"It's better to die than not be friends with me!"
Ace shouted, glaring down at the small boy in front of him.
"Why do you want to be friends with me so badly?!"
Luffy froze.
The noisy forest suddenly felt very quiet.
"…Because…"
Luffy lowered his head. His messy black hair slipped forward, hiding his eyes. His small hands clenched tightly at his sides as if he were holding something fragile inside his chest.
"I… I've caused you so much trouble," he muttered. "I followed you everywhere… even though you didn't want me to…"
Ace turned away sharply, biting his lip.
Luffy's shoulders trembled.
"But I still chased you," he continued, his voice growing louder, shakier. "Because… because I don't have anyone else."
Ace stiffened.
"I don't know anyone here. I can't find my way home. If I didn't chase you, I'd be all alone."
Luffy lifted his head suddenly, tears spilling down his cheeks.
"Being alone hurts more than getting hit! It hurts more than pain!"
The words hit harder than any punch.
Ace said nothing.
"…Where's your family?" Ace asked quietly, without turning around.
Luffy wiped his face roughly with his sleeve.
"I only have one brother."
Ace's fingers twitched.
"…Would you be sad if I was gone?" Ace asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Yes," Luffy answered immediately.
Ace swallowed.
"What if I wasn't here at all?"
"Yes!" Luffy shouted, fists clenched. "I'd be sad!"
Ace's mind drifted.
A dark, smoky bar.Drunken laughter.Cruel voices.
"What if Roger had a kid? Hahaha! That'd be a real problem.""That devil's blood shouldn't even be allowed to exist."
Ace clenched his teeth.
"…Do you want me to live?" he asked softly.
Luffy looked at him as if the answer was obvious.
"Of course!"
Ace turned his face away, scratching his hair roughly to hide his expression.
"Tch. I hate kids like you," he muttered. "Always acting spoiled."
"I'm not spoiled!" Luffy protested, jumping down from the rock. "I'm strong!"
"Strong?" Ace snapped, spinning around. "You cry all the time!"
"I'm only five!" Luffy yelled back. "If I was your age, I wouldn't cry at all! I'd be way stronger!"
"I never cried when I was five!" Ace roared. "Don't compare yourself to me!"
"I'll become stronger than anyone!" Luffy shouted back at the top of his lungs. "I'll become a great pirate!"
"…A pirate?" Ace scoffed. "You?"
"Yes!"
"You think that's possible?"
"Of course!"
They leaned forward until their foreheads bumped together, neither willing to back down.
"Enough."
Sabo stepped between them, frowning.
"Both of you calm down."
Luffy looked up innocently. "What?"
Sabo sighed. "Now I have a serious question."
Ace crossed his arms. "Go on."
"After today," Sabo said calmly, "Bluejam and his men are fully targeting us."
Ace nodded. "Yeah."
"The forest where I live is closest to their base," Sabo continued. "What happens if they attack while I'm asleep?"
Ace answered flatly. "You'd die."
Luffy nodded seriously. "Definitely die."
Sabo smiled wryly. "Exactly. So we need a plan."
He leaned closer. "Listen carefully—"
"Ace! Sabo!"
A familiar voice cut through the forest.
Ace and Sabo turned sharply.
Lucas was running toward them, breathing hard, worry written all over his face.
"I heard Bluejam's men were searching the Waste Terminal," Lucas said urgently. "What did you do?! Are you okay?"
"BIG BROTHER!"
A small figure shot forward.
Lucas barely had time to react before Luffy slammed into him like a cannonball. They both tumbled to the ground.
"Oof—!"
Lucas winced, rubbing his head. "Luffy, don't jump like that!"
"Hehehe," Luffy giggled innocently.
Ace and Sabo stared.
"…Brother?" they said at the same time.
Lucas sat up, then froze.
"…Luffy? Why are you here?"
He immediately grabbed Luffy's shoulders, checking him over. "You're hurt! What happened?!"
"I'm fine now!" Luffy said quickly, squirming free.
Then he grabbed Ace and Sabo's arms excitedly.
"Brother! I made friends! This is Ace and this is Sabo!"
"We are NOT your friends!" Ace snapped.
Luffy just grinned wider.
Sabo smiled quietly.
Lucas straightened, his expression serious.
"Ace, Sabo," he said. "Bluejam's men are asking about you everywhere. What happened?"
"And you," Lucas added, turning to Luffy sharply. "Don't wander off alone again! Especially in the forest!"
Luffy pouted and hid behind Sabo. "Brother is scary…"
"You—!"
Lucas raised his hand, but Sabo stepped in front.
"Easy," Sabo said. "Let us explain."
Ace and Sabo told Lucas everything.
By the end, Lucas was silent.
"…So what's your plan now?" Lucas asked.
"The forest's too dangerous," Sabo said. "We'll stay where Ace and his guardian live."
Lucas nodded. "You should avoid the Waste Terminal and town for now."
"What about our pirate funds?" Ace demanded.
"Ace," Lucas said firmly, "Bluejam will be waiting for you."
Sabo nodded. "We'll hunt for now. Store the furs. Sell later."
Ace clicked his tongue. "…Fine."
The next morning—
"BOSS! BOSS! WAKE UP!"
A loud shout echoed through the mountain hideout.
"What is it this early?!" an orange‑haired woman roared.
Bandits froze.
Four children lay sleeping on the floor, wrapped in bandages.
"…Who are these brats?" someone whispered.
"Especially that little one—he can't be more than five!"
"ACE!" the woman shouted. "Why are there extra kids?!"
Lucas sat up sleepily, glanced at her—
"…Too loud…"
—and collapsed back to sleep.
Ace groaned. "Let me sleep…"
The woman stared.
"…WHO ARE YOU KIDS?!"