Time flowed on, and people returned to their usual lives.
The World Government's inspection period had ended, and trash was once again being dumped from the kingdom's back gate.
The trash mountain reverted to its former state, and the vagrants living on it would soon reappear… "Rubber… Rubber… Pistol!"
In front of the Dadan family home, Luffy and Ace sparred as usual. Luffy charged up a rubber punch, its range much longer than before, but he couldn't control it. The recoil made him spin like a top.
Ace laughed without restraint, and the two began to argue again.
"Alright, alright, Luffy's just not used to it yet."
"It's our turn to have a showdown, Ace."
Normally, Sabo would step in to mediate at this point.
But when Luffy and Ace turned their heads, they only saw Bai Yun.
"I know you miss Sabo, but it hurts me to see those expressions on your faces."
Bai Yun said with a wry smile.
"No, Bai Yun, I just suddenly realized how gentle Sabo really is as an older brother."
Ace, standing nearby, bristled.
"What do you mean?! Do you think I'm fierce?!"
"What do you think?!"
They started arguing again. Bai Yun shook his head. "Alright, it's lunchtime."
"How about we have a hunting competition? We'll meet back here in half an hour."
"Alright! I'm definitely going to win!" x2
Luffy and Ace showed surprising teamwork in this regard.
"Then I'll go right. You two decide if you want to go together or split up."
With that, Bai Yun walked off to the right.
Ace and Luffy exchanged glances. "Let's go together. I don't trust you to be alone, you're so weak."
Ace still cared about Luffy, he just had a tough exterior.
"Who's weak?!"
"Alright then, the first beast we encounter, I'll deal with it myself! Don't help me!"
Even at such a young age, he got excited when provoked, though the adult Luffy didn't change much... On Bai Yun's side, he leisurely strolled along the path. After a while, he saw four wild rabbits grazing under a tree: one large one and three small ones.
Bai Yun shook his head. Bunnies are so cute… Should I braise them or steam them!
He instantly raised his hand, a flintlock pistol already in it. Bai Yun didn't even aim, just fired two quick shots.
Bang! Bang!
Two shots, accurately hitting the large rabbit and one of the smaller ones.
Bai Yun knew his physical strength wasn't great. While Ace and Luffy trained their bodies relentlessly, he chose to hone his skills, especially marksmanship, which required less brute force than other things.
With two hits, the other two small rabbits scattered in fear. Now he had to aim.
But just as Bai Yun raised his gun, the two frightened rabbits simultaneously crashed into a tree trunk and died.
Bai Yun paused, lowered his gun, and as it dropped, it transformed back into a bracelet.
"Good luck."
He walked over and picked up the four rabbits.
"A family should stay together. I'll cook you all in one pot later."
…Humming a tune, Bai Yun returned to the meeting spot. Just as he was about to sit down and rest, he heard a loud shout.
"Luffy!"
It was Ace's voice, filled with panic.
"What the hell happened now?!"
Bai Yun immediately ran in the direction of the sound, only to meet Ace carrying Luffy on his back halfway.
Blood flowed from Luffy's chest onto Ace's back, then down Ace's back to the ground.
Bai Yun was startled!
Seeing Bai Yun, Ace's racing heart calmed slightly, but he still couldn't speak clearly.
"Bai Yun… I… Luffy… Bear!!"
Bai Yun immediately went over and set Luffy down. "Alright, calm down, Ace, it's okay!"
…Back at the Dadan family home, Bai Yun had already applied medicine to Luffy, stopped the bleeding, and bandaged him. But the injury was quite severe; Luffy would likely be bedridden for a few days.
Ace squatted by the door, his head buried between his knees, tears streaming down his face as he continuously mumbled, "Luffy, I'm sorry…"
Bai Yun stood up, about to go comfort him and tell him not to blame himself, but Ace suddenly shot up and ran out of the house.
"Ace, where are you going?!"
"Magra, please take care of Luffy."
Seeing that Ace ignored him, Bai Yun asked Magra to look after Luffy, then stood up and chased after him… Following Ace, Bai Yun tracked him over Mount Colubo and into Windmill Village.
Just as Ace was about to burst into Makino's bar, he suddenly stopped and knocked on the door.
Makino came out of the house.
"Ace?"
"Is there something you need me for?"
…"How to greet someone?"
"Because I'm Luffy and Bai Yun's older brother, I'll have to greet that Red-Haired captain who took care of them someday. It's only right."
Ace replied.
Makino squatted down, a knowing and relieved adult smile on her face. She knew Ace wanted to learn how to be a good older brother and take on that responsibility.
"Hahaha, so that's why you're here, Ace."
Bai Yun walked up from behind, laughing.
"Then please teach this impolite brat, Ace, some manners, Makino."
"What do you mean, Bai Yun! I'm older than you, I'm the older brother."
Ace retorted, bristling.
"Yes, yes, yes. Then let me rephrase: please teach me and Luffy's impolite older brother some etiquette."
"Does that work, Brother Ace?"
Ace blushed. "Whatever you want!"
Makino watched the two of them and couldn't help but laugh out loud. Ace and Bai Yun turned their gaze to her.
"Hehehe, I'm sorry…"
"So, first…"
...
A/N: The journey continues! If you're eager to read far ahead and support this story, consider joining the Eternal Phoenix community. You can find me on Patreon by searching for "Eternal_Phoenix".
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