Ace, who was fleeing with Nami, ran into Chopper, though the poor reindeer nearly got fried by one of Nami's lightning bolts before they finally made it into the Mirror World.

"Flame Emperor Ace, I've heard of you," said Pedro.

He and Ace had set sail around the same time, though Pedro had been active in the New World while Ace started from the East Blue. Even back when Ace was still a rookie, Pedro had heard rumors about him.

"Ah, I've heard of you too, Pedro, captain of the Nox Pirates," Ace replied.

Pedro was a pirate of the same era as him. While Ace's bounty had soared to 550 million Berries, Pedro's stood at 382 million.

"Nice to meet you," Pedro said, bumping fists with Ace.

"Likewise. I met Nekomamushi earlier; he said you were helping Luffy. Thank you," Ace said with a smile.

"So the famous Flame Emperor was brought in by Boss Nekomamushi, huh? That's a relief," Pedro sighed.

"A helper from the boss, huh?" Carrot also sighed in relief, then happily leaped toward Ace.

"Nice to meet you, Karoo-chu!"

"Nice to meet you, too!" Ace accepted Carrot's friendly gesture.

Brûlée came to her senses. Seeing Ace terrified her so much that she nearly lost her soul.

"F-F-Flame Emperor Ace... W-Why are you here…?" Brûlée stammered in fear.

"You're Charlotte Brûlée, right? First time meeting, though I've fought your brother Katakuri many times," Ace said with a grin.

"Damn it… You actually came here? Don't tell me... is the Whitebeard Pirates here too?"

"Nope, just me. I came ahead in a hurry," Ace replied.

Brulee let out a shaky breath. The last thing she wanted was the entire Whitebeard Pirates showing up.

After all, they had taken a lot of Whitebeard Pirates' territory while they were gone, including Fish-Man Island. Though the commanders later reclaimed those areas. Knowing Whitebeard's temper, he wouldn't let that slide.

And since Ace was a former Whitebeard Pirate, who knew if he was acting on their behalf?

"What's the plan now?" Ace asked Nami and the others.

"We need to find our friend. Brook was captured by Big Mom, and we don't know if he's alive. We have to rescue him first," Nami said.

"Alright, let's go."

"Hop in!"

They had prepared a cart pulled by Diesel, a member of Big Mom's crew from the Longarm Tribe, who had been repurposed as their driver.

He pulled them toward the mirror leading to Charlotte Linlin's room.

And so began their mission to rescue Brook.

Meanwhile, Luffy was searching for Sanji, waiting at the agreed meeting spot.

.....

As dawn broke over Moby Dick Island, a group of people gathered.

"Alright, it's time we made our move," Marco said with a grin.

"Hah! It's been a while since I've stretched these old bones. Gotta admit, that brat Roy's methods really work, Haki can actually extend your lifespan. No more relying on those damn IV drips. Maybe I'll even live long enough to see how this era turns out."

"Roger's dead. Shiki's dead. That leaves just me. And I'll be damned if I don't see where this world's headed." Whitebeard stepped forward, gripping his naginata.

"Pops, Big bro told you not to fight!" Jozu reminded him.

"Stop whining. I haven't fought in two years. Let me stretch a bit. And besides, they're bullying my people and stealing my territory, do they really think I'm dead?" Whitebeard's voice boomed with unchanged dominance.

Feeling their captain's unshaken presence, Marco and the others swelled with pride.

"Yaaay!!"

Little Rein, the baby girl in Whitey Bay's arms, stretched out her hands excitedly toward Whitebeard, as if trying to grab him.

"You little troublemaker, I can already tell you'll be a fighter someday. Pirate blood runs deep," Whitey Bay said as she held her tightly.

"Pops, it's time to go!" Kingdew shouted, his body beginning to transform.

"ROAR!"

Three giant dragons appeared. Whitebeard jumped onto one of their backs. Marco and the others followed.

"Let's go, boys!"

The Whitebeard Pirates set off in grand fashion, their destination known only to them.

"Dwagooon! Dwagooon!" Little Rein cheered, flailing her tiny arms in delight.

....

Ace successfully rescued Brook. Brook had also completed his mission; he had copied the Poneglyph.

"Aren't you going to take it?" Nami asked in surprise.

"I already have this one. During the Egghead Incident two years ago, Big Mom caused trouble and got one of her eyes destroyed by Bug bro. Later, he personally defeated her and looted Totto Land. He also took three rubbings of Poneglyphs. He left the stone behind because they were too damn heavy, Ace explained.

"So you've had it all this time?" Nami asked.

"Yeah. I had a copy already, but it's useless to me. I can't read it."

"I've heard from Big Mom's subordinates that there are four red Poneglyphs and thirty black ones in total," Brook said.

"Big bro knows where all the red ones are. He also knows your crewmate can read them. But he has no interest in becoming the Pirate King. I don't know what he's really after," Ace sighed.

"The Emperor Roy... I used to only hear about him. When he suddenly appeared two years ago, everyone was shocked. No one expected a monster like that to be hiding in the Whitebeard Pirates," Pedro remarked.

"Let's find Luffy and the others," Nami said.

"That mirror's making noise!"

The shard Nami had left behind was working again.

Luffy had found Sanji and convinced him to return. Through the mirror, they communicated with each other and talked about ruining the tea party. Ace thought of someone.

"Actually, we have allies here. Do you know Capone Bege?"

Ace introduced Capone Bege and suggested they team up.

Sure enough, Caesar Clown was in Bege's hands. Ace contacted Bege via the mirror.

"Flame Emperor Ace… It's really you." Bege agreed to cooperate when he saw Ace and revealed his plan to assassinate Big Mom.

The two sides hit it off and began devising their strategy.

.....

At Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral Akainu frowned.

"The Whitebeard Pirates are on the move?"

"Yes, sir. Intelligence reports that three dragons left Moby Dick Island. Their current whereabouts are unknown."

"What the hell are they planning?! With the Reverie underway, our priority is protecting Mary Geoise and the kings. Ignore external threats for now!"

...

If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.

[email protected]/DaoistJinzu