Oriana was in the gallery eating lunch with some crewmates. It's been two weeks since the day she found Ace unconscious. The young captain didn't stop attacking Whitebeard but at least she hasn't found him unconscious in the infirmary since.

Which was a good sign, right?

Ace came into the gallery and went in the direction of the kitchen but before he entered Thatch came out, "Oh, Ace, I was about to look for you!" Ace didn't have time for that, "Stop telling everyone that I'll join if I lose a hundred times!"

"If you lose a hundred times? You won't win even if you fight him a thousand times," Thatch held nothing back and it somehow affected Ace, "Anyways, come and set fire to the pot" the commander said. Ace just followed him inside, "Great, if you join the Whitebeard pirates be sure to join the fourth division. I'll train you to be a great fire cook"

"Say whatever you want" Ace replied from the kitchen and everyone there could hear it.

Later that day an enemy ship started attacking them. Marco went flying over there and Oriana was about to join him when she found a sleeping Ace in the corner. She shared a look with her crewmates before they got an idea.

They approached him without getting noticed by the young captain. They picked him up while Oriana gathered a strong wind to shoot him over to the other ship.

It wasn't long till they saw the other ship burst into flames. It gave them a good laugh for the day.

Another two weeks went by, and Ace had just lost another fight against Whitebeard. He just entered the gallery and sat down next to Oriana but before he could say anything she kicked him into the wall, "Oi, why did you do that?" he asked.

"Shut up! I already told you to get a grip and stop attacking my father!" she yelled at him. Ace looked down for a moment before changing the topic, "Is it true that someone on this crew scarred Shanks?" the defeated brother suddenly asked.

"Someone on this crew did what?" Oriana asked shocked while quickly forgetting her anger, "You haven't heard?" Ace was almost as shocked. Thatch came with some food for them both, "Thatchie, is it true that someone on this crew gave Shanks his three scars?"

"No, I don't know someone like that here" he answered, "Are you going to tell me that it wasn't a commander?" Ace refused to believe it, "It certainly would have been big news"

"It happened during my disappearance because he didn't have it back in the days and when I met him again, he already had it" Oriana explained. "Do you know anything Teach?" Ace asked, "It was me" he casually said, but changed his answer when he saw the three pirates faces, "Just kidding" he laughed.

Oriana didn't buy that, but then again, she refused to accept that Teach here did that to Shanks.

The commander just asked Ace if he had made Whitebeard use his devil fruit powers yet, but the way her brother looked down ashamed told her no. "You will never win!" Oriana laughed. "I still want your Mera Mera no mi, Ace. Fire power is every cook's dream" Thatch pouted.

"If you want his devil fruit, all you have to do is kill him" Teach said, "That's a bad joke. There's no devil fruit that I want if I have to kill somebody for it!" the cook answered.

Oriana side-eyed him, was she the only one that noticed his strange behavior.

Oriana certainly started to feel a bad vibe coming from him and mentally scolded herself for not noticing earlier.

"So, what fruit do you want, Teach," Ace asked, "I know which devil fruit he wants to eat," Thatch said, "Why… what do you know about it" the big pirate was shockingly surprised. "It's an easy guess, you want the Suke-Suke no mi, right?"

It was like he relaxed, "Zehahahah, you found out the truth" and she knew that wasn't it. "I can understand, it's every men's dream to…" the cook could feel a cold chill down his spine, "To do what, commander?" Oriana asked with a menacing gaze.

"No-nothing" he quickly said before Winter Blaze stood up to talk to her father about a certain pirate's behavior. She exited the gallery and saw that the captain wasn't in his throne-chair, "Oi, Haruta, where's dad?" he sighed before giving her the answer.

Oriana ran towards the infirmary and saw Deuce began to treat her father, "Dad, are you okay" she took his much bigger hand and saw small burn injuries. "I'm fine. Ace is getting stronger I wonder how many times we fought" Whitebeard smiled.

"So far, ninety-nine times" the young doctor as the captain was calling him stated. "Friend or not I'm going to kill him," Oriana said more to herself, "No, Oriana. Just be a little more patient. I know Ace is going to give in very soon," and it broke her heart that it had to be like that now.

Oriana relaxed and sat beside her father while hugged his leg, "I really hope you know what you're doing, dad" because she had this urge to kill her brother. That kick she gave him before was nowhere near enough.

Later that day, Oriana saw Ace sitting by the rail. He had his face on his knees, defeated. 'He must have lost again' she thought. She wanted to say something to him but didn't know what. Luckily, she didn't have too because Marco got there first.

The first commander placed a bowl of soup as he looked at him one last time before walking away, "Why do you guys call him pops" Ace suddenly asked, "Because he calls us sons or in Oriana's case daughter. To the rest of the world, we're just outcasts. I know it's just a word, but it makes us happy" Marco smiled.

Ace had been looking at Marco as if he desperately needed to hear that. "How long are you going to risk your life, yoi. Make up you mind already. You can't possibly take his head the way you're now. Are you going to get off this ship and start over or are you going to stay and accept Whitebeard's mark?"

He didn't say anything, and Marco left him there to think.

Oriana smiled as Marco approached her, "Thank you. I think that was the push he needed." The blond stopped next to her, "Let's hope you're right even I got tired of this after so long" she laid her head on his shoulder as they watched him together.

-x-

The very next day was when their hundredth fight took place. They had docked on one of their islands and the entirety of the crew were watching them. Oriana wanted to beat Ace up, but after the talk with her father, she decided to hold out a little longer, because her captain asked her to.

Whitebeard easily towered over Ace.

The young captain started calling upon his fire and aimed at Whitebeard. The great pirate just hit the fire balls with his weapon. The battle was intense as Ace gave everything he had to defeat her father but it wasn't enough.

"I know in my heart what kind of person you are, but I can't accept that. The demon blood that flows within me is what stands in the way" Ace said and Oriana felt her heart break. She knew that Roger had a huge influence in Ace's low self-esteem.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a huge gulf of flames, "Great flame commandment. Demon inferno". Everyone had their eyes popped out of their heads but Oriana was more impressed than anything, "He certainly got stronger" she smirked at the beast in the flames.

Whitebeard threw his weapon back and were going to face his attack head on with no hesitation.

Oriana felt her father's power overwhelming Ace's easily. The young captain lost his balance, but Whitebeard caught him, and he held him close, "Are you satisfied now, my son?" he asked, "Yeah, you got me" Ace answered.

Later that day, Oriana was looking for Ace all around the ship, but she couldn't find him. She wanted to ask his crewmates, but she had a hard time finding them as well. Her mind went to the worst like maybe he decided to start over.

After a while she saw them coming up to the ship, "Hey, where have you guys been?" she asked Ace, "We were just… closing a chapter in our life" he gave her a smile. "So, you finally figured out what you are going to do?"

"Yeah, we know exactly what we want" Ace turned to his crewmates. "So, what is your answer?" she smiled, "You already know it, right?" he smirked at he took his arm around her shoulder, "Yeah, I've known since you first came onboard" Oriana held him around his waist.

As the days went by more and more allied ships approached to witness their new crewmate joining. Izo was overseen the proceeding, with Thatch the cup-bearer, Marco the observer and teach the witness. Whitebeard and Ace were exchanging cups of sake, "My name is Portgaz D. Ace. I set sail with a huge ambition, but what accomplishments do I carry upon my back?

Absolutely nothing. I came here for one purpose, but before I knew it, I started to feel something I didn't expect. That if I stayed here, I might finally discover what I always were yearning for. So, I humbly ask of you, please bestow your mark upon this empty back of mine! Have faith in me, pops!"

Oriana had tears in her eyes, "I can't believe Ace had grown up so much." Her crewmates thought so as well.

-x-

Oriana was enjoying the view from the crow's-nest as she drew the ocean. She felt someone climbing up the ropes and her brother looked thoughtfully at her, "What's wrong, Ace?" she asked a little concerned.

"I've been asked to become the second division commander" he told her, "That's great, but why do you say it like it's a bad thing?" his expression confused her, "I've only been here a year. There's so many more qualified, like you deserve it more than me," he protested.

"I'm not really the leader type. You would be the much better choice!" Oriana smiled at him, "But-" he tried, "No buts. If I wanted to be commander, I would have done it long time ago" she assured him, "Hmm," he looked down.

"There's another reason you so hesitant" Oriana wasn't asking but his facial expression confirmed it, "I have an idea what it's about. So, before I say anything else let me show you something," she jumped down and Ace followed.

Oriana led him into her room, and she showed him one of the older drawings, "This is the island I was born on," he was looking through with great interest, "That's my mom" she informed when he stopped, "You look so much like her" Ace said, "Thanks" she smiled.

Her brother kept going till a certain samurai appeared, "Ace, meet the former second division commander," she said, "That's Kozuki Oden?" Ace seem so much more interested, "Yeah" she smiled fondly.

"Is that what you wanted to show me?" Ace finally asked, "No," she kept turning the pages, "This is what I wanted to show you" that memory still gave her chills to this very day. It was a drawing of Whitebeard and Roger clashing.

Both of their fathers.

"You mean this is real. This fight actually happened?" Ace stared at the drawing, "Yeah, it happened about 26 years ago," she smiled. "What was the point of you showing me this?" he didn't understand.

"Well, brother, I know you worried that dad is going to say something you don't like when you tell him about Roger, and I promise you that he won't care!" her eyes showed no hint of doubt. "How can you be so sure?" he desperately asked, "Because he wouldn't kick out the son of a man he respected."

Ace didn't seem convinced, and just hummed. Oriana got up and left him there to think.

When it was time for dinner, she walked past Ace by the rail with Marco and Thatch watching him, "He still hasn't made a decision, yet?" but at that moment he sighed and went over to the cabin, "Looks like he just did" Thatch answered.

Oriana decided to eat out on deck to wait for Ace, "How did it go?" she asked, but judging by his smile she had a pretty good idea how it went, "I'm going to be the second division commander" he answered brightly.

"Yay, now we have to celebrate!" she grabbed his arm, "Pops said we'll celebrate tomorrow with everyone" he said confused, "I know, but let's do something just the two of us" she smiled, "Alright," he accepted.

Moby Dick was anchored a bit away from an island. Even though it was late Oriana and Ace took his striker over to it to have fun and they saw that the island's streets were mostly empty and only a few places were open.

The two didn't think about that much and just went over to a bar to buy drinks and snacks. After, they went over to the beach with some blanket they stole and sat around a fire. "I'm thinking about learning how to use a weapon" the female pirate started.

"Why? You can control the elements already," Ace asked, "I don't know, but I want to have some sort of weaponry skill. I tried to learn swordsmanship, but I completely failed at it. Maybe archery or the same weapon as dad," she said the last part to herself.

"Or maybe a staff" he knew that she wanted to fight on the front line and not behind everyone protecting them. "I feel like those breaks quickly," Oriana complained. "I really don't think you'll use them even if you learn" he answered honestly.

It really got her thinking, and she wasn't sure what to do yet.

"A bat isn't a weapon… I know, I want a battle hammer… a huge one too!" she started imagining the fun she could have smashing people in the face with it, but that would mean that she was always going to have to wear it. Then again she could control the elements to change it's appearance.

The more important question was: With what material was she going to use?

-x-

Oriana was sleeping when someone burst into her room, "Oria, look at this" Ace said excited, "Leave me alone," she turned herself the other way. He started saying something, but she wasn't listening until he said a name, "What about Luffy?"

Ace showed her the bounty poster, "Thirty million, impressive!" Oriana was more awake now. Luffy had grown up and had lost his baby face. He looked more manly, "It's finally your turn, sunshine!" she couldn't help but smile.

He got a big bounty because he defeated East Blue pirates, 'Buggy the clown' that name was so familiar but couldn't remember where. Luffy was probably on his way towards the Grand Line but it would still take some time before he would get to this side of the sea.

"Oi, give it back. I'm going to show it to pops" Ace's voice reached her. "No, I will!" she shot a strong wind at him, and he flew back through some walls. Oriana ran out of her room and towards the deck, "Dad, dad, dad I want to show you something!"

"What is it treasure?" the pirate captain asked, "It's a wanted poster of-" but Ace had tackled her and the two was about to hit the deck with her beneath him. Oria was about to hit face-first on the deck when he suddenly turned them both around and she landed on him.

His grip loosened around her waist and Oriana flipped herself back to stand before the big boss. She looked at Ace while smiling and biting her tongue before turning, "Dad, this is-" "our little brother" the black-haired man interrupted. He clearly wanted to tell the captain, "Yeah, what he said".

Oriana hasn't seen him in almost 6 years and now he was finally out to fulfill his dream, to become the Pirate King. That would mean that he one day would come after their crew to get to the throne. She was already looking forward to it.

While deep in her thoughts, Ace snatched the poster from her and ran to show the crew how proud of a big brother he was. He had a big brother complex and was bring up Luffy at any chance he got.

Oriana sat by her father and started telling him about the new pirate captain.

-x-

They came to an island with a gigantic ship docked by it and a writing on the sail, 'Oars the third'. Oriana's eyes were shining, "He's already here" she heard one of her crewmates saying, "It's been a while since we last saw him" Haruta said next to her.

"Wait, you know who that ship belong to?" she turned to the commander. "Yeah, that's little Oars junior." he smiled, "Little?" she questioned, "If that is little, I don't want to see Oars senior" she chuckled.

Big almost earthquake like footstep echoed though the sea and soon a huge green creature appeared. He smiled brightly at them along with waving both his hand. Somehow, he didn't seem that scary at all, he almost seemed cute.

As they got to the island Oriana climbed the ropes to the top of the mast, "Are you one of the continent pullers I've heard about?" she asked excitedly, "Hm, who are you?" his face got closer to her, "I'm Oriana, nice to meet you!" she gave him a warm smile.

"Oars, can I ask you something?" an eager Ace asked. The giant just looked at him, "It's no biggie but I am curious. Isn't it hot?" the new commander continued. Oars just looked confused, "You are closer to the sun. Is it not hot?"

Oars looked up as if it was the first time hearing about it, "It is hot" he confirmed. "I see, so it'll be nice for you to have some shade?" Ace said before climbing down. Oriana and Oars both didn't understand what he was trying to do here and what his purpose of asking him were.

"Anyways, before we were rudely interrupted I wanted to ask your permission to draw you!" the female pirate finally asked, "Whatever you want" he shrugged. It clearly didn't have that much of a meaning to him rather she drew him or not.

The giant greeted the crew and while he did that, she started her drawing.

When she was about done and was ready to show him, Ace came back with something huge. He gave it to oars with a big smile on his face, "Try it on!" Oars took it and placed it on top of his head, "I learned to do that in the Land of Wano!"

That got Oriana's attention but before she could ask, "Ace-san ruined to others before that one" some of Oars' crewmates joked, "Since his body is fire, he shouldn't braid straws!" they laughed at the young commander.

A big smile appeared on Oars' face, "It's cool under here!" Ace smile matched the giant's, "I see. that's good!"

Oriana came up next to him, "You really became a big softie" she slapped him on the back, "Oi, what are you doing?" he turned to her annoyed. "You've been in Wano?" Oriana asked ignoring his previous question.

"Yeah, I was after Kaido's head" he smirked, "And how are you still alive?" Oriana looked skeptical at him. She knew Kaido was a very brutal pirate that barely left any survivors. So if her brother really challenged him, how did he survive especially with his 'I'm not running' habit.

"Do I look weak to you?" Ace suddenly asked, "Compared to Kaido, yes, without a doubt" she simply answered. The commander sighed as he turned away from her, "He wasn't there when I arrived. Instead, I fought his daughter and destroyed his dragon statue as a warning" he admitted a little embarrassed.

"Kaido's daughter strong?" Oriana asked, "Yeah, Yamato. She is formidable" he said fondly. "You like her" his sister smirked. "Yeah, I made a promise to her and a little girl that I would return to Wano to defeat Kaido to make the country better!" he was very determined.

"Last time I was in Wano it was one of the most beautiful countries in the world. There should be enough to feed everyone. Don't tell me Kaido is starving them!?" Oriana felt her temper rising, "No, he build weapon factories and the waste is polluting the waters and the shogun is keeping all the good food and clean water all to himself."

Not only did that shogun take the throne from Oden, but he was destroying the country too?

The two went back to the ship.

Oriana showed him her old drawings, "Are you telling me it doesn't look like that anymore" it was so hard to believe. "The farms aren't there anymore. Aside from the flower capital everything else is a wasteland and weapon factories" Ace looked furious and went over to the captain,

"Please pops, let's go to Wano" the young commander started, "No, your idiot. How many times have I told you, Ace" Whitebeard said.

"You know who used to be the second division commander before you and why the position was unfilled for so long" the captain stated, "We only learned of Oden-sama's death years after it happened" Izo informed.

Oriana never realized how hard it was on them all especially Izo. He had served Oden for years and to learn that he died must have been the worst.

"We considered moving onto Wano many times but never did in the end. Could you imagine what would have happened and how many people would lose their lives" Marco said while eating a pineapple.

Well, it made sense to her.

"Then let me go on my own. I made a promise" Ace continued, and it made their father mad. He stood up before swinging his blade at the stubborn commander, "You think you can vanquish the man Kozuki Oden couldn't?! Don't be conceited Ace" Whitebeard replied but Ace jumped over it.

The two argued for a little while and soon Ace was on the floor with a few bumps on his head.

"Zehahahah, Oden was plenty strong, but I get wanting to take out a big shot, commander Ace" Teach laughed, "Shut up, Teach. Ace isn't doing this to take down a big shot" the samurai commander replied.

Fire fist was still laying on the deck when Oriana kneeled down and poke him a little, "Damn it, if I don't get stronger, I can't keep my promise" he said out loud, "That's just how heavy the promise you made weight on your shoulders. Ace, if pops ever give you the go-ahead make sure you invite me" Izo smiled with his pistol close to his face.

"I'd be interested too" Marco smirked, "Yeah, me too, Ace. Don't forget me!" Oriana grinned with fire inside her. "In that case, I bet we could win already," the second division commander said optimistically.

The three that offered him help looked at him with sweat drops and Oriana shook her head. Ace was mostly a smart guy but more than a few times he could be really dumb.