Deuce picked up the thread and nodded.
"Exactly."
"The Sabaody Archipelago is the only gate to the New World."
"Its Auction House is the biggest black-market hub on the planet."
"If anywhere can lay hands on what the Famous Ancient Chinese Physician needs, it's there."
The physician inclined his head slightly.
He lifted the medicine chest beside him and rose slowly.
The night wind fluttered his robe, making him look ready to ride the wind away.
Ace's eyes blazed.
What burned inside them wasn't fire, but a raging inferno called brotherhood.
"Sabaody Archipelago..."
He repeated the name under his breath.
The corners of his mouth crept upward until his grin stretched ear to ear,
revealing that trademark flash of white teeth.
"That's right!"
"If it's that place, there'll definitely be a way!"
Ace slapped his thigh with a sharp crack.
Ignoring the pain, he leapt onto the rubble left by the Hulk.
Using it as a stage, he turned to face the whole crew.
Pirates who'd been mourning the ship or stunned by talk of immortality now lifted their heads.
All eyes were on their Captain, the man who always defied expectations.
"Listen up, you lot—ears sharp!"
Ace drew a deep breath, his voice booming like thunder across the waves.
"Original plan—scrapped!"
"Our trip to the New World to take on that old geezer Whitebeard..."
"Postponed!"
Gasps swept the deck.
The crew exchanged bewildered looks.
Challenging the "Strongest Man in the World" had been Ace's driving ambition since setting sail.
It was the very engine that had pushed the Spade Pirates this far.
And now he was slamming on the brakes?
"Captain, are you serious?"
"That's Whitebeard! We've prepped for ages!"
Voices piped up, unable to hold back.
Ace's grin only widened.
His smile turned wilder, cockier.
He raised a finger and pointed straight at the robe-fluttering figure of the Famous Ancient Chinese Physician.
"That old man Whitebeard isn't going anywhere in the New World!"
"Whether we go today or tomorrow, that top spot will still be waiting for me!"
"But—"
Ace's tone snapped like a whip.
His gaze hardened, then softened into something almost tender.
"Our Doctor—his time won't wait!"
"That damned curse, that lousy so-called Heaven, only gave him six years!"
"Are we supposed to sit back and watch destiny snatch our mate away?!"
The question rang out, deafening.
Hesitation vanished from the pirates' eyes.
They turned to the Famous Ancient Chinese Physician with sympathy, admiration, and a fire Ace had just ignited.
Yeah.
This was their Captain.
This was Portgas D. Ace!
To him, a brother's life was worth ten thousand times any fame or ambition.
"No way!"
"We're not letting the Doctor die!"
"Screw Whitebeard—lives first!"
"It's just Sabaody—even if it were hell, we'd storm it for you!"
Someone shouted first.
Then, like a tidal wave, voices surged.
Burly pirates swung fists and howled, ready to defy fate for their new Doctor.
Even the pale, just-awakened First Mate Deuce struggled upright from his stretcher.
He lifted a weak right hand.
"If it's the Captain's call... cough... I'm in."
"Besides, I'd like to see what this legendary life-extending drug looks like."
The atmosphere rocketed to fever pitch.
In the center stood the Famous Ancient Chinese Physician.
Watching these hot-blooded pirates.
A flicker of "surprise" crossed his aloof face.
Then it melted into deep "gratitude".
He lowered his head slightly.
Perhaps to hide the moisture in his eyes.
"You all..."
"We've known each other less than a day..."
"Is it worth it?"
The acting was sublime.
Absolutely masterful.
If the Oscars had a "Best Con-Artist" award, Bai Yu figured he could win ten years running.
Ace jumped down from the rubble.
He closed the distance in a few strides and slung an arm around the physician's shoulders.
Not caring about the faint medicinal scent—actually toxic vapors—clinging to him.
"What nonsense are you saying!"
"You drank my booze on my ship—that makes you a brother!"
"A brother's trouble is my trouble!"
"If it's just raiding Sabaody for herbs, we're with you—even if we had to storm Marineford we'd do it!"
Ace thumped his chest, the blows echoing.
"Alright, lads—hoist the sails!"
"Course set—Sabaody Archipelago!"
"Let's empty that so-called Auction House!"
"YEAHHH!"
The crew roared in unison.
Though the Spade's mainmast had been snapped halfway by the Hulk.
Though a gaping hole still split the deck.
Though the engines might be shot.
None of that dulled these hot-headed fools' spirits.
They scrambled to patch the ship.
One even stuffed his coat into a leak.
In a corner—the one everyone had forgotten—former ship doctor Musk hugged his little medicine chest and trembled.
He stared at the radiant Ace, then at the celestial-looking Famous Ancient Chinese Physician.
Finally, he looked at the harmless, glasses-polishing Bruce Banner,
and behind Banner, the cold, tower-solid T-800.
Musk sniffed.
"So..."
"I really have to switch jobs to Nurse now?"
Night deepened; the bonfire blazed higher.
The sea wind carried the aroma of roast meat across the battered Spade.
"Gulp-gulp—ah!"
Ace tilted back a bottle of rum, then wiped his mouth.
In the firelight, his young face looked vivid.
Though the ship was falling apart,
and though they'd nearly been pulped by that green monster moments ago,
for pirates, there was no problem that couldn't be solved with a party.
If there was, they'd throw another.
"Dr. Banner!"
Ace suddenly turned, eyes blazing toward the corner.
Bruce Banner, hunched over his milk, startled at the shout.
Hot milk almost splashed his trousers.
"Uh... Captain Ace?"
Adjusting his glasses, Banner sounded cautious.
He had an instinctive fear of this fire-wreathed teenager.
After all.
This was the guy who'd nearly let the Hulk destroy the whole island.
Ace grinned, flashing white teeth.
He stepped over deck cracks and squatted in a carefree manner in front of Banner.
"Come with us!"
Banner blinked.
"Huh?"
"I mean, join my crew!"
Ace thumped the battered pirate ship beneath them, as if it were obvious.
"See, the Famous Ancient Chinese Physician already agreed to sign on."
"Your green... uh, that big guy's got a temper, sure."
"But he's seriously strong!"
Ace grew more excited, eyes sparkling.
"With you aboard, the Spade Pirates would be unstoppable!"
"New World, Whitebeard—none of it would stand a chance!"
Nearby pirates joined the cheer.
"Yeah, Dr. Banner!"
"That green blockhead's scary, but if he's on our side, no worries!"
"Come along—the ocean's vast!"