On the Sandora River, a crimson trail rapidly extended across the water, with scorching heat waves churning at the stern of the boat.
Tomioka stood on the narrow platform; this was his first time experiencing such high-speed movement, speeding across the river with the propulsion of flames, his haori hem fluttering in the strong wind.
"How is it?"
Ace's voice came from ahead, with a smile, "My brother as a Captain."
Listening to Ace's words, Tomioka fell into a slight memory, and the image of Luffy carrying Nami, biting Sanji, and climbing a cliff on Drum Island appeared before his eyes.
"Interpersonal Communication Manual (Trial Version)"
"Subject: Ace"
"Status: Happy, Solemn"
"Hobbies: Companions, Family, Luffy"
"Suggestion: Talk to him more about Luffy."
"He is outstanding," Tomioka said.
He paused for a moment, then added, "No matter what happens, he will never abandon his companions."
Ace turned his head, his eyes under the brim of his hat lit up: "Oh?"
"On an island full of snow, he carried his sick companion and climbed a five-thousand-meter cliff alone."
Ace burst into laughter, his laughter echoing across the river, and he thought about places he had been before: "That place, huh... Hahahahahahaha, it's just like him to do something like that."
Tomioka looked in the direction of Alubarna Port, recalling the Marine Colonel who had turned into smoke, and he uncharacteristically continued, "Although he isn't strong enough yet, he grows after every battle."
"Perhaps one day, I won't be able to keep up with his strength at all."
When Ace heard this, his smile deepened: "That kid, he's doing really well..."
His tone was full of a big brother's pride, but then he looked at Tomioka with some confusion, "But you don't have to say that. I find it a bit strange to see someone as strong as you on his ship."
The flame dinghy continued to speed across the river, and the scenery on both banks gradually transitioned to sandy yellow.
Tomioka's gaze went to the distance, recalling his original purpose for boarding this ship, "I'm looking for a place called Wano Country."
"Wano Country?"
Ace's voice held some surprise, "What a coincidence, I've been to that place."
"That place..."
He began to recall, at that time, playing with Tama, and weaving Mugiwaras together; it was indeed a happy time.
"And there were even amazing existences like ninjas." Immediately after, Ace suddenly scrutinized Tomioka's attire, scanning him from top to bottom, "Now that you mention it, I suddenly feel your clothing is quite similar to theirs."
He stroked his chin in thought, beginning to carefully compare the similarities between their clothes.
"Are you perhaps a refugee from Wano Country?"
Ninja...? In the description of Tengen, his family was the last ninja family, and that place actually still had ninjas... "I don't know... that's the only clue..." Tomioka's voice was very soft. In fact, he had already felt it in this vast sea; returning home would not be easy, and this was a path that might have no end.
Ace looked at Tomioka's expression, smiled, and gently patted his shoulder: "Don't be like that, don't be like that. That place is in the latter half of the Grand Line; you'll know when you get there."
"Mm."
"However, that place is where Kaido is... You guys need to be careful if you go there."
Tomioka looked at Ace, somewhat puzzled: "Kaido?"
But the other person showed an even more confused expression, "Are there even pirates who don't know Kaido? That guy is one of the Four Emperors."
Under Ace's urging, they quickly arrived at a shore. Before them stretched a vast, boundless desert, and heat waves distorted the air above the dunes.
Ace steadily brought the dinghy to a stop at the shore, the flames gradually extinguishing, and Tomioka also stepped onto this desert, "This is the closest shore to Alubarna. You can get there by walking straight ahead."
He thought for a moment and threw a water pouch from the boat to Tomioka, "We left in a bit of a hurry just now, so take this water pouch. You'll still need it to cross this desert."
"In the desert, this water pouch is more useful than your sword."
Tomioka took the water pouch; it had the rough texture of leather. He looked at Ace; indeed, this man was very thoughtful, truly different from Luffy... "Mm." Tomioka nodded, then remembered Ace's stated destination for the voyage, "I wish you good luck."
Ace was stunned for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter: "Hahahahahahaha, alright! Then, farewell!"
He made a waving gesture and restarted the dinghy. Flames reignited, propelling the dinghy to turn around, and it quickly became a receding red trail on the river.
Tomioka stood still until the trail completely disappeared from sight.
He looked down at the water pouch in his hand, tied it to his waist, and then turned to face the boundless desert... Hot wind whipped up sand, hitting his haori. After walking for about a short while, a quarrel broke the silence of the desert from behind a small dune ahead.
He quickened his pace, climbed to the top of the dune, and looked down at the farce below.
A small King's Army squad of three soldiers had stopped a grandfather and grandson riding a camel, with several bulging sacks loaded on their camel's back.
"How many times have I told you, old man!"
The leading soldier Captain impatiently stomped on the sand, "We need to inspect the goods! This is an emergency, and all supplies being transported to Alubarna must be thoroughly checked!"
The white-haired old man desperately shielded the camel, his voice pleading, "Sir, please! These are really just ordinary flour! If you open these sacks, the wind will blow them all away! What will my grandson and I do then!"
"Grandpa!"
A small, dark-skinned boy, who looked only about ten years old, grabbed his grandfather's clothes with one hand and the sacks with the other, his face full of fear, but he also shouted, "You can't open them! Grandpa and I are going to the city to sell these!!"
"Get lost, you little brat!"
The soldier Captain roughly pushed the little boy away.
The boy stumbled a few steps, falling heavily onto the sand, getting a mouthful of sand, but he immediately struggled to get up and pounced on the soldier, trying to block the sacks with his small, thin body.
"If you do that again!"
The soldier Captain was completely enraged by the repeated obstructions, his face contorted with malice, "It won't be as simple as just pushing you. I'll make sure you two, grandfather and grandson, stay here permanently!"
He looked at the boy who pounced again, a fierce glint in his eyes, and his right hand slammed onto the hilt of his sword at his waist, drawing his military saber!
"Stop."