As expected, the reason for the sudden increase in favorability was still that.

As an active member of The Whitebeard Pirates,

My bounty in the Navy had also soared,

[Yang Eye's Daughter] Gloria's bounty had risen to 200 million.

Many people knew that I had the ability to transform the fruit.

As a great pirate in the new world,

Yonkō BIG

The head of the Four Dessert Generals under MOM,

Charlotte Katakuri would pay attention to the active newcomer of The Whitebeard Pirates, so it wasn't surprising that she knew about her fruit ability.

I held my head with one hand and rubbed my throbbing temples.

Now that he thought about it, his previous guess was most likely true.

Forget it,

Don't think about it anymore.

I didn't want to know that there was such a terrifying possibility...

It was shameful to avoid it, but it was useful.

Anyway, neither Katakuri nor the Green Pheasant looked like they would do anything to me...

I decisively ended the topic and asked about something I was more concerned about.

"I say,

It's been almost a month,

Ace hasn't joined The Whitebeard Pirates yet? "

Although I was eating and drinking happily outside,

I was actually very worried about Ace's condition.

Even if I knew that he wouldn't really be in danger, he would still hold White Beard's outstretched hand in the end. But as a childhood friend, I was still very worried about him!

"Can you not be so immersed in the setting of a childhood friend?"

The AI looked at me speechlessly, "We're here to date, don't forget that."

"I, I didn't forget!" I raised my voice guiltily, "So I'm not asking you about the progress of the plot!"

"The progress is that he's about to join."

The AI tilted her head, her watery red eyes looking emotionlessly in the direction of The Whitebeard Pirates,

"After a month of failed assassinations,

His spirit is almost at its limit.

No matter how much he tries to be brave,

He recognized, too, that the man who had put his hand on his most vulnerable part, the white-bearded Edward Newgate, was a man he could not obliterate.

And the other party really didn't mean to hurt him,

Otherwise he would have died long ago. "

"Then Ace must be very confused."

I murmured.

After the days spent together on Gorbo Mountain,

I know Ace very well.

His father was his biggest taboo. He was the existence he hated the most and cared about the most. White Beard stepped on this taboo, but he couldn't expel White Beard. White Beard seriously wanted him to be his son, and his kindness was real. The Whitebeard Pirates' kinship was also real … This guy must be extremely confused right now.

"Kinship is something that Ace can't refuse."

The AI jumped onto my shoulder. "The thing that he fears and desires the most is right in front of him. What he is hesitating about now is whether he will be rejected if he reaches out his hand — because he is Roger's son."

"But my dad won't reject it," I smiled. "No one will reject it."

Even if I hadn't seen the original work, I was sure of it.

"Yeah," the AI said coldly. "So, when do you plan to let them know that you are Akainu's daughter?

It's not enough for White Beard and Marco to know. Speaking of which, does Ace know? "

I was instantly terrified. "Then, then …"

Even if they don't care, I care!

That's Akainu we're talking about!

I repeat, that's Akainu we're talking about!

Even Yellow Ape didn't make it so difficult for me to talk about it!!!

I don't doubt Admiral Akainu's ability to attract hatred!

Even if I'm not worried about The Whitebeard Pirates, I can't be worried about Akainu, right?!

Damn, I instantly understood why Ace was so conflicted!!!

"That's why."

The AI's QB face showed a subtle mocking expression.

No, I still have to say it. I really can't understand how the QB face makes expressions … Does a QB really have expressions?

I don't think so!

It can read minds, but the AI still ignored my inner roasting. Or rather, it treats me with this attitude most of the time.

The pair of watery red eyes looked in the direction of The Whitebeard Pirates. With a sweep of its tail, our boat immediately started moving.

"Marco has already talked to Ace. Ace is about to make a decision … If you go back, you'll probably make it in time for the welcoming party."

"Oh!

That's great! "

I happily jumped onto the side of the boat and sat on the railing, swinging my legs happily. I hummed a tune that I didn't even know. Even the incoming sea breeze felt gentle and refreshing.

I looked at the boundless blue sea under the sunlight. The sparkling waves made me feel that the journey was worth looking forward to for the first time when I thought about crossing this bright and beautiful sea.

In the warm sea breeze, I heard the sound of a little bird flapping its wings in my heart.

The little skylark was about to ride the sea breeze, pass through the bright sunlight, and fly towards the boundless sky, towards the other side of the sea.

It wanted to go to that person's side, it wanted to land in his palm.

The little bird was singing like this. The light song was only audible to me.

Surprisingly, the AI didn't say anything. It just drove the boat to sail in that direction.

It was a long time before it finally opened its mouth to my tuneless humming.

"… The little bird in my heart … You can even use such a mushy metaphor. You're actually a hipster."

"Hmph, it's none of your business!"

Nothing could stop my good mood. I made a big face at the AI, "So what if I'm a hipster!

Hahaha! "

"I'm sorry for thinking that you're a hipster."

The AI turned its head away expressionlessly.

"I insulted hipsters.

You're only three years old. "

"Hey!!!"

…

Regardless, we successfully arrived at the Moby Dick when the party started.

As soon as we boarded the ship, Marco waved at me from afar. Then, he hooked his arm around the shoulder of the person next to him and dragged him in front of me.

"Yo, Leah, you came back at the right time."

Marco patted the back of the person next to him. There was a tattoo of The Whitebeard Pirates' logo. "From today onwards, Ace is one of The Whitebeard Pirates' people.

You guys are childhood sweethearts. You can see each other often in the future. Are you happy, Leah? "

Speak properly if you want to!

Why are you winking at me for!

What's with that 'I understand' expression!?

What do you understand?!!!

I only felt a burst of heat rising to my face. At this time, Sács wanted to add insult to injury. He slapped his forehead and pretended like he just remembered and loudly said, "Oh — —".

"I was wondering why this guy looked so familiar. So he's the brat on Leah's pile of newspaper clippings and wanted posters. Right, Marco?

Leah's super precious newspaper clippings. She didn't even let us look at it. She got mad at us if we touched it. "

I heard a "bang" sound of rationality exploding. If this was in a manga, a small mushroom cloud would have exploded above my head.

"B, bastard!

Don't say it! "I was so angry that my whole body turned red (QB: Are you sure you're angry?).

I didn't even bother to change my card. I picked up a big stick and hit Sács. "Who told you to say it!

Who told you to say it!

Bad heart!

Bad! "

Sács screamed and jumped behind Ace. I couldn't stop myself and fell into Ace's arms. Whistles sounded from all around. I was almost cooked by the boy's high body temperature. I didn't know what to do in Ace's arms.

What was surprising was that Ace didn't push me away. I sneaked a glance and saw the boy's face was also red.

The moment our eyes met, the two of us jumped back as if we were electrocuted and put a large distance between us.

As the whistles got louder, I squatted down while holding my head that was about to melt. I was almost cooked and didn't dare to look at Ace. I believe he was the same.

"Okay okay, young people are thin-skinned. You guys are more or less the same."

Marco was still the one in charge of smoothing things over. He shouted at the bastards who were making a ruckus.

Our reliable big brother stuffed a bottle of beer into Ace's and my hands and pushed us towards the side of the boat. He had a considerate smile on his face that made people feel even more embarrassed.

"You guys haven't seen each other for a long time. Go over there and have a good chat.

I'll stop these guys. Go, go. "

What's with that 'I understand everything' expression on your face?!

What do you understand!?

Ahhhh, that's enough!

I lowered my red face and was pushed to the side with Ace. The two of us were like two wooden pillars that were frozen on the spot. Neither of us said a word first.

I stole a glance at him from the corner of my eye and saw the blushing boy peeking at me from the corner of his eye.

I buried my head even lower in an instant.

Fortunately, we weren't really playing a game of one-two-three wooden dummies. I took a few deep breaths before I mustered up the courage to speak.

"I'll say …"

"That …"

Ace and I spoke at the same time. Both of us jerked our heads up and looked at each other before we spoke again.

"Why don't you go first?"

Both of us were stunned when we spoke at the same time. In the next second, both of us laughed at the same time. The inexplicable uncomfortable atmosphere disappeared without a trace.

I relaxed and put the beer aside. I opened my arms and gave Ace a big hug.

"Welcome to The Whitebeard Pirates, Ace." I tiptoed slightly and pressed my cheek against his. "I'm very happy to see you again."

The boy paused for a while before he lifted his hand and placed it gently on my waist. He hesitated for a while before he slowly tightened his grip.

"I'm very happy too, Leah."

He paused for a while before he smiled again. "To be honest, I was really shocked when I saw your wanted poster.

You said that we'll meet again at sea. Is it to be a pirate?

And it's under the White Beard Pirates … "

"Idiot."

I chuckled and patted Ace's back. I hooked my arm around his neck and leaned back so that I could see his eyes. "I told you. I'll find a captain who's better than you."

The black-haired boy's eyes were still as sparkling as before. He looked at me for a while before he suddenly smiled and pinched my cheek.

"D * mn it. Although I don't want to admit it, you're right." The boy's tone was surprisingly calm. "My dad is much better than me."

The AI's notification chimed in my ear.

[Portcas D. Ace's affability increased by 50. Received inheritance crystal x1.]

Compared to the reward, I was more concerned about the increase in affability.

Does this mean that … Ace likes me more than before?

I felt embarrassed. I could only bury my face in Ace's chest so that he wouldn't see my flushed cheeks.

"What, what's wrong, Leah?"

Ace sounded embarrassed. His hand was hanging by his side stiffly. After a while, he carefully pressed it against the back of my neck and stroked it as if he was comforting me.

I hugged him even tighter. I shook my head bashfully and rubbed my head against his neck like a puppy.

"It's nothing," I whispered.

I whispered, "I just feel so happy. To be able to be with Ace like this … I'm really happy."

I was so happy that I felt like I was going to cry.

Behind us, Marco and White Beard looked at each other and clinked their glasses with a smile.

Ace's body stiffened when he saw this.

However, he didn't push me away in the end. After a while, he wrapped his other arm around my waist and whispered, "Me too."

I smiled and clinked glasses with him. Both of us finished the beer in one gulp.

At that moment, I heard the voice of a little bird in my heart.