good brother

So, the little ghosts our Angel wanted to raise changed from one to two, but the daily task basically remained the same, it was still beating animals in the forest, but the person who regularly went to the terminus of uncertain things became Angor was the only one, after all, he was the fastest runner.

In three months, Angor and Ace have fully recognized Sabo, and Sabo also regards Angor and Ace as family members.

And the growth of children who can practice well with their peers is amazing.

Today, two five-year-olds teamed up to hunt down a bear for dinner.

"It scared me to death, I thought I was going to die."

Sabo dealt with the scratches on his arm with a look of fear.

"Fortunately, Ace, you react quickly."

"Angel is right. The enemy in the attack will definitely show his flaws."

Ace wasn't hurt much this time.

"Sure enough, we still have no way to single out creatures of the level of bears..."

Ace was troubled.

This strength is not enough to beat ten, Angel will definitely not let them go out to rob.

"Don't worry, take it step by step."

Sabo got up and picked up the water pipe and patted Ace on the shoulder to express his comfort.

"We are only five years old now! It's amazing to be able to do what we are doing now!"

"Yeah, don't worry, Ace~"

Angel came over with the processed bear meat and distributed it to the two children.

"Ah! So fragrant~" (.﹃.)

"Don't worry, there are many more~"

Angel, who is temporarily serving as the chef, expressed his satisfaction seeing the two little ghosts eating so happily!

It's not in vain for me to be an orphan for 16 years~

"Angel."

Ace swallowed a chunk of meat.

"What are we going to do tomorrow?"

"Well, I want to show you around the city~"

"In the city?!"

The two children were surprised. If you look closely, you can find that Sabo's expression is a little stiff.

"Ah, because I want to sell this bear skin, I will go back tonight and ask Dadan and the others where to sell it."

Angel pointed to the bear skin that had just been peeled off next to him.

"However, to enter the city, we must pass through the terminal of uncertain things... let's..."

Sabo said with a strong smile.

"That's right, Howson is still..."

Ace, who was looking forward to it, calmed down under Sabo's reminder, a little depressed.

"We can't beat them yet..."

"Don't worry about this~"

Angel smiled and took a bite of the meat.

"And when I went a few days ago, I heard that they had angered a certain nobleman, so I dare not come out for the time being."

"noble?"

Ace questioned.

This is still a new term for him.

"Well, it's just some powerful people. Anyway, don't mess with them if you have nothing to do."

Angel explained indifferently, not noticing the dim eyes under Sabo's hat brim.

"But the place we're going to tomorrow should be a fringe area where gangsters gather. If you can't see those people, don't worry."

"Ok!"

Ace's expression is obviously looking forward to tomorrow's plan, in contrast, Sabo is much colder.

"Then, Sabo, see you at the treasure hiding place tomorrow~"

It was a branch of a towering tree, where Ace and Sabo decided to store their pirate funds.

"Ah good."

Sabo's obvious blankness naturally caught Angor's attention, but he didn't point it out. After all, Sabo has a secret. Both he and Ace know it. It doesn't matter if Sabo doesn't want to say it.

"Then, Ace, let's go~"

Angel picked up the remaining half of the bear, and let Ace hold the bear skin.

"Okay, Sabo, see you tomorrow!"

"Oh, see you tomorrow!"

In this way, Ace returned to Dadan's house with Angel with infinite expectations for tomorrow, but the first thing he saw when he entered the door was a stranger.

"Oh, the bastards are back."

The man with gray sideburns was sitting cross-legged opposite Dadan, turning his head and smiling at Ace who had just opened the curtain.

"...Who?"

Ace held the water pipe on guard.

The only people he could trust completely since he was a child were Angel and Sabo. Ace was 100% vigilant towards other people, especially strangers.

"Ah? Capsan! Long time no see~"

Angel, who entered the door after Ace, looked at the old man in the house in surprise.

After all, the era of great pirates has just begun, and the pirates are rampant. The navy is extremely busy, and Lieutenant General Garp, who yearns for freedom, only took time to come back four years ago.

"Bastard boy! You actually called grandpa by his name!"

"It hurts! I haven't seen you for a long time, are you treating me like this?! Old bastard!"

Ace stared dumbfounded at the noisy two, expressing that his world view had been refreshed.

It was the first time I saw Angel being suppressed.

and also……

"That's...Grandpa Garp..."

Ace looked at the old man who had no morals at all.

He heard this name more than once from various people around him.

Hero of the navy and the one who handed him over to Dadan.

Angel also often talked about Garp with Ace.

A good grandpa, strong, a man to be respected.

Ace looked at Angor, who was a bastard old man in front of him.

Well said is worthy of respect! (:3_ヽ)_

"Grandpa, how long are you staying this time..."

The full-haired Angel succumbed to Garp's despotic power, and seven of them refused to accept and eight of them called out grandpa in anger.

"This time I can stay for about a month. After all, I haven't had a vacation for four years. The old man in the Warring States Period is still human."

"A month..."

Angor pretended to be dead on the ground wanting to cry but without tears.

Garp no longer cared about Angel's sad tone, but greeted Ace who had been watching the show since just now.

"Ace, come with me, I have something to tell you."

"Ah I?"

Ace glanced at Angor, and Angor was still lying on the ground, but he just waved to Ace and motioned him to follow.

Watching the back of Ace and Garp walking out of the house together, Angel was thoughtful.

Well, long-term pain is worse than short-term pain.

That night, Ace returned to the room very late, and Angel couldn't see Ace's expression clearly in the dark night, but Ace had never had the kind of aura that no one should enter.

The next day, Angel got up early to prepare things for going to the city. Seeing that Dadan's family and Karp hadn't woken up, he prepared breakfast by the way.

"Oh, Ace is up, let's have breakfast~"

Angel took care of Ace who had just left the house for breakfast as usual, but Ace didn't even respond.

That once innocent little face now only remains lonely and cold.

Ace took the rice bowl silently, and ate it quietly. He no longer kept asking for more food as usual, but just finished the bowl silently, and then sat aside in a daze.

"Ace? What's wrong?"

"nothing……"

Angel wanted to enlighten Ace, but Ace just shook his head and said in a low tone.

Angor sighed in distress.

This is so comforting...

"Let's go, don't you still want to find Sabo?"

Ace no longer smiles when he mentions that peer as usual, but as if he is talking about another stranger.

Angel pursed his lips.

He thought that Ace might change a little, but he didn't expect the impact to be so great.

"Ace!"

Angor frowned, and called Ace seriously.

"...It's okay, really."

Ace looked at Angel, obviously holding on to make his expression brighter.

But those dark pupils had no brilliance.

"...Let's go."

Seeing this, Ace didn't say anything, and it was hard to tear off Ace's scar.

Let's finish what needs to be done first, so that Ace can relax.

Ever since, Angel led Ace all the way to meet Sabo without saying a word.

"Ace?"

Sabo, a five-year-old child, clearly felt the difference in Ace, frowning and trying to ask questions, but was stopped by Angel's eyes.

Sabo's instinct told him not to ask anything now.

The journey into the city that everyone was looking forward to turned into an awkward atmosphere throughout.

Doguma, who came to the trio smoothly, told Angel to the door of the grocery store.

"There is such a mess in the city..."

Angel looked at the punks with sinister expressions around him, and couldn't help sighing.

"...I'll go over there and have a look."

Ace, who had been silent all the way, said something lightly and walked towards a smoky bar next to the grocery store.

"Ace! There..."

"Sabo, don't stop him."

"Angel?"

Sabo looked up at Angor who stopped him, with some doubts.

"Leave Ace's affairs to me, sorry Sabo, I made you worry..."

"We were friends at first, it's okay, and it's Ace who should apologize. Angel doesn't need to do that."

Sabo smiled and comforted Angel, who was obviously a little lost.

"Thank you, Sabo."

Angel was also in a better mood, so he continued to walk to the grocery store with the bear skin.

"Ace is right next to him, and he won't run around, so we can rush there immediately if there is danger. Let's give him some time to relax now, let's get down to business first."