[He needs to find one of those updated bounty posters...]
That's just how you do things. You take on someone hard, and you figure stuff out as you go. If you were weak, you wouldn't make it with that strategy. But you're you, so you always come out okay.
Yeah. Especially here. Can you imagine if you got an even bigger group together? No one would have a chance. Not that they do anyway.
[Ace knows better. There's always a bigger fish. But he doesn't want to think about it right now. And he doesn't want to think about the chance of problems happening on what should be a happy day of celebration.] I have a bounty again. People know I'm back. I don't think that it's going to be an issue, as long as we keep it quiet and just for friends and family. But I had a run in a couple weeks ago, so I'm not gonna pretend that people wouldn't make things an issue if they found out about it. [A group of that many wanted people in one group? They'd be a fantastic target.]
[But this isn't the only time he's found himself in a run in with the Marines here. He ignorantly, or perhaps just hopefully, thought that death was enough and that the price of his sins had been paid. It's not the case though. And even now, the World Government wants him gone.] I'm strong, and I guess they didn't think that I still had my flames. So it wasn't that big of a deal. [But it was. And each time it's a clear reminder that things will never be enough, and unless he dies again this won't end. But now, he has so much more to live for. He's closer than ever to Luffy, he's in love and happy, and he's made friends that are important to him. So it's worth it to keep going.] They're so damn annoying.
[A childish protest, and one that even Luffy himself recognizes as impotent. He doesn't understand all the politics behind the government's deep rage toward Ace, but he knows enough -- has to, considering that he's placed himself in the footsteps of the man who truly ignited that fury.
It's still unfair that it's Ace who's wound up the target, when he didn't ask to be anyone's son or make any decision to do that. And the newer, more mature Luffy who has begun to peek out over the past two years can't stand unfairness when he finds it.]
They need bigger things to worry about.
[His tone says and I will give them those things.]
I wish it was that easy. But we both know better. [He sighs.] They can try all the want, but this time I'm not alone. [He doesn't go far from a TRAVERSE point now, he refuses to be careless about things. He always keeps a quick escape in the options. He hates the idea of running from a fight, but if that fight leads to his end? It's not worth the pride issues to keep going at it.] I'm not gonna get caught again, okay? So you don't have to worry about anything.
[Ace knows that they won't give up. That his days are probably numbered. But he won't give up or give in. He's got too much to live for to wallow in fear for the rest of his days. ] Don't do anything stupid, okay? I know you're strong as hell. You can handle yourself. But some people are out of both of our weight classes. [And if Luffy dies Ace might not be able to handle the loss.]
Okay. I'll be collecting all your bounty posters as they're updated. I wanna see how far you go.
[He's going to be half-worried sick and half ecstatic with every exploit Luffy attempts and succeeds at. Ace isn't quite as ignorant about his own mortality now. Or anyone else's. But he also loves seeing how strong his brother is, and what he's able to succeed at. Luffy really is amazing.
He's glad for the subject change though.] We're gonna grab a great summer island beach and party there. That's the plan, anyway.
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Date: 4 Jul 2019 20:54 (UTC)no subject
Date: 5 Jul 2019 01:45 (UTC)Oh! He was... uh. The big guy. [Give him a second, he's bad with long names.] Ka... Kakura? No, Katakuri, that was it! Katakuri.
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Date: 5 Jul 2019 03:00 (UTC)[Just how strong has Luffy become?]
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Date: 8 Jul 2019 02:13 (UTC)It was pretty hard! His haki is really good. But I figured out some new stuff while I was fighting him.
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Date: 8 Jul 2019 04:40 (UTC)That's just how you do things. You take on someone hard, and you figure stuff out as you go. If you were weak, you wouldn't make it with that strategy. But you're you, so you always come out okay.
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Date: 8 Jul 2019 22:06 (UTC)That's right! It's why my crew's all full of strong people too. No one can stop us.
[Kuma sort of did, for a little while anyway. But let's not talk about that.
Luffy goes quiet for a minute, gears turning in his head.]
... Hey, Ace? No one's gonna try and make a problem at your wedding or anything, right?
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Date: 8 Jul 2019 22:24 (UTC)[Ace knows better. There's always a bigger fish. But he doesn't want to think about it right now. And he doesn't want to think about the chance of problems happening on what should be a happy day of celebration.] I have a bounty again. People know I'm back. I don't think that it's going to be an issue, as long as we keep it quiet and just for friends and family. But I had a run in a couple weeks ago, so I'm not gonna pretend that people wouldn't make things an issue if they found out about it. [A group of that many wanted people in one group? They'd be a fantastic target.]
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Date: 10 Jul 2019 02:23 (UTC)A run in? How bad was it? Who was there?
[If he has to tear apart another whole island for Ace, he will -- in a heartbeat.]
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Date: 10 Jul 2019 05:16 (UTC)[But this isn't the only time he's found himself in a run in with the Marines here. He ignorantly, or perhaps just hopefully, thought that death was enough and that the price of his sins had been paid. It's not the case though. And even now, the World Government wants him gone.] I'm strong, and I guess they didn't think that I still had my flames. So it wasn't that big of a deal. [But it was. And each time it's a clear reminder that things will never be enough, and unless he dies again this won't end. But now, he has so much more to live for. He's closer than ever to Luffy, he's in love and happy, and he's made friends that are important to him. So it's worth it to keep going.] They're so damn annoying.
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Date: 16 Jul 2019 12:24 (UTC)[A childish protest, and one that even Luffy himself recognizes as impotent. He doesn't understand all the politics behind the government's deep rage toward Ace, but he knows enough -- has to, considering that he's placed himself in the footsteps of the man who truly ignited that fury.
It's still unfair that it's Ace who's wound up the target, when he didn't ask to be anyone's son or make any decision to do that. And the newer, more mature Luffy who has begun to peek out over the past two years can't stand unfairness when he finds it.]
They need bigger things to worry about.
[His tone says and I will give them those things.]
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Date: 16 Jul 2019 16:56 (UTC)[Ace knows that they won't give up. That his days are probably numbered. But he won't give up or give in. He's got too much to live for to wallow in fear for the rest of his days. ] Don't do anything stupid, okay? I know you're strong as hell. You can handle yourself. But some people are out of both of our weight classes. [And if Luffy dies Ace might not be able to handle the loss.]
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Date: 16 Jul 2019 17:13 (UTC)[Probably.
But that gives him an idea, one that isn't quite ready to go into words, but he likes it a lot. ]
Hey, Ace, do you know where you're gonna have your wedding? Like, are you gonna pick an island or be out at sea?
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Date: 16 Jul 2019 17:48 (UTC)[He's going to be half-worried sick and half ecstatic with every exploit Luffy attempts and succeeds at. Ace isn't quite as ignorant about his own mortality now. Or anyone else's. But he also loves seeing how strong his brother is, and what he's able to succeed at. Luffy really is amazing.
He's glad for the subject change though.] We're gonna grab a great summer island beach and party there. That's the plan, anyway.
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Date: 17 Jul 2019 11:33 (UTC)[And so he can put his little idea into motion.]
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Date: 17 Jul 2019 17:32 (UTC)[It's not going to be good on any Marine that might find the site. There won't be any mercy for anyone who tries to ruin this day.]
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Date: 18 Jul 2019 01:08 (UTC)[This is what Ace deserves -- life, happiness, all good things.]
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Date: 18 Jul 2019 03:09 (UTC)[And these good things include Luffy. He's so happy now that he's closer to his brother than he's honestly ever been.]