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Ace got back in the groove after coming back to the Moby Dick
His crew integrated within the Whitebeards, and everyone is happy and not pissed with Ace for dissolving the crew. He hung out with Deuce often, him still being his best friend. Ace spent more time with his brothers, finally feeling whole after they all came back together again.
Luffy was an octopus of affection for weeks after Ace came back.
Sabo was the same but more subtle with it.
By the time he came back, both of his brothers gained more independence, but they still loved to not be apart. They could, but they didn’t want to.
Ace took the Second Division Commander position a few months after coming back. It was a shift in responsibilities, but Ace loved it. To be one of Pops’ most trusted and seen as one of the Commanders, made Ace preen. The Whitebeards loved them, and Ace wanted to give his everything to the crew. They were the people who made the brothers see that not everything revolved around only two people.
That Ace could care about more than his brothers and could rely on them also. It was the first time he ever felt so. Ace grew up learning how to depend only on himself, then only to rely on his brothers.
After the buster call… That mindset only solidified. But when Ace got on the Moby Dick, that mindset started to slowly fade away. It was still there, but Ace didn’t fall back on it that much anymore.
It was one of the things Ace could never fully pay back.
The past year since he took the Commander position, it was calm. Only a few attempts on his life and the crews, but that was normal with their career path. One of them was from Squard, which Pops berated him for, then Squard apologized with tears in his eyes. Ace forgave him, but it took Luffy and Sabo some more time to do the same. He understood where Squard was coming from, but his brothers could hold a grudge.
At least Ace found out about Squard’s grudge now and not later.
It was about four months until Luffy would go to set sail when he turned seventeen. Ace was twenty, Sabo also twenty. It made Ace’s head spin how far he and his brothers came. It was ten years since they left Dawn, and they became notorious pirates.
Ace was happy .
The loss of their island still hung onto him, but he learned to accept the grief for what it was. The family helped.
Ace was sitting on the crow's nest with Luffy, giggling. Sabo was only looking at them with disappointment. but he was still there, so he was an accomplice too. Luffy was holding a box of glitter, and he would drop it on the first Commander they saw.
Oh, Ace would get an earful for this, but it was worth it. They set up a Den-Den below, capturing the moment the would-be victim would be covered in glitter. It was going to be glorious .
Ace squinted off in the distance, seeing one of the Mini Mobies on the horizon. He elbowed Luffy, gesturing to the ship. Luffy beamed, a smile stretching across his face.
Sabo whistled, a smile on his face.
“Is that Thatch’s division coming back?”
Ace nodded, sensing Thatch on the ship with his haki.
Thatch left a couple of weeks ago, going on a mission for the crew. Ace thinks it was a territory battle, but he wasn’t sure.
Ace slept through the whole meeting.
Luffy missed the man, so Ace was happy he came back. Ace’s face slowly gained a new devious light.
Luffy saw this and smiled ferally.
Sabo only sighed.
“You thinking what I am thinking?”
“Yep!”
“Prepare the splash zone.”
Thatch was holding up the Devil Fruit he found.
It was purple and swirly, with green leaves on top of it.
Thatch was unsure if he should eat it or not, but he would decide after he looked through the Devil Fruit encyclopedia. If it was something useless like Yarn Yarn or some shit, he would give it up. He didn’t want to be saddled with a useless Devil Fruit for his entire life. Well, no shade to Luffy because Rubber may sound like a dumb power, but the power Luffy packed into those punches was not.
Pops looked at it, then at him, Marco at his side like the good parrot he was.
Marco would for sure give him the night shift for that comment.
“Are you going to eat that, son?”
Thatch shrugged, “Who knows? I’ll think about it.”
Pops seemed to accept that sentiment, knowing the unspoken rule on these seas. It was that the finder of a Devil Fruit could choose what to do with it. Eat it, sell it, or throw it away. Most did not choose to throw it away, because no matter how useless a Devil Fruit was, someone would buy it. Thatch wasn’t that desperate, though.
Thatch put the fruit under his arm, suddenly feeling very odd. He looked around, seeing almost every commander, except one.
Ace.
And Thatch couldn’t see the brothers either. That was odd because Luffy almost always comes to say hi when Thatch comes back to the Moby.
He then felt something fall on him, it felt like snow but not cold. He coughed, some of the substance entering his mouth. He squinted, eyes blocked by the snow alternative. Thatch then saw what was on him.
It was fucking glitter .
Thatch unconsciously reached for his swords. Because he could only think of three people who would do this, the only ones that weren’t there. The laughs in the distance only reaffirmed his detective skills.
Thatch looked up, only to see three brothers laugh themselves sick. Ace looked especially entertained.
“You goddamned little shits!!”
The brothers looked down again, only to burst out in laughter again. Thatch felt a vessel burst in his neck.
It was the Masked brothers hunting time, and Thatch would catch them if it was the last thing he did.
Ace and Luffy hid in the infirmaries because even Thatch knew that was the truce area on the ship. No one wanted to piss off the nurses. They were hiding under a bed, waiting for Sabo to come back.
They were playing a game of rock paper scissors to pass the time.
Thatch was determined to get them back.
Ace did not regret a single thing. Ace knew he would calm down sooner or later, so it was fine. Thatch would probably be going to bed soon, so they will be safe after.
The door opened, and Ace and Luffy shared a look. They peeked out from the edge of the bed, only to see Sabo. Sabo was waving a folder, and they started to grin. Sabo went to develop the pictures the Den-Den captured. It would make for great blackmail.
Sabo sat on the bed, his brothers coming up next to him. They looked over the pictures, laughing at how Thatch looked covered in glitter. His bread hair was covered in red glitter, making it look ridiculous. His chef clothes were surely going to be glitter central for a while.
There were so many pictures, and they laughed at all of them.
Sabo then stopped and frowned at a picture. This caught the attention of Ace and Luffy, laughter dying down. Ace scrunched his eyebrows, concerned for his brother.
“What's wrong, Sabo?”
Sabo looked up and then passed the picture. Ace grabbed it, confused but looked down, Luffy looking over his shoulder. Ace saw Thatch, not yet covered in glitter, holding up the Devil Fruit he found. He was smiling, nothing out of the ordinary. What was not ordinary was the way Teach was smiling behind him. He was grinning darkly at the Devil Fruit, causing an odd sense of revulsion inside of him. It caused goosebumps to appear on his arms. The dark look in Teach’s eyes caused him to shiver.
He didn’t know why.
Teach was one of the oldest members on the ship. He usually liked to be in the background, which was hard to do on an Emperor's ship. When Ace got the offer to be the Second Division Commander, he talked to Teach about it. Ace wanted to know why Teach never took a Commander position when Ace knew he had the power to. He only answered that he didn’t have such ambition.
Luffy and Sabo didn’t interact much with the man, even though Teach was in his division. Luffy always did say Teach was odd, that he felt weird.
Ace looked to Sabo, who looked troubled. Luffy was frowning, looking at the picture.
“Did any of you guys feel something today?”
Sabo asked that, knowing Ace and Luffy had better instincts than Sabo. Ace frowned, looking back. He widened his eyes along with Luffy.
“I felt a hint of danger before I dropped the glitter. I only thought it was from Thatch.”
“Yeah, but I felt like it was slimy.”
Sabo and Ace looked at Luffy, then at each other. Mounting panic appeared in his chest. Their silent conversation played out, all of them knowing what the others needed to be said without saying it.
They jumped off the bed, rushing to Thatch’s cabin.
The brothers didn’t know what was happening, but they felt like Thatch was in danger.
Ace had dread in his chest, running faster. Thatch was his friend and family. Ace would be damned if he got hurt, and if Ace knew it would happen before it happened. His brother’s footsteps thudded behind him, following him. They navigated the Moby with frantic energy, rushing to Thatch’s cabin.
Ace only hoped they got there before it was too late.
Ace burst into the kitchens, catching Teach raising a knife behind Thatch, who had his back turned. Ace’s heart moved to his throat, panic in his head.
“Thatch, look out!!”
Thatch looked to Ace, catching Teach’s actions. Thatch backed up fast, surprise on his face. Teach looked back at Ace and scowled, then smiled. His brothers came to his back, seeing everything.
Sabo’s face was dark, hand on his pipe.
Luffy was scowling, cracking his knuckles.
Ace had flames on his arms, enraged.
“Well, if it isn’t my dear Commander and his brothers. I didn’t expect you three to come. I was just about to take that Devil Fruit there.”
Teach laughed the noise grating Ace’s nerves. Ace’s face darkened, now knowing the worst. Teach was prepared to kill his comrade, his brother , for a Devil Fruit . Teach had been on the crew for over two decades, only to betray them now. Thatch slowly gained more understanding, hands going to his swords, but only one because Thatch was still holding the Devil Fruit. He looked at them, then to Teach, who only laughed at his reaction.
Making Ace angrier than before. His mind was almost clouding over in rage.
Teach grinned darkly, looming over them with how tall he was. Ace set his fists ablaze, ready to roast this fucker. Ace burst forward, sending out flames, making Teach dodge. A few flames touched him, getting a small cry of pain in reaction. Sabo then came for his head, pipe an inch away from braining the man. Luffy came low, trying to take out his legs.
One of the things the brothers took pride in was their teamwork. The space restricted them, but that didn’t matter. They were veterans on these seas, and an enclosed room wouldn’t stop them. Teach managed to block their attacks, but couldn’t stop a few hits the brothers followed up with.
Ace kicked Teach in the head, foot covered in his flames. Teach backed up, touching the burn forming there, aligning with blood when his boot clipped his ear.
Teach backed up, grin still on his face. Ace felt like the guy was switching up to fast. He panicked then smiled, asking for Ace to let up, then go at them with animalistic ferocity.
“I guess I am not strong enough to take you guys yet. Hey, that’s an idea. Commander, how about joining my crew? I’ll even make you the vice-captain.”
Teach said that as if Ace would say yes when in reality, it just made the revulsion in his chest spread. Ace glared at Teach, still furious but into the cold searing anger that made him calm down, but still powered Ace’s reactions.
“Are you fucking serious, Teach? I will never betray Pops. Take your offer and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine.”
Teach only shrugged, not disappointed by Ace’s refusal. He glanced at the Devil Fruit that Thatch was guarding. Teach was continually trying to get passed the brothers to get the fruit, but they weren’t having it. Every time Teach tried to approach Thatch, either Luffy or Ace blocked his path. Sabo takes that as an opening, landing more hits on Teach’s huge body.
But Teach wouldn’t go down.
No matter how much punishment the brothers give Teach, he would only stand up again. Ace found it annoying, but they all knew that the longer this went on, the brothers would have the advantage. Teach was essentially in enemy territory, cornered by some of the top fighters on the ship. Teach knew that if he stayed longer, he would die. Because Pops hated traitors. Especially ones that attempted to harm their own former family.
Teach knew that as well, so Ace saw his face set into dark determination. Ace widened his eyes, seeing how he was heading straight for Thatch. Thatch was not weak, but something told Ace he did not want Teach anywhere near Thatch.
Something left Teach’s hand, Ace was not fast enough to stop the attack.
Sabo was, though.
He tackled Thatch, making the knife thrown useless. But Teach took the opportunity to try and break away. With Sabo moving from his position, Teach was no longer surrounded. Teach rushed to Thatch, them still on the ground. Sabo looked up, blocking Teach from Thatch, but still on his knees. Ace sent waves of fire, not as powerful as usual, he didn’t want to burn anyone except Teach. Teach dodged them, still getting burned, but he powered through. Luffy punched Teach with haki-infused fists, making Teach crash into the wall.
Ace and Luffy guarded their brothers, not letting Teach get closer when he stood up from the hit. Sabo got up, giving a hand to Thatch, who took it. Teach only had eyes for the Devil Fruit, making it obvious he wouldn’t leave without it. The brothers shared a look, determination in their eyes. They wouldn’t let Teach leave with that Devil Fruit if it was the last thing they did.
Sabo was whispering to Thatch, something he couldn't hear. Thatch looked surprised, then handed Sabo the fruit, causing Teach to change targets. Sabo held the fruit with his left hand, his right holding his pipe. Sabo smirked, a devious glint in his eye.
“You seem awfully determined to get this fruit. Do you want to eat it, perhaps?”
Teach grinned, “Of course I do. It was the sole reason I joined the Whitebeards in the first place.”
Ace’s eyes grew dark, more anger surging into his chest. A fruit!? Teach joined for the fucking fruit?! Luffy seemed to have the same reaction, bursting forward to try and punch the man. Teach dodged the rubbery fist, grabbing it and pulling. Luffy flew forward, twisting midair and kicking Teach when he got in range. Teach let go with a grunt of pain, causing Luffy to land behind Teach.
“So if I do this…”
Ace looked out the corner of his eyes, seeing Sabo bring the fruit to his mouth. Ace’s eyes shook, knowing what Sabo was about to do. Sabo bit down and tore away a portion of the fruit. He made a show of swallowing the piece of fruit. He gagged but swallowed.
Sabo whipped his mouth with his sleeve, blanching at the taste.
“That was horrible. I heard Devil Fruits were disgusting, but that was plain nasty .”
Ace shook his head, looking back at Teach. So Sabo was a Devil Fruit user now, guess he has to get used to that now. Teach, though, Teach was pissed . His face collapsed, transforming into one of rage.
Ace tensed, knowing whatever happened next was going to be ugly.
Or not when he heard loud footsteps Ace always identified with only one person.
“What is going on here?”
Pops' voice was edged with danger, making Ace smile with satisfaction. Teach looked like the world was on his shoulders, and it was crushing him. The dread was beautiful to see.
Yeah, Teach was fucked .
Teach was tied up in front of the whole crew, watching the trial.
Ace and his brothers were on the railings, watching over the man like a hawk. Thatch was with the rest of the Commanders, telling his experience. The whole crew was in shock. A comrade they trusted for decades was a traitor all along. The betrayal shook everyone.
Pops watched over with a disappointed but angry eye. Teach was visibly afraid, but Ace saw no regret in his eyes. Ace knew if he had the chance, Teach would have killed Thatch for the Devil Fruit and escaped without anyone knowing.
“Teach, what do you have to say for yourself.”
Pops pounded his weapon onto the wooden floorboards, the noise echoing over the water. Conquerors haki edged his words, making the noise roll over everyone on the crew.
Ace felt the hair on his arms stand on end, feeling the power Pops held.
Teach only looked Pops in the eye and smiled, causing Ace to bristle. Luffy clenched his fist, and Sabo tilted his hat, blocking his eyes.
“I am only sorry I wasn’t able to escape.”
Pops’ face darkened, and Ace knew Teach’s fate was sealed.
“Marco, grab one from the chest.”
Marco nodded, looking back once, and then walked to Pops’ cabin. Ace saw him enter the cabin, then exit with something in his hands. Marco went back to Pops’ side, face blank. Ace looked closely at Marco’s hands, realizing it was a Devil Fruit.
“Teach, you may know that I take care of all the Devil Fruits that don’t want to be eaten on this ship. Marco.”
Marco had a blank face but walked up to Teach. He took out a knife and cut into the fruit, fruit juice leaking from the cut. He got in front of Teach, holding out a slice of the Devil Fruit. Marco threw away the fruit, Ace seeing it roll away.
“What is this, is this some sort of..guck!”
Marco shoved the piece of fruit into Teach’s mouth. Teach was surprised enough to swallow. Marco whipped his hands on his pants, a face of disgust at the sight of Teach. Teach coughed, and then looked affronted. Marco went back to Pops’ side, crossing his arms. Pops was still sitting, staring at Teach with a grim look in his eyes.
“I say this in front of my family you used for your own gain. Since you betrayed your brother for Devil Fruit, feel the effects of Devil Fruit that will kill you. You reap what you sow, and Teach, I will not regret this.”
Pops stood, walking to Teach. Teach tried to back away from Pops, but Pops was faster. Pops grabbed Teach by his chains, seastone, and dragged Teach to the railings of the ship. He lifted Teach, and let him dangle for a moment. Ace could see the fear and mounting realization of what was going to happen to him. Pops moved closer to the railing, Teach above the sea.
Ace swore he could see movement in the water.
“The sea will watch over your last moments. I hope you rethink your decisions in the afterlife.”
Then… Pops dropped Teach into the sea. He tried to tread water, but Teach was a Devil Fruit user now, he couldn’t swim. He sank like the hammer he was.
Ace watched the man sink, not feeling bad. Teach was a traitor, and Ace had no sympathy for traitors.
Pops sighed loudly. Ace looked at Pops, who had eyes of regret. Pops then shook his head, eyes now without regret.
Pops looked to Sabo, who looked back.
“Do you know what that Devil Fruit does?”
Sabo nodded, grimacing. Ace patted Sabo with sympathy. He knew it was going to be a harsh learning curve. Sabo was a physical fighter, so now he had to figure out an entirely new fighting style to incorporate his Devil Fruit. Ace had confidence Sabo could do it.
Sabo held out a hand, turning it to a black mist. The Commanders were curious, wanting to know what Sabo’s powers were. Luffy already knew, so he was not moving to Sabo. The brothers may have experimented last night. They really wanted to know what their brother could do.
“It’s the Yami-Yami no Mi. It's a logia, but it doesn't act like it. I have the power over darkness and gravity. It’s pretty powerful. But… The true power comes from something else.”
Marco looked at Sabo, curious. Sabo looked at Ace, him flaring up, flames on his shoulders. He held out a hand, knowing Sabo wanted to demonstrate the power Ace or anyone with a Devil Fruit would find hard to fight.
Sabo took his hand, and the flames disappeared immediately. The Commanders looked at Ace oddly.
Izou was the one who asked.
“Why did your flames go out?”
Ace let go of Sabo’s hand, head jerking to Sabo.
“Ask him.”
Sabo put a hand through his hair, slightly nervous.
“I figured it out yesterday. The special ability of the Yami-Yami no Mi is when in physical contact with a Devil Fruit user, the user becomes a normal human, unable to access their power. It probably works for every Devil Fruit user. I think that was the reason Teach wanted the fruit.”
Marco hummed, impressed.
“That's useful-yoi.”
And terrifying in the wrong hands. Ace was glad Sabo ate it because if an enemy had it, it would cause a lot of destruction. Sabo still needs to find out the limits, but from what Ace had seen, it had a lot of potential. Especially paired with haki.
Ace looked around, seeing the only ones around were the Commanders and Pops. A few of the crew were doing their jobs, but since the trial was done, the ones that didn’t have jobs went back to drinking their hearts away.
Ace feared for their livers.
Sabo was showing off, with Luffy looking at him with awe. His eyes were sparkling at the dark mist rolling off Sabo's coat.
Ace scrunched up his face, making Thatch laugh at him.
Why did Ace save him again?