East Blue, Foosha Village – Makino's Bar.
"Everyone! Look—Ace got a bounty!"
A villager burst into the bar holding up a newspaper. The quiet tavern instantly turned into a buzz of excitement.
"What?! Ace got a bounty? Lemme see!"
One of the drinkers snatched the paper, eyes quickly scanning the numbers.
"One, ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand... million, ten million...!!!"
"'Fire Fist' Portgas D. Ace! Dead or alive! Bounty: 35 million Berries!"
A gasp tore from the drinker's throat.
"Incredible! Ace's first bounty is 35 million!"
"Foosha Village's got itself a real pirate now!"
"A toast! To Ace!"
The bar erupted in laughter and cheers, mugs clinking together in celebration.
"Enough already!"
Village Chief Woop Slap thumped his cane hard against the floor.
"A pirate coming out of our village is a disgrace—and you're all celebrating?"
He shouted, but the newspaper clutched in his hand, bearing Ace's wanted poster, told a different story.
"Throw a party! For Ace!"
The regulars were used to Woop Slap's bluster. Laughing it off, they raised their drinks even higher.
Woop Slap could only sigh, watching the party unfold as his eyes drifted back to the paper.
You're doing all right out there, aren't you... Ace?
At Dadan's Hideout.
"Ace got a bounty?!"
Dadan stared at the newspaper in a cold sweat, eyes locked on the number below the headline.
"Th–Thirty-five million Berries?! What the hell did that idiot do?!"
Her voice trembled with anxiety. The worry on her face was impossible to miss.
"Hehehe, that's Ace for ya! Thirty-five million! So cool!"
Luffy grinned from ear to ear.
"You really care about Ace, huh, Boss?"
Dogra shot Dadan a teasing smile.
"W–Who cares about that damn brat?! I'm just worried we'll get caught in the crossfire if the Marines come sniffing around!"
Dadan stammered through her excuse.
Luffy took the wanted poster, beaming as he looked at Ace's picture.
"Three years from now... my bounty's gonna beat yours, Ace."
...
Aboard the Going Merry.
During their journey, Ace had been using his Domain of Comprehension to help Nami, Kaya, and Nojiko train. All three of them had gotten considerably stronger.
Nami's control over the Clima-Tact had grown sharper, Kaya had developed deeper mastery over her Heal-Heal Fruit, and Nojiko's Sharpshooting Aptitude had become deadly accurate. Their overall physical capabilities had also seen a massive boost.
At this point, the three could easily take down a standard Marine squad without breaking a sweat.
Soon, the Going Merry was closing in on Loguetown.
"If they raise the price again, I'm not buying it!"
Nami shouted angrily at the News Coo as it flew off.
Grumbling, she opened the paper. With their approach to Loguetown, she needed to stay informed.
"!!!"
Nami suddenly let out a cry of surprise.
"What's wrong, Nami?" Nojiko called from the helm.
"A–Ace... you've been given a bounty."
Nami stammered.
"Oh? Let me see."
Ace, who'd been lounging in the sun, perked up.
Kaya, who had been quietly reading a medical journal across from him, ran over with curiosity.
"'Fire Fist' Portgas D. Ace... Dead or Alive... Bounty: 35 million Berries?!"
Nami's voice grew louder with each word.
"Thirty-five million, huh? Not bad."
Ace smiled as he looked over his wanted poster.
That's even higher than Luffy's 30 million from this point in the original timeline…
Is it because I took out Captain Nezumi right in front of Marine HQ? Or maybe it's the Mera Mera no Mi?
Ace shrugged. He wasn't one to dwell on it.
The higher, the better.
"Still... couldn't they have come up with a better name than 'Fire Fist'? Real original."
He stared at the name on the poster with a mix of annoyance and resignation.
Not for long though, he thought. Soon, they'll call me Flame Emperor.
"Is this some kind of joke? Arlong was only worth 20 million!"
Nami looked devastated as she held the paper.
Thirty-five million?! The Marines will be all over us!
"Probably because I took out that rat in front of Marine HQ."
Ace said nonchalantly.
"Eh?!"
Nami and Nojiko froze.
"W–When did you...?"
Nami bit her lip, looking conflicted.
"When you were planting Bellmere's mikan trees. I took a little detour."
Ace said with a soft chuckle.
"..."
Nami stared at him, lips pressed together.
In her mind, she remembered the words he'd once said to her:
"Anyone who makes my navigator cry—dies."
"!!!"
Without warning, she threw herself into his arms.
Ace froze for a moment, then gently patted her head.
"Thank you, Ace..."
Her voice was quiet against his chest.
"I don't want to hear that kind of thanks anymore," Ace said with a warm smile, tousling her hair.
"Just count on your captain from now on."
"Tch! You're the one who's gonna be leaning on me when we hit the Grand Line!"
Nami huffed, pulling away with a proud grin.
"Right, right. I'll rely on you then."
Ace laughed, raising both hands in surrender.
Kaya watched them, a hint of envy in her eyes and a twist of emotion on her face.
"!!!"
"And my ship's doctor better count on her captain too," Ace added, pulling Kaya into a hug.
Kaya stiffened for a second, then melted into him.
"Mm…"
"But I'm still giving you a check-up later," she mumbled.
"Bwahaha! Looks like this captain's got to rely on his adorable crew after all!"
Ace's laughter rang across the deck.
"Ace! We're at Loguetown!"
Nojiko called from the helm.
"Oh? Already?"
Ace let go of Kaya and stepped to the bow of the ship, staring at the town slowly coming into view.
The town where it all begins... and ends, huh?
A smile played on his lips.
---
TL/N:
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