Holy Land Mary Geoise!
In the opulent palace, five elders stood or sat, exuding an unapproachable and inviolable aura of authority.
"Regarding the tragic death of the Rosward Saint's family, the Celestial Dragon families of the Holy Land demand an explanation from us!" the bald Gorosei Saturn Saint said calmly.
The Gorosei Mars Saint looked on with disdain, his arms crossed, holding his kikoku.
"How dare they demand an explanation from us? A bunch of pigs, the fact that they enjoy the treatment of nobles... is already the greatest gift!"
"Mars Saint, that's going too far!" Gorosei Saturn Saint interjected, trying to mediate. "—No matter what, they are still our compatriots!"
"Compatriots? Of course, I know. If they weren't my compatriots, I would have used the kikoku in my hand to kill them all... a bunch of embarrassing things!" Gorosei Mars Saint radiated a thick killing intent!
"Enough, let's move on! We'll proceed to the next item!" Gorosei Saturn Saint interrupted the two, then slammed a wanted poster onto the coffee table.
"Regarding Straw Hat Luffy, we can no longer sit idly by. His progress... is too fast!"
"What is the Marine doing?? Two Admirals can't even take down a brat??"
"To be honest, I'm a little worried. What if he really awakens that Devil Fruit?"
"Impossible. In 800 years, such a thing has never happened!"
The Gorosei discussed animatedly.
"Never happened doesn't mean it won't happen!" Gorosei Saturn Saint's words settled the matter.
"The God's Knights cannot be moved, so... it can only be us old bones who make a move!"
The other four exchanged glances. "This threat... must be eliminated!"
"Agreed!"
"Agreed!"
"Agreed!"
"Alright, I will have CP investigate Straw Hat's location. We... will be ready at any time!"
"Meeting adjourned!"
...Meanwhile, at the Revolutionary Army headquarters!
A huge dining table was piled high with food. Luffy sat on a chair at one end, his mouth wide open, arms stretched long, one hand grasping a large lobster, the other holding a big bone, not even looking, just coolly and wildly devouring!
On the other side, Dragon helplessly watched his son, who possessed such a contrasting charm.
Beneath his cold and fierce demeanor, a profound tenderness was hidden.
Busy with the revolutionary cause, he had never been able to watch his child grow up. Since being wanted by the World Government, he hadn't even dared to return home... This undoubtedly left him with deep guilt towards Luffy!
...So much so that he supported all of Luffy's ideas!
"Burp—!"
Luffy rubbed his belly, which looked at least three years pregnant, with a satisfied expression.
He looked at Dragon, who had lowered his hood, with a hint of confusion.
"Dad, how did you know I killed a Celestial Dragon on Sabaody Archipelago?"
Logically, Dragon shouldn't have known in time.
"...A comrade told me! He works for the World Government!" Dragon seemed to recall something, a smile completely unstoppable.
"Oh, I see!"
Luffy said no more, but a gentle figure appeared in his mind.
[The favors I owe you, I really can't repay them all!]
Then it was Dragon's turn to be speechless.
No, I only said half of it, and you don't have any curiosity at all?
Even if I wouldn't tell you, but you don't even ask... isn't that a bit disrespectful to me?
...Suddenly, "Knock knock knock!"
A knock came from the room.
"Come in!" Dragon adjusted his collar.
A young man with wavy golden short hair, a burn scar on his left eye, wearing a black top hat, blue goggles, a blue coat over a white shirt, and a bow tie, like a noble gentleman, walked in.
Beside him was a lively and beautiful blonde girl, who looked very well-matched with the young man!
"Leader!..." The young man was about to say something, but suddenly saw the boy beside him, and his body stiffened.
He didn't know why, but he couldn't control his body at all. He could feel his body cheering with joy! But... he looked bewildered!
"Sabo, what are you doing?" Seeing Sabo standing still, the girl beside him pouted. "Uncle Dragon, we're back!"
The next second, two arms stretched out, pulling Sabo's neck, and a figure leaned tightly against him, legs firmly locking around Sabo's waist!
"Sabo! I, I finally saw you!"
Even though he knew Sabo was alive, when they met again, he still couldn't suppress his emotions!... Tears streamed down his face uncontrollably!
Everyone present was stunned, and Sabo was no different!
If it were anyone else leaning on him like that, he would have been angry long ago. But facing Luffy, even if he had lost his memory, the elder brother's favoritism for his younger brother was already etched into his bones!
Sabo's voice was extremely gentle, his eyes filled with confusion. "Who... are you??"
Hearing this, Luffy looked up, his red eyes heartbreaking. He wiped his snot on Sabo's shoulder.
"I am your... little brother!"
"Brother??"
Dragon and Koala were both bewildered!
[How come I didn't know you had such a brother/younger brother?]
"Ah—!"
Sabo's head ached, and countless memories flooded his mind!
He instinctively hugged Luffy tightly, protecting him!
...Ace: "Do you know? Once you drink the sworn brotherhood sake, you're brothers!"
Luffy: "Brothers, really?"
Ace: "When we become pirates, we might not be on the same ship. Our bond... let's maintain it with our brotherhood!"
"No matter where we are or what we do? This bond will never be broken!"
"From today on, we are... brothers!!"
...Scenes from childhood flooded his mind. Sabo's eyes turned red, and tears streamed down his cheeks uncontrollably!
"Luffy, I... how could I forget you, my little brother!" Sabo's memory revived... The four sat on the floor, Luffy leaning on Sabo, and Sabo looked on dotingly, recounting his past to Dragon and Koala!
"So, 'Fifth Emperor of the Sea' Luffy is your younger brother, and Whitebeard Pirates' Second Division Commander Ace is also your brother! Uncle Dragon is Luffy's dad!!"
Koala felt her head was going to melt, with so many relationships suddenly appearing!
Dragon slowly stood up, took a newspaper from the table, and handed it to Sabo.
"Since Ace is your brother, I think you should read this newspaper!"
Sabo took the newspaper with a smile. Having reunited with his brother, he was in an exceptionally good mood!
However, when he looked at the newspaper, his eyes narrowed, his joy instantly vanished, and cold sweat, thick and dense, covered his forehead in terror!
[Portgas D. Ace, Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, has been captured by the Marine and will be publicly executed in seven days.]
[Marine Headquarters urgently summons the Shichibukai, possibly to face off against the Four Emperors Whitebeard Pirates.]
[Will the Whitebeard Pirates fall at Marineford, or will the Marine be outmaneuvered?? Stay tuned!]
"Luffy?" Sabo handed the newspaper to Luffy with a worried expression, gazing at him.
However, Luffy's expression remained unchanged. He put the newspaper aside.
"What's the big deal? It's just a public execution, isn't it? We'll just go and rescue him, won't we??"
Sabo was stunned. From Luffy, he saw calmness, confidence, and dominance—qualities only true powerhouses possess!
Suddenly, Sabo remembered today's newspaper and realized: Luffy is someone who can challenge an Admiral!
[Unbeknownst to me, that crybaby has become so strong.]
Dragon also nodded, looking at Sabo!
"If you want to go, then go. The Whitebeard Pirates, plus you and Luffy... it's not hopeless!"
"However,... the Revolutionary Army probably cannot offer you help!"
"Also," Dragon turned his gaze to Luffy, "Perhaps..., you should go see... Rayleigh-san!"