"Sorry about that… I didn't bump into you too hard, did I?"
Ace looked at the adorably clueless girl in front of him, a warm smile on his face as he asked gently.
"No, no! I wasn't looking where I was going—there's no way this is your fault. I should be the one apologizing!"
Tashigi waved her hands frantically, clearly flustered.
"No, no, it's really my fault."
Ace bowed politely.
"No, no, no! I should apologize!"
Tashigi bowed even lower, clearly more flustered.
"No, no, it's definitely on me."
The onlookers around them were completely dumbfounded. Were these two… competing over who could bow deeper?
"How about this instead—can you help me with something?"
Ace, watching the increasingly apologetic Tashigi, offered a suggestion with a light chuckle.
"Oh! You need help with something? That's perfect—just the right chance for me to make it up to you!"
Tashigi straightened up immediately, eager to assist.
"I want to visit the town's famous execution platform, but I'm not sure where it is. Would you mind showing me the way?"
Ace's lips curled into a mischievous little smile, which he quickly smoothed into a more polite expression.
"Of course! I'd be happy to!"
Tashigi responded immediately.
Looks like her plan to browse the famous swords today would have to wait. Still, she was the one at fault for bumping into him—plus, the guy was so polite.
"Please, follow me,"
Tashigi said with a smile, pointing toward the direction of the execution platform.
"Oh, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Tashigi."
She glanced at Ace as they started walking together.
"I'm Ace," he replied with a grin.
"Ace-san, are you here because of the platform? The one where the Pirate King was executed?"
Tashigi, who hadn't seen Ace's wanted poster yet, asked with genuine curiosity.
"Yeah… I've always wanted to see it with my own eyes."
Ace said, his voice tinged with a cryptic sense of meaning.
"There's honestly not much to see… Sure, they executed the Pirate King there, but it only led to more pirates showing up, not less."
Tashigi's voice dropped with a touch of disappointment.
"Oh? Sounds like you've got a dream of your own."
Ace looked at her with a knowing smile.
"Huh? How did you know that, Ace-san?"
Tashigi blinked, looking adorably puzzled.
"Just a hunch. That look on your face—felt like my instincts picked it up."
Ace replied with a light laugh.
"Yes! My dream is to reclaim all the famous blades that were stolen by evildoers!"
Tashigi declared, eyes full of determination.
"That's an incredible dream."
Ace clapped his hands lightly in admiration.
"N-no, it's really nothing…"
Tashigi's cheeks flushed pink with embarrassment.
This was the first time someone had praised her dream like that.
"So, Ace-san, what about your dream?"
Tashigi asked, curious now.
"Me?"
Ace turned toward the execution platform in the distance, his expression softening into a thoughtful smile.
"I want to bring an end to the Great Pirate Era that the Pirate King started."
Ace said with quiet intensity, a fearless glint flashing in his eyes.
To begin… the era of Portgas D. Ace.
"!!"
Tashigi stared at his profile, stunned.
To end the age of pirates?!
To bring down this world where criminals ran rampant?
"T-that's the real amazing dream! Ace-san!"
Tashigi suddenly reached out and grabbed both of Ace's hands, her eyes shining with emotion.
"Is that so? Then… what if I asked for your help?"
Ace smiled.
"Then I'll help, no matter what!"
Tashigi replied, utterly sincere.
"Good to hear."
Ace's smile widened slightly.
"Oh! Ace-san, we're almost there—that's the execution platform up ahead."
Tashigi, realizing in her excitement she had practically clung to him, quickly let go, her face turning crimson as she pointed ahead.
"Oh? I've been looking forward to this."
Ace said with a laugh, following her lead.
"Master Chief Petty Officer Tashigi?"
A nearby Marine, who had taken it upon himself to patrol Loguetown despite Smoker's orders to stand down, spotted the pair with a puzzled look.
Wait… wasn't Tashigi supposed to be checking out the sword shops or something?
Why is she… holding hands with a man?
He squinted at the stranger's face, but the moment he got a clear look, cold sweat broke out across his back.
His pupils contracted sharply.
"T-that man is…!!!"
Loguetown's center—
"Tch. Just a bunch of small fry. Where the hell is that guy, Ace?"
Smoker growled, grinding a pirate worth 3 million Berries beneath his boot as he puffed on a cigar.
"C-Captain Smoker!!"
Smoker turned to see one of his subordinates sprinting toward him in a panic, gasping for air.
"I told you—there was no need to deploy anyone. I can handle this alone."
Smoker said calmly.
"N-no, it's not that! It's… it's Master Chief Petty Officer Tashigi!"
The Marine pointed frantically toward the execution platform.
"What now? What dumb thing has she gotten herself into this time?"
Smoker bit down harder on his cigar.
"She's been taken hostage—by Portgas D. Ace!"
The Marine could barely get the words out, chest heaving.
"WHAT?!"
Smoker's face darkened, a vein twitching at the corner of his eye.
That idiot woman!!
"Mobilize all troops—head to the execution platform, now!!"
Smoker shouted as he sprinted off in that direction.
"Yes, sir!"
Inside a nearby shop—
"Nami…"
Kaya looked over anxiously.
"That guy Ace… seriously, he starts chaos everywhere he goes."
Nami sighed, rubbing her forehead in exasperation.
"Let's move. If the Captain ends up surrounded, we'll need to pitch in too."
Nojiko smiled as she adjusted the new rifle she'd just bought.
---
TL/N:
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