"No! Luffy can't talk like that!"
Ace's teeth were clenched so hard they nearly cracked.
In the abandoned hut deep within Gray Terminal, Borjami laughed loudly as he watched the small boy hanging helplessly in front of him.
"Don't blame me, kid," Borjami said lazily. "You stole from the wrong people."
Luffy's face was pale, his body trembling as the rough rope dug into his wrists. He tried to speak, but fear made his voice shake.
"I—I don't know anything…" he insisted weakly.
Borjami raised his hand again.
Luffy squeezed his eyes shut.
"Stop."
The word came out sharper than Borjami expected.
Ace stood at the entrance of the hut, fists clenched, eyes burning with rage. Sabo was beside him, breathing heavily, his expression dark.
Borjami turned slowly, amused. "Oh? Look what crawled back."
Ace stepped forward without hesitation.
"Let him go."
Borjami burst into laughter. "You've got some nerve, kid. This brat knows about your treasure. You think I'll just let him walk?"
Luffy looked up, tears pooling in his eyes.
"Ace…"
"Shut up!" Ace snapped instinctively, panic flickering across his face. "Don't say my name!"
Borjami's grin widened.
"So it is you," he said mockingly. "Ace. The little thief."
Sabo clenched his teeth. "Ace… we don't have time."
Ace knew it.
If Borjami dragged this out, the rest of the gang would return. And then—
They'd lose everything.
Their savings.Their dream.And maybe Luffy's life.
Ace stepped forward again.
"Take the treasure," he said through gritted teeth. "All of it. Just let him go."
Borjami blinked in surprise.
Then he laughed harder than before.
"Now that's interesting," he said. "You care about this brat that much?"
Luffy shook his head desperately. "No! Ace, don't—!"
Borjami grabbed Luffy's chin roughly, forcing him to look up. "Looks like you're more useful than I thought, kid."
Sabo moved.
In an instant, he kicked over a crate, sending dust and debris flying.
"Ace—NOW!"
Ace didn't hesitate.
He rushed forward, slamming his fist into Borjami's face.
The impact echoed through the hut.
Borjami stumbled back, roaring in anger.
"You little—!"
Sabo leapt up, cutting the rope with a hidden blade.
Luffy dropped into Sabo's arms.
"Run!" Sabo shouted.
They didn't look back.
They ran.
Through broken alleys.Over burning trash piles.Past startled gang members shouting in confusion.
Borjami's furious roar echoed behind them.
"CHASE THEM! DON'T LET THEM ESCAPE!"
Ace carried Luffy without slowing, his breathing heavy but steady.
"Why didn't you stay quiet?!" Ace snapped, panic bleeding into his voice.
"I—I tried!" Luffy cried. "But they were scary…"
Sabo glanced back. "We're almost at the forest!"
Behind them, footsteps thundered closer.
Borjami himself burst through the smoke, blood trickling from his forehead, eyes blazing with murderous intent.
"YOU THINK YOU CAN RUN?!"
Ace skidded to a stop.
Sabo turned sharply. "Ace, keep going!"
"No," Ace said, setting Luffy down behind Sabo. "I'll hold him off."
"What?! You're crazy!" Sabo shouted.
Ace's fists trembled—but his eyes were firm.
"If we don't stop him, he'll chase us forever."
Borjami laughed darkly. "Finally growing a spine?"
Ace charged.
They clashed violently, fists and kicks colliding in a desperate exchange. Ace was strong—far stronger than most adults—but Borjami was experienced, ruthless.
Ace was thrown back hard, slamming into debris.
"Ace!" Luffy screamed.
Borjami advanced, cracking his knuckles. "You're done."
Suddenly—
CRACK.
A pipe smashed into Borjami's side.
Sabo stood there, breathing hard, eyes fierce.
"You're not touching him."
Borjami snarled. "Brats… all of you!"
The fight turned chaotic.
Ace and Sabo fought together now—barely holding Borjami back. Each strike hurt. Each breath burned.
They were reaching their limit.
Luffy watched, frozen in fear.
Tears streamed down his face.
"…Why?" he whispered. "Why are you doing this for me?"
Ace shouted without turning back.
"Because you're annoying!"
Sabo gritted his teeth. "And because we don't abandon idiots!"
Borjami roared and lunged—
A loud BOOM echoed through the forest.
Borjami staggered.
A rock—thrown with terrifying force—slammed into his shoulder.
Everyone froze.
From the shadows of the trees, a figure stepped forward.
Blond hair.Cold eyes.Familiar presence.
"Get away from him."
Lucas.
Luffy's eyes widened.
"BIG BROTHER!"
Borjami stared in shock. "Another one?!"
Lucas didn't answer.
He moved.
In a blink, he was in front of Borjami.
One punch.
Borjami was sent flying, crashing through trees before collapsing unconscious in the dirt.
Silence.
Ace and Sabo stared.
"…What the hell?" Ace muttered.
Lucas turned to Luffy immediately, kneeling and pulling him into his arms.
"Are you hurt?"
Luffy shook his head violently and clung to him. "I was scared…"
Lucas closed his eyes briefly, relief flooding through him.
"I'm here now."
Ace clicked his tongue. "Tch. You're late."
Lucas looked up slowly.
"…You let him get caught."
Ace bristled. "You think we wanted this?!"
Sabo stepped between them quickly. "Enough! We're all exhausted."
Lucas stood, holding Luffy protectively.
"…Thank you," he said quietly.
Ace looked away. "…Don't misunderstand."
The forest fell silent again.
Above them, the wind rustled through the trees.
And something had changed.