The Days of Being the Richest Man in the Ninja World

[V3] - Chapter 45. Even Better Than Home

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"Ace~ You've been doing pretty well lately!"

"Not bad, Foreman!"

"In a while, Headquarters will be relocating. There'll be more opportunities over there. The higher-ups sent word that they'll be specially promoting a batch of cadres! You've performed quite well these past few months, so I'm planning to put your name forward! How about it—want to give it a try? If you're up for it, I'll help submit your application tonight!"

"…Thanks! I… I'll think about it!"

Whenever he thought about what the foreman had said that morning, Ace's face filled with melancholy.

He.

Portgas D. Ace.

The man who had inherited the blood of the world's greatest evil.

Although he deeply resented that man, no matter how he tried to deny it, his hateful father was the Pirate King who had once conquered the seas, and his grandfather was a Marine hero. He'd been raised by bandits since childhood, and his dream had always been to prove himself… to show he was stronger than that irresponsible father!

Given his identity and background…

His future would either be to set sail and become a pirate in pursuit of freedom, or to follow the old man and become a Marine catching pirates. And even if things went worse… he could at least become the Bandit King, right~

However.

He.

Really… never would have thought!

That in the end, he'd wind up working shifts in a factory.

His future dream…

Surely it couldn't be to become the Worker King, right~

Ace could already picture it… the day his younger brother found out that his big brother was working a factory job, he'd definitely be laughing his head off without the slightest restraint!

After chugging down a huge gulp of booze in frustration, he glanced at the companions who'd ended up here with him.

Once, they'd been the Supernovas of the East Blue… the Spade Pirates, but now they'd practically become the Alabasta Spade Workers Group!

The sea.

After all this time…

Their name probably wasn't even circulating anymore!

"We can't go on like this!" Ace said seriously, looking at his crewmates beside him. "Remember, we're pirates who yearn for freedom. We set sail to become the new Pirate King—that's how our dream began! So we have to find a way to escape!"

As soon as he finished speaking—

Beside him, Deuce lowered the book in his hands… [The Tale of Ninja Perseverance]!

This was a novel that had recently appeared in Alabasta, and in just a few short days, it had swept across the entire kingdom!

The author's name was [Toad Sage]. Even Deuce, who himself dreamed of writing an incredible ocean adventure novel, had never heard of him before.

But without question… the book's exquisite writing style, its subtle seductiveness, and its passionate pace all proved it was an absolutely fantastic novel!

It had already transcended the traditional "ocean adventure" genre, telling the story of a so-called ninja seeking revenge for his family, who, with the help of the Ninja World's divine old man, ultimately became a mighty force.

From the very first page, Deuce's heart had been struck with shock. So novels could be written like this?!

This was practically the founding of a brand-new genre!

Although he'd never heard of this [Toad Sage], the man was undoubtedly an incredibly talented literary giant!

Previously, after getting beaten up repeatedly for trying to escape, Deuce had been exhausted and had nearly forgotten the dreams that had once driven him to set sail. But after reading this book…

He.

Masked Deuce.

He had once again remembered the dream he once held!

"For the sake of achieving my dream… for writing the greatest novel ever!" Deuce gazed deeply at the book in his hands. "We have to keep adventuring!"

Moreover.

Only by sailing out to sea…

might he have the chance to meet this mysterious literary master in person!

As soon as his words fell—

With that determined tone, and those eyes that refused ever to give up on their dreams…

All the crew members nearby froze.

At that moment.

Looking into Deuce's eyes, the crew who had been savoring their beer fell silent, their hearts quivering slightly.

Dreams… huh?

That's right!

They still had dreams!

One by one, images of their past dreams flashed through their minds once again.

Everyone's faces showed a self-mocking smile.

Who would have thought…

They…

Now had actually ended up forgetting their dreams… all because of getting beaten up a few times, because of a stable job, because they could have a drink every evening after work, because of generous paychecks…

They'd forgotten their dreams?!

Just like Deuce said.

He had set sail to write the greatest novel ever!

And them?

They too had each possessed their own dreams. They'd been inspired by Ace's burning spirit—that was why they'd chosen to follow Ace out to sea, to pursue those dreams together.

So how could they possibly go on living a life of 9-to-5, with two days off every week, overtime pay for extra hours, holiday bonuses, and even employee discounts on drinks after work?!

This wasn't the life they wanted!

Absolutely not!

The Yuto Group was clearly… deliberately wearing down their fighting spirit!

So.

"For the sake of our dreams!"

They absolutely could not let themselves sink into this soft, cozy comfort!

No one knew who it was that suddenly raised their glass, as if mustering all their strength, and shouted out loud. In an instant, the hearts of all the crew members began beating once more for their dreams. They raised their glasses high, faces serious, and likewise shouted out in unison.

In that moment.

The entire bar.

Everyone turned their heads to look at this little group.

It was already break time!

But those factory and shop workers were really this full of fighting spirit~

Even after work hours, they wouldn't let up!

Were they hyped up on chicken blood or something?!

People couldn't help but sigh inwardly: "Ah… youth really is great!"

Probably in a few more years, these dream-chasing youngsters would definitely get promoted and earn higher salaries!

And seeing the Spade Pirates coming back to life, Ace's once-melancholy face now showed a bright, hearty smile again. Filled with passion, he likewise raised his own glass high. "Alright! That's what I expect from my crew! Let's give it our all together!"

Spade Pirates!

Let's go!

Leave this damned place.

And once again prove themselves to this great sea!

"Later I'm going to tell that foreman, that I, Ace! Portgas D. Ace! am a man who's going to become the Pirate King!" Ace's whole body trembled as he spoke, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. The aura of the Spade Pirates' Captain once again radiated from him as he lowered the brim of his cowboy hat. The words Yuto Group on the green work uniform he wore suddenly seemed dull and faded beneath the dazzling bar lights. "How can I just keep staying here?"

As soon as the words fell—

Seeing their Captain reborn again, all the crew of the Spade Pirates once more burst into cheers. Even Deuce, standing to the side, showed a look of comfort and pride as he gazed at his Captain and the crew before him.

They were…

Always infected by Ace's unwavering persistence.

And it was precisely as Ace's crewmates that they had followed him out to sea together!

Their current work in Alabasta… was just another obstacle faced by the Spade Pirates.

They.

The Spade Pirates.

Would continue their own journey!

Deuce, watching the Captain and crew launch into yet another Spade Pirates party, likewise lifted his glass and took a big gulp.

Then.

He carefully put away his treasured novel, turned around, and picked up a nearby newspaper from the bar.

It seemed that ever since they'd started working, it had been quite a while since he'd read the papers. And the Boss of the Yuto Group… who knew where he'd disappeared to these past few days, since he hadn't shown up again!

Maybe… their chance to escape was coming around again?

Without disturbing the party, he quietly sipped his drink while reading the newspaper.

At that moment.

Having regained his confidence and dreams, Ace once again leapt onto the table, grasping a freshly refilled glass of booze, lifting it high once more, and shouted loudly: "Let's keep chasing our dreams!"

When he finished.

Under the crew's cheering.

Gulp gulp gulp!

He downed the entire glass in one go, then belched loudly, a goofy grin spreading across his face. "They even tried to use a promotion to make me stay here! I, Ace! Even if I die—die right here from overwork—there's no way I'm going to be a wage slave!"

As soon as the words fell—

"That's right! Working's impossible, absolutely impossible to work in this lifetime!"

All the crew burst into cheers once again!

Just as they were reigniting their dreams, ready to start planning another escape, waiting for the right moment to sail out and continue their journey—

Suddenly.

From the side.

Deuce, who had just been the one to inspire them to reclaim their dreams, suddenly twitched at the corner of his mouth, then hesitated for a moment, and said: "Actually… working is pretty good. The pay's stable, there's food and housing provided, and you don't have to take risks! The Yuto Group is also a very promising company. How about… we just stay here and keep working? Really!"

He looked earnestly at the stunned Captain and crew. "Working at the Yuto Group feels just like going home. Being there feels even better than being at home! Everyone there is talented, they all talk so nicely, and I absolutely love it there! Let's all just stay and work here together!"

"???"

What the hell is this guy talking about?!

Weren't you just saying we absolutely couldn't forget our dreams?!