"He really never stops making people worry, huh, Luffy~"
The bright, energetic young man had a few freckles on his face, short black hair parted down the middle.
He was none other than...
Ace of the New World!
After the Summit War ended, Roger's soul eventually returned to the underworld. He had spent a warm and wonderful period of time with them before that.
Afterward, Rayleigh left Foosha Village and went to Duramos to teach Haki.
As for Ace, he obediently stayed in the Goa Kingdom for two years, learning martial arts and Haki usage from Sabo.
Even Roger, before disappearing, had passed his most treasured techniques down to Ace.
The two of them now possessed strength truly worthy of roaming the New World as monsters.
"Sigh~ Still, it really is a shame. I can't be a pirate anymore..."
Whenever Ace mentioned this, his mood sank a little. Depressed, he kicked the bait he had been using for fishing straight into the sea.
"That can't be helped. Since it was Uncle Ozz who said it, if you dare keep flying a pirate flag, you'll definitely be locked up in Foosha Village forever."
Sabo spread his hands helplessly.
For Captain Roger's sake, Ozz had already given this kid one chance to live. Naturally, he would never allow him to go out and cause trouble again.
Not being allowed to become a pirate was one thing. He was also forbidden from getting involved with the Whitebeard Pirates' affairs.
Do not talk about lingering feelings.
During the Summit War, Ace had practically repaid his life to the Whitebeard Pirates. The life he had left now was the one Ozz had saved.
The only identity Ozz allowed him to have from now on was Rouge's good son, and at most, Luffy and Sabo's good brother.
Besides, the Whitebeard Pirates had long since vanished into history.
The only one who could still leave any trace behind was Marco, the emperor's commander who somehow just would not die.
Even if Ace wanted to do something for the Whitebeard Pirates, it was already too late.
Their remnants had already been shattered by Blackbeard.
And so, after his two-year confinement ended, Ace decisively called Sabo, and the two of them cut their way through obstacles all the way into the New World.
Their destination was Dressrosa.
"Besides coming to find Luffy, the Revolutionary Army also has business to handle here."
Sabo adjusted the brim of his black top hat with one finger and smiled.
"The main goal of this operation is to investigate Doflamingo, Joker, and his arms dealings with the various big shots of the Dark World, then obtain important evidence."
At this point, Sabo sighed.
"Although Doflamingo, like the Revolutionary Army, has connections to Uncle Ozz and has even received help from him, his reckless expansion of the underground world has already seriously affected the Revolutionary Army's operations and the public order under our control."
During the Revolutionary Army's headquarters meeting, after discussion, they had still decided to act.
After all, Ozz had already retired.
If this had been during the years when he was still the Black Emperor, they definitely would not have dared to move recklessly.
But now...
Doflamingo had someone backing him.
But who did not?
Hearing Sabo talk about his mission, Ace wore an expression that said he did not fully understand, but thought it sounded impressive. He looked a little envious.
"That sounds amazing. Revolutionary Army operations must be really mysterious and cool!"
As he spoke, stars practically flashed in Ace's eyes, dazzling Sabo so much he almost could not keep his eyes open.
"Give it up, Ace. Mr. Dragon will never allow you to join the Revolutionary Army. Don't forget Uncle Ozz."
"Tch..."
The boat slowly approached the shore. Ace leapt directly onto land.
Aside from the bundle Rouge had given him, he also carried a sword at his waist.
Wearing a red coat, the young Ace looked at Sabo.
"It's not like I have nothing to do either. That bastard old man told me to give this sword to Uncle Ozz."
He weighed the sword in his hand. It had a solid heft to it and had already been dyed into a black blade by Haki.
"The sword's name is Ace too. What was he even thinking..."
...
Dressrosa.
Overwhelming reports were being distributed across the country. Nearly everyone had a newspaper in hand. Printed on them was the latest event being held in the city's colosseum.
"Are you kidding me?!"
"Could it be that pirate who was said to stand beside the Pirate King, Golden Lion's..."
"This is huge news!"
Even the Straw Hats, who had just landed, received a copy of the report.
"This is..."
A few drops of cold sweat appeared on Luffy's face.
"Is this the fruit of that flying golden-haired uncle from the Summit War?"
After all, Golden Lion had been one of the top-level combatants. Of course Luffy remembered him clearly.
When Nami saw the report about this fruit, the first thing that flashed in her eyes was the symbol of money.
"The Float-Float Fruit! How much would that thing be worth?!"
Zoro's mouth twitched.
"Golden Lion Shiki, huh? I heard he was an incredibly powerful swordsman."
"If it's a tournament, there should be plenty of swordsmen there, right?"
Because he noticed that in the promotion for this colosseum event, one of the final defending champions was a powerful swordsman.
Law, on the other hand, was much calmer.
Being smart, he quickly sensed that something was wrong.
This familiar feeling, as though someone was waiting for them to jump into a trap, felt like a setup.
Subconsciously, it made him think of a certain figure.
But they had no choice but to go anyway.
After all, their fundamental reason for coming to Dressrosa was to defeat Doflamingo.
If this truly was a trap, then most likely, there was no avoiding it.
...
At this moment, Dressrosa had welcomed two groups of young people.
Aside from them, many young rookies and pirates had also been attracted here.
On the King's Plateau at the center of the country, a figure was lying there in utter boredom.
Suddenly, a seagull flew in from the distant sky.
"Gah!"
"They're here?"
Taking the Transponder Snail, Ozz lazily looked at the image of the newcomers arriving in Dressrosa and curled the corner of his mouth.
"Even that brat Ace came?"
"Looks like things will be lively~"
"I wonder if Doffy can hold up?"
The three brothers two years later, combined, could probably deal with an admiral or an emperor. Ozz believed that much.
But in that case, would the game mechanics not become unbalanced?
As the planner, Ozz certainly did not want to see that happen.
Then...
Where should he find some outside demons to stir things up?
Ozz fell into deep thought. The maids serving around him did not dare speak. Even the Seagull King merely stood there quietly.
Suddenly, he had some inspiration.
He stretched out his slender fingers and snapped them crisply.
A Transponder Snail immediately floated into the air in front of Ozz.
"Buru buru buru..."
After a moment, the sound gradually faded.
A cold, indifferent human face appeared.
"To think you would call me. How unexpected, Ozz."
"Long time no see, Saint Saturn."
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