Ace froze for a moment, clearly stunned. Out of habit, he apologized first.
"Hey… little girl, did I hurt you just now? If I did, I'm sorry."
"She's called Tuanzi," Logan said calmly. "She's my disciple. She's always been rude and fearless—don't take it to heart."
As he spoke, Logan lightly tapped Tuanzi on the head.
Tuanzi still puffed out her cheeks, glaring at Ace with lingering resentment.
Ace scratched his head, confused.
"What's wrong with her?"
"Relax," Logan chuckled. "You didn't hurt her. You just killed her prey."
Ace finally understood and looked at Tuanzi more carefully. Only then did he notice that her right hand was still gripping her blade tightly, refusing to sheath it.
This little girl… could she really have dealt with those bandits herself?
And Big Brother Logan was actually letting her fight?
Originally, Ace had been heading toward the port city to look for Luffy. While passing through this area, he noticed a group of bandits lying in ambush in the desert.
Since he wasn't in a hurry, he decided to wait and see what they were planning.
That was when he spotted a pair—a man and a child—slowly approaching from afar.
Ace's eyesight was sharp. Even from a distance, he noticed the white hair of the man walking in front.
White hair instantly made him think of his own big brother, Logan.
Subconsciously, he felt inclined to help.
The man ahead was walking slowly, with labored steps. From his aura alone, Ace could tell—this person was extremely weak, almost indistinguishable from an ordinary civilian.
But as they got closer, the man's face became clearer.
And in that instant, Ace's memories overlapped perfectly with reality.
That face—
It was Logan.
That was why the pillar of fire descended from the sky.
Seeing the doubt on Ace's face, Logan smiled faintly and explained,
"Don't underestimate her because she's young. She might not be able to handle the two Devil Fruit users who escaped—but against ordinary people, she's more than enough."
Ace could clearly sense Logan's aura up close.
It was incredibly weak—almost identical to that of a normal person.
So he instinctively changed the subject.
"Big Brother Logan… I remember Grandpa took you to Marine Headquarters when we were kids. Why are you here now?"
Logan gestured for them to walk as they talked.
"I left the Marines not long ago. I went to see Luffy—and Sabo too. And now, I've come to see you."
Ace's eyes widened instantly.
"Sabo?! He's alive?!"
"Yes," Logan said with a smile. "That kid has a tough life, but also a tough fate. After that accident at sea, he was saved by Luffy's father. Now he's the Revolutionary Army's second-in-command. Pretty impressive."
Ace let out a long breath.
"That's… that's really great."
"Luffy became a pirate too," Logan continued. "Just like you. He's gathered some amazing companions and is sailing the seas, chasing his dream."
With Ace joining them, their pace didn't speed up—in fact, it became even slower.
Tuanzi continued trudging along behind them, stubbornly carrying Town-Sea on her back. Every so often, she would glare at Ace's back and throw a few imaginary punches into the air to vent her frustration.
Meanwhile, Logan and Ace walked side by side at the front, talking endlessly.
Logan told Ace about Luffy and Sabo, about their childhood, and briefly summarized his own ten years at Marine Headquarters.
Ace talked about his journey after setting sail—being invited by Marine Headquarters, then joining Whitebeard's crew.
And when he spoke of Whitebeard, his entire expression lit up.
"Joining the Whitebeard Pirates," Ace said proudly, "is the greatest honor of my life."
"Whitebeard is the strongest man in the world," Logan agreed.
By now, the outline of the port city was visible in the distance, and the familiar scent of sea breeze reached them once more.
Ace frowned slightly.
"Big Brother Logan… your body. You're seriously injured, aren't you? Who did this? I'll make them regret it."
"I did it to myself," Logan said with a bitter smile.
"And trust me—I already regret it enough."
Ace laughed heartily.
"When we were kids fighting over territory, you were always the one protecting me, always giving in. Looks like it's finally my turn to protect you now."
"Deal," Logan replied, nodding with a smile.
They soon entered Naroha Port City.
Nearly all ships arriving in Alabasta docked here, making it one of the busiest and most prosperous places in the country.
After buying Tuanzi a new pair of shoes and a set of loose local clothing, she finally stopped looking like a wandering beggar.
She now resembled a bright, sharp-eyed little girl.
The three of them then entered the liveliest restaurant in town.
They ordered an entire table full of dishes.
And then—
They ate.
Fast.
Plates piled up like small mountains.
Restaurant staff and nearby customers stared in disbelief.
"Did they not eat for half a year?"
"That little girl eats more than most adults!"
The waiter eventually had no choice but to clear the empty plates midway—otherwise, there wouldn't have been any space left on the table.
By the time they finally finished, the restaurant had already rotated through at least three waves of customers.
Every plate was spotless.
Logan leaned back, patting his bloated stomach.
Then his expression suddenly turned solemn.
He looked straight at Ace, his tone slow and heavy, every word deliberate.
"Portgas D. Ace.
Listen carefully."
"There's something I'm about to say that you won't be able to understand right now.
And I won't be able to fully explain it to you either."
Ace stiffened.
In all his memories, Logan had never spoken to him in this tone—nor had he ever called him by his full name.
Ace's expression changed instantly.
He knew—what came next was something extremely important.
Logan spoke slowly.
"I know you're currently hunting Marshall D. Teach—Blackbeard.
And I know you're strong."
"But—"
He emphasized every word.
"Do not go after him.
Do not go after him.
Do not go after him."
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