Chapitre 22: Chapter 22
Before the sun had risen, Ace snuck away from the royal palace. After last night's party, the Straw Hats were still asleep, as were most of the guards. Just to be safe, he made his way around back, clambering down the rear walls.
The white stone was almost perfectly smooth, but his agility was like a monkey's. It wasn't long before he reached the bottom. Glancing around surreptitiously, he was about to disappear into an alleyway when someone cleared their throat.
He turned his head, spotting Jack leaning against a building. Ace chuckled, adjusting his wide-brimmed hat.
"It seems I'm getting predictable. I'll have to work on it."
Jack didn't reply immediately. He just stared at Ace, his gaze slightly distant.
"…I know you won't listen to me."
Ace nodded.
"Then that makes this easier. Give those guys my best wishes. And tell Luffy… he did a great job. I'll be on my way now."
He made to leave, but Jack stuck out his arm, blocking the path.
Ace raised an eyebrow.
"What, you want a rematch?"
Jack shook his head.
"Why are you trying to catch Blackbeard alone? Can't your crew spare reinforcements?"
Ace was silent. Then he huffed, adjusting his pack.
"Teach was part of the Whitebeard pirates for a long time. I got somewhat of an idea… how strong he is."
Jack nodded slowly.
"You mean your observation?"
"That's right."
"Then it makes even less sense."
Ace yawned. He looked pretty tired, probably from getting up so early.
"Would you be willing to let your crew fight someone like Teach?"
Jack thought about it for a moment.
"…so that's what's going on. You're right, I wouldn't, but if someone was that tough, I wouldn't fight them either."
Smirking, Ace pointed at his chest.
"That's the difference between us."
"What are you trying to say? I don't see that as brave. Just stupid."
"Jeez, you really don't have much confidence in me. Didn't you see how strong I am? As long as I win, everything'll be fine."
Jack pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Do you at least have a plan?"
"…what do you mean? I'll just beat them up."
"I have no words. Do you even know what their powers are?"
Ace rubbed his chin.
"Teach's crew? Not really."
"…"
Silence stretched between them. It was a while before Jack exhaled, resolve slowly appearing in his eyes.
"You're not taking it seriously at all. No, maybe this is just how you are. Then there's only one way…"
He grunted, jerking a thumb over his shoulder.
"I'm going with you."
Ace's features twisted.
"Hah?"
"You heard me. Besides, this is a good opportunity for me. If we lose, we can just run away."
"Why would you-… No, even if you say that, I refuse. I don't need your help."
Jack shook his head.
"I can't stop you from going, but at the same time, you can't stop me from coming along."
They maintained eye contact before Ace looked away, scratching the back of his head.
"Sheesh. What a difficult guy. But how's your friends going to cope without you?"
"They'll make due somehow."
"…and you were just accusing me of not taking things seriously."
Jack snorted.
"You were more than fine to let Luffy do his own thing. Why are you saying that now?"
Ace raised his hands in surrender.
"Alright, alright. You win. I really can't stop you. Another fight would be too annoying. But shouldn't you at least tell them what you're doing?"
"They'll probably understand, seeing both of us gone. If I told them, it would just start an argument. Nami would chew me out for sure. All the more reason not to let her catch on. That said…"
He reached into his vest, taking a small diary from somewhere, and tearing off a page. He scribbled something down.
Ace looked at him weirdly.
"You keep something like that on you?"
"Yes. For when I remember something, or have an idea."
"…so you have a scholarly side to you, huh?"
When Jack was done, he folded the paper into an airplane. A casual flick sent it flying into the sky, carried toward the palace by an updraft.
The two of them watched it disappear. When it vanished above the walls, Ace looked at Jack.
"You're really serious. Well, don't expect me to thank you or anything. I didn't need your help in the first place."
"I don't want your thanks."
"Heh. That's good."
"…but an extra pair of clothes might be nice."
Having started down the street, Ace shook his head.
"No chance. Mine wouldn't fit you anyway."
"I guess I'll 'borrow' some from somewhere. The marines are calling for reinforcements, if I remember correctly."
"That so? It might be a good idea to pay them a visit. Their pantries are usually pretty stocked…"
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When the sun had risen, reflecting a golden light off the smooth palace walls, Nami was already up. Having shared a room with Vivi, she sat in front of the vanity's mirror, analyzing her reflection.
"Sigh, those guys had too much energy. They probably wont be up until noon…"
She adjusted her nighty, which slipped down her shoulder. Her cleavage was exposed, a hicky clearly visible on her pale skin. Jack had taken advantage when no one was looking.
She tsked.
"That asshole… He really thinks he can get away with anything. Messing around with me and Vivi at the same time…"
She combed her short hair, her movements jerky. They grew more irregular until she smacked the brush onto the table, causing the sleeping girl behind her to twitch.
She got up.
"No. I just drank a little too much, and I didn't want to trouble Vivi-... I have to put him in his place. He'll keep getting cockier otherwise…"
Quickly getting dressed, she opened and closed the door, striding down the hallway. Big as the royal palace was, they had their choice of rooms. Usopp, Luffy and Chopper were together, but that wasn't the case for the other three.
It wasn't long before she arrived in front of Jack's room. She didn't knock, aiming to interrupt his sleep. It was a good opportunity to dole out some payback, however petty it may be.
"Hey, are you planning to sleep the day away? The sun's already up-…!"
Halfway into her tirade, she walked through the doorway only to find it empty. It looked like he'd just stepped out. Perhaps he was using the bathroom?
She decided to look around, taking the opportunity to cause some mischief. Maybe she'd soak all his clothes in water, or scatter a few needles in his shoes. Not like it would hurt him anyway.
It wasn't long before she arrived at his desk. A paper airplane was on it, a few scribbles visible on the folded paper. Without hesitation, she opened it, quickly scanning the contents.
Her face immediately twisted into a frown.
"'Leaving with Ace. Don't wait for me. Also, don't throw my stuff away.' What the hell?!"
Out of anger, she crumpled the piece of paper only to freeze midway. She stuffed it in her gown, turning and stomping out of the room.
"Asshole! Let's see if you're really going-…!"
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Inside a prison cell, deep in the bowels of a steel-plated marine ship, a certain man sat cross-legged. He was both disheveled and injured, a ragged fur cloak draped over his shoulders. He seemed indifferent to his situation, simply staring out between the bars.
It was a while before footsteps could be heard—boots thumping hollowly against the floor. Someone appeared at the other end of the hallway. Bare-chested and with a head of grey hair, his identity was unmistakable.
The prisoner grunted.
"You're wasting your time, Smoker."
Smoker remained silent until he'd reached the cell. He gripped the bars in his gloved hands, his gaze intense.
"Is that so, Crocodile? Well, it doesn't matter. I already got what I needed from your associate, Galdino. Or 'Mr. 3' as you referred to him…"
Crocodile simply grunted. It was impossible to tell whether he was upset or not.
There was a moment's silence as they stared at each other. Suddenly, Smoker's face split into a manic grin, the expression extremely unlike his usual self.
"…I'm just joking around, Zero-chan. Don't look so gloomy. Your favorite underling, Mr. 2 Bon Kurie-sama would never leave his nakama to rot. It's not the okama way! Ga-hahahaha…! "
Reaching inside his coat, he withdrew an oddly-shaped key. It appeared to be made from wax.
Crocodile's eyebrow twitched.
"…so it's you."
Mr. 2 chuckled. He fiddled with the key until the lock made a sound, the seastone bar sliding backward and the door slowly swinging open.
"Well, no need to hold back your surprise. I'm sure you didn't expect such a timely rescue, Ga-haha! Smoker-kun just so happened to be reuniting with his old flame, leaving the ship almost entirely defenseless!"
Crocodile stood, towering over his compatriot. He lingered at the exit.
"What about the rest?"
Mr. 2 spun in place, striking a ballerina pose with Smoker's muscular body.
"They're already waiting for you, boss. I released them first. They commandeered the ship in the meantime."
"…I see. Then let's not waste time."
"Yes, let's spread our wings and fly, gracefully like pure, white swans~…"
Realizing his antics were being ignored, Mr. 2 quickly jogged to catch up. Crocodile was already disappearing down the hallway.
"What's the plan, Zero-chan? Are we taking our revenge on those good-for-nothing?"
Crocodile shook his head.
"Alabasta is too dangerous. Reinforcements are already on their way. We retreat for now."
Mr. 2 chuckled.
"Of course, of course. But I couldn't help noticing the Straw Hats' ship in the harbor. Are we going to leave it as is?"
"Straw Hat… I see. Then there's no harm in taking a look. Perhaps we'll even leave a surprise behind…"
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A few hours later, an inconspicuous ship arrived in the harbor. The Baroque Works agents had switched to Mr. 2's vessel, not wanting to draw too much attention. Though, they kept the marine ship moored somewhere nearby.
"Let's hurry. Smoker should've already realized we escaped by now."
Setting foot on the Going Merry's deck, Mr. 5 scanned the surroundings. He glanced at Mr. 3.
"Why are we wasting time here? Let's just blow their ship sky-high and be done with it."
Mr 3. wagged his finger.
"That's your problem, Mr. 5. You don't think things through. If we cause such a ruckus, we'll attract too much attention. Besides, it's not nearly enough payback for what those… fools did to us."
"Whatever, let's get this over with. Their food and water should be below board-…"
He was still talking when the two men heard a suspicious sound. The looked at each other in unison. There was someone on the ship with them.
The noise suddenly stopped, followed by steady footsteps, coming up from below deck. A door opened, a figure appearing in the doorway.
The two Baroque Works agents attacked immediately.
"Hahaha, this is the end for you, Straw Hat!"
"Did you think you could make fools of us and get away? Think again!"
A deluge of wax came down from above, instantly locking that person in steel-like casts. Mr 3. Looked down at them, standing on the cabin roof.
"That's right, despair! It is I—Mr. 3, Galdino! Cry pathetically one last time before you wind up at the bottom of the ocean! Your friends will never find you-…"
He was still mid rant when Mr. 5 nudged him with an elbow, pointing at their 'captive'.
"Uh, I think we might be in trouble."
Mr. 3 blinked. He looked again, seeing a tall, dark haired person standing there, looking at them indifferently.
"F-Firefist Ace…!"
Ace tilted his head.
"Yo! You two… you look familiar. That's right, you're Crocodile's lackies. If you're here… I take it he already escaped."
The two agents gulped in unison.
Ace chuckled, his arms straining against the restraints. His skin gradually turned red until he glowed like a piece of metal, the wax sloughing off him and dripping onto the deck.
"Well, I'm not surprised. He's a resourceful guy. Actually… this is good timing. I'd like to ask you guys for a 'favor'."
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