Several minutes after the intense battle between X and Ace, the forest was calm, with the breeze softly moving the leaves and the afternoon sun filtering through the branches. Ace sat on a log, his gaze lowered, gripping the wooden stick in his hands as if he wanted to release all his pent-up frustration. Beside him, X watched calmly, while Luffy, restless, looked at his older brother with concern.
"I'm sorry about before… I just didn't want any stranger to get between Luffy and me," murmured Ace, his voice full of remorse and pain.
"I understand..." replied X, stretching slightly and leaning back calmly.
"Recently, Luffy and I were attacked by some nobles from the Goa Kingdom… those bastards killed my brother," said Ace with frustration and helplessness, gripping the wooden stick tightly in his hands.
"Ace..." whispered Luffy, worried. He rarely saw his older brother like this.
Ace, upon hearing Luffy call him, slightly turned his head and gave him a friendly smile, as if to say that everything was okay.
"When I saw you appear… from the way you dress and act, I thought you were a noble," whispered Ace, low enough that only X could hear him. His voice carried a pain that needed no explanation.
X understood instantly. He knew that Ace was only trying to protect Luffy; after all, his younger brother wasn't exactly the brightest, and Ace took care of him as a true older brother should.
"This kid… he really is a good person. Maybe he's not the most rational, nor the most aware of his actions, but what I can see is a boy who is only trying to protect the only family he has left…" thought X, watching him for a few moments before leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
"Friend Ace, this world is unfair, isn't it? Tell me… what is your goal in this life?" said X, with a confidence that transmitted security in every word.
The boy, upon hearing these words, was surprised, unable to anticipate what was coming. He looked at X with wide eyes, while X returned his gaze patiently, waiting for his answer.
"My goal… is… to become the freest man in the world and surpass my father's name, Gol D. Roger! I want everyone to recognize me for my own merits, not because I am the son of the Pirate King," declared Ace, full of conviction, fixing his eyes seriously on X.
"Mmmh… interesting. So Gol D. Roger had a son," reflected the protagonist, with a slight tilt of his head, thoughtful.
"Ace, that is also my goal! I will be the freest man in the world, I will not let you beat me!" said Luffy, jumping off the log with energy that almost made him lose his balance.
X leaned on the log for a moment, crossed his arms, and smiled calmly: "You both can improve. Healthy competition always helps you grow. And Ace, Luffy… how about we go get something to eat?"
"Huh?" asked both of them at the same time, completely bewildered by the sudden change of topic.
X stood up calmly, stretched slightly, and began walking toward the harbor. With a gesture of his hand and a confident smile, he said, "Are you going to stay planted there all day or what? Come on, my treat."
Luffy rubbed his head, both excited and surprised: "Yes! Let's go already!"
Ace rolled his eyes but couldn't help smiling: "Well… okay, but only because I have to take care of this brat," he said, pointing at Luffy.
The harbor wind tousled their hair as the sun began to hide behind the horizon, painting the sky orange and pink. The sound of waves breaking against the docks and the smell of salt reminded them that, for a moment, they could leave everything else behind and simply enjoy the moment.
Once at Makino's bar, X had prepared the fish he had caught himself, along with a fresh juice. The three of them were sitting at the counter, eating enthusiastically while Makino watched them from the other side with a warm smile that lit up the whole place.
The aroma of freshly cooked fish mixed with the slight smell of wood in the bar, and the soft murmur of the city coming in through the open door made everything feel comfortable and familiar. X moved naturally while serving the food, and Luffy and Ace couldn't stop commenting on how delicious everything was, laughing and making exaggerated gestures of approval.
Makino, still smiling, shook her head slightly, amused, as if she could read the excitement and camaraderie floating between the three.
"Luffy, eat carefully, there are a lot of bones," said X, a drop of sweat forming as he watched the boy devour the fish as if his stomach had no bottom.
"Hahaha, look at him! His belly is growing!" laughed Ace, pointing at Luffy's stomach, which seemed to grow with every bite.
"It's just so good! X, I want you to cook for me always!" exclaimed Luffy, his eyes shining with enthusiasm.
"No," replied X, raising his hand firmly in a gesture of refusal, though he could not avoid showing a slight smile at the kids' excitement.
Ace, after laughing comically for a moment at Luffy, then observed X, who just watched them calmly while they ate.
Ace, after laughing for quite a while comically at the way Luffy devoured the fish, looked at X, who simply watched them calmly while they ate.
"Why doesn't he eat? Why does he treat us so well? Why does he seem so much older than us?" Ace wondered in his head, trying to better understand X, who seemed to possess natural wisdom.
X looked at him, squinting slightly, and noticed that Ace had stopped eating.
"Did something happen?" he asked calmly.
"No… it's nothing. I was just wondering… why don't you eat with us… and why do you treat us this way after I attacked you…" murmured Ace, feeling a bit embarrassed remembering that moment.
"You're amazing, Ace… and you too, Luffy. I'm grateful to have met you. For a long time, I was alone, so I know what loneliness feels like, not having anyone to share happy moments like this. It makes me think that my good actions… may allow me to continue having memories like these…"
The two froze instantly upon hearing X's words. They looked at each other, their eyes shining with excitement, and then broke into a big smile, raising their fists enthusiastically.
"Let's be the best! Now you're part of our family, X!" exclaimed the two kids, waving their arms energetically and encouraging the protagonist to join the gesture.
"Hahaha, alright. Let's be a family."
X could not help but let out a small laugh. He adjusted his glasses with his left hand, raising one eyebrow slightly, while with the other he clasped fists with Ace and Luffy. His eyes reflected a mixture of amusement and silent affection, enjoying this moment of camaraderie.
"Yessss!!!"
The two shouted in unison, jumping slightly with excitement. Their voices echoed throughout the bar and reached the harbor, causing some bottles on the counter to vibrate softly.