After the fireworks faded and disappeared, the Straw Hat Pirates still did not set sail. The Going Merry remained anchored near Drum Island, which confused Chopper.
The reason was simple because Ace and Sabo were still on the island and they need to wait for them to properly say goodbye.
Earlier, Jack had contacted Sabo through a communicator. Sabo explained briefly that he and Ace were helping an old woman named Dr. Kureha with some unfinished work. Because of that, they would be a little late returning to the ship.
No one complained after everything that had happened on Drum Island, everyone understood that Dr. Kureha was a benefactor. She agreed to treat nami so the crew were indebted to her.
Chopper stood near the railing of the Going Merry, still wiping his eyes. The fireworks had shaken him deeply and his emotions hadn't fully settled yet. After a moment of hesitation, he looked up at Jack.
"When… when will we set sail?" Chopper asked quietly.
Jack turned toward him and gave a reassuring smile. "Not yet. We're still waiting."
Chopper tilted his head slightly. "Waiting for who?"
"We still have two people we need to see before leaving this island," Jack replied calmly.
"Who is it?" asked Chopper.
"Luffy brother," replied Jack.
Chopper eyes widened a bit. "Oh… Luffy's brothers?"
Jack nodded. "Yeah. They're still on Drum Island and once they come back, we'll leave together."
Chopper relaxed and gave a small nod. "I see… then I'll wait too."
He glanced back toward the island one more time, where the last traces of fireworks had already vanished. His chest felt warm and heavy at the same time, but now there was something else mixed in with those emotions, it is excitement to become pirates.
***
Ace and Sabo could be seen running across the snowy ground toward the shoreline where the Going Merry was anchored. Their breaths came out in faint clouds as they moved quickly, boots crunching against the ice. Just moments earlier, Jack had contacted them and told them that the crew was waiting and ready to set sail as soon as they returned.
"We shouldn't keep them waiting too long," Sabo said, glancing toward the sea where the ship was already visible.
Ace nodded, then his eyes drifted to the sleek combat suit Sabo was wearing. "That suit…" Ace commented, slowing down slightly. "It looks really powerful."
Sabo couldn't help but grin. "You're right. This is one of Jack inventions. He gave me this suit for free and Luffy father has one too."
Ace raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? That guy really doesn't hold back, does he?" After a short pause, he added, "Do you think he'd make one for me as well?"
Sabo shrugged. "No idea. But knowing Jack, if you ask him, he might."
They continued running and soon the shoreline came into full view. The Going Merry stood out clearly against the white snow and dark sea. On the deck, a familiar figure was already waving wildly.
"SABOOOOOOOOOOO!" Luffy shouted at the top of his lungs.
"ACEEEEEEEEEEE!" he added, jumping up and down like a child who had waited too long.
"We're hereeeeeee!" Sabo called back.
"LUFFYYYYYYYYY!" Ace grinned widely, his excitement impossible to hide.
Without warning, Luffy grabbed the railing of the Going Merry, stretched his arms forward, and launched himself like a cannonball.
"Gomu Gomu no Rocket!"
"Wait... isn't that a little too...." Sabo started.
"Hey, Luffy! You're going too fast!" Ace shouted.
BOOM!
Luffy crashed headfirst into the snow in front of them. Stars spun above his head while Ace and Sabo stared in disbelief. Somehow, Luffy popped back up, completely unharmed.
"Shishishishi! Sorry!" Luffy laughed, rubbing his head.
Sabo sighed deeply. "Why do we have a brother like this?"
Ace shook his head with a helpless smile. "I honestly don't know."
***
"You're Luffy brother?" Chopper asked nervously with wide, curious eyes.
"Yeah," Ace replied with a warm smile. He crouched slightly so he wouldn't tower over the small reindeer. "Your name Chopper, right?"
Chopper nodded quickly. "Y-Yeah! I just joined this crew!"
"Welcome aboard," Ace said sincerely. "Take care of my little brother, okay?"
Before Chopper could answer, Luffy suddenly leaned forward, grinning so wide his cheeks almost hurt. "Ace!"
"Yeah?" Ace replied, turning toward him.
"How about joining my crew?" Luffy asked without hesitation, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
The people on going merry fell silent.
"No," Ace answered immediately. "I don't want to."
Sabo just laughed hearing the rejection.
"Eh?!" Luffy blinked. "Then… you'll become my rival?"
"Nope," Ace said calmly. "My dream's changed. I want to make my father, Whitebeard the Pirate King."
Nami frowned slightly. "That's… a pretty big dream too."
Bartolomeo gasped while looking at him. "W-Whitebeard?! That's insane! You really are incredible, Ace-san!"
Usopp scratched his head. "Wait, doesn't that mean you're supporting someone else to become Pirate King instead of yourself?"
Sanji crossed his arms, while smirked at him. "Choosing another man's dream over your own, huh?"
Bonney tilted her head, looking between the brothers. "Sounds kinda sad," she muttered. "Giving up your own dream like that."
Jack, who had been quietly observing, leaned closer and lightly poked Zoro in the side.
"Do you remember," Jack said, "when you asked me why I agreed to Luffy's invitation back then?"
Zoro frowned, then slowly nodded as the memory surfaced, it was the memory when almost getting executed while being tied up. "Yeah. I remember."
Jack glanced briefly at Ace before continuing. "Not everyone who wants to become Pirate King keeps that will to the end, dreams change when their convictions waver." His gaze shifted to Luffy. "But Luffy? He won't change unlike his brother."
Ace snapped his head toward Jack, his expression darkening.
For a moment, it looked like he might argue but the words never came.
Instead, Ace clicked his tongue softly and looked away. "…You guys are annoying," he muttered.
Luffy, completely missing the tension, laughed loudly. "Shishishishi! That's fine! As long as we're brothers!"
Chopper looked between them, smiling softly, while Nami shook her head. "This crew just keeps getting more complicated."
Vivi sighed. "But somehow… it still feels right."
Ace exhaled slowly, staring at the crew. Jack words lingered in his mind because deep down, he knew they were true, not everyone would stick on his ambition to become pirate king.
......
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