Prophase (I)

Killing Vergo was underwhelming.

I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't this. Revenge is supposed to be satisfying, a moment of catharsis. Yet here I was, a month after the fight, feeling... hollow. Maybe it was because I wasn't exactly angry at him anymore. In a strange way, I even felt like I owed him. Vergo had nearly killed me once, but that near-death experience had pushed me to realize my own potential. Without that moment, I might never have reached the strength I have now.

But gratitude only goes so far. He had still tried to kill me, and that alone was reason enough for him to die by my sword. Beyond that, Vergo wasn't just my personal enemy; he was a genuinely terrible person. Helping commit mass murder? Check. Kidnapping children? Check. Being an all-around asshole? Triple check. He was the definition of evil.

Even with all that in mind, the actual fight was pitiful. Vergo was completely outclassed, unable to land a single blow on me. I almost pitied him. Almost. I ended it cleanly—a single stab through the heart. Fitting, I suppose, but it left me wondering if revenge should have been more... exciting.

Now I was in Sabaody Archipelago, at Shakky's Rip-Off Bar, the unofficial meeting place for The Seven Sins. Akane sat in the corner, chatting animatedly with Shakky, who had taken on a sort of mentor role for her. It was good for Akane—Shakky's experience and wisdom were invaluable, and I could already see how much she'd grown under her guidance.

Akane was also all too happy to kill Ceaser after he had finished his call with Doflamingo. I didn't have anything against that. I hated how Ceaser turned into a comedic relief in the anime after he had so many terrible things. I remember him going with Vinsmoke to Germa Kingdom. I mean, why? Why would you send a mad scientist to a country which was basically the birthplace of Mad Scientists? No, thank you. If I find someone that doeas something so heinous like experimentation with children without their consent, I would rather have them dead instead.

Crocodile has managed to buy a ship for our little crew. Apparently, he's been selling the info that Buggy gave him with high profits. Which was good. Money was always good. I remember how much money I had to spend when I was the chief tactician in Marineford. One of the main reasons we could actually win in Marineford is because of how absurdly wealthy Whitebeard Pirates were. Wars have always been expensive.

The Seven Sins is going to invade Hachinosu in two weeks' time. Well, more like The Seven Sins and the allied forces. We don't have nearly enough manpower to take over the whole Pirate Paradise by ourselves. One of Buggy's men had been sent over there three months ago to adjust the eternal log pose. We weren't trying to be stealthy or anything. But it's better than going in blind.

Spying on the main crew of Blackbeard was practically impossible. They kept to themselves most of the time. So, I still had no idea what new devil fruit power Blackbeard has gained. But I was sure that it was strong. He isn't the type of person who likes to settle for less.

My thoughts were interrupted as Ace entered the bar. Surprise, surprise; Whitebeard Pirates is my ally. I don't exactly have any other contacts beside them. Also, they were relatively free now considering the fact that Big Mom Pirates had their attention elsewhere.

"Hey, Ace! How's it going?"

In response Ace grabbed the drink in my hand and chugged it down with one fell swoop. That, along the deep dark lines under his eyes told me exactly what I needed to know.

Yeah, he's not doing well.

He sat down beside me while downing his drink. Even though he looked like absolute shit, one thing was very clear. He has become stronger. Like really fucking strong. Normal people might not be able to recognize this. But I could see it clearly. His fiery aura was trying to invade my skin. Did he awaken his devil fruit or something?

"How the hell did you become so strong so soon?"

Ace grinned, a flicker of pride in his exhausted expression. He'd been waiting for me to notice. "Fought Big Mom one-on-one," he said. "Managed to injure her."

"Well that explains it well enough." Fighting with someone as strong as her is surely going to improve your powers exponentially. But he still shouldn't be alive without outside help. He has become stronger. But fighting Big Mom with that bad mastery of haki wasn't enough to ensure a victory, "Did Marco bail you out after you got wrecked by her?"

Ace's face soured. "Yeah. She hit me with that Ikoku Sovereignty attack. I thought I was done for. Marco and the others showed up just in time."

I shook my head, annoyed. "It's because your haki is still weak. I told you almost a year ago to focus on your haki. If you'd listened to me, you might've been able to hold your own against her."

Ace reacted poorly at the criticism. "Excuse me for being busy," he shot back. "Unlike you, I don't have the luxury of training nonstop for months. Do you know how many battles I've fought this past year?" Thank God Kaidou and Big Mom has started to fight each other again. Otherwise, I don't think I'd get even a little bit time to myself."

"Don't thank god, thank me." I said jokingly.

"What? Did you start the war or something?"

"Yup, that's all me. And I accept your thanks."

"Shit! I forgot how annoying you were! Whatever, I don't have the energy to argue with you right now. Just tell me what you need? You need some help with defeating the Blackbeard Pirates, don't you?"

"Yeah. I need you to do three things. First of all, send Izou to Wano with some sort of disguise so that people don't recognize him. You know Otama, right?"

Ace was surprised to hear Otama's name. It seems Marco hasn't told him what happened at Wano. That makes things easier.

"Yeah, what about her?"

"Tell Izou to find her and ask to see her master. Then tell Izou to say 'Nidai Kitetsu' to her master. Her master will know what it means."

Ace gave a weird look hearing that.

"You're not going to give me a clear explanation about what that means, will you?"

"Nope. Just trust me. You know that I have my methods, right?"

"Yeah. I know. But why would I send one of my commanders to Wano? Kaidou rules like a conqueror there."

"Just trust me, okay? I have everything planned."

Ace seemed hesitant. But he also knew that I was really good at planning these sorts of thing. At first, I was really concerned about how I will convince others about my 'otherworldly knowledge'. What explanation could I give that doesn't seem like total bullshit? But then I realized that there wasn't really a need to give any explanation at all. Just show people results a few times and people will stop asking for an explanation altogether.

"Fine, I'll trust you. What are the other two things?"

"These two are simpler. First of all, you need to go to where Luffy is training right now and ask Rayleigh to teach you haki. Proper haki. Not whatever bullshit you are using right now."

"Hey! I can use proper haki!"

"Whatever you tell yourself to feel better. Just do as I say. It'll be better for you. Marco can handle things while you're there."

"But I don't want to. I've been fighting continuously for two whole years. I just want a vacation."

Tch. Lazy bastard.

"Just go, okay? You have no idea the level of power conqueror's haki holds."

Ace understood my words well. He might seem lazy, but Ace had a quality similar to Luffy. The pure determination. He has become this much strong for that reason only. I have seen all the reports about their skirmish with Big Mom Pirates. Ace's leadership has been unquestionable, and he has led his crew from the vanguard. Just like his father. He has enormous potential within him; he just needs a really good friend to guide him towards the correct path.

"What's the third favor? Need another one of my commanders or something?"

"Give me Jozu. I have enough attack power in my squad already. I just need a meat shield."

"Just Jozu. Nobody else?"

"No. Just Jozu."

"Okay. It can be done. If that's all, then I'm going to take off." Ace said as he stood up.

"What? Do you have a date planned or something?" I joked.

"Yeah," Ace said in a serious tone. "With my pillow."

I nearly unsheathed my sword on the spot. What kind of terrible joke was that?

Seeing my hand twitch toward my blade, Ace took it as his cue to leave. He paused at the door, looking back over his shoulder. "Make sure you kill him properly this time," he said, his voice quiet but firm.

I didn't need to ask who he meant. "Don't worry," I said. "This is the last time."

Ace nodded and disappeared into the night.

I sat there for a while, drinking in silence. My thoughts wandered to what lay ahead—Hachinosu, Blackbeard, the war that was about to erupt. But my musings were interrupted by a sudden realization.

Ace didn't pay his bill.