Chapter 35: Sabo

Just when Ace was about to leave. At another place entirely. A man with a mask walked into a bar. With burn marks all over his body that were covered up by his new clothes. He walked towards a certain table and took a seat from across another man with a large top hat on. The man with the top hat raised an eyebrow. "To what do I owe this company?" He asked the masked man who just sat down.

The other two people who were sitting with him were on edge. They were a fish man and a brown haired girl. The man wearing a mask who just sat down just ordered a beer from the waiter and didn't respond.

"Ahem." The girl cleared her throat. "Excuse me mister marine. May I ask why you are here." The man with a mask just looked at her and then back at the man with a top hat. "Say. Are you two dating?" He asked them out of nowhere.

"Pffffft. W-what? Is that what it looks like?" The man with a top hat said with a noticeable blush on his cheeks and a smile on his face. The girl in question started pulling on his ear with one hand. "Don't act all bashful! We aren't even dating yet!" She yelled at the man. "Yet?" The man with a mask, Kai asked.

She started to blush a bit. "Nevermind! Who are you anyway?! Why are you asking me this?" Kai ignored her. "Say, you guys are here because of the revolution, right?" He asked in a business-like tone. "Why do you ask?" The man with a top hat said in a serious voice. "Please tell me you gathered some intel and don't just believe that the king is corrupt." Kai said, still ignoring the questions.

"And what if we did? What if we don't plan to join the revolution and actually plan to take down a warlord?" The man in a top hat said with a threatening voice challenging the marine who was supposed to be on the side of the warlords. "Wahaha! Then that's perfect!" The three looked at him confused but were still on guard. "No need to be so tense, pfft, chief of pipes." Kai told the man sitting across from him and took a sip of beer from the glass he just got. The girl sitting beside the man whispered in his ear. "What's with him? Only commander Dragon calls you that."

"WAHAHA! No way! That old stiff calls you that? HAHAHA! That's hilarious!" Kai laughed. "How do you know that nickname? Do you know who we are? What do you know about the commander?" The man sitting across from Kai asked. Ready for a fight at any moment.

"Calm down Mr. Sabo. Me and Dragon go waaaay back! I introduced him to one of his top officers. Besides, who do you think taught him that name, Pipe boy?" Kai said in a playful tone. "N-no way. Are you really?" Sabo stuttered at the thought of who it might be and Koala and Hack were just confused looking at the marine in front of them who was taking off his mask.

"Long time no see Pipe boy. Looks like the gang's all back together." Sabo jumped out of his seat and hugged Kai. "You bastard! Why didn't you tell me it was you!" Kai just laughed. "Wahahaha! Ace said the same thing!" When he heard this Sabo asked. "You met Ace? When?" Kai just smiled. "He's here. I'm meeting with him later. I'm here to bring you along."

"Ace's here too?! But I have a mission here. We need to figure out what's going on in Alabasta and choose who to side with. I'm really busy right now." Kai just waved him off. "That's why I asked you that question before. As long as you know that it was all Croc then it's fine. Just leave this one to Luffy, he's gonna kick Croc's ass and win me a bet. Besides, it would be bad to expose yourselves here, right? This country will find salvation without your interference, so stay out of this one and keep your heads down. It's the smart play here."

Sabo thought about it for a moment. "I don't doubt him, but are you sure Luffy can win? This isn't some game we are playing anymore. The whole country's fate is in our hands." Kai was about to answer when the girl cut him off. "Why are you telling him everything, Sabo? He's a marine! Who even is he?" Sabo was about to respond but Kai beat him to it. "My apologies. I'm Kai, but call me Fujin when I wear the mask. I'm the one who gave uncle Dragon your little boyfriend here when he was a kid. I approve of you two by the way Pipe boy, you got my blessing." Sabo and Koala had a small blush on their faces hearing this.

"Anyway, you don't have to worry about me. I'm not gonna turn you in or anything. I actually would like to apologize. I would like to apologize for everything those bastard celestial dragons have been able to get away with. Even though I am a marine I can't help everyone with the government and those bastards watching over us. As for how I know Sabo. He's one of my best friends and I'm here with our other friend who is going to take down Crocodile and save the country." Kai said as he bowed his head in apology. He was truly sorry he couldn't do more at the moment.

Both Koala and Hack were hesitant. They looked at each other, before looking at Sabo. Who nodded his head indicating that Kai was telling the truth and was trustworthy. "Please raise your head then, Kai." Koala told Kai. The latter smiled and looked at Sabo. "Besides, even if Luffy somehow loses to Croc. We could just take him down together. Just like old times." Sabo just laughed at this. "Shehehe! You're right. Also, now that I'm looking at you. You look pretty beat up. What happened to you?"

"Wahahaha! I told Ace I knew who his dad was and he tried to kill me." Sabo just shook his head. "Why are you such an idiot all the time?"

"Oi! I'm not an idiot!" Kai shouted at Sabo. "So then, I guess Ace is already stronger than you, Airhead." Kai almost jumped out of his seat to smack Sabo. "Say that again prince charming! I dare you! I beat his ass, plus I was holding back!" Sabo's jaw widened. "I don't wanna hear that from a literal prince! Give me a go at you with Ace, just like in the past the two of us would totally take you down!"

"Keep dreaming Pipe boy! You and Daddy's boy don't stand a chance!" As Kai and Sabo were about to go down a rabbit hole Kai stopped himself. "Wow. Look at the time!" He flashed faster than Koala and Hack could see and grabbed Sabo by the collar. He put his mask back on and flashed to the door once again faster than the two who were still sitting could see. "We gotta go! Don't wanna be late! Sorry sis-in-law! I'm borrowing your husband for a bit! Don't worry about Croc, just sit back and enjoy the show!"

Kai disappeared with Sabo and went to the rainbase. "Hey Pipe boy, have you ever gambled?" Sabo nodded. "A few times on missions. I know the basics." Kai nodded. "Perfect. There is one more person I wanna bring, and the easiest way to meet them is at the casino."