Chapter 3: The Bonds of Brotherhood

Weeks passed as Ace, Sabo, and I continued our relentless training together. Our bond only strengthened as we pushed each other beyond our limits, growing not just as fighters but as brothers. The sun rose and set over Foosha Village, marking the passage of our grueling sessions. Each day, our skills sharpened, our techniques becoming more refined with every clash of fists and steel.

Ace, determined to master Haki, trained with unwavering focus. At first, he struggled to feel the invisible energy I described, but through our sparring, he began to tap into it. One evening, during a particularly heated match, his fists flared with a faint black shimmer. It wasn't much, but it was progress, and we celebrated the milestone under the starlit sky.

Meanwhile, Sabo grew more confident with his pipe and showed signs of tapping into Observation Haki, able to sense my movements moments before I attacked. Despite his growing strength, the memory of his early fate haunted me. I knew he had to be stronger if he was to survive the challenges ahead.

One night, as the campfire crackled and the scent of roasted fish filled the air, I finally decided to tell Sabo everything.

"Sabo," I began, voice low, "there's something you need to know. When you set sail... I need you to be careful."

He raised a brow, smirking. "I'm always careful, Luffy."

I shook my head. "No, you don't understand. You need to wait. If you leave too soon, something... bad will happen. Trust me, join Dragon. He's my father, and he'll make you stronger."

Sabo blinked, the smirk fading. "Luffy... what do you know?"

I hesitated, feeling the weight of the truth pressing against my chest. I couldn't reveal everything—it was too risky. "I can't explain it all, but I know you'll face dangers you aren't ready for yet. Please, trust me."

Sabo studied me for a long moment before nodding slowly. "Alright, Luffy. I trust you. I'll find this Dragon. But you better keep getting stronger too."

Ace, who had been silently listening, finally spoke. "What about me, huh? I'm not leaving either—not until I'm ready to beat you!"

We all laughed, the tension breaking as our fists met in a three-way clash of brotherhood.

But deep down, I knew the real trials were yet to come. If I was truly going to change fate, I had to be even stronger—strong enough to protect them both from the storms looming on the horizon.