The people watching the video were completely dumbfounded.
Even Vice Admiral Momousagi, who was present at the scene, was left in shock.
What just happened?
She had only handed the kid a blanket, and suddenly, he had undergone a complete transformation!
The pace was too fast.
They had been lying on the deck, silently watching the stars.
Did I miss something crucial?
Momousagi stared at Little Ace, who had suddenly stood up, full of conviction and determination, speaking as if he had experienced a great epiphany.
She was utterly confused.
This felt like watching a street magician perform. Even when you see the trick happen right before your eyes, you still can't comprehend how it was done.
Clearly, she had been present for the entire conversation between Political Commissar Ron and Ace.
She had thought the conversation had only just begun.
Who would have thought it was already over?
A little pirate had been completely turned around.
And not just turned around—he now wanted to join the Marines!
Ron stood up as well, looking Ace up and down with a thoughtful expression.
Then, he suddenly laughed.
"You... can't be a Marine."
Ace froze.
Momousagi was equally stunned.
What? Rejected?
Just as the kid had made up his mind to join, Ron shot him down?
"What do you mean?" Ace blurted out, frowning.
Ron smirked. "Because you can't pass the political review."
Ace blinked in confusion.
"...What's a political review?"
"It means that if your immediate family members have a criminal record, you're not allowed to join the military," Ron explained casually.
Ace was speechless.
He had finally made up his mind to become a Marine, but now he was being denied because of something out of his control?
All because of his father—the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger.
Sengoku's Reaction
"(Hara) Sengoku: This concept of political review is actually very well thought out. It's worth implementing."
Sengoku hadn't understood the idea at first.
But after listening to Ron's explanation, he suddenly had a revelation.
This system is necessary.
If someone had close relatives who were pirates or criminals, they really shouldn't be allowed to join the military.
Otherwise, when facing their pirate relatives on the battlefield, wouldn't they hesitate? Wouldn't they go easy on them?
That would only create problems for the Marines.
"Why didn't I think of this before?" Sengoku muttered to himself.
Then, his gaze drifted to Garp.
Especially this guy.
He recalled the contents of the Death of Ace video.
There was a strong suspicion that Garp had gone easy on Luffy.
If the Marines wanted to solve this problem at its root, they couldn't allow people with pirate family members to serve in their ranks.
Garp noticed Sengoku staring at him and frowned.
"Hey, old man, why do you keep looking at me like that?"
Sengoku snorted.
"I've decided. The political review system must be implemented before the Summit War."
"(Hara) Garp: You old geezer! Are you trying to backstab me?!"
---
Ace's Disappointment and a New Mission
Ace was visibly disappointed.
He didn't know why, but after talking to Ron, he really wanted to be a Marine.
But now, he couldn't.
Ace clenched his fists. "Then... what else can I do?"
"I won't be a pirate, that's for sure. I refuse to follow in that man's footsteps."
Ron looked at him with a thoughtful smile.
"I have a secret job for you. Can I trust you?"
Ace's eyes widened.
Trust.
That word was foreign to him.
Ever since he was a child, no one had ever said something like that to him.
He had always struggled with his identity, always doubted whether he was wanted in this world.
Hearing those words from Ron made his heart tremble.
For a brief moment, he felt something he hadn't felt before—a sense of belonging.
"Okay," Ace said seriously. "Tell me. What's the mission?"
Ron pulled out a map and looked sideways at Momousagi.
Momousagi understood the hint and stepped back, leaving the two alone.
Ace's anticipation grew.
Was it really that confidential?
This Marine, whom he had just met, trusted him so much?
He couldn't let him down.
Ron unfolded the map, revealing several strategically important nations marked in red.
"I'm forming an organization called the Peace League."
"As for its purpose, you don't need to know yet."
"I need you to help more countries join this alliance."
"This mission is top secret. No one can know that I'm the one behind it. Understand?"
Ace shuddered.
An alliance of nations?
Was Ron trying to challenge the World Government?
Even though Ron didn't explain further, Ace could tell from the markings on the map.
Blood rushed through his veins.
He had been entrusted with such an important mission.
"You... trust me that much?" Ace asked, his voice almost trembling.
Ron patted him on the head.
"Why wouldn't I?"
Ace took a deep breath, determination filling his eyes.
"Alright. I won't let you down."
---
World Government's Reaction
"(Current) Five Elders: What?! Ron is the true mastermind behind the Peace League? Sabo and Ace were just his agents?"
"(Current) Sengoku: Political Commissar Ron... Why do I feel like you're not persuading kids to mend their ways, but secretly building your own empire?"
"(Current) Garp: Huh? I was right there the whole time! How did I not notice any of this?!"
"(Current) Sengoku: You idiot. He let you follow him because he knew you wouldn't figure it out!"
"(Current) Five Elders: Sengoku, did you Marines know about this all along?! Were you playing us for fools?! The Peace League already rivals the World Government in member nations! I ordered you to find the mastermind behind it, and it turns out he was inside your own ranks all along?"
---
The Next Morning
Ron had gone to rest.
Ace lay on the deck all night, staring at the sky.
At sunrise, he finally stood up.
He had made his decision.
Ace walked back into the tent where Sabo and Luffy were sleeping.
He glanced at Luffy.
The kid had only one slipper in his mouth.
"...Did he eat the other one?"
Shaking his head, Ace smirked and yelled, "Wake up! Time to train!"
Sabo blinked drowsily. "Huh? You're training with us now?"
"Yeah. From today on, the three of us will train together."
Luffy, still half-asleep, mumbled, "Ace... you seem like a different person. Didn't you hate Marines?"
Sabo rubbed his eyes. "Wait. You didn't... go talk to Commissar Ron last night, did you?"
Ace immediately stiffened.
If he admitted it now, wouldn't he be slapping himself in the face?
So, with a completely serious expression, he said:
"Of course not. I slept great. Didn't leave my bed at all. I didn't board any warship or stargaze with Ron. I just figured everything out on my own."
Luffy blinked.
"But Ace... you're weaker than both of us."
"SHUT UP! That's only temporary! Once we start training together, I'll surpass both of you in no time!" Ace roared.
Sabo chuckled. "Well, if that's the case, let's get started."
And with that, their training began.
------------------------------
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