Chapter Text
“Boundless,” Ace held up the paper with curiosity, letting sun filter through the thin sheet. “Powers unknown? How do we know he’s just not powerless?”
“He’s been seen doing things no mortal could pull off.” Marco gestured to the lower half of the paper, listing the feats and sightings. “For one thing, being able to walk off a five story fall.”
“Huh,” Ace looked over at the vigilante with a newfound approval. Surviving that sort of fall was an ability if anything.
“So what’s your deal with him?” Giving Ace this file hadn’t been a mistake. Only those they want hunted end up in Ace’s hands so if they gave him this file, it means they want him for a reason or another. At Marco’s look he continues. “Like did he attack someone, or mouth out pops? Surely it couldn’t have been too bad considering the looks of him.”
A red poncho and sandals didn’t give off a very dangerous vibe afterall. Even with the strange mask he had.
Marco shook his head. “Nothing like that. He’s just young and pops has gained an interest because of it.”
An interest in recruiting him. Ace mentally filled in. It wasn’t too surprising, even if it furthered a bit of Ace’s mental ache.
"Right so he just wants me to go and recruit him then?” Ace tried to see the point in him being assigned this mission and knew he failed. He was not cut out for this sort of thing.
Marco laughed at his flustering, but even he seemed a bit tired. “No, it's rather that one of our allies was looking for someone and pops thought this kid fit the bill.” That made less sense.
“Allies?”
“Red-hair. He was looking for a kid for some reason and Whitebeard thought he might help.” Ace frowned, setting the paper back onto the table. Why would Shanks be looking for a kid? Marco sighed and Ace realized he wasn't done. “You aren’t too far off about the recruitment thing though. If it doesn’t work out with Shanks, pops will probably take him in.” Marco slumped in the chair, hand over his eyes.
“Oh.” Ace blustered a bit, not knowing what to do with this. “You good Marco?”
Marco glanced at him from underneath his hand, a little less upset than before.
“Thanks for asking Ace, but I’m good.” Ace frowned but didn’t comment. “Just try and find the kid right? Mission aside, he's young and we aren’t the only ones looking for a new member.”
Young and powerful vigilantes were rare. Most either allied quickly or chose one side or another. They didn’t stay unassigned long.
Even Ace, as powerful as he was, ended up a hero under Whitebeared eventually.
The fact that the kid had lasted this long with no visible power was a feat in itself.
“I will.” The words settled in his head, repeated like a mantra across a dark and empty mind. He would find this vigilante. “Don’t worry Marco.”
Marco huffed a laugh, because out of all their coworkers Ace at least knew that he worried no matter what they said. Marco was a worrier.
“I always worry.” Marco smiled, getting up to leave. “Be careful Ace.” Ace restrained himself from reaching out once more, aware more than he might like of how Marco would take that intrusion.