Chapter 16 – Emergencies
Bartholomew Kuma left, taking Ace's Vivre Card with him.
Ace could already imagine the expression Dragon would have when Kuma told him what they had discussed today. No doubt, Dragon would be utterly baffled.
"I don't know if anyone guided me when I originally joined the Whitebeard Pirates," Ace said, pressing the brim of his hat with determination, "but now, no one can control my fate."
---
Back on the ship, Gambi immediately ran up to him.
"Captain Ace, what did that Shichibukai want with you?"
"It's nothing. Mr. Kuma is an acquaintance. He just dropped by to say hello," Ace replied, playing it cool.
"First Pluto Rayleigh, now a Shichibukai... Captain, who are you, really?" Gambi asked in awe.
Ace simply pressed his hat and grinned. He didn't answer—but the charisma he exuded said it all.
Just then, Vores, the fishman fighter of the Spade Pirates, leaped out of the sea and landed on the deck. His face was urgent.
"Captain Ace! Bad news—Yanliu was captured!"
Ace's expression darkened. "What happened?"
"It was the Celestial Dragons," Vores reported. "Yanliu and I were drinking at a bar in District 23. When we were about to pay, he realized his wallet had been stolen. We chased the thief but ran into a Celestial Dragon. When he saw that Yanliu was from the Long-Arm Tribe, he tried to enslave him on the spot.
We didn't dare retaliate because we didn't want to provoke an admiral. But the guards were too strong. They knocked Yanliu out with a single blow, and I barely managed to escape by diving into the sea."
"Celestial Dragons... those damn scum." Ace's eyes burned with fury. "Where are they now?"
"District 3," Vores answered.
"District 3..." Ace muttered, then turned sharply. "Gambi, Vores—gather everyone still on the island and bring the ship to Coating Station No. 41. Wait for me there. I'll go rescue Yanliu myself."
"Ace, let me come with you!" Gambi offered.
"No." Ace shook his head. "Even though those Celestial Dragons are trash, attacking them will bring down an admiral. It's easier if I go alone."
He paused, then added, "Gambi, after the ship's fixed, go to Shakky's Rip-off Bar in District 13. Find Rayleigh. Tell him we've run into trouble, and the Sky Island Plan may need to start early."
"Y-You want me to find Pluto Rayleigh?" Gambi gulped, then nodded with resolve. "Got it. I'll deliver the message, no matter what!"
"What are you two talking about?" Vores asked, wide-eyed. "Did you say 'Pluto' Rayleigh? The Pluto Rayleigh? From the legends?"
"Yeah, that's him," Gambi replied, clapping Vores on the shoulder. "He's Ace's master now. We might even get some guidance from him ourselves."
"R-Really?!" Vores stammered, trembling with excitement. "That legend is Captain Ace's teacher?! And he'll teach us too?!"
"That's right." Gambi tried to stay calm, but the tremble in his hands gave him away.
"Oh, by the way," Gambi added, "that tyrant Bartholomew Kuma, one of the Shichibukai, just stopped by too. He's also a friend of Ace's."
"S-Shichibukai?!" Vores was practically glowing with admiration. "Captain Ace... are you aiming to become the Pirate King?"
BANG!
Ace smacked Vores away with a fiery punch. "What kind of nonsense are you dreaming up? Pirate King?! Don't be ridiculous!"
Gambi looked down at the unconscious Vores and sighed, feeling oddly relieved. When I saw Kuma earlier, I was so scared I nearly wet myself. At least I'm not the only one who looked pathetic.
"Alright, stop messing around and gather the crew," Ace ordered. Then, with his lower body morphing into flames, he rose into the sky and shot toward District 3.
---
District 3, Boman Street
A Celestial Dragon strutted arrogantly down the street, wearing a square oxygen mask. Three guards in black suits followed close behind. Two slaves with collars crawled at his feet like pets, one of whom was carrying the unconscious Long-Arm Tribe member—Yanliu.
BOOM!
A fireball shot from the sky and crashed toward the Celestial Dragon.
"Lord Charlmac, look out!"
Two of the guards stepped in front of him while the third leaped upward, coating his fist in Armament Haki and smashing the fireball apart with a punch.
BANG!
The fireball exploded into scattered flames, causing mass panic as the crowd screamed and scattered.
"Who dares attack a Celestial Dragon?! Call an admiral!" screamed Saint Charlmac in panic.
"Idiot." Ace, descending from the sky with flames crackling around him, couldn't help but twitch at how absurd this guy sounded.
He made a beeline for the slave carrying Yanliu. The slave, a former pirate with decent strength, didn't even resist. His eyes were hollow—his will shattered.
Ace frowned. He's already lost the will to live...
"Bastards," Ace spat, lifting the unconscious Yanliu in his arms. With flames trailing behind, he prepared to retreat.
"My slave! He stole my slave! After him!" Saint Charlmac screamed.
"Yes, sir!"
"Soru! x2"
Two guards instantly flanked Ace, aiming deadly strikes at him.
"Shigan! x2"
"Flame Ring — Pillar of Fire!"
A torrent of flames surged skyward from Ace's body, forcing the guards back. He launched upward through the pillar of fire, carrying Yanliu with him.
BANG!
Just as he was escaping, Ace heard a gunshot from below.
He looked down.
The Celestial Dragon had just shot a random civilian trying to flee.
Rage exploded within him. His entire body ignited with seething fury.
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