ace the conqueror

Ace descended from the mountain path, the golden crow's wings shimmering behind him as he glided toward the village below. His thoughts raced with anticipation. It had been years since he'd ventured down to the town at the base of the mountain, and today, something called him there—a feeling he couldn't quite explain.

The village was lively, with the sounds of children playing and merchants calling out to passing customers. He could already see a few familiar faces in the bustling crowd, but what caught his eye was a group of figures near the harbor.

Ace's heart skipped a beat as he approached, his sharp gaze landing on a familiar, yet surprisingly youthful, face. There, standing near the docks, was none other than Luffy, his little brother from his past life. The sight of him stirred something deep inside Ace—an old bond, a memory, a promise.

Luffy, unaware of the connection, was eagerly speaking with a tall, muscular man who had unmistakable red hair. The legendary pirate, Shanks, stood beside him, his voice lighthearted as Luffy continued his excited chatter.

"Shanks! When are you going to take me on your ship, huh?" Luffy grinned widely, his eyes gleaming with youthful determination.

Shanks laughed, patting Luffy on the head. "When you're ready, Luffy. You've got a lot to learn first, but I know you'll make a great pirate one day."

Ace observed them quietly from a distance, feeling a sense of nostalgia and warmth. The bond between Luffy and Shanks was undeniable. It reminded him of the connections he'd once had, and it stung to know that his own past had been severed by the cruel hand of fate.

As Ace approached the group, Shanks turned and caught sight of him. There was something about the stranger's presence that intrigued him. Shanks' sharp eyes softened as he looked Ace up and down.

"Ah, another traveler? You seem different," Shanks said, his voice calm and warm, yet carrying a weight of experience that Ace immediately recognized.

Luffy noticed Ace standing nearby and waved enthusiastically. "Hey! Who are you?" Luffy asked, his curiosity piqued.

Ace smiled and gave a casual wave. "Just someone passing through," he replied, his voice laced with quiet strength. His eyes flickered with recognition, though he knew Luffy would never remember him from the past.

Yuta, standing next to Shanks, raised an eyebrow, sizing Ace up. "You're not from around here, are you?" he asked. His half red half white hair fluttered lightly in the breeze, and his posture was filled with sharp attention.

Ace didn't miss the curiosity in Yuta's eyes. There was a fire in him, a similar drive Ace had seen in others long ago. "No, I'm not from this village," Ace replied, offering a slight smirk. "I've been up on the mountain for a long time, training."

Shanks chuckled lightly. "I see. Well, it's not often we see someone with that kind of presence around these parts."

Ace's gaze shifted from Shanks to Luffy. The kid was full of energy, his eyes shining with determination. There was something innocent about him that made Ace smile, despite the bittersweet feelings swirling within him.

"I'm Luffy!" Luffy grinned widely, bouncing on his feet. "What's your name?"

Ace looked at him, feeling a pang of sadness. "Ace," he answered simply, his voice warm but distant.

"You seem strong, Ace!" Luffy said with excitement. "Do you want to be a pirate too?"

Ace chuckled softly at Luffy's unfiltered enthusiasm. "Maybe," he replied, his thoughts turning inward for a moment. "But I'm not looking for a crew just yet. There's still something I need to figure out."

Yuta, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward. "I've heard rumors about someone with golden flames. Are you the one they've been talking about?"

Ace turned his gaze on Yuta, raising an eyebrow. "Rumors, huh? Sounds like you've been keeping an ear out."

Yuta smirked, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I pay attention to the world around me. And with what I've seen, I'm guessing you've got quite the ability to back up your reputation."

Shanks placed a hand on Yuta's shoulder, interrupting before things could escalate. "Now's not the time, Yuta. We've got more important things to talk about."

Ace nodded, sensing the subtle tension. "Right," he said with a smile. "Maybe another time."

Luffy's eyes lit up. "Are you a pirate? You've got to be! You look strong!"

Ace smiled at Luffy, feeling the weight of his past life, his past memories. "I'm not a pirate just yet. But you, Luffy... you've got the heart of one."

Luffy grinned wide, clearly proud of the compliment. "I'll be the Pirate King one day! You'll see!"

Ace watched the young boy with a mix of pride and sorrow. He knew Luffy's journey, knew the pain and joy that awaited him, but most of all, he understood the bond they shared. A bond that transcended time.

Shanks stepped forward once more, his voice serious but friendly. "I've been thinking about the state of the world lately. There's a lot of change in the air. And we're not the only ones noticing it."

Ace looked at Shanks curiously. "What do you mean by that?"

Shanks glanced out at the horizon. "The world's been shifting. There are people out there who are making moves, and not all of them are good. We need to be ready."

Ace's expression grew serious as he processed Shanks's words. "You think the world's going to get even more chaotic?"

Shanks nodded, his eyes narrowing. "The winds are changing, Ace. And when the time comes, we need all the strength we can gather."

Luffy bounced on his feet again. "Well, I'm gonna be the strongest! Nothing will stop me!"

Ace chuckled, ruffling Luffy's hair. "You've got the heart for it, that's for sure."

Yuta looked between them, curiosity and a little suspicion in his eyes. "So what now? Are we just going to wait around for the world to change?"

Shanks smiled. "No. We're going to start making our own changes. But first, we get stronger."

Ace nodded in agreement, the fire inside him rekindling. He didn't know what the future held, but he knew one thing: whatever it was, he would face it head-on, with his brothers, and with the fire of the Golden Crow burning brightly inside him.