One Piece : Marine of the Straw Hat Pirates

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"No... Teach, I will definitely capture him for betraying the Whitebeard Pirates!"

Ace refused without hesitation, confidently asserting that he could defeat Teach.

What Ace didn't know, however, was that Teach had already consumed the Dark-Dark Fruit, one of the most dangerous Devil Fruits in existence. Teach's true strength was an enigma, and his ability to scar even a Yonko like Red-Haired Shanks was a testament to his cunning and power.

"Hehe... I believe in Ace!" Luffy chimed in, trying to reassure Ikki. "Ace is really strong!"

Ikki: ...

Ikki knew there was no convincing Ace to abandon his reckless mission. Looking around, he noticed Sabo standing quietly behind Ace, ready to see him off.

"Hey, Ace," Ikki called out, "don't you want Sabo to regain his memory?"

Ace froze mid-step. The mention of Sabo's memories struck a chord.

"Do you think you can help Sabo remember everything?" Ace asked, his voice tinged with excitement.

To Ace, the memories of Sabo and Luffy were some of his most cherished treasures. Restoring those memories would mean the world to him.

"Huh? Sabo didn't tell you that I could help him recover his memories?" Ikki asked, puzzled.

Sabo shook his head. "I haven't mentioned it yet."

Realizing this, Ikki quickly turned back to Ace. "If you want Sabo to regain his memories, you'll need to stick with the Straw Hats for a while. Both you and Luffy are crucial to helping him remember!"

Ace hesitated. On one hand, he had his duty to the Whitebeard Pirates and his mission to confront Blackbeard. On the other, he couldn't abandon his brother when he might be able to help him recover something so precious.

After a moment's thought, Ace made his decision. He agreed to stay, reasoning that he could resume his hunt for Blackbeard once Sabo's memories returned. Being present when his brother regained his past felt far more important in the moment.

With Ace's agreement, Ikki nodded, satisfied.

Sabo, too, realized that he would be staying in Alabasta for the time being, at least until his memories were restored.

Later, after Ikki and the others had departed with Smoker, Sabo began to ask Nami and the others about the private Marine system.

He was especially curious about how Luffy, despite flying the Jolly Roger, had managed to maintain such a cooperative relationship with the Marines. The arrangement seemed almost surreal to him.

Nami explained the story of how the Straw Hats became a private Marine crew, detailing their various exploits and the benefits of the unique system.

As Sabo listened, his eyes lit up with interest.

A private Marine, as Nami explained, was neither part of the official Marine organization nor under the jurisdiction of the World Government. They also weren't traditional pirates. Instead, they functioned as a recognized non-governmental force with the Marines' approval.

Private Marines could enforce their own brand of justice and operate freely across the seas, provided they didn't directly oppose the World Government. The system sounded a lot like an officially sanctioned Revolutionary Army, offering freedom while still granting some legitimacy.

Sabo smirked at the potential. "So, what happens if you run into the World Government?"

Nami chuckled. "Simple. Just don't pick a fight with them."

Sabo understood immediately. Once Luffy and Ikki returned, this private Marine crew was bound to grow stronger, a force that could shift the tides of power on the seas. And with Marine support, their influence could become a significant counterbalance in the chaotic world ahead.

The Revolutionary Army had many former Marine officers among its ranks, giving them deep insight into the inner workings of the Marines. Sabo could already guess why the Marines were creating a private Marine force.

It was, in essence, a solution to a significant problem. With the establishment of private Marines, the Marines would no longer lose large portions of their power to disillusionment or defection.

Thinking this through, Sabo concluded that both the private Marines and the Revolutionary Army needed to get involved in this new development.

Without delay, Sabo pulled out his Den Den Mushi and called Dragon. He relayed everything that had happened recently: his reunion with Luffy and Ace, the discovery of the Ancient Weapon Pluton, Nico Robin joining the Straw Hats, and Luffy's impending visit to Marine Headquarters.

He also explained the emergence of the private Marine system and the rationale behind it.

Dragon, listening on the other end, was surprised by the series of events. He hadn't expected the child he had rescued and taken in as his disciple to turn out to be his son's sworn brother. That realization left him momentarily speechless.

"Maybe this is fate," Dragon finally said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

The news about the private Marines made Dragon shake his head. He couldn't help but chuckle at his father's eccentricity. Only someone like Garp could stir up chaos on such a scale and, in the process, create an entirely new dynamic in the world.

Still, Dragon and Sabo both agreed that the Revolutionary Army couldn't ignore this development. The private Marines would be a new force on the seas, and if guided correctly, they could be an asset to the revolution.

Dragon already had the perfect candidate in mind to represent the Revolutionary Army within the private Marines—Sabo.

The reasons were clear:

Sabo and Luffy were brothers, and their bond would ensure trust. Nico Robin, a critical figure in the Revolutionary Army's plans, had joined the Straw Hats, and Sabo could protect her. Sabo needed to stay close to Luffy and Ace while recovering from his amnesia.

After hearing Dragon's suggestion, Sabo didn't object. He remained a revolutionary at heart, no matter where he went. Even if he joined the private Marines temporarily, his goal of fighting for the masses and creating a better world wouldn't change.

Elsewhere...

Ikki and the others finally boarded Smoker's warship.

As they prepared to depart, Tashigi and a group of Marines escorted Crocodile and Mr. 1 aboard.

Ultimately, Mr. 1 had declined Smoker's offer to join the Marines, choosing instead to accompany his boss, Crocodile, to Impel Down.

Most of the senior Baroque Works agents, however, had opted to switch sides. Aside from Mr. 2 and Mr. 1, the rest donned Marine uniforms and became part of the Marine Corps.

Crocodile sneered when he spotted Luffy on the ship. "Haha... Straw Hat boy, it's your honor to be caught alongside me!"

Luffy blinked, pointing to himself in confusion. "Huh? Are you talking about me?"

Crocodile: ...

It was then that Crocodile noticed something unusual. Neither Luffy nor the others had seastone handcuffs on.

"Hey... Smoker!" Crocodile said coldly, glaring at the Marine. "Are you discriminating against us? Why haven't you slapped seastone cuffs on this Straw Hat brat?"

Mr. 1 chimed in, his tone as sharp as his blade. "And that swordsman!"

Without missing a beat, Smoker tossed a lit cigar toward Crocodile. "They're different from you," he said simply. "They don't need handcuffs."

Luffy, oblivious to the tension, turned to Conan. "Let's go explore the ship!" he said enthusiastically.

Without waiting for a response, he grabbed Conan and dashed off toward the warship's interior.

Crocodile stood there, dumbfounded, watching the Straw Hat captain's carefree behavior.

Smoker, seemingly reading Crocodile's thoughts, waved dismissively. "You're different."

Hearing this, Ikki suddenly started singing:

"We are different,

Everyone has their own circumstances.

We are here,

Waiting for you here.

We are different,

Though we experience different things.

We all hope,

We'll meet again in the next life..."

Crocodile: ...