquet too much. He didn't get tired of telling everything that Luffy doing in Wano Country to Shanks, Pops and everyone there who listened.
It has become a common thing for Shanks and Ace to talk together about Luffy every time they meet, but the Whitebeard Pirates and the Red Hair Pirates are two groups of pirates are usually not chilling together, but here they are, one full night had fun together without a single fight, united by a Young Pirate named Luffy.
In the morning, the Whitebeard Pirates and the Red Hair Pirates went their separate ways.
Ace also wanted to talk with Sabo on the Transponder Snail last night while the banquet was still going, he just want to talk with Sabo after a long time and of course talk about Luffy too – as both older brothers who both like to brag about their Little Brother – because he was sure that Sabo had also got news about Luffy from the newspaper.
But, for some reason his brother never answered his calls.
And exactly the day after that, he finally found out about the bad news about Sabo who was said to have killed the King of Alabasta from the newspaper. This news really shocked Ace, but Ace didn't believe the news. He tried to contact Sabo but there was still no answer until 3 days later Sabo finally the one who contacted him first.
Ace immediately asked the news about Sabo – Ace completely trusted him, but everyone around him wanted to ask for confirmation of the news, so Ace kept asking – after Sabo gave the answer they wanted, finally everyone in Moby Dick give room for Ace and Sabo to chat personally. Just the two of them.
After a long time, Ace was finally able to talk to Sabo, he was really grateful that Sabo was okay after everything he had been through. Ace also shared stories about himself and Luffy in the land of Wano, sharing a laugh together and don't forget to tell each other, 'Don't die, even if you die.' Before ending their call.
Ace yawned again but immediately snorted in amusement after remembering all the conversations he had with Sabo, "Damn, even though it hasn't been long since the last time i talked with both of them, I already miss to talk with Luffy and Sabo again." Ace muttered while wondering if his brothers would make fun of him if he said that directly infront of them.
Izou heard Ace's mumbling but he didn't hear it very clearly, "What did you just say, Ace?"
Ace turned his gaze to Izou, shaking his head and grinning, "No, nothing."
Izou looked at him in confusion, Ace who noticed Izou's confused face immediately changed the topic, "By the way, have your wounds already healed, Izou? Especially the stab wounds and gunshot wounds that CP-0 gave you, those bastard gave you quite a fatal wound."
Izou gave a wry smile as he sighed, "Should you bring it up now? But, well, thanks to the amount of medical care given to me, I'm fully recovered now, Ace."
"Oh, of course i owe you a favour, thanks, Ace," Ace raised an eyebrow, looking at Izou in confusion and Izou returned a look of disbelief, "You don't remember? You saved me from CP-0. You asked about my injuries, but did you forget that you were the one who saved my life when I was dying at that time?"
Oh.. Yeah, that happened —
Ace immediately laughed amusedly while stroking the back of his neck, "Oh, come on, Izou. Should you thank me for that?" Ace gave Izou a sincere smile, "I just do what I'm supposed to do, you're my family! Besides, I'm the same as you. I owe you my life too."
Izou's gaze at Ace softened, hearing his words he replied with an amused snort, "You're right, but I still want to thank you so just accept my gratitude, idiot." Izou patted Ace's back hard enough that he almost tripped on his feet. But Ace didn't mind, they even shared a laugh after that.
After some time, the four of them finally arrived around the island's pier where they could see the Moby Dick which was still docked in the distance, and several other crew members who had gathered at the pier, preparing to sail.
"It seems like we visit here again without being able to see the thing.'' Haruta exclaimed while folding his arms.
Vista twirled his long mustache with his fingers, "Hm? Haruta, you interested in that?" Vista asked while Izou and Ace listened.
"Of course!" Haruta raised both fists in the air, there were stars in his eyes, "Imagine, a treasure chest suddenly appearing, like magic! Just like a dream! And it would be pretty cool to see that happen in person, right?" Haruta answered enthusiastically, Ace and the other two commanders were silent for a moment before giggling.
"You sometimes act like a child, don't you, Haruta." Izou giggled with one hand covering his mouth.
Haruta's face turned slightly red and he frowned, "What's wrong with it?! It's natural to think so, right?" He looked annoyed and embarrassed when the three of them giggled at his words.
Haruta gritted his teeth and pointed at Ace with his finger, "Or at least Ace must be thinking the same as me!"
Ace jumped, he opened his mouth wide in surprise, "Huh?!" Ace clenched one fist in the air and looked at Haruta with the same annoyed look as him, "Why me?!"
"Ha ha! I know how you also sometimes act like a child with lots of imagination!"
"No, i'm not! Don't compare me with you!"
"No, we are the same!"
"We're not!"
Vista and Izou put an amused grins on their faces while watching Ace and Haruta arguing with each other, for some reason whatever the discussion is, on several occasions Ace and Haruta always argue like this. But in their eyes it just looked like a childish fight who look so funny to watch.
"Okay, okay, stop right there both of you—"
When Vista and Izou grabbed Ace and Haruta's shoulder to stop their arguing a light suddenly shone right in front of each of them. Not just the four of them but in front of everyone there, causing everyone to be shocked. More precisely, the entire Hazina Island is filled with the same light at the same time.
The light blinded their eyes for a moment, making Ace and the three Commander on his side alert that it was an attack. However, after the light dimmed, Ace opened his eyes and instead of an attack he found in front of them — in the air, in front of everyone, a Treasure Chest just appeared!
Everyone caught the Treasure Chest floating in front of them before it fell to the ground, Haruta stared with a surprised but amazed look, "Don't tell me this is.."
"This is the Treasure Chest created by this island?" continued Izou in a voice as if he couldn't believe what he had just seen.
"Very impressive." Vista chuckled with an amused smile as he watched the Treasure Chest in front of him.
"Hey! Look what I got!" Ace shouted at them, attracting the attention of Haruta, Vista and Izou who were still stunned by what had just happened and when they turned around, they were shocked again when they looked at his Treasure Chest.
"Wha—?! Ace, your treasure chest is so —" Haruta spoke in disbelief.
"— Big?" Izou continued, with the same tone as Haruta.
The three of them could hold their Treasure Chest in the palm of their hands because it was the right size in their hands but on the other hand Ace's Treasure Chest was really big and wide, the height of the chest also reached his knees. It wasn't just the attention of the three of them that Ace got, but he also immediately got the attention of the people around him, making a cocky smile appear on Ace's face.
"Right?! I don't know how i got this big but it's cool, right? Right?" Ace folded his arms in front of his chest, with a grin that looked annoying to anyone who saw it.
"That's cool, but let's take it to Moby first so we can see what we got, Ace." Izou exclaimed, averting his eyes and immediately walking back towards Moby, Vista immediately following him. They were quite amazed by what Ace got, but they were also amazed by their Treasure Chest, wondering what's inside.
"I really didn't expect to actually see the magic of this island right after I brought it up, but, what kind of cheating did you do to get that big chest, Ace? I've never heard of anyone getting that big." Haruta walked behind the two older ones along with Ace who was holding his Treasure Chest in his arms.
Ace's eyebrows twitched a little offended, "I didn't do any cheating! Maybe .. Maybe, this island likes me more?" his sullen face turned into an annoying grin again, Haruta rolled his eyes, patient enough not to hit him in the face.
"But if it contains valuable jewelry like gold and diamonds, according to Pops' rules we will share half of it with the people here, do you remember, Ace?" Izou looked back at him to remind him if Ace forgot.
Ace nodded and gave a grin, "Of course, Izou, don't worry." Ace answered and Izou responded with a nod and smile before his eyes returned to looking forward.
"But I don't know if it's just my feelings or this treasure chest doesn't feel too heavy and..." Ace muttered, looking at the chest while shaking it a little to measure its weight and he did feel that the chest was big but not too heavy, he also didn't seem to hear any rustling inside.
Ace started to think whether a chest this big was empty? But, well, whether it's empty or not, he'll find out later when he opens it.
The four of them got on the ship and immediately went to the deck of the ship where many people had gathered including Shirohige who sat in his big chair surrounded by several division commanders and all the crew who he considered as his own child with each of them carrying their own Treasure Chest which they got from the island like Ace.
Ace immediately attracted the attention of the commanders and crew on the deck when he returned with a large Treasure Chest in his arms.
"I see, Ace. You came back with a pretty big one, didn't you, kid?" Shirohige laughed amusedly but his gaze lovingly looking at Ace and the chest he got.
Ace just grinned and returned his father's words with a fairly enthusiastic nod, "Yeah, Pops! It's pretty cool, isn't?" Ace patted his Treasure Chest, he was quite impatient to see the contents of the chest.
Shirohige also seemed to get a Treasure Chest even though he was in Moby all the time, Ace knew because he could see there was a Treasure Chest with the same size as Haruta and the others got, right in front of him. Only Ace gets a different size of the Treasure Chest.
"Gurarara! Then, before we open the chest together, how about Ace open his Treasure Chest first?"
All of the them nodded without hesitation, it seemed like Ace wasn't the only one who was impatient and curious about the Treasure Chest that he had. Ace smiled stiffly because he really caught their attention and curiosity, "What, me?!"
"What's wrong, Ace? Aren't you so proud of it?" Haruta teased which sparked Ace's annoyance.
"Shut up, Haruta! I'll open it!" Ace said with a red face, in fact he was quite embarrassed by the attention he was getting and Haruta seemed to notice, laugh, and make jokes about him.
Shirohige laughed again with amusement at his sons.
Ace gulped, and looked back at his treasure chest. He was quite nervous. Does inside of the chest is treasure? Or just empty chest? Or whatever it is? Ace held the treasure chest and started to open it, he peeked inside as he opened it slowly. His heart was pretty much pounding like an idiot and he was thankful that only himself could hear it.
And finally he opened the chest completely, but instead of getting diamonds, empty chest or anything else, Ace and everyone on the ship were surprised when their eyes were blinded again by the light who came from inside the chest. The same light that appeared when they got the Treasure Chest.
When the light dimmed, the Division Commander, Crew, and Shirohige immediately opened their eyes and found the chest closed. And the person who was supposed to be next to the chest and the one who owned the chest, Ace, was nowhere to be seen.
Ace felt like he lost consciousness for a moment, all he knew was that he felt his body hit something or someone because he heard the sound of someone wincing. However, he regained consciousness just as his head hit the ground very hard.
"Damn it! I just hit my head, It's hurt as hell. Sorry, I didn't mean to. It was an accident."
Ace stroked the part of his head that hit the ground, it felt quite painful but thankfully his head was hard as a rock so it shouldn't leave a serious wound, his body also seemed fine but he hoped he didn't break or kill anyone he collided with earlier.
Ace opened his eyes, but what he saw shocked him beyond his shock when the damn light blinded his eyes twice.
"Luffy?! Sabo?!"
—Back to the time when Ace met with Luffy and Sabo—
Ace moved his body to get off the ground and propped himself up to stand. Confused by what he saw, he tried to open his mouth to say something.
However, before he could do it, Luffy suddenly stretched his arms towards him, wrapped them around Ace's body and immediately threw himself towards him, making Ace almost slip, but he was able to maintain his balance when Luffy now hugged him. And made Ace hold his words in his throat.
Ace was really surprised by Luffy's sudden lunge at him, and looked at him in annoyance, "Hey, Luffy! You surprised me, damn it! Why are you suddenly-"
Ace stopped shouting at him, his annoyance also faded when he heard a loud sob come out from Luffy's mouth, he felt tears streaming down from his Little Brother's face.
"Ace!"
"Ace! .. Ace! .. ACE!"
Luffy buried his face in his neck with his raven hair stroking Ace's cheek, Luffy hugged him so tightly as if Ace could disappear somewhere if he let him go. Ace was just being silent, confused, he didn't understand what was happening and why Luffy was crying while calling his name with a groan of pain like that.
Why was he crying as if the world had just collapsed in front of him?
Ace could feel Luffy's body shaking and he cried even more louder. Ace didn't like it.
He doesn't like when Luffy crying, Ace's feels his heart being crushed every time he sees Luffy in this state. Ace didn't understand what was happening, but what was certain is, Ace couldn't just let Luffy cry like this ..
"Lu .."
Ace returned Luffy's hug as tightly as he did, Ace dropped Luffy's straw hat behind his neck so he could stroke his youngest brother's hair with a gentle touch.
"Hey, calm down, don't cry. I am here."
Luffy seemed to react to his touch and Ace's voice which slowly made his sobs subside but not with his hands who clenched more tightly behind his back. Ace would be annoyed if Luffy cried like this and even hugged him this tightly because it made him hard to breathe, but for some reason .. This time he couldn't be angry at him.
His instincts as an older brother told him that he shouldn't do it.
"Good, calm down, okay? Slowly." Ace continued to try to calm his little brother as gently as Ace could while continuing to stroke his soft hair.
Ace just couldn't imagine that the one who crying in his arms right now was someone who defeated Kaido recently and earned the title of Sea Emperor.
This made Ace realize again that whatever status Luffy has, no matter how strong he is in fighting and no matter how great he is now, he is still his little brother. His little brother who still being a crybaby sometimes.
Luffy finally calmed down, his stopped sobbing, but Ace still felt the water flowing from Luffy's eyes, wetting Ace's neck, but he didn't mind as long as Luffy felt better.
"Okay, Lu, what's happen? Tell me. Has anyone doing something to you? There's someone you want me to kick their ass?"
Luffy answered by just shaking his head, Ace was also sure he wasn't lying, after all, Luffy couldn't lie. But that didn't give him a reason why he was crying so much.
Then he remembered that Sabo was also there, Ace thought maybe Sabo knew what was happening so he turned his gaze from Luffy to Sabo who had just been standing there staring at them.
Ace was about to ask but instead he held his breath when he saw the flames on Sabo's fist, also on his shoulders and several other parts of his body. Ace could feel with his Haki, the anger and threat coming from him.
That Fire .. Ace couldn't think of anything other than thinking that the fire blazing around Sabo's body was similar to his fire, the fire that Ace created with his Flare-Flare Fruit ability. Ace knows his brother's ability very well, he knows Sabo doesn't have the ability to use fire because Sabo uses Advanced Armament Haki as his fighting style.
So, how does Sabo get those fire out? Is he not Sabo? Is he someone who 'just' looks like Sabo? Ace thought.
"Hey, Sabo! Look! Ace is here!"
Ace woke up from being lost in his thoughts when Luffy called the blonde's name with Sabo. So he's really Sabo? Ace narrowed his eyes as he looked at him suspiciously.
"Lu, stay away from him."
Ace raised his eyebrows when he heard an annoyed voice coming from the blonde guy, his face being darken with his bangs covering his eyes. Luffy turned to look at him with a confused look and teary eyes.
"What do you mean, Sabo? Why—"
"Lu, you also understand that Ace can't be here, right?"
"I—.. I know, but, Sabo—"
"Luffy!"
Ace could feel Luffy jump in surprise when the Blonde shouted at him, triggering Ace's annoyance and making Ace confirm his suspicions of him. OK, it's clear now, he's not Sabo, Ace thought.
Whoever it is, it must be someone disguised as Sabo. It is commonplace for Ace to shout in annoyance at Luffy, but Sabo rarely does this no matter how annoyed he is at Luffy. His brother was more lenient towards Luffy than him, that's why it was very unlikely that Sabo would yell at Luffy like that for no reason, besides, what did he mean by that Ace can't be here?
Now Ace can see his eyes, he has blue eyes similar to Sabo's, narrowed sharply, staring like a predator at Ace. Subconsciously, Ace pulled Luffy closer to him in a protective manner.
Ace will protect Luffy from anyone whether Luffy needs his protection or not.
"You.. I don't know who you are, sorry, but, can you please hand my little brother back?" The Blonde guy shouted at Ace in a threatening tone but it didn't scare Ace in the slightest.
Ace let go of Luffy and stood in front of him, placing Luffy behind his back, "Sorry, but, he's my little brother. If you want a brother, please, find another one. This idiot is already mine and my brother's."
The two of them stared at each other with sharp gazes as their feet started to move and at the same time they jumped towards each other, causing a gust of wind from where they were moving.
"Wait, Ace! Sabo!" Luffy shouted at the two of them, looking at them in horror, wanting to stop them from attacking each other but he was one second late ahead of them.
Ace's entire body was covered in fire, he clenched his right fist with Armament Haki before covering it in quite a large flame.
At the same time, the blonde man tightened his right "Claw", coating it with Armament Haki before causing flames to envelop his "Claw" which was already covered in Haki.
"Fire.."
"Burning Dragon Claw Fist .."
Gritting their teeth, Ace launched his Fire Fist towards 'Sabo', and at the same time the blonde slammed his "Claw" into the Fire that Ace had just launch, and he responded by sending a his Burst of Fire from his "Claw".
".. Fist!"
".. Flame Dragon King!"
In a flash, their two attacks clashed, sending scorching hot steam all around them, their flames rubbing together and then spinning in the air like a tornado, which caused a large explosion. The explosion could be heard all over the island because of the huge sound it made, not to mention the bursts of fire and smoke that could also be seen rising into the sky.
The ground around them was burning, as were several dying crocodiles around them which were half charred by the explosion. It was lucky that they fight near the lake and not in the forest, or they would have left a fire in the forest which would have fatal consequences for the nature there.
Ace stared at 'Sabo', Ace's fist and his opponent's "Claw" touched each other with flames and Haki covering their respective hands, they really managed to withstand each other's attack without throwing or injuring each other.
They jumped and retreated simultaneously backwards, hissing at each other in annoyance with frowns.
"Fire Fist?"
"Dragon Claw, you said?"
Ace was confused and this time, hesitant, after his attacks clashed with him. Because that bastard used the same technique as Sabo.
A vein appeared on Ace's forehead, 'Damn it, not only that. He's just as strong as Sabo,' and what annoyed Ace the most, was the fact that he and the blonde guy, they held back on each other for a moment after they heard the name of the attack they were using.
Both of them stomped their feet on the ground again and prepared to fight again, this time Ace would try to attack without holding back, before...
"Knock it off!"
A fist landed on each of their heads, even though the fist didn't actually touch them, it managed to send a strong pressure that made their bodies hit the ground. Hard enough to destroy the ground they hit. The attack was very fast and covered in very strong Advanced Armament Haki.
Ace and 'Sabo' groaned in pain on the ground, they lay on the ground, also shaking, while holding the lumps on their heads from the hard punches they received. They were lucky enough not to suffer a concussion because the punch.
They raised their heads, and looked at their little brother who now had a pinkish tint on his body with a cloud of smoke surrounding him before a few seconds later the smoke disappeared and Luffy's body color returned to normal.
"Damn it, Luffy! What are you doing?! Why are you bother-"
"Shut up!" Luffy snapped, making Ace and the person beside him jump in surprise. This time not with Advanced Armament Haki but regular Armament Haki, Luffy hit their head again and leave another big lump.
Both of them grimaced again in pain, "I just tried to save you from him, Luffy." 'Sabo' complained while he and Ace try to sitting down there.
"What do you mean 'Save me'?! Don't give me such a joke, Sabo!" Luffy shouted at him, look so angry.
"I know Ace is such an idiot, but i didn't expect if Sabo to also be an idiot as well! You guys just pain in the ass!" Luffy adds.
"Who are you calling a idiot and pain in the ass?!" both of them shouted in unison in annoyance and clenched one of their fists in the air.
Luffy bent down and hugged them both at the same time, burying his head in the middle of his brothers. "You guys are my older brothers, Ace, Sabo. And you think i'll just watch you both fighting and try to kill each other? Don't expect me to do it, you idiot!"
"I don't know how Ace is here, Sabo. But I don't care about that, what I care about is that he is Ace and he is here." Ace knew the person beside him reacted to Luffy's words by the way he gritted his teeth.
"Please, I've been in the position that I've lost both of you."
Ace is the one who reacted this time, 'What does Luffy mean by losing both of them?' When it comes to Sabo, Ace understands. But what he mean to lose him, lose Ace too?
"In a position where I had one of you but lost the other. However, now.. I .. I have both of you. So please, don't fight like that again."
The older brothers looked at Luffy at the same time, they could feel Luffy's body shaking, maybe because he was holding back his tears.
"Because after so long, we're finally reunited."
If Ace thinks better, Luffy is never wrong in judging and reading someone, his Observation Haki is the strongest between him and Sabo. So, if he spoke that confidently and said that they — or to Ace, that the 'Sabo' beside him was also his older brother, it was enough to prove that his suspicions at him were probably just a misunderstanding, and that there might be an explanation for every question Ace have on his mind right now.
Ace realized that Luffy's hands which were hugging him were shaking, he wasn't crying out loud but Ace knew Luffy was crying. Ace and Sabo bit their lips.
Damn it, what are 'older brothers' if they make their little brother always worried about them and always cry because of them, Ace and Sabo thought.
They considered what they had done in front of their little brother. Sabo put his hand to stroke Luffy's head while Ace patted Luffy's back.
"Sorry, Lu. Sorry for making you feel worried, please don't cry. I can't bear to see you cry." Ace said in Luffy's ear in a guilty tone.
Sabo nodded, "That's right, we won't fight again either, we promise. Can you forgive us, Lu?" Sabo continued in the same tone as Ace.
Luffy pulled away and removed his arms from the two of them, looked at his brothers in turn and finally a big smile appeared on his face even though his eyes were teary and there was snot on his nose, "Don't worry, I forgive you! Now, try saying sorry to each other!" Ace and Sabo looked at Luffy before they rolled their eyes to look at each other again but not with a sharp or hostile look like last time.
The atmosphere became silent because both of them felt awkward. After all, they were about to kill each other a few minutes ago. But, Ace had a lot of questions, he wanted to ask the reason why Luffy cried as soon as he met him, and why were they here? Why can Sabo use fire, and since when?
With so many questions he wanted to ask and perhaps an apology, Ace decided to break the balloon of silence, "Hey, Sabo—"
"Are you really Ace?"
But Sabo immediately interrupted him in time before Ace could say anything further, Ace raised his eyebrows at the question and nodded with a serious expression, "I have never changed my name since I was born even though it was given to me by one of the person I hate."
"And you.. You're really Sabo, aren't you?"
Sabo immediately nodded, "That name was always with me even when I have no anything idea about myself when I had Amnesia." He answered, Ace noticed that his gaze was slowly softening and somehow there was a wistful look perched on his face.
Ace and Sabo looked away from each other for a moment before finally looking back at each other and bowing their heads to each other.
"I'm sorry for attacking you."
The two said in unison, surprised that they actually said it at the same time before finally sharing a smile and then laughing in amusement.
"No worries!" They said in unison again, and before Ace said anything else or did anything, Sabo suddenly put one arm around Ace's shoulders, pulled him into a small hug and then put his forehead on Ace's shoulder, hide his face.
Ace was surprised, not because Sabo suddenly hugged him, but he was shocked because Sabo's body was shaking and he slowly started crying.
"Ace .. Glad to see you."
Luffy crying? It was normal, but Sabo crying? Well, that's a rare thing. Ace knew they hadn't seen each other for a long time, but it didn't seem like it was that long to make Sabo who always so calm to cry. They also, not long ago talked with each other by Transponder Snail.
Ace patted Sabo's shoulder, "Hey, what's wrong? You scared me. Why are you acting like we haven't seen each other or talked in a long time? Well, we haven't meet lately but we just talk together a few days ago, right? Come on, Sabo, I've had enough of one crybaby brother, I wasn't expecting to get a second one." Ace teased with a mischievous grin on his face.
Sabo pulled his head and arms away from Ace and punched him in the chest, "Oh! Shut up, you bastard!" Sabo exclaimed with an amused smile but immediately his expression changed, as if he had just realized something important.
"Wait, Ace, what did you just sa—"
"Shishishi! Ace and Sabo finally make up!"
Luffy enthusiastically interrupted Sabo's words until Ace didn't understand what he wanted to say because his attention was immediately diverted to Luffy who jumped towards them, he hugged them again until he dropped all three of them to the ground.
Sabo patted Luffy on the back and snorted amusedly on his little brother's shoulder, while Ace sneered in annoyance but didn't try to move Luffy away from him, Ace and Sabo glanced at each other over Luffy's shoulder then gave an amused grin.
Luffy hugged both of them tightly, laughing as much as he could with tears in the corners of his eyes.
"What's going on here?!"
The three brothers' attention was immediately drawn to the three kid who had just come out from behind the forest. The boy's eyes were widening, look shocked by the sight they saw.
The condition of this place left a lot of burnt marks, starting from burnt and destroyed grass and soil, several half-charred dying crocodiles, to the charcoal of the trees around them which still gave off clouds of smoke.
Faces of surprise not only appeared on the faces of the three children but also on Ace's face when he saw a very familiar figure.
A figure that Ace knows as himself but in his child form, along with the child forms of Luffy and Sabo. Two smaller children, who Ace recognized as himself and the child version of Sabo, looked shocked and horrified to see the sight there, on the other hand, who Ace recognized as little Luffy, looked stunned and amazed with a mouth resembling an 'o' very wide.
"This is look sick! Everything's on fire!" shouted little Luffy as he jumped for joy.
"From where-?!" the freckled boy muttered in a shaky tone.
"—All of these fire come from?!" the blonde kid continued in an equally shaky tone, with their gaze filled with disbelief.
Luffy and Sabo stood up from the ground and Ace followed, he also stood up but with shaking legs while looked at the figure of himself who was still a child and his brothers who were also still a child as if seeing a wonder of the world. Or maybe he was actually seeing the wonders of the world.
Ace was too stupid to be able to rack his brains fast enough to process what he just Saw right now. Really, he hit his head so hard on the ground when he came here at first and a moment ago Luffy just punch his head as well with fuckin' Haki, so, he wouldn't be surprised now if there is something wrong with his head already.
"Wh-Wh-.. What.." Ace's voice came out a little shaking, attracting the attention of the kids in front of him, all three of them confusedly looked at him and Ace also stared at his small figure.
Luffy and Sabo also stood beside him, Sabo look at Ace, know exactly what Ace thinking so he put his hand on Ace's shoulder, "Ace.. —"
Sabo looked between himself and the three little ones, "I can explain—"
But Ace couldn't control his shock anymore, sweat dripped from his face.
"What are these kids?! A-Are they demons?!"
Ace pointed at the three of them, shouting in disbelief, how could he meet and see the figure of himself who was still a child.
"Who are you calling a demon?!" The freckled kid and the blonde kid snapped at the same time.
Ace was surprised because his and Sabo's little figure actually replied to his words.
Luffy laughed very loudly behind him, Sabo patted his face, while little Luffy didn't pay attention to them at all and instead played with the small fire that was still burning around them.
What is happening right now?!
To be continued.
Author's Note.
So, um, I decided to have Luffy and Sabo meet Ace who is from an Alternate Universe 👉👈
Thank you for taking your time to read. Thank you also for all the reviews, follows and faves that you have given to this story, I am very happy and i really appreciate it! (人 •͈ ᴗ •͈ )
Out of Topic.
Have you all watch OP episode 1100 already? OMG, that rematch and the animation was just ✨ Perfecto ✨, also when Luffy take off his Egghead uniform i can't help but Simp Lol, how he can be so cute but spicy at the same time /