"Thank you for having me."
They left Cocoyashi with their fridges full, their treasury filled – thanks to Nami's little stunt of stealing everyone's wallets as she left, including Arlong's – and a somewhat unexpected guest joining them for the last leg of their journey in the East Blue.
"Wow, I never expected Luffy to have a brother," sweatdropped Usopp. "Let alone one with manners."
Sabo's gentlemanly smile didn't even falter, though his eye twitched a bit. "I was mostly raised by hotheaded women, and I was trained by a most severe and determined instructor. Manners were… the first lesson."
Brynlee laughed, slapping his shoulder. "She beat his ass every time he swore – he eventually stopped when he lost one of his front teeth and started lisping every time he tried to curse someone out. It was pretty funny, actually!"
"Though we never got in trouble for it," taunted Nami.
"Damned double standards…" muttered Sabo.
"Shi-shi-shi! That's why he was talking all weird back then!" laughed Luffy. "Hey, Sabo! Since you're already friends with everyone, join my crew!"
"Sorry, Lu – but I'm on my own journey, now. I'm meeting my boss in Loguetown, that's why I'm hitching a ride with you guys. We'll be headed for the Grand Line as well, though, so we'll surely be running into each other from time to time."
"Well, you better be better at keeping in touch than someone else we know," snarked Brynlee. "That jerk has been radio-silent for three years now."
"Who?" blinked Usopp.
"Luffy and Sabo's other brother, Ace."
"There's another brother!?"
"Yes, keep up, Usopp."
The poor sniper threw his hands in the air in frustration, and the others snickered a bit.
"Yeah, Ace left when he turned 17, like we promised," grinned Luffy.
"And he never called even once," sighed Sabo.
"Shi-shi-shi! It just means he's on a great adventure!"
"Or the idiot got himself imprisoned and has yet to find a way out."
"That too! Shi-shi-shi!"
Brynlee tried her best to ignore the ice that briefly pierced her heart when Sabo mentioned the prison – the War of the Best was still very, very far into the future, and it wouldn't take place if she had any say in it.
"Sabo, I'll actually need you to make a pit stop once you reach the Grand Line," she said, pulling him aside while the others hounded Luffy with questions about his mysterious older brother. "I know you told me not to get involved with Ace's adventure or whatever, but there's something he needs to know – something that could save a lot of lives."
Startled, he then fell more serious. "What is it? If the Revolutionary Army can—"
"No, there's nothing you guys can do – not yet, at least. Not ever, if things work out the way I hope they will." She pulled out a small, thin envelope, and handed it to him. "Give him this. It'll give him the information he needs to make a difference."
Sabo nodded, promptly slipping the envelope into his coat. "How much time do I have?"
"Not much. I can't give you an exact timeframe, but the quicker you get this to him, the better. Sabo… It's really important."
His eyes widened a bit at the uncharacteristic seriousness in her tone, and he nodded again, offering her a small smile as he squeezed her shoulder.
"I'll make sure to deliver it to him as quickly as possible. Last I heard, he'd joined the Whitebeard Pirates, so it shouldn't be too hard to track them down. Plus, it'll give me an excuse to drop by for a visit. I mean, seriously, not a single call in over three years!?"
Brynlee chuckled, though her heart wasn't entirely into it.
Her mind drifted back to a little over three years ago.
Sorry, little cliffhanger xD Next chapter is a flashback! I'll try to post as soon as possible, lots of love~
PS. I'm so glad everyone is pumped up for the inevitable Brynlee & King encounter! I too am looking forward to it xD