That day, no one knew what the five of them discussed.
All the people of Baterilla Island saw was a firework show.
A few kilometers away from the island, the sky screamed.
Meteors fell like judgment from above.
Storms twisted the air, tearing clouds apart.
Pillars of fire rose from the sea, and massive explosions echoed across the horizon.
Fishermen fled back to shore.
Villagers locked their doors.
Even the sea kings in the surrounding waters vanished.
By nightfall, everything was silent again—as if nothing had happened.
No bodies were found.
No wreckage washed ashore.
Only scorched stone and disturbed seas remained.
The next morning, the Spade Pirates departed from Baterilla Island.
They left without fanfare, carrying with them memories of the island, the truth of Ace's birth, and an unspoken understanding forged far from prying eyes.
And just like that—
One year and a half passed.
---
Sabaody Archipelago
Ace sat atop the roots of a massive mangrove tree, a newspaper spread open in his hands.
The headline alone was enough to hold his attention.
"World Government Declares War on One of the Four Emperors — Whitebeard Pirates!"
"Will the World Government prevail, or will the Whitebeard Pirates survive yet another storm, as they always have?"
A faint smile tugged at Ace's lips—but there was something different in his eyes.
Something heavy.
Something no one else could see.
There were no Spade Pirates crew around him now. No Yamato either.
The crew had already returned to the Whitebeard Pirates.
As for Yamato—
Ace glanced toward the distant horizon, in the direction of Wano, and smiled softly.
Just then, a panicked shout echoed through the archipelago.
"The Straw Hat Pirates have arrived!"
"Call reinforcements! Surround the island!"
Ace folded the newspaper.
So they're here.
He stood up and began moving toward the docks.
It didn't take long to find it.
Moored at the harbor was a bright, unfamiliar ship—the Thousand Sunny.
Ace smiled.
Flames formed behind him, shaping into wings, and in the next moment he leapt—
Landing directly onto the deck of the ship.
Instantly, the Straw Hat Pirates tensed, weapons half-drawn.
Then—
"Ace?! You're here!"
Luffy's voice rang out, full of shock and joy.
Ace grinned and looked past him, toward the distant sea where Marine ships were rapidly closing in.
"Well," Ace said casually,
"I'm meeting my little brother right now. You can't disturb me."
He glanced toward the approaching Marines.
"You can play your Marine game afterward."
In that instant—
Ace released his Conqueror's Haki.
The world seemed to tilt.
The sea churned violently.
The air trembled.
Waves rose and fell unnaturally.
From low-ranking soldiers to captains, colonels, and even rear admirals—
Marines collapsed unconscious, one after another.
The surrounding pirates watching the show also froze in shock.
Even Rayleigh's eyes widened slightly.
Luffy stared in disbelief.
He had unlocked Conqueror's Haki himself—but compared to this…
It was nowhere near this refined.
Ace didn't dwell on it.
He looked back at Luffy—and smiled.
He's grown.
Then Ace glanced toward Robin.
He noticed the change—subtle, not drastic yet.
Not quite like the in the anime he remembered.
Maybe later, he thought. ( He is thinking about the change in the appearance of Robin before and after time-skip )
Suddenly, Luffy's voice rang out again.
"Ace! Since you're here—let's have a party!"
Ace paused.
He looked away for a moment… then smiled.
"Yeah. Sounds good."
Cheers erupted instantly.
Sanji rushed into the kitchen.
Zoro headed straight for the liquor storage.
The others began preparing, laughter filling the ship.
As the party came together, Ace and Luffy talked.
Luffy spoke about his adventures.
Ace spoke of the islands he had traveled over the past two years.
The New World.
Its emperors.
Its mysteries.
At first, Luffy tried to protest—
"I don't wanna know!"
Ace responded with a few brotherly punches.
Soon enough, Luffy was listening eagerly.
Before long, everyone had gathered.
Zoro listened intently to stories of powerful swordsmen.
Sanji perked up at tales of legendary chefs and famous restaurants.
Nami focused on the terrifying weather phenomena of the New World.
Usopp's eyes sparkled at stories of Elbaf—the former king, and Prince Loki, who had once been defeated and bound by Red-Haired Shanks.
Luffy leaned forward when Shanks' name came up.
It had been a long time since he'd seen him.
Laughter, food, and stories filled the Thousand Sunny—
As the sun set over Sabaody.
---
An hour later, as the party slowly wound down, Sanji and others were cleaning the deck.
Ace stood beside Luffy, the sea breeze brushing past them.
"Luffy," Ace said quietly,
"I met Sabo."
Luffy froze.
He slowly turned toward Ace, confusion filling his eyes.
Ace continued calmly, "Sabo survived. That day, he went out to sea alone… the Celestial Dragons arrived. They fired cannonballs at his ship."
Luffy's fists clenched.
"Just when Sabo was about to drown," Ace said,
"your father saved him and took him to the Revolutionary Army headquarters."
Ace paused for a moment.
"Because of that incident, Sabo lost his memory. He couldn't remember us… or anything from before."
Luffy's eyes trembled.
"But now," Ace said softly,
"he's cured. I met him a year ago."
Tears welled up in Luffy's eyes, then spilled over.
Ace smiled faintly as he watched.
He remembered a saying—
The epitome of happiness is crying.
The epitome of sadness is laughter.
Maybe it really was true.
Luffy wiped his face and laughed through his tears.
"If that's the case…"
"Then Ace—one day, the three of us can drink together again."
Ace went silent.
He lifted his gaze to the sky.
The pause made Luffy uneasy.
"So… when do we meet?" Luffy asked quickly.
"Do you have Sabo's Den Den Mushi number?"
Ace smiled.
"I do."
He reached into the bag he carried with him, took out a folded piece of paper, and handed it to Luffy.
Luffy held it as if it were the greatest treasure in the world.
Ace looked at him and said, "Come here."
Luffy stepped closer.
Ace extended his hand toward Luffy's chest.
Five centimeters away—
He stopped.
A tiny flame bloomed in front of Ace's palm.
Time passed.
The flame grew denser, brighter—its energy compressing inward.
The crew became alert, tension filling the air.
But no one moved.
They trusted Ace.
As for Luffy—
He was picking his nose.
Ace chuckled.
When he felt it was enough, Ace pushed the compressed flame forward.
It struck Luffy's chest—
And vanished.
No burning.
No explosion.
The fire simply disappeared inside him.
The crew stared in shock.
Ace smiled.
"Luffy," he said,
"That's my strongest attack in my base form."
"If you're ever in danger—use it."
Luffy grinned widely.
"Thanks, Ace!"
Ace looked away again, his expression turning distant.
Then, as if remembering something—
"Well, Luffy," he said,
"I think it's about time I leave."
Luffy didn't try to stop him.
Flaming wings spread from Ace's back.
He rose into the air.
"Hey, Luffy," Ace called down,
"Do you have a projector? Or a TV?"
Franky responded immediately.
"SUPER! We've got one!"
Ace nodded.
"Good. Connect it to Morgans' channel."
"I'll show you a firework."
Luffy's eyes sparkled at the word firework—
But suddenly, a bad feeling crept into his chest.
Ace looked straight at him.
"Luffy," he said gently,
"This is our final goodbye."
"Don't cry after I'm gone."
"Take care of yourself."
Before Luffy could respond—
Ace vanished into the sky like a launched rocket.
The ominous feeling only grew stronger.
"Franky," Luffy said urgently,
"Set it up. Now. Connect it to Morgans' channel."
Seeing Luffy's seriousness, Franky nodded immediately.
Moments later—
A massive 100-inch screen stood on the deck of the Thousand Sunny.
The broadcast began.
And whatever Ace meant by firework—
It was about to shake the world.
---