Come Up

At a port city, a Marine ship is docked. A voice wonders, "JUST WHAT'S GOING ON OVER THERE?" On the ship's deck, a man in a top hat and dark coat, identified as Mr. 11, is tied to a mast. He notices the silence and says, "All the marines suddenly left their boats..." and "Did some trouble break out in the city?" He chuckles to himself, "Well... Doesn't bother me, heh heh. Now's the perfect chance to escape...!" As he struggles against the ropes, he hears footsteps approaching. A shadow falls over him, and a voice says, "Mr. 11." Mr. 11 looks up and replies, "Hm?"

Three men approach the tied-up Mr. 11. They look like Baroque Works agents; one carries a sword, another a rifle, and the third has a star on his cheek. They announce, "We're Billions." Mr. 11 is surprised, "You know my codename? Then you must be the Millions, right!?" The men clarify, "We're still members of BW, but we ain't Millions." Mr. 11 demands, "Well don't just stand there! Hurry up and untie these ropes!" The Billions explain, "In other words, we're next-in-line for future numbered agents." One of them adds, "Mr. 11... A bottom-rank numbered agent like you isn't exactly in a position to order us around." Sweating, Mr. 11 apologizes, "O-oh, sorry about that, Billions. In any case, would you mind untying these ropes for me?" The Billion with the rifle suddenly points it directly at Mr. 11's face, saying, "DON'T BE STUPID. I'D RATHER HAVE YOU LEAVE AN AVAILABLE POSITION FOR A NUMBERED AGENT." Mr. 11 panics, "WHA!? NO, WAIT!" as the gun is cocked.

Usopp, Nami, Vivi, and Chopper are running frantically away from the city. Usopp yells, "GET BACK ON THE SHIP? ARE WE LEAVING THIS ISLAND!?" Nami explains, "No, we'll take the ship to travel along the river so we can dock further inland. From there, the desert we need to cross is right ahead!" Vivi adds, "The only reason why we stopped by in Nanohana was to buy some supplies!" Meanwhile, on the Going Merry, Sanji urges, "Hurry up! The marines are coming!" and Zoro commands, "Raise the anchor!" Luffy is running behind the others, looking back with a wide grin. He says, "Wow! Never thought I'd meet Ace in a place like this!" Behind them, Ace is shown smiling confidently. He tells Luffy, "Since we can't talk like this just run along ahead. I'll catch up with you later. I'll stop these guys in the meanwhile."

The crew reaches the docks. Nami waves them on, yelling, "NOW GO! Let's go!" Someone asks, "What!? Who's he?" Luffy runs past Vivi and Karoo. Vivi calls out, "Luffy! Hurry up and get onboard!" Luffy replies, "Oh, right." Vivi then stops her giant duck, "Carue, wait!" She kneels down to talk to Karoo, saying, "There's a task that I can ask only you to do." Karoo tilts his head, "QUACK?" Vivi hands Karoo a letter and instructs him, "Head north to Alubarna and deliver this letter to my father. This has all the information about Baroque Works and Crocodile, That Igaram and I dug up, While we were undercover."

Vivi continues giving instructions to Karoo, with the Going Merry anchored in the background. She says, "Other than that, I've written down how I'm still alive, And will return soon to Alabasta with reliable friends....Can you do it? You'll have to cross the desert all alone." Karoo salutes with his wing and barks, "QUACK!" Vivi smiles brightly, "Then hurry up and send the word to my father! Good, just remember to conserve your water in the desert. That we can still save this country!" Karoo yells, "QUAAACK!" and immediately sprints off at high speed. However, as he runs, he is chugging water from a barrel. Vivi yells angrily at him, "I SAID CONSERVE YOUR WATER!"

On the deck of the Going Merry, Sanji angrily kicks Luffy in the head, yelling, "YOU TOO! Don't waste the water we just bought!" Luffy was drinking from a small barrel. Usopp is shocked by the recent revelation, asking, "BROTHER!? That guy earlier... Is your brother!?" Luffy casually replies, "Yeah, he's my older brother." Later, Luffy and Zoro are sitting on the deck. Zoro remarks, "I'm not surprised by the fact that you have a brother, But what's he also doing in the Grand Line?" Luffy explains, "He's a pirate. He's also searching for One Piece." Luffy smiles broadly, adding, "Ace is 3 years older, So he left our hometown 3 years earlier than me." Sanji comments, "To think that both brothers would end up eating a devil fruit..." Luffy laughs, "Yeah, that surprised me too, HAHA!" Suddenly, Sanji notices something approaching.

Luffy continues talking about Ace with a big smile. "He didn't have a devil fruit ability back when we lived together. But even then, I could never beat him in a fight. Not even once. Ace is really strong!" Usopp is stunned, "Y-you couldn't beat him even once? When he was just a normal human? Guess the brother of a monster is an even bigger monster." Luffy laughs heartily, "Yeah, I got my ass handed to me! DAHAHAHA!" Zoro smirks and asks, "Do you have any evidence to back up that bluff?" Luffy confidently states, "But I could take him on now." Suddenly, Ace lands heavily on the ship's railing right behind Luffy. Ace says, "You... Can take on who now?" Luffy looks shocked and turns around, exclaiming, "AGH!"

Luffy yells, "ACE!" as his brother balances on the ship's railing. Ace casually replies, "'Sup." Ace then squats on the railing and addresses the crew, "Oh, but first- Thanks for taking care of my troublesome little brother." Sanji agrees, "Yes, he really is quite a handful." Ace turns to Luffy, "So what're you doing here in this country?" Luffy asks, "Hm? Did you not get my message at Drum Island?" Ace is confused, "At Drum Island?" Luffy dismisses it, "Ah, whatever. It's not too important." Ace smiles and says, "I'm just glad I met up with you. I've been sailing the seas around here for a little business I have to take care of, And I thought it'd be nice to see you once before sailing off again." Ace then makes an offer, "Luffy... What d'ya say to joining the Whitebeard Pirates that I'm in? 'Course, all your friends are welcome too."

Luffy immediately rejects the offer, "I dun' wanna." Ace laughs, "Ahahaha... I knew you'd say that. Just wanted to ask, that's all." Usopp is amazed, "Whitebeard!? Then that mark on your back is the real thing?" Ace proudly shows the large tattoo on his back, "Yeah, it's my pride and honour..." He adds, "He's by far and above the best pirate I've ever known. And I want to make him the Pirate King, not you, Luffy!" Luffy replies, "It's fine. I'll just fight him later then!" Ace smiles and offers, "If you wanna talk, why don't you come aboard? I'll pour you some tea." Sanji politely declines, "Nah, it's fine. No need to mind me." Ace says, "I'm not gonna be here for too long, anyways." Usopp notes, "Hmm, there aren't any marines chasing us." Ace explains, "Yeah, that's because I took care of'em with my 'Mera Mera' abilities." A small note explains that "mera mera" is the Japanese onomatopoeia for a burning flame.

Back in the city, a massive, roaring wall of fire blocks the streets. A Marine reports to Smoker, "We've lost all sight of the Straw Hat pirates thanks to his fires! What should we do, captain!?" Another Marine runs up, "Captain! We just received a report that Mr.11 who we left tied up onboard has been killed!" Smoker yells in frustration, "DAMN IT! THERE'S A HUGE WALL OF FIRE!" Smoker is then seen sitting on a wall, smoking his cigars. He grumbles, "Alabasta's a large country... It's gonna be tough to find them again after letting them get away once. Damn that Portgas...!" Tashigi arrives, panting, "Capt. Smoker! Forgive me for arriving late! What happened to the Straw Hat Pirates!?" Smoker asks, "Just where the hell have you been all this time, Tashigi..." Tashigi stammers, "Sseargent, please!" Smoker says, "Well, in the other side of town... Vivi was with them..." Tashigi looks shocked. Smoker asks her, "What do you make of this...?"

Tashigi is in disbelief, "VIVI? You mean Princess Nefertari Vivi...!? What would she be doing with the Straw Hat pirates!?" Smoker replies, "That's what I'm trying to figure out right now. There's also one other guy in this country... A man I have a very bad feeling about..." Tashigi asks, "Are you referring to Sir Crocodile, captain?" Smoker says, "You know how much I hate the Shichibukai..." Tashigi argues, "But as a Shichibukai, He's technically on the same side of the World Government and us marines." Smoker retorts, "He's always been a cunning one, since his pirate days... He's definitely not the type to quietly follow the Government's orders." In a close-up, Smoker looks furious and declares, "Tashigi... Remember this well...! A pirate... Will always BE a pirate!"

Ace tosses a small item to Luffy, saying, "Here. I wanted to give you this." Luffy catches it. Ace smiles and says, "Hang on to that tight, y'hear?" Luffy looks at the item in his hand and says, "Hm? A scrap piece of paper?" Ace confirms, "Yes, and that piece of paper will bring us together in the future." Luffy asks, "Uhh... Don't want it?" Ace quickly replies, "N-no, I'll keep it!"

Ace stands up on the ship's railing, looking out at the sea. He says, "Having a naive and reckless little brother, Is stressful to an older brother's heart." The crew watches him quietly. Ace smiles warmly and adds, "I'm sure the rest of you have your hands full trying to take care of him." Luffy asks, "You're leaving already!?" Ace replies, "Yeah." Usopp is surprised, "Wha!?" Ace looks back at Zoro, Usopp, Nami, Vivi, and Chopper, saying, "But I hope you'll continue to take care of him well..."

Ace explains his mission to Luffy, "He committed the worst crime you can commit on a ship... Killing a fellow crew member and then running away. In short, he's my subordinate. But he used to be a member of the Whitebeard Pirates' 2nd division." Ace continues, "I'm currently chasing after somebody... He's apparently been calling himself 'Blackbeard' these days." Luffy asks, "Why don't you stay with us a little longer!? C'mon, it's been so long!" Ace replies, "I told you already. Meeting up with you was just an added bonus in coming here." Looking out at the ocean, Ace says, "As the division commander, it's my responsibility to see that he meets his end. If it weren't for something as serious as that, I'd never sail all the way back the other way on the Grand Line." In a close-up, Ace smiles confidently and says, "The next time we'll meet, Is when you're at the pirates' 'top.'" Luffy smiles back at him.

Meanwhile, the Baroque Works Billions are running towards their ships. One yells, "THE 2ND DIVISION COMMANDER OF THE WHITEBEARD PIRATES IS HERE!? I AIN'T KIDDING! I SAW 'FLAME FIST ACE' WITH MY OWN TWO EYES!" They cheer, "IF WE CAN KILL HIM, THEN OUR PROMOTION TO NUMBERED AGENTS IS ALL BUT GUARANTEED! GET BACK TO THE SHIP! WE'LL FINISH HIM OFF ON THE SEAS!" Back on the Going Merry, the crew watches Ace leave. Nami is in disbelief, "What...!? There's no way such a polite and rational guy, Could actually be Luffy's older brother!" Usopp stammers, "N-now, now... I always imagined if Luffy had an older brother, he'd be even more 'Luffy' than Luffy, if you know what I mean." Zoro smiles, "Brotherhood's a wonderful thing, isn't it?" Sanji adds, "He's... Such a good older brother! Well, whaddya know... The world's a strange and mysterious place." Luffy waves from the deck, "SEE YA, ACE!" Ace rides away on his small, flame-powered striker boat, looking back over his shoulder.

Five Baroque Works ships surround Ace's small boat on the water. A Billion yells, "LET'S DO THIS! THERE'S 50 OF US BILLIONS AND 5 SHIPS! TRY TO ESCAPE IF YOU CAN! WE KNOW YOUR WEAKNESS IS THE SEA!" The ships fire their cannons at Ace. A Billion shouts, "AGHH! HE JUMPED! SHOOT! IT'LL BE OUR VICTORY IF HE FALLS INTO THE SEA!" Ace leaps high into the air above the ships, pulling his fist back as it becomes engulfed in roaring flames. A Billion screams in terror, "AGHH!"

Ace unleashes a devastating attack, yelling, "FLAME FIST!" A massive blast of fire obliterates all five Baroque Works ships simultaneously, shattering them into pieces and sending debris flying everywhere. Screams of "AGHHHH!" can be heard from the explosion. Ace lands smoothly back on his striker boat, his fist still smoking from the attack. He smiles confidently and says to himself, "Hurry and come up to the top, Luffy!"

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