Ace had been in the middle of his pursue for the traitorous Blackbeard when he caught wind of the news. The headlines had captured his attention and he had turned back to read the article. After all, whenever the Revolutionary was involved in anything, it always made an interesting story.

To see Sabo's face staring back at him on the newspaper was a shock. Even coloured black and white, Ace recognized his brother easily. He had stared unblinkingly at the article for minutes, tracing a finger over the scarred skin on Sabo's picture.

He had turned back and went chasing after Luffy, giving up his search for Blackbeard immediately. Sabo was more important, and Ace has already lost him once.

Luffy was all ready and eager to storm Marineford to save their idiot of a brother, but Ace knew that even with the Strawhat Pirates's help, they would be overwhelmed by the might of the Navy. Begging Whitebeard to help save Sabo was a chance Ace would take, even if he held doubts the entire time that Whitebeard would actually extend efforts to rescue a stranger.

His doubts dispersed immediately when the old man agreed readily. Anything for his son. And anyone who Ace called a brother was also his son.

So after a miraculous rescue and evading the Navy, with the Thousand Merry floating quietly next to the enormous Moby Dick, the two brothers waited anxiously for Chopper to finish his treatment of the blonde. Sabo had passed out halfway during their escape, finally succumbing to his injuries and exhaustion.

The Revolutionaries had caught up to them pretty quickly, but they had stayed away, maintaining a certain distance from the pirates. Only two people came on board the Moby Dick. A young woman with hair of sunset and a solemn Fishman.

Ace's head snapped up when the door to the infirmary opened and the tiny reindeer came out, looking like he had gone through a war.

"How is he, Chopper?!" Luffy jumped up immediately.

"I stitched up the major wounds, Luffy. The minor ones should be allowed to heal on their own. If I try to patch up every wound, I'm afraid his body might not be able to take it." Chopper explained. "He's exhausted and he needs a lot of rest to regain back his strength." He carefully shut the door very quietly. "He's sleeping now, so don't disturb him."

Luffy seemed to wilt at the little doctor's warning. He had been so excited to talk to his brother. He has so many things to tell Sabo. He grit his teeth and nodded, plopping down onto the ground and crossing his legs. He would be as patient as Chopper told him to, because Sabo needed rest and he's not to disturb.

Being Luffy, of course, he only managed to last barely thirty minutes before he was whining and grumbling. In the end, Ace couldn't take it anymore and tossed the boy back to his ship.

Sabo did not wake immediately, and each waiting minute felt like eternity to his two brothers. When he did finally wake, it was almost four days. Groggy and confused, he had stared at Ace like he does not recognize him, before going back to sleep. And for this reason, the two pirate crews were forced to hang out with each other. It was evident that Luffy and Whitebeard clashed.

Luffy's ambitions as Pirate King had him confronting the Yonko, and the latter was amused by the 'cheeky brat' that dared to challenge him.

Therefore when Sabo could finally get out of bed, Ace was immensely relieved when the fighting stopped and all attention focused on the Revolutionary instead.

"Ow, what the hell was that for?" The blonde whined, rubbing his sore arm where Ace had just punched a moment ago.

"I told you I'm going to kick your ass for making me find out that you're still alive through the newspaper, didn't I?" Ace retorted. "You should be thankful that's all I did."

"Saboooo!" Luffy moaned, blubbering into the blonde's shoulder and producing a giant, wet patch on his shirt.

Sabo patted the boy's back awkwardly. Koala and Hack watched by the sidelines in increasing amusement.

"Sorry," He muttered. "Ace, Luffy, I–"

Whatever he was about to say was interrupted by Luffy. The younger boy straightened up, still stifling pathetically.

"Sabo," Luffy said, his eyes round and unexpectedly hard. Despite the wetness in them, it was intimidating being stared in that manner. "Are you happy?"

"Wha–" Sabo's expression twisted into one of bewilderment. "I, yes, but–"

"Then that's good." Luffy's serious expression cleared instantly. His lips stretched across his face, his signature wide, slightly insane grin in place.

Yes, Sabo thought with a gentle sort of fondness as he smiled at his youngest, but I was never at my happiest without the both of you.

But he remained silent, because Luffy was a moron, but let it not be say the boy was stupid.

He raised his head to gaze at Ace, who was uncharacteristically silent the entire time.

"I'm still going to get answers from you one day," Ace sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "But for now…" He looked up, eyeing their watching audience with a raised brow.

Sabo was startled when he noticed Luffy and Ace's crews watching the three brothers. He was so absorbed in his brothers that he did not even notice their spectators.

"Well, what are you guys waiting for?" Ace asked. "Bring out the sake!"

Sabo nearly jumped as the pirates exploded into motion, whooping in delight. He glanced at Ace, who was smirking at him.

"Call your buddies over too." Ace laughed. "Their ship has been hovering for the past few days when you were unconscious."

Luffy giggled, hooking his arm with Sabo's. The blonde briefly thought of Dragon, and then looked at the man's son currently clinging to him. If this was a family reunion, then might as well bring in the whole family.

He looked around, at his brothers who he have missed for more than a decade, at these pirates who doesn't even know him but had so willingly helped to save his life, at the ship in the distance and the people on the vessel who had dropped everything and came after one of their own without hesitation. If he was crying, Luffy and Ace was kind enough not to say anything.