"A World to Store"

Bonds and Heartache

After the conversation about their fathers, Yuki and Ace found themselves landing on a small island. It was a quiet, peaceful place, perfect for them to rest and gather their thoughts. They spent the next three months traveling together, island hopping and searching for Teach, always staying just one step behind.

Despite the constant movement, Yuki and Ace grew closer, learning more about each other with every passing day. Ace's usual carefree attitude was tempered by moments of vulnerability that he shared with Yuki. In return, Yuki opened up about her fears, her hopes, and her complicated relationship with Shanks.

As the days went on, they both grew fond of each other—not just as comrades, but as something deeper. There were moments of laughter, quiet conversations under the stars, and long walks along the beaches. It wasn't perfect, but it was theirs, and it felt like the start of something more.

Then, one day, they heard a rumor in a small coastal town: Teach was in Jaya Island.

"We've been chasing him for months, Ace," Yuki said, her voice filled with determination. "We can't let him slip away now."

Ace nodded, his expression grim. "Right. Jaya Island. It's time we face him."

They decided to take a short detour to a nearby island to rest and recover before their confrontation with Teach. They found a small inn at the edge of the island, nestled between cliffs. It was a quiet, almost charming place, far removed from the chaos of their usual travels.

That night, after a long day of traveling, they sat together in their room, a simple meal between them. Yuki's heart was light, the atmosphere comfortable. The stress of the past months seemed to vanish as she sat there with Ace, who was surprisingly relaxed.

"Do you think we'll actually find him?" Yuki asked, breaking the silence.

"We'll find him," Ace replied, his usual confidence returning. "We're close."

They shared a quiet moment before Ace looked at her more seriously. "Yuki, I..." He hesitated for a second, not knowing how to say it. "I'm glad we're doing this together. Even if it's been tough, having you around has made things easier."

Yuki's cheeks flushed slightly, and she looked away. She hadn't expected him to say that, but it made her heart flutter. "I feel the same way, Ace. I didn't know what to expect when we started this journey, but..." She paused, her voice softening. "I'm glad I'm with you too."

Ace smiled at her response, and without thinking, he reached out, placing a hand over hers. The simple touch made Yuki's heart race. There was something in his gaze, something more than just camaraderie, but she couldn't bring herself to say it aloud. Instead, she leaned forward, her face drawing closer to his.

"I..." Yuki hesitated, her heart beating faster. "I'm scared, Ace. About everything. About my past, about Shanks, about what's going to happen after this. But I'm not scared of being with you."

Ace's eyes softened, and he pulled her into a hug, not saying anything, just holding her tightly. They stayed like that for a long while, the world outside fading away. They didn't need to speak any more—they both knew.

The night passed, filled with more unspoken words, and when Yuki finally drifted off to sleep in Ace's arms, it felt like the world had stopped for a while.

But when she awoke, the warmth of his presence was gone. The bed was empty, and a cold breeze swept through the room. Panic gripped her heart as she quickly stood up, searching the room. There was no sign of Ace. The only thing that remained was a note.

"I had to go. I'm sorry. Don't follow me. I'll be fine."

Yuki's heart sank, her stomach twisting in knots. She rushed outside, hoping against hope that he was still there, but the boat was gone, and the island seemed eerily quiet.

For a whole day, Yuki stayed at the inn, unable to move, unable to decide what to do. But finally, the desire to find Ace—her partner, her friend, her... something more—pushed her into action. She had to find him.

Her mind raced with thoughts of where Ace could have gone. She had no choice but to track him down. But when she reached Jaya Island, her stomach dropped. There were no signs of Ace, no signs of a battle. She searched every inch of the island, but Teach's crew had already disappeared.

All that was left were rumors. Some said Ace had fought Teach, but the details were murky. Yuki's heart ached as she realized the truth—she was too late.

Feeling a sudden surge of helplessness, she knew there was only one thing left to do. She couldn't face this alone. She couldn't let Ace die, not when they had come so far together.

Yuki turned and ran, not stopping until she was back on the ship, where she would sail straight to Whitebeard. He was the only one who could save Ace.