"What are you doing!!?"
After a long pause, the members of the Whitebeard Pirates, led by Marco, finally realized what was happening before their eyes. Instinctively, they drew their weapons or activated their Devil Fruit powers, facing off against Koby and Brook.
But the moment they saw Koby instantly send Whitebeard flying, a chill ran through them. An unspoken fear gnawed at their hearts—they hesitated to step forward.
For members of the Whitebeard Pirates, this was unprecedented.
The first time… they had ever feared someone else.
"Step back!"
Just as a few squad captains hesitated, a commanding shout thundered from the back of the Moby Dick.
At the familiar voice, the pirates' faces changed instantly—from shock to joy. They parted, clearing a wide path toward the sound.
From the human-sized corridor beyond, Ace—who had been unseen until now—emerged, walking steadily out of the ship's cabin.
Unlike the pirates who had relaxed upon finding their leader again, Ace's expression was complicated. A twinge of awkwardness accompanied his every step as he approached Koby and Brook.
The scene fell completely silent.
Looking at the polite members of the Starry Sky Pirates, Ace let out a long, heavy sigh:
"Sigh…"
"Has Luffy… already grown impatient?"
"Yes."
Hearing Ace's question, Brook stepped forward and bowed slightly in respect to Luffy's older brother. His voice was calm but firm:
"Luffy instructed that he doesn't want to wait any longer. Everything must move faster now."
"So…"
"I understand!"
Before Brook could finish, Ace suddenly spoke, cutting him off.
His long fingers spread slowly as he removed his sun hat, holding it in front of him with one hand.
In the reflection of his goggles, he saw himself—and the usual bright, carefree Ace was gone. His voice was quiet, tinged with regret:
"In the end… I've still disappointed Luffy…"
"I suppose… it's only natural… after all this time…"
"But!"
Ace snapped his head up, snapping the sun hat back onto his head in a swift motion.
From his eyes, a crimson light suddenly exploded outward.
Instantly, Jinbei's expression hardened, his resolve unshakable. He replied to Brook:
"I will not let him down again!"
"Good… very good…"
Brook removed all formality. His skeletal face expressionless, he bowed, then slowly stepped back toward the railing of the Moby Dick.
Koby, as always, followed silently, retreating alongside Brook.
Hoo~
Ace drew a deep breath, steel entering his heart.
He spun sharply, stepping backward without hesitation.
The Whitebeard Pirates had no idea what was about to happen, but instinctively, they stepped aside again, clearing a path for him.
"Ace…"
Only Marco seemed to realize something, muttering quietly with a complicated expression, but he said no more.
Somewhere along the way, in this sea he had roamed for years, even someone of his strength had come to feel like a small fry, an expendable background player… stripped of even the right to speak.
Whether at Marineford or here, he was just scenery—a figure who could be ignored.
For Marco of a few years ago, this was unimaginable.
…
Ace's piercing gaze finally landed on the rear of the Moby Dick.
At that moment—BOOM!
An Iceburg, built of sharp ice shards, exploded violently. Tiny splinters shot outward like bullets, smashing against the surrounding icy walls.
Whitebeard, wielding his massive Murakumogiri, rose suddenly from the debris, a look of shock on his face.
Facing Koby again, he realized that last time at Marineford, Koby had actually spared him some dignity—simply knocking him down without humiliating him in front of everyone.
Had Koby done the same attack that day… the reputation of the Whitebeard Pirates might have plummeted instantly!
"Hm?"
Whitebeard had barely stood when he noticed Ace perched on the railing, eyes fixed on him. He stopped in mid-step, sensing the burning intensity in Ace's gaze.
A shadow of melancholy passed over Whitebeard's face.
But in the next moment, his usual hearty smile returned.
"What's the matter, Ace?"
As always, Whitebeard's tone was calm, as if Ace's unusual behavior was completely unnoticeable.
Thump!
Ace said nothing. With a sudden push, he leapt high off the Moby Dick, then descended from midair, landing on the icy shards before Whitebeard.
"Dad!"
Heart racing, Ace didn't hesitate. He spread his stance and raised his fists to chest level.
"Let's fight!!!"
"What!!?"
The pirates aboard the Moby Dick, witnessing the scene, erupted in shock and alarm, shouting toward Ace and Whitebeard.
"Ace! What are you doing!!?"
"Yeah! Ace! The enemy is still on board!!"
"Don't throw a tantrum now, Ace!!!"
The bewildered pirates shouted and yelled, faces twisted with worry. The enemy had just sent Dad flying, and now their First Division Commander seemed ready to side with the enemy—to fight him.
"Quiet!!"
Just as some pirates leaned over the railing, trying to stop Ace, Marco shouted from behind, silencing them instantly.
The pirates fell into sudden silence.
Marco's face betrayed a struggle of conflicting emotions.
Finally, he walked slowly to the front of the group, small sharp eyes fixed on Ace and Whitebeard below.
Crossing his arms and turning his back to the others, Marco spoke:
"Remember what Ace said when he competed with me for the squad captain's post?"
His words immediately drew the pirates into memory, many frowning in thought, unsure what Marco meant.
But he explained no further—those who understood, understood. He simply continued:
"He's… just getting ready to make it happen."
From the day Ace joined the Whitebeard Pirates, he had constantly spoken of making the Whitebeard Pirates his own.
At the time, everyone thought he was joking. With Whitebeard silent, it was taken as nothing more than a joke.
Until that day…
Ace, seemingly a different person, had suddenly declared his intent to compete with Marco for the position of First Division Commander.
Even after that battle, though they swapped roles briefly, everyone remained part of the Whitebeard Pirates. Peace was maintained.
Over time, everyone grew accustomed to it, including Ace and Marco themselves.
But today, Ace had gone even further—daring to challenge Dad himself!
To everyone else, it seemed insane.
The disparity in strength was massive—they weren't even on the same level.
Yet Marco, who had fought Ace, knew better. Ace never joked.
Every word he spoke was serious!!!
He knew this day would come eventually.
He just hadn't expected it to be so soon.
Thinking this, Marco glanced toward the other side of the railing, where Brook and Koby—clearly separate from the Whitebeard Pirates—stood.
It must be… connected to them.
That pink-haired boy… the powerful skeleton…
The Starry Sky Pirates… Ace's little brother…
Monkey D. Luffy!!!
….
Completed version available on [P]atreon.[c]om/Veltoria [remove brackets]