One Piece: Conquering Wanokuni at Start

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Sabo held the newspaper in his trembling hands, his face turning pale as the weight of its contents struck him like a hammer. He instinctively staggered back a few steps, the shock rendering him speechless for a moment.

The memories of his past, triggered by Ace's death, flooded his mind once again. While he was grateful to have regained his memories and could recall the joy of their time together, the pain of Ace's loss remained the greatest regret in his heart. 

Meeting Luffy had helped ease that sorrow somewhat, but now, reading about the potential annihilation of the Whitebeard Pirates—Ace's family—rekindled the fire of his anger and despair. 

Luffy, noticing the sudden shift in Sabo's expression, frowned in confusion. His thoughts raced back to the stories his crew had shared about Whitebeard's remnants.

Unable to contain himself, he shouted, "Hey, Hughes! What happened to Uncle Whitebeard and his crew? Did something happen?! Tell me!" 

Hughes glanced at Luffy, his tone serious as he relayed the grim details from the newspaper without holding anything back. 

As the truth sunk in, Luffy's fists clenched tightly, and he roared with fury, "Damn it!!! That bastard Blackbeard Teach again—and some Flying Admiral too?! What the hell is going on?!" 

Like Sabo, Luffy's emotions surged uncontrollably. The pain of losing Ace—his brother and one of his greatest inspirations—was still raw. Hearing that Ace's crew, the Whitebeard Pirates, were in danger stirred those emotions back to the surface. 

Both brothers, in their own way, knew the significance of Ace's decision to join Whitebeard's crew. It wasn't just about finding a family—it was about living a dream that Ace had chosen over his own ambitions. That sacrifice had left a deep impression on both Sabo and Luffy. 

To them, the Whitebeard Pirates were more than just a crew; they were a cherished reminder of Ace. Alongside the Flame-Flame Fruit, they represented everything Ace had fought and died for. 

"These two bastards… I'll take them both down one day!" Luffy yelled, his voice filled with emotion and resolve. 

The targets of his rage were clear. Blackbeard, the man who had orchestrated Ace's death, was one. The other, this mysterious Flying Amdiral, had now endangered the people Ace had called his family. Luffy's anger was rare but fierce, his usual carefree demeanor replaced with a deep hatred born of loss and loyalty. 

It was a sight that made even those closest to him pause. For someone as easygoing and lighthearted as Luffy to show such burning anger, the weight of his brother's memory and the bonds they shared were evident. 

Sabo, standing silently nearby, knew all too well what Luffy was feeling. As their father, Monkey D. Dragon, had once told him: only when a person experiences profound loss and understanding can they truly grow.

Hughes observed the furious Luffy and couldn't help but recall Dragon's words about growth. He decided against trying to comfort or persuade him.

Growth often comes from life's trials, and Hughes wasn't sure what circumstances would finally forge Luffy into the man his father believed he could become. 

But as Luffy's anger flared, Hughes felt his own frustration simmer. Whether it was Blackbeard Teach, whose fate remained uncertain, or the Flying Admiral, the current dominant power in the world, Hughes couldn't help but share Luffy's hostility. 

Sabo, however, knew better. As the Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army, he was painfully aware of the delicate relationship between their forces and the Sky Kingdom. Suppressing his own anger, Sabo knew that openly expressing hostility here could jeopardize their plans. 

"Calm down, Luffy," Sabo said. 

Luffy gritted his teeth, his fiery expression refusing to cool despite his brother's plea. "Why?! Sabo! These are the people Ace cared about—his family!" 

Sabo opened his mouth, ready to explain, but before he could speak, a sharp, cold voice interrupted from nearby. 

"That's because the Sky Kingdom and the Revolutionary Army have a certain cooperative relationship, and your loud hostility could ruin everything we've worked for." 

The voice belonged to Belo Betty, Commander of the Eastern Army of the Revolutionary Army. She stepped into view, her red top hat tilted at an angle, her open jacket revealing two big reasons to remember her *cough*, and a cigarette perched between her lips. 

Among the Revolutionary Army's leaders, the alliance with the Sky Kingdom wasn't a secret. To Betty, Luffy's outburst—despite being the son of their leader—was a threat to their cause. Direct as always, she saw no reason to soften her words. 

Sabo let out a weary sigh, his earlier plan to carefully explain dashed by Betty's straightforwardness. It wasn't surprising, given her personality, but now the situation was bound to escalate. 

As expected, Luffy's face twisted in frustration, and his voice rose once more. "Sabo! Why would your organization work with people like that?!" 

Sabo hesitated, searching for the right words, but Koala, who had appeared alongside Betty, stepped in to ease the tension. "Because both the Flying Admiral and the Revolutionary Army share a common enemy," she said gently. 

Betty, less patient, blew a puff of smoke and fixed Luffy with an unflinching gaze. "Exactly. And as the son of the leader, you should understand the Revolutionary Army's ideals by now. Think about everything you've seen here—the lives we're fighting to protect, the sacrifices being made. You need to learn where true justice lies." 

Luffy fell silent, his head lowering. Though impulsive, Luffy wasn't ignorant. He understood the weight of Betty's words, even if he didn't like them. 

Sabo took a step forward, his voice softer now. "Sorry, Luffy… but as the Revolutionary Army, we have our own goals to achieve. I wish there was another way." 

Without replying, Luffy clenched his fists, turned abruptly, and ran out of the room. 

"Hey! Where do you think you're going?!" Hughes shouted, quickly following after him. 

Betty scowled, assuming Luffy's sudden departure was an act of defiance. "That brat—if he jeopardizes our revolution, I don't care if he's Dragon's son, I'll deal with him myself!" she snapped. 

Turning her gaze to Sabo, she added sharply, "Sabo, don't forget who you are now. You're carrying the hopes of countless people. Don't let personal ties cloud your judgment." 

The tension in the air grew heavier, but Koala stepped in to diffuse it, placing a reassuring hand on Betty's shoulder. "Sister Betty, Sabo knows. That's why he's risen to become Chief of Staff. He'll handle this—and as a big brother, he'll find a way to convince Luffy." 

Betty sighed, taking another drag from her cigarette but saying nothing more. 

Sabo's expression grew solemn as Koala's words hung in the air. He nodded, his resolve clear. 

But deep inside, Sabo knew one thing for certain: no matter what, he would never allow himself to experience the pain of losing a brother again.