【One Piece】Dawn in the Darkness

"Sabo." Ace turned to Sabo, seeking confirmation, "What happened?"

“It’s just what you think.” Sabo grinned. “He’s our brother, so it’s not too surprising. You probably already expected it.”

Upon hearing Sabo's answer, Ace held his breath. Although he had a premonition, he only dared to confirm it was true after Sabo confirmed it. The brother who had disappeared from their memories at some point had been found by Sabo.

Although Ace was puzzled as to why he had no memory of him now that he had seen him and found him, all of that seemed insignificant compared to the fact that he had found him.

Ace could no longer suppress the urge to hug it. He reached out and pulled it into his arms from Luffy's grasp, ignoring its protests and holding it tightly to his chest. Only at this moment did Ace feel real, only at this moment did he feel that everything was alright. They had found it, they hadn't lost the brother from his memories. He felt that a certain anxiety that had always been in his heart had completely disappeared.

Lucci struggled to break free from Ace's embrace and said with dissatisfaction, "Although I understand your excitement, I really don't like being hugged by you in this state."

"Well, what can I do? You turned into a doll." Sabo grinned, took Lucci from Ace's hands and hugged him tightly. "And such an adorable doll, it's impossible not to give you a hug."

"Shut up!" Even though he knew it wouldn't hurt him, Lucci couldn't help but punch Sabo again. Once he recovered, he would definitely beat that bastard Sabo up; he was just too infuriating.

"What are you doing, Sabo?" Ace glared at Sabo, clearly displeased that Sabo had just snatched his brother, who had turned into a doll, from his hands.

Luffy, however, paid no attention to the argument between Ace and Sabo. He circled around Sabo, then reached out and hugged the doll that had punched Sabo back to his arms, a very bright smile on his face.

Sabo watched as the doll vanished from his arms, then immediately looked in Luffy's direction. Sure enough, he saw a small figure wriggling and struggling in Luffy's arms, and couldn't help but laugh.

Lucci tried to get out of Luffy's arms, but Luffy held on even tighter, forcing Lucci to call out, "Luffy, put me down."

"No," Luffy said, pouting. He had only been holding her for a short while and didn't want to let go.

Lucci looked at Luffy, who refused to let go no matter what, and felt somewhat helpless. Could this kid be mistaking him for a real doll?

"Luffy, I'll let you hug me later, for as long as you want, but let go of me now," Lucci said to his stubborn younger brother.

"Okay!" Luffy reluctantly put down the doll, but then became happy again at the thought of being able to hold it forever.

"Lucci, this is discrimination!" Sabo immediately shouted in dissatisfaction upon hearing Lucci's words.

“You have no right to speak.” Lucci glared angrily at Sabo.

Seeing Lucci's angry eyes, Sabo knew that the guy was still angry about that matter. Just as difficult to coax as he had imagined, Sabo felt a little helpless. However, he had already gotten what he wanted most. Thinking of this, Sabo's smile became even brighter. He really wanted to print it out right away.

Ace, who was standing to the side, grinned and, taking advantage of the others' inattention, picked up his brother, who had turned into a doll on the ground, around the waist.

"Ace!!" Lucci shouted in dissatisfaction. What's wrong with these guys?!

"I want to hug him too." Ace lowered his eyes and stared quietly at the cotton doll brothers in his arms with his silver-gray eyes.

"Don't act like a child!" Lucci was speechless at Ace's behavior, but he didn't try to break free anymore.

Ace grinned and tightened his arms, seemingly because of the joy of regaining what he had lost, so they were both a little reluctant to let go of their brother who had turned into a doll in their arms.

“Lucci, you talk to them,” Sabo said to the doll in Ace’s arms.

Lucci turned to look at Sabo after hearing his words, then looked up at Ace. Clearly, Ace, like Sabo, had no memory at all, which meant... Lucci's eyes grew brighter and brighter. Perhaps he had a chance to get Ace to call him brother.

Thinking of this, Lucci quickly broke free from Ace's embrace. Just as he jumped to the ground, Luffy's hand reached out again. Lucci was speechless. It seemed that his plan to increase the credibility of his next words had failed.

But he wasn't one to give up so easily. Lucci grinned, and before Luffy could react, he quickly climbed onto his shoulder. Then he coughed lightly, his face returning to a calm expression, and casually slapped down Luffy's arm that was secretly reaching out to him.

"Since you all don't remember me, let me reintroduce myself now."

Ace raised an eyebrow at the cotton doll whose eyes had suddenly lit up. Seeing the excitement in its eyes, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up. It was obvious that this guy was up to no good. No matter how well it disguised itself, its clear and bright eyes couldn't hide anything and directly exposed all its little schemes.

Sabo smiled as he looked at the sly glint in the doll's eyes. Sabo could easily guess what wicked thoughts his brother was harboring.

He turned to look at Ace, and seeing the interest on Ace's lips, Sabo's smile deepened. His brother, now a doll, had no idea that all his emotions would be completely exposed by its clear, transparent eyes, laid bare before his brother.

Lucci maintained a calm expression and said in a composed voice, "I know you must be wondering who I am. My name is Monkey D. Lucci, and I am the eldest brother you three admire the most. You should have guessed why: the four of us are sworn brothers who drank sworn brotherhood wine."

Lu Qi suppressed a smile and said seriously, "It seems you all still remember me a little. I believe that as long as we get along as usual, you will immediately remember me."

Ace smiled and watched his brother, who had turned into a doll, perform quietly. He then asked in a cooperative tone, "So how do we usually get along? Does it start with me calling you 'Big Brother'?"

Hearing Ace's insightful words, Lucci's heart instantly boiled with excitement. He suppressed his excitement and tried his best to keep his face calm, continuing to say in a calm voice, "Yes, that's right, Ace is really smart."

"So who should start yelling first..." Ace asked cooperatively, while secretly chuckling to himself, thinking that this kid's intentions couldn't be more obvious.

"I, I'll call first!" Luffy shouted excitedly as soon as he heard this, completely unaware that his action almost caused Lucci to fall off his shoulder.

Lucci quickly regained his composure, maintaining a calm expression, but couldn't help stealing a glance at Ace. "Ahem, Luffy, according to age, Ace should call you first."