Ace and Sabo exchanged glances upon hearing Luo Ye's question, then simultaneously pouted in secret.
Well said.
If the two of them had even half of Luo Ye's monstrous talent, they'd also be challenging Admirals for sparring sessions.
But with their current strength, while defeating a colonel was manageable, facing an Admiral head-on was a whole different story — they'd definitely lose.
Still, they didn't dare speak this truth aloud.
If they really told him that, there wouldn't be praise… only punishment.
Years under his tutelage had taught them Luo Ye's personality clearly.
This big brother of theirs wasn't someone to be taken lightly.
Luo Ye looked at the two of them back and forth, then said,
"I can see you're full of energy with nowhere to burn it off. I just received orders to capture a pirate. Want to come along?"
"Of course we're going!"
They didn't hesitate for a second.
Excitement lit up their faces.
They had been bored stiff at Marineford for far too long and were itching to get back into action.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have spent all their free time beating up colonels in the first place.
Most importantly — they'd heard all the rumors about Luo Ye's… unique approach as an Admiral.
When he said "capture pirates," he didn't mean cuffing them and bringing them in.
No, it usually meant obliteration.
If Fleet Admiral Sengoku knew Luo Ye had already stopped giving warnings and was directly declaring war during missions, he'd likely chain Luo Ye to headquarters himself.
Especially considering that if things continued this way, the Seven Warlords of the Sea (Shichibukai) might soon be reduced from seven… to five.
"You want to bring Luffy too?" Ace asked curiously.
Recently, Luffy had been constantly complaining about being locked up in training camp, forbidden from going out.
Zephyr, head of the Marine training program, had personally restricted his movements.
He believed it was too risky for raw recruits to venture into the New World.
After all, a single Yonko Commander-level pirate could snuff out a future genius in moments.
But someone like Luo Ye — a monster strong enough to become Admiral — was different.
"Luffy's strength isn't quite there yet," Luo Ye said plainly.
"Hehe…"
Ace and Sabo smirked in sync, not even trying to argue.
In their eyes, Luffy was still a brat.
Let him keep training here — the real action belonged to them.
Right then, someone came dashing toward them at full speed.
"Luo Ye! You're back!"
Luo Ye glanced at the source — it was Luffy.
He turned to the side ever so slightly.
Luffy, aiming to leap into Luo Ye with a bear hug, completely missed…
And slammed directly into Ace and Sabo instead, flattening them.
"Luffy! You're still this reckless?! What have you even been learning in the training camp?" Luo Ye scolded with a frown.
Ace and Sabo sighed helplessly.
They had lost count of how many times this exact scenario had played out.
But to Luffy, scolding was just background noise.
He pouted and complained,
"You didn't even tell me you were going to East Blue! Training camp is so boring! Even Ace and Sabo said being stuck at Marineford sucks!"
Luo Ye's eyes shifted.
Ace and Sabo's foreheads broke out in cold sweat.
They frantically waved their hands, trying to signal Luffy to shut up.
But Luffy, being Luffy, didn't notice at all.
The more he spoke, the more animated he became.
Seeing Luo Ye's sharp gaze, both Ace and Sabo winced.
Sabo waved his hands in denial.
"No no no, we never said that!"
Ace quickly chimed in,
"Luffy just doesn't want to be in training! He's dragging us into it! Don't believe him!"
Luffy looked stunned.
Just yesterday they were all trash-talking how boring headquarters was — why the betrayal now?!
Luo Ye, knowing exactly what they were thinking, said firmly,
"You're in the training camp so you can build real strength. Otherwise, you won't survive in the New World."
"Ace and Sabo are colonels now. You're still a recruit. Why the rush?"
Ace and Sabo let out quiet sighs of relief.
They quickly joined in to persuade Luffy.
"Exactly, Luffy. You should keep training!"
"The New World's full of monsters. You'll get crushed out there like this!"
"Look at us — we're going out because we're strong enough!"
Luffy stared at them with wide eyes, then clenched his fists.
"Let me go too! I'm strong now!"
Luo Ye raised a brow and eyed the three of them.
Then, with a teasing smirk, he said,
"You're still far behind. But fine — if you can beat one of them right now, I'll let you come. Whoever loses will stay at headquarters. Sound fair?"
"Huh?!"
The three brothers froze.
What kind of condition was that?!
Luffy — as expected — yelled,
"Alright! I'll beat both of them!"
Ace and Sabo glanced at each other… then cracked their knuckles.
Seems like it was time to remind their little brother what pain felt like.
…
The fight didn't last long.
Ace and Sabo boarded the warship with Luo Ye, high-spirited and excited.
Finally, after being grounded at Marineford for so long, they were heading to the New World.
This time, the pirates of the New World would see that it wasn't just Admiral "Silver Eagle" Luo Ye who deserved fear and respect.
Ace and Sabo were on the rise too.
"Admiral Silver Eagle, which pirate are we targeting this time?" Ace asked, stepping up beside him.
Since boarding the ship, they'd started referring to him properly — not because Luo Ye insisted, but because the sailors, who idolized Luo Ye, wouldn't tolerate such casual disrespect from mere colonels.
Luo Ye cast a glance at the eager pair.
"Donquixote Doflamingo. One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
Shichibukai?!
Their fists clenched.
Taking down a Warlord as their debut mission?
What better way to announce their rise?
Meanwhile, back at headquarters… things were less glorious.
Luffy sat on the ground, cheeks swollen like balloons from the brutal beating.
He stared blankly into space, full of existential dread.
"So… I'm really that weak right now?"