One Piece: Ulquiorra Template

Chapter 154: Brotherhood

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Shakky's Rip-off Bar was quiet. Shakky herself leaned against the bar, polishing glasses with a bored sigh. Days without customers were slow, and her gaze drifted to the newspaper in front of her.

"Then... we'll wait until this war is over!"

Over the past six days, Luffy, invigorated by the news that his crew was alive, hadn't been idle. Humbled by his encounters with Kizaru and Kuma, he was determined to grow stronger. The day he left Sabaody Archipelago, he'd asked Rayleigh to train him, a request the former first mate of the Roger Pirates readily accepted.

Rayleigh had begun teaching Luffy about all three forms of Haki. Combined with Luffy's natural fighting talent, he'd quickly grasped the basics and could even activate them sporadically, albeit with a low success rate. It was a start.

"Shakky, we're back! Get me a drink!" Rayleigh announced, plopping down at the bar. His eyes scanned the newspaper and landed on a headline screaming "Breaking News!"

"Big news, huh? What's happening out there on the sea?" Rayleigh asked with a grin. Shakky raised an eyebrow. "You haven't heard?"

"I've been busy training Luffy all week."

Rayleigh grabbed the paper. As he read, his eyes widened, and he let out a low whistle. "Whoa... I need a drink for this."

Shakky placed a glass before him.

He gulped it down.

"Hold on... is this for real? The Marines are going to war with the Whitebeard Pirates? Are they tired of having Marineford in one piece?" Rayleigh exclaimed, his voice laced with disbelief.

"Whitebeard... that sounds familiar." Luffy, who had been engrossed in his meal, tilted his head. Suddenly, his eyes widened in alarm. "Wait, that's where Ace is! If they're going to war, does that mean Ace will be there too?"

"It's not just about 'being there'. Portgas D. Ace, commander of the Whitebeard Pirates' Second Division, is the reason for this war," Shakky explained.

"Huh? What happened to Ace?" Luffy asked, his voice filled with concern.

"Fire Fist Ace has been captured by the Marines. His execution is scheduled in three days," Shakky replied.

"Say, Luffy, what's your relationship with Fire Fist Ace? Why do you ask..." Shakky trailed off, noticing that Luffy had dropped his bone-in meat, his face pale with a fear she hadn't seen even during the Straw Hats' crisis six days prior. It was a stark contrast to his usual carefree demeanor.

"Ace... Ace is my brother!"

Shakky and Rayleigh exchanged surprised glances. This was news to them. Luffy began to sob, his voice choked with emotion.

"Ace is so strong... how could the Marines capture him?" he whimpered, devastated by the news.

"Fire Fist Ace... your brother... well, that's certainly unexpected," Shakky said, stunned.

"Luffy... don't worry. I'm sure your brother will be fine, just like your friends," Shakky said softly, pulling Luffy into a comforting hug. Her maternal instincts kicked in at the sight of the distraught young pirate.

"But..."

"No buts!" Shakky interrupted firmly.

"A week ago, Bartholomew Kuma risked incurring the wrath of the World Government to save you all. He won't abandon his captain's other son now."