"Huff... ha... huff huff..."
Heavy breathing echoed across the ship. The whole crew was exhausted, but at least they had managed to shake off their pursuers.
Otherwise, they would've had to put in the effort to deal with them.
"Come on, are you guys serious?! You're already this tired after just running a little?"
Luffy said, only to immediately get a few lumps on his head.
"You didn't even run! What are you showing off for?!"
Nami roared in frustration.
Chopper was lying next to Vir, completely spent.
Seeing this, Vir handed him a bottle of cooling medicine to help him recover from the heat.
Chopper immediately felt better, and the sweat on his forehead began to fade.
By now, the ship had already put a fair distance between them and the shore.
They were sailing across the vast open sea.
Vir walked to the ship's railing, lifting his gaze toward the horizon.
'This slow?'
Just as he was thinking that, he noticed five massive ships approaching in the distance.
They were the same five Baroque Works ships that Ace had obliterated in the original story.
"Come check this out! We're about to witness some fireworks!"
Vir called out to the others.
The crew turned to him with confused expressions.
Fireworks?
In broad daylight?
"Those are Baroque Works ships!"
Vivi had recognized them as well.
Her face filled with anxiety.
Five massive ships, each several times the size of the Going Merry.
Not to mention, they were packed with enemies. If a battle broke out…
Everyone wore grim expressions. The situation wasn't looking good.
"Here he comes!"
The moment Vir spoke, a figure appeared in their line of sight, using small jet-like bursts to propel himself through the air.
"Ace! It's Ace!"
Luffy, despite his head still covered in lumps, shouted excitedly.
Ace?
The others found the name somewhat familiar.
Even though they didn't know who Ace was, Luffy's excitement made it clear that he was someone important to him.
Ace executed a series of impossibly cool flips before landing beside the enemy fleet.
And then—
"Fire Fist!!"
In front of everyone's shocked gazes, a colossal inferno erupted from Ace's arm.
The blazing firestorm completely obliterated the closest ship with ease.
The remaining four ships met the same fate in an instant.
The five massive ships that loomed threateningly just moments ago vanished in the blink of an eye!
The entire crew aboard the Merry was frozen in shock.
What the hell just happened!?
That single punch felt like it brought the peak of summer with it!
If that attack had hit the Going Merry, they would've been wiped out on the spot! Who could possibly withstand that?!
Meanwhile, Ace casually adjusted his hat using his still-flaming fingers before soaring toward the Merry.
With a smooth landing on the ship's railing, he flashed a friendly smile at the crew, their expressions still filled with awe.
"I'm Ace, Luffy's older brother. You guys are his crewmates, right?"
"Brother?!"
Luffy had a brother? Everyone's expressions turned to disbelief.
Not only was this brother incredibly strong, but he was also polite. He didn't seem anything like the idiot Luffy.
Ace turned to Luffy, finally getting a good look at him.
"Luffy, how long has it been since we last met? And you've already gotten yourself beaten up like this? There's no way you're becoming the Pirate King at this rate. Hahaha, you're way too weak!"
Looking at Luffy's bruised and swollen head, Ace couldn't help but tease him.
Nami, feeling slightly guilty, scratched the back of her head awkwardly.
After Luffy introduced everyone, the atmosphere quickly grew lively.
Upon learning that the crew was also heading to Yuba, Ace was delighted—it was right on his way.
He and Luffy hit it off immediately, deciding to travel together.
Yuba wasn't too far, just about an hour's journey.
After finalizing their plans, Ace sneakily approached Vir with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"When's that patient of yours gonna show up?"
Just from his expression, Vir could tell he was getting impatient.
Well, of course. Chasing Blackbeard was a race against time—one misstep and he'd fall behind.
"Soon. He's in Yuba. You'll see him in a bit."
Vir's grin turned sly as he looked at Ace with an increasingly peculiar gaze.
Ace remained completely unaware.
"Really? That's perfect!"
He was actually pleased with the news.
"What are you guys talking about?"
Luffy suddenly popped up beside them, eyes full of curiosity.
He scanned their faces, looking like he had just caught two people up to something sneaky.
"Nothing much, just getting someone treated."
Ace responded casually.
"Oh~ treating someone, huh? For a second, I thought you were the one who was sick, Ace."
"Vir is really skilled! You found the right guy. He can cure anything! Though… his treatment methods are kinda… questionable. But I think they're fine."
Luffy rambled on, trying to reassure Ace, but his words only made Ace's anticipation grow.
If even Luffy vouched for him, then Vir must be the real deal.
As for "questionable treatment methods"?
Come on, how bad could it be? A little rougher than normal? Maybe some strong medicine with side effects?
It's just medical treatment—how bad could it possibly get?
Besides, if Luffy could handle it, then of course he could too.
What, was he supposed to be scared of a doctor?
Ace scoffed. He had seen all kinds of crazy things in his life—what could possibly faze him now?
"It's fine. A bit of pain is normal for treatment."
Ace brushed it off.
At that moment, everyone on the ship gave him a peculiar look.
Ace shifted uncomfortably.
Just as he was about to ask what was up, he saw everyone nodding seriously, as if saying—
'Respect. You're a real man.'
Ace felt even more confused.
"Don't worry, don't listen to their nonsense. When I treated them, I just used a bit more force, or maybe the medicine had some minor side effects. That's completely normal."
"Right, Chopper?"
Vir patted Chopper's furry head.
Chopper frantically nodded, completely ignoring his conscience.
Seeing this, Ace relaxed again.
Oh, so they were just afraid of a little pain?
Seriously? They scared him for a second there.
He almost thought the treatment was actually something horrifying.
"Yeah, yeah, that's all normal. No problem, I can handle it."
As Ace finished speaking, the crew silently gave him another thumbs-up in their hearts.
'Legendary!'
…
The ship soon docked.
The cool sea breeze vanished, replaced by the scorching heat of the desert.
Though reluctant, they had no choice but to face it.
The crew disembarked, trudging across the endless sand.
Chopper's supply pack had now been transferred to Luffy's back.
He had won rock-paper-scissors.
His rule: the winner carries the supplies.
After half an hour of walking—
"Ahhh~ it's so hot~ so tiring~ so thirsty~ so hungry~ so sunny~"
Luffy whined with every step, never repeating himself.
Seeing him like this, Vivi hesitated but eventually said, "There's a rock formation up ahead. We can rest there for a bit."
Luffy instantly revived, bolting toward the rocks in a series of exaggerated leaps.
Vir watched, a knowing smile forming on his face.
They had finally arrived.
Up ahead, a flock of dim-witted birds was about to scam Luffy out of all their food and water.
And then…
Only his medical supplies would be left.
Glancing at Ace, who was also parched, Vir's smirk deepened.
He didn't know if a fire-user would feel hot, but Ace clearly needed food and water.
Once he tricked Ace into drinking that medicine soup…
Everything would be over!
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