Noble [OLD]

Chapter 5: His Brothers

Sabo's POV

After a few hours, we were back on track. We left Drum Island and it was already dark out. Even though there were plenty of people on the ship, I didn't want to talk to them specifically. Instead, as much as I hated doing it, I went to some else to talk to.

"Knock knock."

The door opened and Ace peeked through. I stared coldly, waiting for him to invite me in.

"Hey noble, whatcha need?" Ace asked calmly.

I crossed my arms. "I would like to talk to you. I have nothing better to do on this filthy ship anyway." I groaned.

His eyes widened. "Are you serious? You actually want to talk to me?" Ace asked excitedly.

"Just let me in you disgusting pirate." I said angrily as he swiftly opened the door.

His room was almost exactly like mine. It was dirty, old, and it smelled like fish. He closed the door and leaned on the wall.

"So what did you want to talk about?" He asked me.

I sat down on his musty bed. " What happened on Drum Island? Other than what happened with the snow, you guys said nothing about it.." I mentioned.

"Well, the whole crew was kind of exploring. On the other hand, I had to deliver a message." He explained.

I have a confused glare. "A message?"

He chuckled. "To my younger brother." He walked over to me and sat on the bed.

I slightly moved away. "Wait, you have a brother?"

He studied my face once again. His expression was a mix of happiness and sadness. I couldn't tell which one he was feeling.

"Yeah, he's pirate just like me, at least I'm pretty sure. I haven't seen him in years, and I heard he was in the area." Ace explained.

I suddenly thought back to my own family. My father, mother, and brother.

"I wonder if they would look for me like Ace looks for his brother..."

"What's his name, maybe I've heard of him?" I asked, invested in his story.

"His name's Luffy, he also came from the Goa Kingdom as well." Ace replied.

My eyes widened, it suddenly clicked who Ace's brother was.

I started at Ace in disbelief. "You're brother...is Luffy? The same Luffy who defeated Arlong?! The same one that caused a scene in Loguetown?!" I asked with a surprised look on his face.

"Sounds about right!" Ace said cheerfully.

I sighed. "You know that child's gonna get killed, right? He's just made it to the GrandLine and you haven't seen him in years. You've trained here for a while, imagine how weak he'll be when he starts picking fights!" I exclaimed.

"Don't underestimate him. He maybe an idiot, but he's strong. Not as strong as me but he's gonna be fine. If anything, you shouldn't even be talking." Ace pointed at me.

"You talk like you know everything. How strong or weak GrandLine pirates are, or strong or weak Luffy is. Thinking about it, you could even think you know how strong or weak I am." Ace continued, slightly annoyed.

As much as I hated to admit it, he was actually right. How am I supposed to know anything he said? Then again, how did I even come to that conclusion in the first place. I barley knew anything about the Grand Line, or anything about these pirates.

Yet somehow...

"You're a noble, it's not like you've been training your whole life to be a pirate on the GrandLine." Ace spoke with an angry expression.

I sighed. "I'm sorry I spoke about your brother that way. You're right, I don't know anything about you two, or the GrandLine." I looked away with a confused look.

Ace looked confused as well, he never expected a sorry.

" I just got carried away..." I muttered.

The room was silent while the rocking of the boat echoed.

"One more thing..." I spoke up as I stood.

He turned his attention to me.

"Why are you so happy around me?" I asked. "You came to like me so quickly despite me being a noble." As if I wasn't happy around him either.

I could tell we had the same feeling, but I tried suppressing it while Ace let it slide. He looked at me with a serious expression, but it slowly changed into a sorrowful one.

He groaned. "I really shouldn't say much, but I guess I have no choice." He spoke under his breath.

I crossed my arms and looked down at him.

"As soon as I saw you, I recognized you're face, at least I thought I did." Ace admitted.

My eyes widened when I heard those words.

"When Luffy and I were kids, we had another brother. One day, we were told that he died. The reason I recognized you was because you look exactly like him." Ace explained.

I stared. "Wait, really?"

Ace sighed. "Yeah, you're both blonde with round eyes. When I first saw you I thought you were them. What convinced me it wasn't him was the fact that you act nothing like him. He saved my life. On the other hand, I think you actually made things complicated."

I looked to the floor. "I'm sorry I brought it up. It must've been hard for you two." I said sadly.

Ace stood up as he started walking to the door."Anyway, that's why I'm so happy around you. If you think of me differently because of that, I don't care-"

"No."

Ace turned back to me confused.

"I may be a noble, but I understand what it's like to have a brother you care for. Sure I ask for a lot of things, which I rightfully deserve. And I believe everyone under a noble is trash, but my brother found someone he loved. If I don't marry princess Vivi fast, he can't marry the love of his life." I expressed.

Ace looked at me with guilt, it was like it was his first time hearing about a noble's problems.

"I may not know what it's like to lose someone, but I have someone I care for. I wouldn't want to lose them like you lost your brother." I spoke with a melancholy expression.

Ace sighed and placed his hand on my shoulder. "I don't have any clue why you'd listen to a pirate like me. In fact, I have no clue why you're so carefree in the first place. But you're alright, for a noble, you're alright." Ace smirked.

I had no idea what to do at that moment. The only thing I felt the need to do, was smile back.

"And...you're alright for a pirate." I replied.

"Maybe not all pirates are as bad as they say. Maybe some pirates just want to be free."