Chapter 28: Warm-Up Exercises Before Setting Sail

As Ace's small boat disappeared over the horizon, Luffy, Kaito Sakamoto, and the other mountain bandits who had come to see Ace off began their journey back.

Farewells always come, but after parting, life must go on. It's a common aspect of life.

....

The group returned to Dadan's place, where the mountain bandits noticed that Dadan hadn't gone to see Ace off. That tough yet soft-hearted old woman!

Inside, Dadan sat smoking, her children far away. A mother could never bear the distance, even if she was a foster mother.

Seeing Dadan's back, Kaito understood she was trying to hold back her emotions and said with a smile, "Dadan, Ace wanted me to tell you something."

"What? Is he going to complain about me one last time?"

"Ace said…"

"Thank you for taking care of him."

As soon as the words left Kaito's mouth, Dadan couldn't hold back any longer. Tears burst from her eyes, and she pulled out a cloth to wipe them away, still trying to act tough.

"Don't embarrass yourself! You little brat!"

Kaito shook his head. Despite Dadan's usual fierceness, she was truly the one who loved them the most.

In the original timeline, Ace died in the Marineford War, and Dadan, who had feared Garp for half her life, still dared to throw punches at him.

As Kaito stepped out, a cup of water appeared in his hand. Given his physique, he needed to drink more.

What came into view was an excited Luffy, who had just smashed a distant rock with his rubbery fist. In seven years, Luffy had greatly improved his strength, though he hadn't matched the leaps he'd made in his first two years at sea.

Watching Luffy train, Kaito couldn't help but imagine what their days at sea would be like.

"Just three more years."

.....

Time quietly passed, and another six months went by.

After Ace left, Luffy spent more time training and had developed a larger appetite. Luckily, Kaito, the "chef," was there to keep him fed.

One day, Kaito was making soup from a bird that had suddenly dropped dead at his feet.

Kaito's luck seemed to be good lately, with ingredients coming right to him or finding a wallet in the trash.

Just as he was simmering the soup, Magura rushed into the house, shouting, "Kaito! The newspaper! The newspaper!!"

Kaito washed his hands, wiped them on his scarf, and took the newspaper.

"What's got you so excited? Did the Celestial Dragons all die?"

Of course not; Kaito was just joking.

The largest headline on the paper featured Ace's photo.

"Pirate Supernova, Captain of the Spade Pirates, Portgas D. Ace, makes a powerful debut on the seas!"

"Refuses the invitation of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!"

"Bounty: 550,000,000 Berries!!!"

Seeing Ace posing coolly for the camera made Kaito burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! He really did it! Ace!"

"...This can't stop now."

Just then, Luffy returned from his training, bursting through the door, shouting, "I'm starving!!!"

"Kaito! I want to eat!!"

Kaito brought out the pot of bird soup, but it wouldn't even fill Luffy's gaps between his teeth. The main dish was a large platter of roasted leg meat.

The aroma filled the air, making Luffy's mouth water. He immediately reached for the food, but Kaito blocked him with a newspaper.

Seeing the familiar figure on the newspaper, Luffy snatched it up eagerly.

"Ace is amazing! Our ship and crew made it into the news!"

"Truly impressive!!"

"We can't lose, Kaito!!"

Putting down the newspaper, Luffy's excitement grew even more, eager to go out and fight beasts right away! Though he had already conquered the forest.

Kaito sipped the bird soup. It was delicious, and he agreed, "Yeah, we can't lose to Ace. We have three years left; let's give it our all, Luffy."

"Yeah! Let's do our best together!!!"

Luffy tossed the newspaper aside and replied, then transformed into a "vacuum cleaner," devouring the food on the table. After all, being full was essential for training and preparing for their adventure.

.....

Time… it always seems to fly by, whether it flows like water or gallops like a swift horse; it will always pass.

In the blink of an eye, another two and a half years had gone by. Kaito and Luffy had become competent fighters... um, rather, they were now adults, ready to embark on their journey at sea.

In the year 1520 of the Sea Circle calendar, on May 4th, inside Makino's bar.

"Hahaha, tomorrow! Tomorrow we set sail! Kaito!!"

Luffy stood on a chair, raising both hands in celebration, eagerly awaiting the next day.

The town mayor pounded his cane on the floor, scolding Luffy and Kaito not to bring shame to Windmill Village.

Luffy, still covering his ears, wore a look that said, "You can talk all you want; if I hear it, I'll consider you the winner."

Watching this scene, Kaito couldn't help but think it looked just like old times.

"Get down, Luffy. Let's have a drink together."

Kaito picked up a wooden barrel-sized cup that was larger than his face, signaling Luffy to join him.

Luffy flashed a big grin, nodding in agreement. But just as he sat down, the bar's door swung open.

The fish seller rushed in, panting.

"Mayor!!"

"Mayor!! A strange pirate crew has arrived at the port! It looks like they just finished a brawl. You need to go check it out."

The old mayor instantly jumped to his feet. "Those reckless fools! Everyone, follow me to see!"

At the mayor's call, the young men in the bar immediately followed.

Naturally, Luffy wouldn't fall behind. "A pirate crew! Let's go check it out, Kaito! Let's see if we need to send them flying!"

Kaito put down his cup, wondering, What's this all about?

A warm-up exercise before setting sail?