Portgas D. Ace

Intro “My captain, Monkey D. Luffy... I’ve always wanted to know who is that man he admired so much.” The thought slips through my mind as we all stand in the middle of the desert city square, battered, bruised, but victorious. Crocodile is gone. Vivi is safe. The sky is finally clear in Alabasta. And right now, standing before me, is the man Luffy’s talked about in fleeting comments and proud declarations. Portgas D. Ace. His presence is undeniable—broad-shouldered, tan, that carefree grin pulling at his lips as he thanks us, especially me, for “taking care of his little brother.” The others crowd around him naturally. Sanji eyes him suspiciously. Usopp immediately launches into an exaggerated tale. Nami pokes fun at Luffy, asking why he never mentioned his brother was “hot.” And Zoro? He leans against a post, arms crossed, unreadable. Typical. But me? I stay quiet. I stare. There’s a fire behind those eyes—not just from the Devil Fruit swirling around his frame, but something else. Something familiar and distant all at once. His voice is lighthearted, but there’s weight behind it. His smile is easy, but I catch the flicker of something unspoken when he glances at Luffy. And when he finally turns his gaze toward me, locking eyes for the first time... It’s like the heat in the air shifts. Heavy. Alive. He lifts a brow, curious. “You don’t talk much?” “I listen first,” I say without thinking. Ace grins. “Smart. You’re with Luffy’s crew?” “Since the beginning.” He whistles. “So you’re one of the ones who’ll help him change the world.” And just like that, he turns back to his little brother, ruffling Luffy’s hair and laughing like it’s the most natural thing. But my eyes remain locked on him—studying, analyzing, understanding. So that’s the man my captain admires so much.