C25:-OnePiece_FanFic_Ace

25. Brother reunite!

│3rd Person POV│

[A day and a half later…]

[Grand Line, Paradise, Polar Tang, near Momoiro Island…]

“Izou, where are the items I asked you to buy at Sabaody?” Ace inquired, his gaze fixed on the pink-hued island ahead.

The Polar Tang was less than two kilometers from the island, allowing Ace to sense through his Observation Haki the presence of four individuals waiting at the port.

Among them, he immediately recognized Ivankov’s aura. The remaining three included a young woman and two young men, one of whom wore a hat and radiated a noticeably stronger presence than the other.

Ace instantly deduced that the man in the hat was Sabo.

Moments later, Izou approached, handing Ace a hannya mask resembling the one Yamato used for disguise in Canon during the Wano Country Saga and a long metal pipe.

Without a word, Ace accepted the items, propping the pipe against the deck railing before donning the mask, completely concealing his face. He then handed his hat to Izou, instructing, “Hold on to this for a while.”

Izou took the hat but couldn’t help voicing his thoughts. “Are you sure this is how you want to greet your brother?”

“I’m sure,” Ace replied with a smirk. “We haven’t sparred in years, and I heard that if someone’s lost their memories, the best way to bring them back is by hitting their head hard again.”

Izou, along with Law, Bepo, Bonney, and Kuroka, who stood a few steps away from Ace and Izou, couldn’t help but sweat drop at his response.

“Well then, I’m heading out. Take your time catching up,” Ace said. Grabbing the metal pipe, he secured it across his back before leaping into the air and using his flight technique to swiftly reach the group waiting at the port.

Sigh—!

Izou exhaled deeply, clearly exasperated by the scene. “Marco, I hope you get paraded as a parrot mascot for dumping the responsibility of babysitting Ace on me,” he muttered under his breath.

Bonney, Bepo, and Kuroka burst into laughter at Izou’s remark.

In contrast, Law remained silent and composed, his sharp gaze fixed on Ace.

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│3rd Person POV│

[A few moments earlier…]

“Is the person I’m supposed to meet on that ship, Iva-san?” asked the taller, blonde-haired young man standing beside Ivankov.

His attire was striking: a long black jacket adorned with a buckle on the left sleeve, paired with a blue shirt and vest beneath, a frilled cravat, while a simple belt secured his loose light-blue pants, which were tucked into black boots. He also wore a pair of brown gloves and a large black top hat with goggles resting on its band.

Ivankov, peering through a monocular at the yellow submarine steadily approaching the dock, replied, “Yes, Sabo!—”

The rest of the sentence froze on his lips as his gaze caught sight of Ace leaping from the ship's deck and soaring toward them at incredible speed. Eyes widening in shock, Ivankov blurted, “What?! Since when can he fly?!”

Sabo narrowed his eyes in focus and soon spotted a masked figure wreathed in flames hurtling toward them at incredible speed.

Within moments, the figure closed the distance, maintaining his breakneck speed as he reached for the metal pipe secured to his back with his right hand. Without hesitation, he unleashed a swift and powerful diagonal upward swing, the force of the strike aimed directly at Sabo.

Sabo had only a split second to react, drawing his own metal pipe from his back just in time to block the incoming strike after realizing the figure’s intent to attack.

CLANG—!!! BOOM—!!

The deafening clash reverberated through the air as Sabo, caught off guard and unprepared to fully brace for the attack, was sent hurtling backward from the sheer force of the blow. The only thing that spared his metal pipe from bending or shattering under the impact was his quick use of Armament Haki, reinforcing the weapon as well as his arms just in the nick of time.

Sabo tumbled through the air but managed to orient himself enough to land in a crouch several hundred meters away from the dock. His grip tightened on his pipe, the dull ache in his arms a testament to the sheer force behind Ace's attack.

He rose to his feet, fixing a sharp gaze on the masked figure before him. His grip on the metal pipe tightened as a deep frown creased his brow. “What’s the meaning of this sudden attack?” Sabo demanded, his tone edged with both confusion and irritation.

He was sure that the masked man attacked him for a purpose.

After all, Ivankov had mentioned before that the individual who wanted to meet him was a friend and someone who had known him during his childhood, before he lost his memories. Could it be that they had harbored some sort of grudge against each other back then?

“Less talk, more action!” Ace shouted as he landed a few meters away from Sabo. The next moment, he sprinted forward, ready to resume the fight.

Sabo’s eyes narrowed at this. “Fine. If it’s a fight you want, a fight you’ll get. Just don’t regret this later,” he replied, preparing himself for the next round.

After closing the distance between them, Ace attacked, his pipe cutting through the air in a horizontal arc aiming at Sabo’s head. This time, he also imbued his arms and pipe with Armament Haki.

Sabo stepped back swiftly, ducking under the swing and countering with a rapid jab toward Ace’s midsection. Ace deflected it with a sharp twist of his wrist, the sound of metal meeting metal ringing out like a chime.

The two clashed again, their movements a blur of precision and power. Sabo struck low, aiming for Ace’s legs, but Ace leaped over the swing, bringing his pipe down in a heavy overhead strike. Sabo crossed his pipe horizontally above his head to block, his feet digging into the ground from the force.

“Not bad,” Ace remarked, smirking behind his mask. He pushed off, creating distance before spinning his pipe in one hand, the motion fluid and confident.

Sabo rushed in, feinting with a quick thrust before pivoting into a sweeping strike aimed at Ace’s side. Ace parried, the impact sending vibrations up both their arms. He stepped forward, his movements seamless as he followed up with a diagonal slash aimed at Sabo’s shoulder.

Sabo ducked and countered with an upward strike. Ace moved his head away, the tip of the pipe grazing his cheeks.

The fight intensified, and the air filled with the sharp sounds of clashing metal. Each strike was calculated, each movement a test of skill, reflexes, and the mastery of their Observation and Armament Haki.

“You’re pretty good,” Sabo said suddenly, a faint grin forming on his lips despite the sweat dripping down his forehead. His body was sore from the intense exchanges, but as the fight raged on for the last few hours, he figured out that his opponent wasn’t out for a life-or-death battle—this was more of a test of some kind.

“So are you,” Ace replied, his tone far more at ease than Sabo’s. “But, don't get too comfortable. After all, I’ve only been keeping up with you this whole time.”

Sabo tightened his grip on his own weapon, a fire igniting in his eyes. “I’m also not done yet,” he said, taking a more focused stance.

Ace’s smirk widened behind his mask as he saw the determined look in Sabo’s eyes. Without warning, he took a step forward, his pipe swinging in a blur of motion. The speed and precision of the strike caught Sabo off guard, forcing him to parry hastily, his arms shaking slightly from the impact.

“Good reaction speed,” Ace commented, his voice calm, but his eyes gleaming with a mocking intent.

He immediately followed up with a series of rapid strikes, each blow landing with brutal force. Sabo barely managed to deflect them, the intensity of the attacks pushing him back step by step.

With a swift twirl of his pipe, Ace launched another vicious horizontal strike, catching Sabo off balance. The force of the blow sent Sabo stumbling backward, his feet sliding on the ground as he struggled to maintain his stance.

Sabo’s breath quickened, and he realized he was starting to fall behind. His defenses were slowly being overwhelmed by Ace’s relentless barrage of perfectly timed strikes, each one coming faster than the last.

Ace didn’t let up. He closed the distance between them in a heartbeat, using his pipe as an extension of his body, flowing from one strike to the next.

After round two started, only about half an hour had passed and Sabo’s arms were starting to burn from enduring Ace's strikes, his reflexes slowing under the pressure.

“Still with me?” Ace asked, his voice light and teasing, though there was an edge to it. He spun the pipe again, using the momentum to launch a powerful upward strike aimed directly at Sabo’s midsection.

Sabo blocked just in time, but the force was enough to push him off his feet. He barely had time to react before Ace was upon him again, his pipe now moving with an almost fluid grace.

Sabo gritted his teeth, responding to the attacks with all his strength, constantly thinking of ways to turn the fight around.

But the sheer speed and force of Ace’s attacks were starting to overwhelm his Observation and Armament Haki.

Finally, he managed a quick counterattack, aiming for Ace’s legs again, but Ace leaped effortlessly over the strike, his movements graceful and precise.

“I’ve got you now,” Ace said, his voice almost playful as he spun in the air and swung his pipe down in a diagonal arc that Sabo struggled to block in time. The strike landed with a resounding crack, knocking Sabo’s pipe from his hands and sending him crashing to the ground.

For a brief moment, the air was still.

Ace stood tall over Sabo, his pipe held loosely in his hand, the tip resting casually against the ground. His chest rose and fell with steady breath, though there was a glint of exhilaration in his eyes as he looked down at his opponent. “Guess the Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army isn’t that strong,” he remarked with a hint of playful mockery.

Sabo remained on the ground for a moment, his body aching from the relentless barrage of attacks.

He exhaled deeply, his chest rising and falling in sync with the steady rhythm of his breath. Despite the taunting words, he didn’t let them get under his skin—he knew that the masked man was just trying to provoke him.

“Don’t count me out yet,” Sabo muttered, his voice low but resolute. The heat of the fight still burned within him as he slowly pushed himself back up, picking up his metal pipe and using it as a support.

Every muscle in his body screamed in protest, but his will burned brighter than ever, allowing him to push aside the pain and focus on the task at hand.

As he regained his footing, he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and fixed his gaze on Ace, his expression hardening.

His grip on his pipe tightened, the familiarity of the weapon grounding him. He wasn’t going to let the masked man get the better of him—not this easily.

Ace observed his rise, his smirk widening behind his mask. His voice took on a more serious tone as he asked, “Let’s continue, shall we?”

Sabo didn’t reply with words; instead, he threw himself back into the fray, his movements sharper, more controlled, and fueled by a renewed determination.

His mastery over Observation Haki grew beyond its previous limits, allowing him to anticipate Ace’s attacks with a heightened awareness of every subtle shift in the air. His Armament Haki, too, was evolving, now enveloping his pipe with a dense, near-impenetrable layer that increased the force of his strikes.

Each blow he delivered carried the weight of his focused will, his body and mind pushed to their absolute limits.

Ace was, of course, delighted upon noticing this. He met Sabo’s every attack with precision, and the two locked in a fierce exchange of blows.

The sound of their pipes clashing echoed through the air for a few tens of minutes, each impact shaking the ground beneath them and generating devastating shock waves. Neither of them gave an inch, the intensity of their battle rising with every passing second.

But as the fight wore on, it was clear that Ace was still holding back as his strikes became faster and delivered with more force, clearly testing the limits of Sabo’s newfound growth.

Sabo gritted his teeth, refusing to back down, pushing his body beyond its limits in a desperate attempt to keep up.

But, as the battle raged on, Sabo’s movements began to slow. His arms felt like lead, and every swing of his pipe grew heavier, his body struggling to keep pace with the masked man.

Despite the mounting exhaustion, he refused to simply give up, his determination still burning bright.

Suddenly, with a burst of speed, Ace feigned a strike to Sabo’s right side, only to pivot and swing his pipe with lightning speed to the left. Sabo, exhausted and off balance, couldn’t react in time. The pipe slammed into his ribs with a sickening thud, knocking the breath out of him and sending him hurtling back.

Before Sabo could recover, Ace was upon him again, closing the distance in a heartbeat. With a quick motion, Ace grabbed Sabo’s pipe with one hand, wrenching it from his grip and sending it flying across the battlefield.

Sabo tried to resist, but his arms were too heavy, his body too worn from the brutal exchange.

The next moment, Ace swung his pipe at Sabo’s head, and instinctively, Sabo closed his eyes, bracing for the impact.

Yet, the strike never landed. When Sabo opened his eyes, he was stunned to see that Ace’s pipe had stopped just a few centimeters from his face, the blow halted at the last possible moment.

“You’ve lost,” Ace said, his voice no longer laced with mockery. Instead, there was a quiet respect in his words.

Sabo, breathing heavily, didn’t argue. Rather, he didn’t have the strength to even speak, let alone argue. He simply met the masked man’s gaze, his eyes showing the will to fight even though his body was completely drained.

Seeing this, Ace placed his pipe on his back before reaching up to remove the hannya mask. As it fell away, he flashed a wide, familiar grin.

“Long time no see, Sabo,” Ace said with a warm chuckle. “I’m Portgas D. Ace, your sworn brother.”

Sabo stood frozen for a moment, his eyes wide as he took in Ace’s appearance. The words and face stirred something deep within him. “My... brother?” Sabo repeated, his mind racing as he tried to comprehend the claim.

Ace’s grin didn’t falter as he reached into his pouch and pulled out a folded bounty poster. Unfolding it, he held it up for Sabo to see and said, “This is Monkey D. Luffy, our little brother. The three of us became sworn brothers after sharing sake together.”

Sabo blinked rapidly, confusion clouding his features, as he tried to process the information presented to him.

Sabo blinked repeatedly, his expression one of confusion as he struggled to make sense of the information presented to him.

BA-DUMP—!

Suddenly, his heartbeat thundered in his ears, the rhythm erratic and intense, as copious amounts of sweat began to roll down his temples.

BA-DUMP—!

‘I’m gonna become a great pirate and show them all!’ Sabo dropped to his knees as fragmented flashes of memories, distant yet strangely vivid, bombarded his mind.

BA-DUMP—!

‘I’m gonna be the Pirate King and then…!’ Tears started streaming down his face as he clutched his head, the ache growing unbearable under the torrent of emotions and images surging forth.

BA-DUMP—!

‘Hey, did you know? If you exchange cups of sake, it makes you brothers.’ The onslaught of memories became stronger, worsening his headache as well.

BA-DUMP—!

“That’s right,” he whispered through trembling breaths, his voice thick with emotion. “How could I have forgotten?”

Sabo’s body gave out as the overwhelming surge of memories and emotions drained the last of his strength, causing him to collapse.

Reacting instantly, Ace darted forward and caught him before he could hit the ground. Cradling his brother’s unconscious form, his once confident grin was replaced by a look of concern as he observed the tear stains on Sabo’s cheeks.

“Your memories have returned, Sabo,” Ace murmured softly, a hint of emotion in his voice. “Finally, us three brothers can be together once more.”

As childhood memories surged through his mind, Ace felt a deep wave of nostalgia and determination. After years apart, the three brothers had a chance to reunite. At that moment, Ace silently vowed that nothing would ever disrupt their brotherhood again.

…To Be Continued!

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A/N: This fight was hard to write, that's why it took me two days to write this out. I even took help from ChatGPT here and there.

Please tell me if you liked this or not, alright?

Also, if you guys see any mistakes, don't hesitate to point them out.

Anyway, Good Day. See ya guys later.