After that brief emotional storm, Ace quickly returned to his usual self—eating, laughing, and blending seamlessly with the crew.
Once he'd reunited with Zoro and Brook, he realized Ryuunosuke had been serious about meeting up with the Straw Hats. Without hesitation, Ace joined the training group onboard. As an old acquaintance of the Dragon Hunter Pirates, he fit in like a well-worn glove—no tension, no barriers.
—
Soon, the Ship of the Gods arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago.
"Well, well, Captain Ryuunosuke. I didn't expect you to visit me first," Shakky said with a smirk. "And you brought the Fire Fist himself. Whitebeard's second division captain… what can I do for you two?"
Her tone was playful, but Ryuunosuke noticed something else. The way her eyes narrowed slightly.
She could feel it.
His presence had grown heavier. More commanding. The man standing in front of her was no longer just a rising pirate captain—he was a force.
"I'm here to see Uncle Rayleigh," Ryuunosuke said simply. "Is he in?"
"He hasn't—"
"Fifty million Berries."
Ryuunosuke dropped a large box on the counter without waiting for her to finish.
"…I'll give him a call."
Shakky snatched up the box faster than lightning.
After a short communication, she returned. "He'll be back by tomorrow. Said he's doing a favor for an old friend."
Ryuunosuke nodded. "Good. I'll wait."
Then his eyes sharpened.
"Sister Shakky, has the World Government been doing anything odd lately?" he asked. "I noticed quite a few Celestial Dragons wandering around. That's rare."
Ace, beside him, kept his hood low. Like Ryuunosuke, he wasn't in the mood to draw attention.
Thanks to Kun swallowing their ship the moment they entered port, no one had realized the Dragon Hunter Pirates had landed.
Shakky raised an eyebrow. "You didn't know?"
"The auction house has reopened."
Ryuunosuke's expression darkened.
"Today's the slave auction," she added, voice grim. "Honestly, I thought that was why you came."
It wasn't.
He had no idea.
"…The auction house is still standing?" he muttered.
"It's in the same spot as always. By now, they've probably finished delivering all the 'merchandise.' If they catch wind that you're on the island, though, the auction's as good as canceled."
But as Shakky kept talking… she blinked.
"…Huh? Where'd they go?"
Ryuunosuke and Ace had already vanished.
"Impatient little devils," she sighed.
—
"Brother," Ace said as they moved through the shaded streets, "why do you always step into these things?"
He wasn't criticizing—he was genuinely curious.
"You hate the Celestial Dragons, sure. That's easy to understand. But is this about the slaves? Pity? Anger?"
Ryuunosuke chuckled.
"Good reputation. You buying that?"
Ace gave him a flat look. "You really expect me to believe that?"
Even the people Ryuunosuke had saved didn't always trust him. He was a pirate—feared, hated, and idolized in equal measure.
So why act like a hero when the world had already branded him a villain?
"Don't you think it's strange?" Ryuunosuke asked as they walked. "The world calls us monsters… but we're the ones tearing down the system they built."
Ace didn't respond.
Because deep down, he knew Ryuunosuke was right.
Ryuunosuke continued, "It's not about justice. It's not even about vengeance. It's just about the numbers."
"Numbers?"
"Reputation points," Ryuunosuke said with a grin. "Most of the powerful folks already know who we are. Can't earn much more from them. So now, we focus on the common people. Make them believe."
Ace let out a low whistle. "You're even more calculating than I thought."
"Guilty," Ryuunosuke said without remorse.
—
They reached the edge of the auction grounds.
Ryuunosuke activated his Observation Haki and spread it like a web.
He instantly picked up the targets—dozens of people in cages, guarded by armed soldiers. More importantly, four distinct presences reeked of arrogance and corruption.
Celestial Dragons.
"They're really here…" Ryuunosuke muttered. "Probably suffocating up in Mariejois. Came down here to play God again."
"This auction won't just be about slaves," he added. "They're probably using it as a sick form of entertainment."
"Brother," Ace said, glancing at him, "you planning to burn the whole place down?"
Ryuunosuke turned to him, eyes calm. "Up to you."
"Huh?"
"This is your decision. You're the future captain of the Whitebeard Pirates. You have the right to act on your beliefs."
Ace smirked. "You think I'd let you have all the fun?"
His Conqueror's Haki flared subtly.
"I might not hate the Celestial Dragons the way you do," he said, voice low. "But I hate what they stand for. I'm not doing this for revenge or pity—I'm doing this to keep the name 'Whitebeard' where it belongs."
Ryuunosuke grinned.
"Then let's show them what brothers can do."
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