The Next Day
Ace slowly opened his eyes in the medical wing of Marine Branch 157.
"…Where am I?"
"You're in the Marine Hospital of the 157th Branch!"
The voice came from his left. Turning his head, Ace saw Luo Lan casually sitting nearby with one leg crossed over the other.
"Luo Lan… Back then, your theory sounded completely absurd. But now, for some reason, when I recall it, I can't shake the feeling that it was real—that it truly was my future."
"So, I'm doomed to foolishly lead everyone to their deaths, huh?"
At death's door, Ace didn't know why, but he had felt a powerful and unshakable sense—an instinct screaming at him that everything he saw...
Was his true future.
It was surreal, indescribable, yet unmistakably profound.
"Heh… Sounds like you might've come back with more than just your life. Maybe even a little bonus insight from the brink."
"You're right—that was your original future. As for how I knew? That's my secret. Even if you asked, I wouldn't tell."
"Well then, I won't ask."
Satisfied with the answer, Ace gave a firm nod.
"So—what now? What do you plan to do next?"
"What do I plan to do…? Back then, didn't you say that ending this pirate era with my own hands could be another way of surpassing that man?"
"…So, you're thinking of joining the Navy?"
"Yeah. The old man used to talk about the elite training program at headquarters, right? Said most Navy officers come out of that place. I figured… maybe he could pull a few strings to get me in?"
Ace scratched his head with a sheepish grin.
But—
"Sorry. That wish of yours? Not happening."
"…What do you mean?"
Luo Lan didn't answer directly. Instead, he walked to the side of the bed and pulled open the curtains.
The view from the second floor of the 157th Branch unfolded before Ace's eyes.
Even though it wasn't as high as Luo Lan's office, the sight was enough to leave Ace completely stunned.
The buildings, the facilities—everything seemed completely out of place in this world. As if the entire branch had been transported from another dimension.
From the perspective of the pirate world, the 157th Branch looked like something out of a sci-fi movie.
"Ace, tell me—what do you really think this place is?"
"You just said it, didn't you? The 157th Branch of the Navy."
"Correct. It is the 157th Branch. But just one year ago, it was nothing more than a rundown building with a handful of sailors—constantly on the brink of being shut down. And now…"
Ace didn't need the rest explained.
He understood.
Everything he saw… wasn't supposed to exist. At least, not in the public eye.
Which meant Luo Lan—
Who exactly was he? How could he predict the future? How could he build a place like this?
Just how many secrets was this man hiding?
Though his heart was filled with questions, Ace knew better.
Everyone had their own secrets. Unless someone chose to reveal them, it wasn't right to pry.
So, he remained silent.
Luo Lan, seeing his reaction, smiled in approval.
"One last thing."
"…What is it?"
"If I hadn't fired the signal flare back then—what would you have done?"
"I would've saved you anyway. But afterward… I'd have locked you up for a few years, at least until everything was over."
"…I see. Well, I've got no more questions."
Ace gave a wry smile.
"Ian!"
"Colonel!"
Responding to Luo Lan's call, Ian quickly stepped through the door.
"Assign him to start as a regular sailor. You'll personally teach him the Six Styles."
"Yes, sir!"
"And think of it as compensation—for robbing him of his destiny."
Luo Lan patted Ian's shoulder and said something cryptic before walking out of the room.
Robbing him of his destiny?
What the hell does that mean?
Ian wanted to ask, but when he turned around, Luo Lan had already left.
---
Later, at the training field—
Ace, now dressed in a Navy uniform, stood wide-eyed.
"You… That's a Devil Fruit ability?"
In front of him, Ian had just shown off his power—summoning flames with ease.
"Yup. A Logia-type fruit—Flame-Flame Fruit, to be precise. You know about Logia types, right? Elemental transformation, immunity to physical attacks. Pretty cool, huh?"
Ian was practically glowing with excitement.
"Yeah, cool… but why does it feel so weird? Like that power was supposed to be mine or something…"
"That's just jealousy! Pure jealousy!"
"…Alright, alright, calm down. I was just saying."
Ace scratched his head awkwardly. So this was what the 157th Branch's second-in-command was like behind the scenes?
"By the way, this 'Six Styles' Roran mentioned—what is that, exactly?"
"…Wait, Vice Admiral Garp never told you?"
"Nope."
Ace shook his head.
"…Alright then. I'll explain. The Six Styles, or Rokushiki, are—"
Ian went on for a full ten minutes.
Not only did he break down each technique in detail, but he also explained their origins and how they evolved over time.
If Luo Lan were here, he'd probably comment with admiration—
"As expected, every excellent deputy has a vast reservoir of knowledge."
"This Six Styles stuff sounds amazing. So, when do we start training?"
Techniques that let you teleport, fly, kick shockwaves from your legs…
Ace was genuinely intrigued.
"No rush. Mastering the Six Styles has a prerequisite. If your body isn't strong enough, you can't learn them at all."
"Come on, let's go test your 'Power Level' and see if you qualify."