The fire at Grey Terminal had changed everything. But the day Sabo's boat was torn apart by cannon fire… something deeper broke.
Ace and Luffy screamed his name, voices raw against the thunder of destruction, but nothing answered. Tessal stood silent, fists clenched inside his iron gauntlets, the memory seared into his mind. The noble banners flying above the smoke told him everything — it hadn't just been pirates. It was the world itself crushing their brother's dream.
In the days that followed, the three who remained threw themselves into training with unrelenting fury. Ace pushed himself until his knuckles bled. Luffy refused to quit, even when his body gave out. Tessal buried himself in his workshop, hammering, forging, refining — swearing silently that no enemy, pirate, noble, or god, would ever take his brothers again.
"Next time," Ace said one night, pipe resting across his shoulder, "we'll be ready."
"Yeah," Luffy muttered, wiping his tears, determination burning in his wide eyes.
Tessal only nodded, tightening a bolt on his gauntlet. "We protect each other. No matter what."
---
Years Later — Ace's Departure
The day came when Ace was ready to set out. His pack was light, his pipe slung at his side, and his smile carried both pride and sorrow.
"I'm heading out first," Ace said, voice firm as he looked at Tessal and Luffy. "Wait for me. Both of you."
Luffy's face crumpled. "Ace! Don't go! Let's go together!" Tears streamed down his cheeks as he grabbed Ace's arm, but Ace only ruffled his hat.
"You'll have your turn, Luffy. But this is mine. Be strong until then."
Before he left, Tessal stopped him. From his workshop he brought a heavy, carefully crafted gift: a gauntlet gleaming with black-and-red plating, etched with beetle ridges and a chamber along the forearm.
"The Bombardier Beetle Gauntlet," Tessal said, handing it over. "Dubbed the Beetle Bomber. It'll fire explosive charges — powerful enough to clear your path, but only if you've got the will to wield it. I built it for you."
Ace stared at the weapon, speechless. Then he smiled — not his usual smirk, but something warmer. He slid it on, flexing his hand. The chamber clicked, and with a sharp twist of his wrist he loosed a charge into the dirt. The ground shuddered, dust rising in a smoky cloud.
Ace laughed, wide and fierce. "Perfect." He clasped Tessal's arm, grip firm. "Tessal… thanks. I'll use it well."
Then he turned to Luffy, wiping his brother's tears with his free hand. "Don't cry, Luffy. You'll be stronger than me someday. Just wait."
And with that, Ace walked down the path. The forest swallowed him, and the wind carried his farewell.
---
Tessal and Luffy's Promise
That night, Luffy sat alone beneath the stars, sniffling into his straw hat. Tessal joined him quietly, setting down his tools.
"He'll be fine," Tessal said softly. "It's just us now. But don't worry… we'll see him again."
Luffy looked up, eyes red but blazing with resolve. "Then we'll sail together, Tess. When it's time — we'll go out into the world side by side."
Tessal extended his hand, armored palm gleaming in the starlight. "Together."
Luffy grinned through his tears and slapped his hand against Tessal's.
From that day forward, the two trained and prepared with one goal in mind — to sail, to fight, and to live free.
From the ashes of loss, their brotherhood burned brighter still — not broken, but reforged.