The jungle air of Arovia was thick with humidity, laced with the scent of wet leaves and salt. Portgas D. Ace burst through the undergrowth, shirt open, skin glistening with sweat, and a cocky grin on his lips. Behind him, the chaotic shouts of Marines faded—he had given them the slip again. Or so he thought. The moment he leaped over a fallen tree, he landed in a clearing—only to hear the click of a flintlock pistol being cocked. His feet froze mid-step. “Well, well,” a voice said coolly behind him. “The infamous Fire Fist Ace. Not so fast now, huh?” He slowly raised his hands with a chuckle, turning to face you—just you. One Marine. No squad. No backup. Just you standing steady, eyes narrowed and weapon trained directly at his heart. “You must be new,” he said, amused. “Or really overconfident.” “Or just the only one fast enough to catch you.” Ace’s smirk widened. He tilted his head, his dark eyes scanning you. You didn’t flinch. That intrigued him more than it should have. “Tell you what,” he said, taking a step closer, “how about you put the gun down, and we talk like civil—” You shot at his feet. “Next one won’t miss,” you warned. He whistled, impressed, then suddenly vanished in a puff of flame. Your eyes darted—he was gone. “No way—” A breath tickled your ear. “Boo.” You gasped, spun, and found yourself pinned to a tree, Ace’s grin inches from your face. “Now, this is interesting,” he murmured, his voice lower. “What’s your name, pretty Marine?” You didn’t answer. But your heart betrayed you. And Ace? He was hooked.

The tavern was loud, rowdy, and smelled like salt and firewood. You hadn’t meant to stop in this town, but your crew needed supplies, and your boots needed rest. You sat near the back, hood pulled low, sipping on something stronger than you were used to. That’s when he walked in—tall, wild dark hair, freckles that somehow made his eyes more dangerous. Portgas D. Ace. You knew his name before the barkeep even whispered it. He was laughing, carefree, fire dancing around his fingers like it was part of him. You rolled your eyes and turned away—until his gaze caught you. It was just a glance at first. But then he didn’t look away. Minutes passed, and your drink was nearly finished. Then a voice beside you. “You shouldn’t drink alone.” You didn’t flinch. “You shouldn’t talk to strangers.” “I won’t be a stranger for long,” he said, sitting beside you uninvited. His tone was casual, but his eyes studied you with intensity. You tried to brush him off, standing to leave, but he was already rising too. “What’s your name?” You didn’t answer. But your silence only seemed to intrigue him more. Later that night, as you left the tavern, you felt it—someone was following you. You spun, drawing your weapon. But it was him. Again. “Relax,” he murmured. “I just wanted to make sure you got back safe.” You warned him off with sharp words and a sharper glare. But he didn’t back down. “I don’t know what it is,” he admitted. “But I’ve never felt like this before. I can’t let you walk away.” Something in the fire of his voice made you uneasy. You thought it would end there. But days later, you caught word from your crew—someone had torched the docks where a rival crew had been asking too many questions about you. And you had a sinking suspicion who it was. Because now, every shadow felt too warm. Every breeze too hot. And whenever you looked over your shoulder… He was always there.

The skies above Kaido’s island cracked with thunder as you leapt between broken ruins, heart pounding with the chase. You didn’t know who they were—Kaido’s men, perhaps? You’d stolen a map from their outpost, one you suspected pointed to the underground cells where people like you were taken. People with secrets. Devil Fruit users. You dashed into the jungle’s edge, branches slashing your arms. That’s when fire lit the canopy above. Not fire—**a man**. A flaming figure landed ahead of you, his sword crashing into the earth with a hiss of steam where flame met wet moss. You skidded to a halt, eyes wide. The man straightened, amber eyes sharp under dark hair, skin marked with freckles and soot. His blade still smoked in his hand. “Didn’t think I’d find someone else stupid enough to sneak into Kaido’s backyard,” he said, voice half amusement, half warning. You raised your hands. “I’m not one of them.” “You’re holding one of their maps,” he pointed out. “I stole it,” you snapped. “From the tower. I’m not with Kaido.” His brows lifted slightly, then he lowered the blade—but didn’t extinguish the flames dancing around his shoulders. “You’re a pirate?” You hesitated. “Not exactly. I’m looking for someone.” He studied you, unreadable. Then, “You’ve got guts. What’s your name?” You gave it. He smirked. “Portgas D. Ace. If you plan to sneak through Kaido’s territory, you’re gonna need help. Lucky for you, I’ve got unfinished business here.” As the heat of his power burned back the shadows, you had no idea that meeting him here would mark the beginning of something far greater than a simple alliance.

The sun was relentless that afternoon, casting long shadows over the cracked pavement of the small town where you and Ace grew up. The two of you had spent almost every day together—running through the streets, daring each other into reckless adventures, and finding ways to outdo one another. It was an unspoken challenge, a game of pride neither of you wanted to lose. But that day, something changed. It started with a stupid argument. You barely remembered what triggered it. Maybe Ace had stolen the last piece of candy from your pocket, or maybe you'd called him a name he didn't like. Whatever it was, the playful teasing escalated quickly. "You're just mad because you lost!" Ace smirked, arms crossed over his chest, confidence practically radiating from him. You clenched your fists. "I didn’t lose! You cheated!" "Cheated? I don’t need to cheat to beat you. You’re just slow." That was it. The breaking point. Before you knew it, you shoved him, hard. Ace barely stumbled, but the moment his grin faded, you knew you had made a mistake. His eyes darkened with something other than amusement. He tackled you to the ground, and suddenly, you were rolling through the dirt, arms flailing, trying to land a hit. It wasn’t like the scuffles you’d had before. This wasn’t playful. It was fueled by something deeper—pride, frustration, a fear of losing something neither of you wanted to admit you cared about. "You think you're so tough!" you shouted, struggling under his weight. "Maybe tougher than you!" Ace snapped back. The fight didn’t last long, but by the time it ended, you were both scratched up, panting, staring at each other in silence. The anger still burned, but beneath it, something else lingered—hurt. Ace got up first, brushing dust off his jeans. He didn’t look at you. "Whatever," he muttered. Then he walked away. You watched his retreating figure, heart hammering. For the first time since you'd met, it felt like you had truly lost something.

The night air was warm, the kind that clung to your skin and carried the scent of salt from the sea. The sky stretched endlessly above you, stars twinkling like tiny flames in the distance. But the only lights that truly mattered that night were the ones you and Ace held in your hands—paper lanterns, flickering with the soft glow of the flames inside them. "You really think they'll reach the sky?" Ace asked, his voice filled with the quiet wonder of a boy who had spent too many nights pretending he wasn’t lonely. You smiled, adjusting your grip on the lantern’s thin frame. "Of course. That’s the whole point. We make a wish, let them go, and the sky takes them where they need to be." Ace watched you for a long moment before nodding. "Alright, but if mine falls into the ocean, I'm blaming you." You laughed, nudging him with your shoulder before stepping forward. The two of you lifted your lanterns at the same time, and for a brief moment, they hovered between your fingers, as if reluctant to leave. Then, with a gentle breath of wind, they began to rise. Side by side, the lanterns drifted into the dark, glowing softly against the night. Ace tilted his head up, watching them until they were just tiny specks of light among the stars. "So, what’d you wish for?" You hesitated, fingers curling at your sides. "That we'd find our way back to each other. No matter what." Ace blinked, caught off guard. Then, with a small, lopsided grin, he crossed his arms. "That’s a good wish. But you don’t need a lantern for that. I won’t let us get separated in the first place." That was years ago. Before the ocean took you in different directions, before time and battles and fate pulled you apart. But now, standing on the deck of your ship, you saw them again—lanterns, drifting up from a distant island. A tradition that had outlived your childhood. And somewhere, wherever he was, Ace was watching too.

The sun hung high above Dawn Island, casting shimmering heat waves over the treetops. It was one of those days where the very air seemed to vibrate with warmth. "I’m dying," Luffy groaned, sprawled on the ground like a fish out of water. "Let’s go to the river," you suggested, already pulling Ace’s arm. Ace, who had been lazily leaning against a tree, perked up at that. "Not a bad idea." The four of you wasted no time, tearing through the trees until the gleaming blue river came into view. The moment you reached the bank, Luffy flung himself in with an excited whoop, followed closely by Sabo. You hesitated for just a second before jumping in, the refreshing cold washing over your overheated skin. Ace was the last to follow, slipping into the water with a satisfied sigh. The afternoon started peacefully—splash fights, races across the current. Then Ace, with a mischievous grin, suggested, "We should build a raft." With everyone gathering wood and vines, the raft actually came together surprisingly well. It was a wobbly thing, but it floated, which was enough to excite Luffy. "I’m the captain!" he declared, clambering aboard. "Luffy, wait—!" You reached for him, but he was already drifting. The river’s current, slow at first, suddenly seemed to come alive, tugging the makeshift raft downstream. Luffy’s excited laughter turned into a startled yell as the water carried him faster and faster. "We have to get him!" Sabo shouted. Without thinking, Ace was already sprinting along the riverbank. You and Sabo followed, dodging roots and branches as you tried to keep up with the rapidly moving raft. "Luffy, jump!" Ace yelled. "I can’t! It’s moving too fast!" Thinking fast, you called out, "Ace, Sabo—push that fallen branch in! We can steer him closer!" The boys didn’t hesitate, shoving a large log into the water. You dove in. The moment it got close, Ace lunged, grabbing Luffy’s arm and yanking him to safety. Breathless, the four of you collapsed on the riverbank, soaking wet.

The last thing you remembered was the violent waves swallowing you whole. The storm had come out of nowhere, thrashing the sea and tossing your ship like a toy. Then, just as you reached out for Ace’s hand, the world went dark. When you woke up, your body ached, and the air smelled of salt and something damp. Groaning, you pushed yourself up and blinked. Towering walls of coral and debris surrounded you, forming a makeshift cavern. Strange, pulsating bioluminescent plants lined the walls, casting an eerie blue-green glow. The ground was littered with giant fish bones and remnants of wrecked ships. Then, you heard it—a low, rumbling sound, like a distant earthquake. Your heart pounded as you slowly turned your head. There, curled around a mountain of shiny objects and broken masts, was a massive Sea King. Its body coiled protectively around its hoard, its long whiskers twitching as it snored. Your breath caught in your throat. "You’re awake. Took you long enough." You flinched at the voice and turned to find Ace sitting casually on a pile of driftwood, arms crossed. His hat was missing, and he looked just as soaked and bruised as you. "What happened?" you whispered. Ace sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Storm got us. Then this big guy," he gestured at the sleeping beast, "decided we looked like good company. It dragged us here before I could do anything." You swallowed. "And it hasn’t eaten us because...?" Ace gave you a lopsided smirk. "It thinks we’re its babies." Your mouth fell open. "Excuse me? Also aren't this things supposed to live on water?" "Yeah." He gestured at the giant nest-like structure behind you. "The thing keeps nudging me with its nose like it’s trying to groom me. And you? It curled around you like a protective parent before it fell asleep. Pretty adorable, huh?" You were about to argue, but then the Sea King stirred. A deep rumbling noise echoed through the cavern as it blinked awake, fixing its enormous, glowing eyes on you.

The evening sea breeze carried the scent of salt and adventure as you sat with Ace on the deck of the Moby. The crew had just finished dinner, and the few remaining embers from the celebratory bonfire flickered in the distance. With everyone else lost in their own conversations or already heading to their hammocks, it was just the two of you, leaning lazily against a stack of crates while gazing at the night sky. Ace, resting his arms behind his head, let out a content sigh. "You ever think about animals?" You turned your head toward him, raising a curious brow. "Animals?" "Yeah. Y’know, which ones are the best." He smirked slightly. "If you could be any animal, what would you be?" You hesitated. You actually could turn into an animal, but that wasn’t something you openly shared. The abilities granted by your Devil Fruit were yours to keep secret, at least for now. So instead of answering outright, you deflected. "That’s a tough question. What about you?" He thought for a moment, then grinned. "Bunnies are cute." You nearly choked on your own breath. "What?" He laughed at your reaction. "What? They are! Small, fluffy, and kinda funny when they hop around. Luffy used to chase them when we were kids." His smile softened. "They always got away." You fought hard to keep your expression neutral. Of all the things Ace could’ve found cute, it had to be rabbits. You, a person who could literally transform into one, were now sitting here trying not to combust. "Huh," you managed to say. "Didn’t expect that answer." Ace gave you a lazy shrug. "Guess I got a soft spot for them. But what about you? You didn’t answer." You looked away, suddenly very interested in the waves crashing against the ship. "Dunno. Never really thought about it."

The night was darker than usual, the wind carrying the salty scent of the sea through the quiet docks. Ace stood at the edge of the wooden planks, arms crossed, his expression unreadable as he faced you. His dark eyes, usually filled with warmth and mischief, were now cold—unforgiving. "Tell me it isn't true," he said, voice barely above a whisper, yet laced with enough intensity to send a chill down your spine. You swallowed hard, fingers gripping the hem of your coat. The truth had been buried for years, hidden under layers of well-intended deception. And now, it had finally surfaced. "Ace, I—" "Did you do it?" he cut you off, stepping forward, his presence overwhelming. "Did you lie to me? Back then?" Memories flashed through your mind. You had been just kids, surviving on the streets of Dawn Island. Ace, stubborn as ever, had gotten himself into trouble with a gang of older thugs. They were ruthless, dangerous, and he—filled with defiance—had been ready to fight them head-on. So you lied. You had told them that Ace wasn’t worth their time. That he was weak, a coward who would never be a threat. It had worked—they had turned away, leaving him unharmed, unaware that you had made yourself their new target in his place. You bore the bruises for weeks. You never told him. "I didn’t want you to get hurt," you admitted now, voice small. "I thought I was protecting you." Ace let out a sharp, bitter laugh. "Protecting me? By telling them I was weak? By making them see you as the one to go after?" His fists clenched, shaking slightly. "You should have told me. We could have faced them together." The guilt you had carried for years weighed even heavier now. "I was scared. I didn't want to see you lose." "And you thought lying to me was the answer?" He exhaled sharply, looking away, the hurt plain in his face. "Damn it... I trusted you." Silence settled between you, the sounds of the waves crashing against the dock filling the void. "I never wanted to hurt you," you said so

Another night of celebration beneath a vast, star-studded sky. You sat cross-legged on the deck, mirroring Ace’s grin as he poured another round of drinks. “Alright,” Ace slurred slightly, his cheeks flushed, “how about a bet?” You raised a brow, intrigued. “What kind of bet?” Ace leaned forward, his trademark smirk playing at his lips. “Simple. We keep drinking until one of us can’t anymore. The loser has to grant the winner one request—no exceptions.” The crew erupted into cheers. Marco shook his head but didn’t intervene, while Whitebeard, watching from his usual spot, let out a deep chuckle. “You’re on.” You clinked your cup against his, feeling the competitive fire ignite in your chest. If there was one thing Ace was known for—aside from his abilities—it was his stubbornness. But you were just as determined. The contest dragged on, cups being refilled as quickly as they were emptied. The crew’s cheers grew louder with each passing round. Ace’s confident smirk wavered as his fingers fumbled over the bottle. He blinked at you, eyes unfocused, before finally hitting the deck, snoring before his head even fully landed. The ship erupted in laughter. You, still upright—if barely—grinned in triumph. “Guess that means I win,” you announced, nudging Ace’s shoulder with your foot. Later, when Ace finally stirred, he groaned and squinted up at you. “Ugh… what did I do?” “You lost. And now, you owe me a favor.” Ace winced. “Fine… what’s it gonna be?” You leaned in dramatically. The crew hushed, eagerly awaiting your answer. Then, with the biggest grin, you said— “You have to take me on a proper date.” The silence was instant, then quickly broken by roaring laughter. Ace, usually quick with a comeback, just gawked at you. “A—A date?! That’s your big request?” You crossed your arms. “Yup. A real one. No backing out, fire boy.” For once, Ace was speechless, his face turning a shade darker. “Guess you should’ve picked a safer bet.” You winked.

The waves crashed gently against the ship’s hull as you stood on the deck, your eyes fixed on the man before you. It had been years since you last saw him, but there was no mistaking that freckled face, the wild black hair, and that ever-present smirk. Portgas D. Ace. The boy who had once been your entire world. But as he tilted his head at you in confusion, that world crumbled just a little. “Do I know you?” The words hit harder than any punch. Your heart clenched, but you forced a smile. Of course, he didn’t remember. You weren’t a significant part of his past—not to him. But to you? He had been everything. A childhood friend, a brother-in-arms in the wild forests of Dawn Island, the one you had sworn to always find, no matter what. A promise made under a canopy of stars, sealed with clasped hands and whispers of an unbreakable bond. “I guess not,” you muttered, forcing the lump in your throat away. “It’s fine.” But Ace narrowed his eyes, studying you carefully. “Wait. How do you know me?” You sighed, crossing your arms. “You’re pretty famous, Fire Fist.” Ace grinned at that, scratching the back of his head. “Can’t argue with that.” You turned away, biting the inside of your cheek. If he had forgotten, there was no point in reminding him. Some things were better left in the past, right? You had survived without him for this long. And yet, as you walked away, Ace suddenly grabbed your wrist. “Wait,” he said, his grip firm. “I… I feel like I should know you.” Hope flickered in your chest, but you buried it deep. “Maybe in another life,” you said, slipping free from his grasp.

The sea was calm that afternoon, the Moby cutting smoothly through the waves as the Whitebeard Pirates lounged on deck. Ace sat at the ship’s railing, letting the salty breeze ruffle his hair when something caught his eye—a small glass bottle bobbing amidst the waves. “Oi, Marco!” Ace called, hopping over to the edge of the deck. “Check that out.” Marco followed his gaze. “A message in a bottle?” He raised an eyebrow. “Looks like some romantic nonsense.” Ace grinned. “Or treasure.” Without hesitation, he catched it with a small net. He popped the cork and slid out a crinkled piece of parchment, the ink slightly faded. His eyes skimmed the first lines, expecting some lost sailor’s plea for help—or Marco’s ridiculous romance theory. But what he read instead made his heart skip a beat. "To whoever finds this—I wonder what kind of person you are. A pirate? A Marine? Just someone drifting across the sea, like me?" Ace frowned, scanning ahead. The letter was personal, almost as if the writer had poured their thoughts into the waves, never expecting a response. "I want to be free. I want to find a place where I belong. Maybe out there, across the endless blue, there’s someone who understands what it feels like to be lost and looking for something—someone—worth fighting for." The words resonated with him more than he wanted to admit. It was dated years ago, from before he had even set sail on his journey. “Who wrote this?” he murmured, turning the letter over. Then his breath caught. At the very bottom, barely legible from where the ink had smudged, was a name. Your name.

The night was warm, but the weight in your chest made it suffocating. The flickering firelight barely reached Ace’s face as he sat across from you, his expression unreadable, jaw tight. “You’re lying.” His voice was quiet, but there was an unmistakable sharpness to it. “I’m not,” you murmured, gripping your arms. “I was born in Mary Geoise.” Ace shot up to his feet, stepping back as if your words burned him. His breath was ragged, fists clenched. “No. No way. You—after everything we’ve been through, you’re telling me you’re one of them?” You flinched. Them. You always knew this moment would come, but that didn’t make it hurt any less. “I was. But I ran.” You forced yourself to meet his eyes, hoping—praying—he would see you and not just the blood in your veins. “I left that life behind. The titles, the riches, the cruelty—I hated it. I’ve hated it since I was a kid.” Ace laughed, but there was no humor in it. “You hated it? Do you have any idea what they’ve done? What they keep doing? They killed my brother. They enslaved people. They—” His voice broke, but his fury didn’t waver. “I know.” Your voice was barely above a whisper. “I know, Ace. That’s why I left.” Silence hung between you like a guillotine. You could see it in his eyes—the war between his hatred and everything he thought he knew about you.

The first thing Ace felt was the warmth of the sun on his face. It was strange—wasn’t he supposed to be dead? The last thing he remembered was the battlefield, the searing pain in his chest, and Luffy’s screams. But when he opened his eyes, he wasn’t in Marineford. The world around him was unfamiliar. He lay on soft grass, sunlight filtering through thick, ancient trees. The scent of the sea was distant, mingling with a freshness he hadn't known in a long time. He sat up abruptly, his hand instinctively reaching for his chest. No wound. No blood. His heart pounded—this had to be a dream. Then he heard footsteps. “Ace…?” That voice. He turned, his breath catching in his throat. Standing there, eyes wide with shock, was you. But you were different. Older. Stronger. The playful spark in your eyes was now a quiet, hardened fire. Scars lined your arms, and a sword hung from your hip. “Where am I?” he demanded, his voice hoarse. “What’s going on?” You hesitated, as if unsure how to speak, before whispering the words that shattered his world. “Ace… it’s been 6 years.”

The night was supposed to be simple. A quiet job, a quick escape, and enough gold to last a few weeks. You had done this countless times before—slipping into noble estates, stealing a few valuables, and disappearing into the shadows before anyone even knew you had been there. But this time, you took something far more valuable than gold. A man. Not just any man—a prince. The plan had been foolproof: in, out, vanish. But the man sitting across from you, rubbing his wrists where the binds had been cut, was not part of the plan. “I should be furious,” he mused, stretching his arms over his head with an ease that was utterly unbothered. “But honestly, I’ve been waiting for an excuse to get out of that palace.” You narrowed your eyes. “You—” “Portgas D. Ace. But you probably already knew that.” Your blood ran cold. Ace—the missing prince. The one the entire kingdom was searching for. The one with a bounty so high that even the lowest of thieves whispered about it in awe. And now, you had him. Or, more accurately, you had accidentally taken him. The reality set in faster than you could process it. This was no longer just about escaping with stolen goods. This was about survival. Every guard in the kingdom would be after you. “You kidnapped me,” Ace said, the corners of his lips tilting up in amusement. “That’s bold.” “I didn’t—” You groaned, rubbing your temple. “You’re the one who got in my way.”

The battlefield of Marineford was bathed in blood, ice, and fire. The war had begun, but this time, the stakes were different. It wasn’t Ace bound in chains at the execution platform. It was you. The Marines had captured you, dragging you into the heart of their strongest fortress. As one of Whitebeard’s division commanders and Ace’s closest companion, you were just as much a target. The moment the world learned of your capture, they anticipated the Whitebeard Pirates would come. And they did. Ace stood at the forefront of the battlefield, fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms. His flames flickered wildly, mirroring the storm raging inside him. He had always been reckless, but today, he was feral. A man willing to burn the world down if it meant getting you back. “I’m coming! Just hold on!” Ace roared as his flames surged, igniting everything in his path. From the execution platform, you struggled against the seastone cuffs, heart pounding as you watched your crew fight their way toward you. But the Marines weren’t about to let you go so easily. Sengoku gave the order, and before you could process it, the executioners raised their weapons. But just before the blades fell, a blazing inferno erupted across the platform, forcing them back. Ace landed before you in a flash, his eyes filled with nothing but desperation and rage. He grabbed you, his body shielding yours as flames surrounded you both. “No one touches her!” His voice was raw, shaking with unfiltered fury. The battle waged on, and Ace fought like a man possessed. Every strike, every flame, every punch carried the weight of his fear to lose you. He refused to lose you. Not like this. Not ever. And when the dust settled, when the Whitebeard Pirates stood victorious against impossible odds, Ace carried you in his arms, pressing his forehead against yours. “You scared the hell out of me.” You smiled weakly, whispering, “You weren’t supposed to be the reckless one this time.”

The rain was relentless. Waves the size of mountains crashed against the remains of your ship, tearing away at the wreckage with merciless force. You barely remembered how you got here—just flashes of the storm, the lightning splitting the sky, and Ace’s voice shouting your name before the ocean swallowed you both whole. Now, you were on a deserted island with nothing but soaked clothes and a headache pounding behind your eyes. The jungle was dense, the sand too rough beneath your fingertips, and worst of all—Ace was still unconscious beside you. “Ace.” You shook his shoulder, your heartbeat quickening. “Come on, wake up.” A groan. Then, a cough. And finally—his eyes flickered open. “Damn,” he muttered, sitting up and running a hand through his wet hair. “That was one hell of a storm.” You exhaled sharply, half in relief, half in frustration. “Yeah, and now we’re stuck.” Ace stretched, completely unfazed. “We’ll get out of here. I’ll just build a raft.” You scoffed. “With what? We don’t even know what’s useful here yet.” “I’ll figure it out.” He grinned, standing up. “Can’t be that hard.” And just like that, you wanted to strangle him. The days passed. Ace’s reckless attempts to escape only ended in more frustration. The island wasn’t kind—no fresh water in sight, and what little food you found wasn’t enough to last forever. He tried to act like it was all fine, but you knew better. Tensions rose. One night, exhausted and hungry, you snapped. “For once, can you think before acting? You’re going to get us killed!” Ace’s expression darkened. “And sitting around doing nothing is better?”

The air in the tavern was thick with tension. The moment you stepped inside, you could feel the stares drilling into your back. Murmurs spread like wildfire, whispers of your name followed by words like thief and worse than that. You clenched your fists. It had been like this for weeks now. Ever since someone started using your name. You hadn’t even seen Ace in years. And yet, here he was—sitting at the corner of the tavern, his hat shadowing his eyes. His posture was deceptively relaxed, but you knew him well enough to notice the sharp edge to his gaze. He was watching you, waiting. You took a deep breath and approached him. “Ace.” His fingers drummed against the table, his jaw set. “Tell me something,” he said, voice quiet but firm. “Where were you two weeks ago?” Your stomach dropped. “Not here.” “That’s what I thought.” He leaned back, exhaling through his nose. “Problem is, someone with your face was robbing a merchant ship near Sabaody. Ended two people.” Your blood ran cold. “That wasn’t me.” He tilted his head, studying you like a puzzle he wasn’t sure how to solve. “Then prove it.” You met his gaze, something inside you twisting painfully. He didn’t want to doubt you—Ace had always been someone who trusted his gut, who trusted you. But this wasn’t something he could ignore. “If you really think I could do that,” you said, voice barely above a whisper, “then you never really knew me at all.” Ace’s eyes darkened, but for the first time since you entered, you saw hesitation there. A flicker of the bond you once had.

The island was untouched by the outside world, its dense jungles whispering secrets carried by the wind. You had heard the rumors—whispers of a man who controlled fire, ruling over a secluded tribe deep within the heart of the island. You didn't dare believe it at first. Ace had died at Marineford. The world had mourned the loss of Whitebeard’s second division commander. And yet… something in your gut told you otherwise. Guided by nothing but a hunch and desperation, you braved the treacherous waters and found yourself standing at the edge of a massive village, torches illuminating the primitive yet intricate structures. Then, you saw him. Ace stood tall, his body adorned with tribal markings, beads woven into his hair, and a long, flowing cloak draped over his shoulders. He was laughing with the villagers, looking at ease—at home. Your breath hitched. He was alive. Before you could take another step, a spear was pointed at your throat. The warriors of the tribe moved swiftly, their expressions wary. You raised your hands in surrender, heart pounding. "Who are you?" The voice was familiar, deep, but cautious. Ace. His gaze locked onto yours, unreadable. "You don’t remember me, do you?" you whispered, searching his face for any sign of recognition. Silence. Then, a smirk—small, unsure. "Should I?" Your heart clenched. He had been gone for two years, declared dead by the world. What had he gone through to forget? "I remember you," you said, stepping closer despite the spears still raised. "And I came all this way to find you, Ace."