SWNOVELXO Chapter 499: Chapter 13. Were You Calling For Me?
[V3] - Chapter 13. Were You Calling For Me?
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My name is Ace.
Portgas D. Ace.
Although on the surface I go by the name Portgas… in secret, I'm actually the child of the Pirate King, bearing what this vast sea calls the "sinful bloodline."
But I don't like that bastard father whom I've never even met.
My dream is to conquer this sea, become the new Pirate King, and take good care of my little brother Luffy!
That's my duty as an older brother, and also the promise I made with Sabo!
As for why my dream is to become the Pirate King…
I don't really know either.
Do I want it badly?
Not really as much as that brat Luffy does!
Maybe… it's just for revenge against that man who abandoned his wife and child!
He wants to prove to everyone on this sea that he—Portgas D. Ace—is Portgas D. Ace, not Gol D. Ace. That he can become Pirate King relying on his own strength!
He wants to prove himself!
Maybe… that's the reason!
Or maybe he just wants to be able to protect his little brother when Luffy sets out to sea three years later while keeping the promise he made with Sabo… to live freely on this vast sea!
Sabo—
He always yearned for freedom!
Today.
The sky darkened once again.
Ace's right hand was wrapped in bandages, his face also patched with them, as he stared ahead with a gloomy look.
How many times had he escaped?
He didn't even remember anymore. Anyway, after all these days… he had been beaten so many times that his injuries hadn't even healed yet.
You have to know—
Even that old man back then never beat him like this!
Suddenly, he felt this…
Emotional exhaustion!
Maybe he should just obediently work here for a while, say a year or so, and hopefully, that'd be enough to pay off his debts. After that… he could leave again.
Of course—
He knew—
That was impossible!
After all, his partners were still waiting for him to return!
Even though so many days had passed, and for some reason none of them had shown up, he believed… his partners were definitely waiting for him!
Waiting for him to come back!
To continue his own journey!
Ace's face was filled with determination. Even if his right hand couldn't move now, he still held a beer in one hand and leaned on a cane with the other.
Even like this—
He would never give up so easily!
But tonight—
"Everyone drink! Drink to your heart's content! The party begins!" Ace wore a cheerful smile and raised his beer high to everyone below.
Even if his leg was lame, even if his hand was broken—
As a pirate… parties must never be skipped!
When there's a feast, enjoy it to the fullest!
As for running away… well, that can wait until later!
"Keep dancing! Keep moving! Keep drinking!"
As he spoke—
It was as if all worries were gone, completely immersed in joy. Ace tossed aside the cane in his hand, jumped onto the table, and despite being wrapped in bandages, acted as if they didn't exist. His body seemed completely recovered, and he danced wildly with happiness.
The crowd went wild again!
Everyone cheered and shouted crazily, nonstop chanting Ace's name.
However—
At that moment—
Just as Ace was ready to forget his fatigue and fully enjoy himself tonight…
"Captain!"
A voice filled with disbelief and surprise rang out.
In an instant—
Ace froze slightly. Looking toward the entrance, the beer in his hand spilled out. He stared in shock at the doorway and cried out in surprise, "Deuce?!"
His own crew had finally come looking for him?
Only—
The mood right now felt… off!
"Keep dancing! Keep going, Ace!"
"Why'd you stop, Ace?!"
"Don't tell me… you're treating us to beer again today?!"
"…"
Sweat instantly broke out on Ace's forehead. Looking at his crewmate staring at him with a complicated expression, he hurriedly said, "I can explain, Deuce!"
"Shut up! I don't want to hear it!"
…
Walking along the rainy street, looking at the intelligence report on the East Blue in her hand—
Robin finally let out a sigh of relief.
At least for now… it looked like the operations in East Blue were going smoothly, everything progressing steadily. As for whether pirates might try to rob them—well, after seeing the news that Crocodile had been captured, those East Blue pirates probably wouldn't dare to act recklessly.
Also, although she didn't really want to admit it, she had to say… that so-called Yuto Milk Tea tasted pretty good.
Originally, she only liked drinking a cup of hot black tea, but unexpectedly, after trying that black tea cheese foam last time… it was actually quite good?!
Robin looked at the Yuto Milk Tea in her hand with a complicated expression, sighed, and shook her head. "With this, I should be able to make it to a permanent position, right?"
Wait, no!
What the hell!
When did she ever want to go permanent?!
She—
Nico Robin—
Her only dream now was to uncover that buried history!
Currently, she was only cooperating with the Yuto Group for the sake of the historical texts hidden in Alabasta.
Yes!
Cooperating in name only!
She is the Witch of Betrayal!
The Devil Child!
Sooner or later, she would betray that black-hearted, despicable, twisted, always-threatening con artist of a boss.
After mentally reaffirming her stance, Comrade Bin-chan nodded with satisfaction, then picked up that black tea cheese foam again and took a delighted sip.
There wasn't much going on in Alabasta at the moment. The only potential threat was the Spade Pirates.
But now… for some unknown reason, just like what had happened to Crocodile, the Spade Pirates' Captain seemed unable to use his powers. As for the rest of the crew… they were all currently working part-time for various companies under the Yuto Group, just to find their Captain.
And that Ace…
Apparently, after trying to escape so many times, he had quieted down over the past few days. It's just that recently, he's been hanging out at the dance hall every day drinking, and the debt he owed was only getting bigger.
Of course, based on her observations—
That guy definitely wasn't going to give up so easily.
Yesterday, he apparently had a surprise encounter with one of his crewmates, but it wasn't a big deal.
That Captain of the Spade Pirates wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.
Now, the only thing troubling her was the situation with Fish-Man Island…
Although that guy had said he would wait for contact from Fish-Man Island, for some reason, even after all this time, there had been no news from that side!
Could it be that new boss lied to her?
Just to make her fail the mission, then find a reason to deduct her salary? Just like last time… they clearly agreed on fifty million, but after she accepted the offer, she ended up just being an intern!
So despicable!
"Gulp gulp gulp~"
Noticing that her milk tea was already finished, Robin looked a bit surprised and frowned.
Why was it gone so fast?!
She hadn't even noticed!
If she hadn't seen how the milk tea was made with her own eyes, she might have started suspecting she was under the influence of some ability user—that's the only way she'd be so hooked by this stuff!
Sighing inwardly, she muttered, "That boss really does have some skills! At the very least… this milk tea isn't bad! But someday I'll quit it. No way I'm letting him make more money off me! I'll piss him off! This measly intern pay can't even afford more! Damn it!"
With a resentful tone, "I hope a Marine Admiral shows up and gives that black-hearted boss a good lesson!"
However—
Just as she finished speaking—
Suddenly—
A lazy voice came from in front of her: "Huh? Were you calling for me? Do you need any help?"
"?!"
That voice.
Robin's heart trembled instantly. She raised her head up and saw a man waving lazily in front of her. Her eyes widened in terror. The milk tea cup in her hand slipped and hit the ground with a smack.
Why is this guy here?!