As we parted ways with the Straw Hats, I couldn't help but look at Ace sideways. The guy had handed Luffy a Vivre Card without a single word of explanation. I didn't interfere with their brotherly moment, but there was something else I had to ask him.
"He's going after Crocodile."
Ace didn't seem fazed. "I know. What's your point?"
"You know what I'm saying. Crocodile's a Logia user. And as a Logia yourself, you know Luffy can't hit him directly."
"Not necessarily true. A little water can make him vulnerable."
"I know, but that's exactly my point. Why didn't you tell him that? Some form of tough love?"
Ace grinned. "Not really. If I had it my way, I'd give him a drum of water to carry around. But it's not about what I want—it's about what he wants. My idiot brother believes in fairness. If I told him how to beat his opponents, I wouldn't be much of a big brother, now would I?"
I didn't respond; I just nodded in understanding. The bond between these three brothers fascinated me—the will of D carried by two of them, and the other a revolutionary. And Ace, the man beside me, was fated to die. Life seemed especially cruel sometimes. But the future is never set in stone, or so I'd like to believe.
Ace, noticing I was deep in thought, raised an eyebrow. "You're really thinking this over. Do you have a younger sibling?"
"Yes, a little sister." I smiled, memories flooding in. "She's with my parents."
"Sounds like a good memory."
"It is." Just as I was going to become lost in my thoughts, I collected myself. This was not the time. "Ace, we need to go someplace where we can talk freely. Preferably a tavern of some sort. I'm from the North, and this heat is practically killing me. Also, I reaaally need a drink."
"I know a place," Ace said with a smirk. "Separate rooms and everything."
Ace took me to a place, alright. It was a freaking gambler's den. No, not 'casino' but a gambler's den. A place where lowlifes and drug addicts roam around. I didn't really have any problem with that. I'm not exactly a law-abiding citizen myself. But what bugged me was the quality of the beer. It was the worst thing I've ever tasted in my life. And that's saying something cause, I've lived in a jungle for three years.
I shot Ace a flat, unimpressed look.
"Seriously? This is the place you know."
"What? I don't really have that much money. It's not like you're swimming with cash either. Last I heard, you spent all your money buying that ridiculous outfit."
"Says the half-naked man."
Ace grinned. "Alright, tell me about this 'master plan' you've been teasing."
"What master plan? I'll engage with the four lieutenants while you take on Blackbeard—or die trying. It's as simple as that."
"Funny, you still haven't told me where they'll be."
I held up a finger. "Only after you call Marco. That's my insurance. If you die, I'd have to wait another year or two to get that sword."
"You're really annoying, you know that?"
"And you are really lazy. Make the call, and I'll give you the location. Otherwise, who knows after how long you'll catch Blackbeard again?"
"I'm not that lazy, you know? Why do you think we are here?"
"Because you're a pirate over 500 million bounty who doesn't have money?"
Ace held back his anger as he heard my comment, "That and also because there's a contact of Whitebeard pirates here."
"That's good and all. But couldn't you guys improve the quality of the drink?"
"That's just part of the cover. My god, you are annoying. Wait here; I'll go and make the call."
"No chance. I'll have to watch it happen with my own eyes."
"Don't you trust me?"
"Not really, no. It hasn't even been a week since I met you."
"Okay, just don't be your annoying self."
I shrugged off his remarks. I actually did trust Ace. But being present there myself would just give me a sense of security.
We entered a creepy, shadowy room. There was an old guy sitting there. Seeing Ace, he simply asked,
"What do you need?"
"Den Den Mushi and ten minutes of privacy."
The old guy handed Ace a key and told him that the Den Den Mushi is inside the 3rd drawer from the right.
True to his word, Ace called Marco. After explaining the situation, Marco asked where I wanted to meet up with him. I specified a meet-up at Sabaody Archipelago in a month and a half at Shakky's Rip-Off Bar, a landmark easy enough for anyone to find.
Marco was actually a really pleasant person to talk to. He didn't ask too many questions and kept his conversations short. He asked for deciding a code word. Something that was both obscure and specific would be best. So, we decided on "You owe me 2872 berries."
Overall, it didn't even take us five minutes to finish the conversation. Yup, Marco is my favorite Whitebeard commander from now on. Ace can suck it.
Leaving the den, I roamed the desert city with a sense of accomplishment. The deal was solid, at least. But then, a familiar voice called out—a voice I really didn't want to hear right now, especially with Ace right beside me.
"Hey, isn't that 'Kurogane'?"
And yes, of course it was the sword nerd and the marine with an obsession with legendary blades, Tashigi.