(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
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"Heyyyyy!"
Sasuke's impatient expression shifted slightly as he looked at Ace who was still following after him.
'Sigh'
"So, you're going to find Whitebeard?" he asked finally.
"That's right!" Ace appeared in an instant near him, walking side by side, and replied.
He clenched his fists, his determination unwavering.
"I will definitely beat Whitebeard and become the strongest man in the world!"
"Yeah, he'll definitely beat up Whitebeard! He's our captain after all, and then he'll become the Pirate King" Ace's crew joined in, cheering and laughing.
Deuce slapped Ace's shoulder in support.
"You can do it"
Sasuke watched this scene with mild surprise.
The camaraderie reminded him of his time with Team 7.
Tilting his head slightly, Sasuke avoided looking directly at Ace and the crew, then said, "I can board your ship, but I have a few conditions."
"What conditions?" Ace, excited, waved his fists, his body sparking with elemental fire.
"Calm down," Sasuke interrupted, a bit exasperated.
"I agreed to board your ship temporarily, not to join your pirate crew. When we meet Whitebeard, I'll naturally leave, as I plan to join his crew."
Ace was momentarily stunned but quickly smiled again.
"That's great! One more reason to defeat Whitebeard!" He clenched his fists, fire igniting in his eyes.
"I won't let anyone take my first mate!"
A vein throbbed on Sasuke's forehead.
"I'm not your first mate!"
"Haha, don't sweat the details. Alright, everyone, let's have a banquet!" Ace waved, signaling his crew to prepare for a grand feast.
The crew cheered and got to work.
Sasuke sighed, feeling resigned but stopped Ace before he could join the preparations, his expression growing serious.
"Ace, stop talking about becoming the Pirate King."
"Why?" Ace's smile faded as he stood straighter.
"Because," Sasuke looked at the rising moon, a smile finally crossing his usually stiff and stoic face.
"It has been decreed that there will be no more Pirate King in this world."
"What? Why is that?" He asked while tilting his head.
But there was no response, so he just forgot about it.
Sasuke was walking ahead without looking at him.
"Anyway, I don't care. I'll still become the Pirate King, no matter what!" Ace declared with defiance.
At that same time…
"Even if a real god tries to stop me, I'll knock them aside!" Luffy shouted from Windmill Village, East Blue.
Bang!
"Oh? What kind of king do you want to be?" Colt asked with a smirk.
"It hurts!" he clutched his head, but the question instantly roused his attention.
"I'm going to be the Pirate King!" Luffy yelled.
Colt punched him again, leaving Luffy wincing.
"AHHHH"
"Why does your punch feel just like Grandpa's?!"
Being a Rubber Fruit user, Luffy wasn't supposed to be hurt by blunt force.
Yet both Garp and Colt made him question his abilities.
"If you can't even handle this much, maybe you should find something else to do in the future," Colt teased.
"No way!"
Bang!
"I'll never give up!" Luffy declared.
Bang!
Ten minutes later, Colt stopped, regretting that he had no more spots to punch; Luffy's head was already full of bumps.
"Colt-san, Luffy is still young. He'll grow out of this phase, don't worry" Makino, who had been watching with a smile, finally intervened.
Having worked as a barmaid for years, Makino had learned how to read people.
Colt and Nami didn't seem like bad people, and Luffy, being a rubber man, could handle a couple of beatings.
She figured they just didn't like pirates.
Colt shrugged, feeling that his attempt to stop Luffy's Pirate King obsession had failed.
He ordered another glass and took a sip.
Compared to the world of ninjas, where sake or shochu dominated, the variety of alcohol here intrigued him.
This cocktail, made with cranberry and lime juice, was one of his favorites, with its sweet and sour taste.
"Makino-san, your craftsmanship is excellent. Every drink has a unique flavor." He had tried a few so far, and liked them.
Makino blushed at the compliment, while Nami looked despondent.
Ever since they left Cocoyasi Village, they'd been living lavishly—staying in the best hotels, eating the finest food, and drinking the best beverages.
But all of it was at Nami's expense, and she couldn't help but feel like her money was flying away.
'This… This devil!'
Ignoring Nami's distress, Colt picked up Luffy's straw hat, which lay on the bar.
This wasn't just any hat; it symbolized a legacy.
From Roger to Shanks, and now to Luffy, each person who wore this hat had stirred the winds of fate.
But Colt wondered if he could disrupt that inheritance.
"Luffy, let's make a bet."
"Huh?" Luffy blinked, not understanding the sudden change in conversation.
Toying with the straw hat, Colt said lightly.
"Let's bet on becoming the Pirate King. If you become the Pirate King, I'll grant you any wish. Even if it's wiping out all the Celestial Dragons, I'll do it."
Makino's heart raced.
The weight of his words stunned her.
The Celestial Dragons were considered divine, far above even the kings of nations. Yet Colt spoke of them like they were mere sheep.
'Who is this guy?'
But Luffy didn't grasp the enormity of the offer.
"Celestial Dragons? Why would I want to kill them? But I'll take the bet! I'll definitely become the Pirate King!"
Colt nodded.
"Alright. If you lose, you have to give me this straw hat."
"No way!" Luffy shook his head fiercely.
"This is a gift from Shanks. I would never gamble it away."
"Even if I change the condition to something like beating your grandfather?" Colt added as an incentive.
Luffy hesitated, surprising both Makino and Nami.
After several moments of contemplation, he shook his head again. "Nope!"
"Still a no, huh? Well, no need to change anything," Colt said, securing the straw hat back on Luffy's head.
"This isn't a negotiation, just a statement."
"No one in this world can refuse my offer," Colt added, smiling softly.
"You win, you get everything. You lose, I'll get the straw hat."
His smile was calm, but his words carried the weight of a god's decree.