Chapter 589

Summary
Luffy is lying with his face on the ground on the cliff where Ace read Sabo's letter. He's crying, and Ace punches him in the head, scolding him for his behavior, saying that their hidden treasure is gone, and that there's no point in having treasure if it can't be protected. Luffy tearfully cries out his will to become stronger, in order to protect the ones he love, and then begs Ace to survive, to which he takes another punch. Ace then promises him that he won't die, since he has weak little brother to take care of. He then says that what killed Sabo was the "opposite of freedom", and that the two remaining brothers must obtain freedom and become pirates, even if that means making lot of enemies, even Garp. The two then agree to set sail on their 17th year and become pirates, as Sabo said them that childs born from Noble families obtain truly their title at 18 years, and wanted to leave Goa at 17. elsewhere on that night the Tenryuubito reached Goa Kingdom: there are two brief scenes of Zoro's and Kuina's training, and then, in a small, unnamed port town in East Blue, Dragon is boarding on his ship, apologizing for his delay, asking for the conditions of an undetermined "him" and being told about the supply's situation. He then orders his men to set sail for a place called Vertigo.

As months pass, the Grey Terminal is being reconstructed. Ace and Luffy are training again, and the rubber boy is trying to develop his "Gomu Gomu no Pistol" technique, but ends up hitting himself, to which Ace laughs and remarks that rubber isn't for fighting. The two start arguing over the utility of the Gomu Gomu no Mi, but are interrupted by the one they think is Sabo, but in reality is nothing else than rock: they're just remembering their beloved brother. Luffy states that Sabo was really a good brother, to which Ace angrily replies in a comical way, asking his brother if he wanted him to die instead. They return to Dadan's hideout and build two rudimental shacks they name "Ace's country" and "Luffy's country", much to Dadan's surprise, as they want to survive alones and get stronger. Following this, the two adventure in the jungle and Luffy run across a fierce bear. Ace refuses to help him, because thy must grow stronger alone, but when the animal severely injures Luffy offscreen, he desperately cries for him. He managed to bring Luffy back to the Bandit hideout, where the rubber boy is being treated by Dogura. Ace huddles up on the wall, saying to Luffy that he is sorry. Some time later, Makino pays visit to Ace, and he tells her of his intentions to meet Red-Haired Shanks and introduce himself to the man who once saved his brother's life. Ace is irritated because Makino keeps smiling.

Ace and Luffy are then seen escaping from a restaurant's owner after eating without paying the bill (an attitude Ace will show again in the future) and once again having training. They fight and defeat a bear, then chase punks and fight a giant insect. Garp is seen again, one more time beating up his grandosns. The two "brothers" are seen together one more time, and happily jumping from a building.

Seven years later Ace, at age 17, is finally setting sail: he's on a little boat with a triangular sail, and sports many of his trademark objects: his hat with the two smilies, the orange belt with his initial on the buckle, the armband on the left arm and his green bag with a black pattern on it. He happily says goodbye to the ones at the shore, Luffy, who is now 14, Makino, Woop Slap, Dogura, Magura and the other bandits, who wish him good luck in return. Dadan isn't there, she remained in her hideout, where her subordinates inform her that Ace is already gone, to which she apparently remains impassive, saying that Garp will be angry with her and that Ace is always pissing. However, as her bandits tell her that Ace sent her a message, "Thank you", she burst out in tears, showing off her sadness.

We now get to see Luffy, who's trying his "Gomu Gomu no Pistol" move again, this time against a rock. Finally, he shows off his capabilities, shattering the rock to pieces with his mighty rubber punch. He rejoices, having gotten stronger. He then receives a visit from Dogura, who shows him a newspaper: it's Ace, his crew, and his ship, already famous. The rubber boy is happy, and states that he won't let Ace surpass him.

Three more years pass, and a finally 17 years old Luffy is ready to set sail himself. He says goodbye to the Bandits, that can't go to Fuushia Village because of its inhabitants. He thanks them, and then tells Dadan that he dislike Mountain Bandits, to which se gets angry and shouts at him, but when the boy says that he likes them instead, the woman burst out in tears as she did 3 years before for Ace's departure. Luffy is then seen on a dinghy, in Fuusha Village. One of the citizens ask him to take one of their old fishing boats, but the boy refuses, content with his little boat. He then cries Sabos' name, telling his deceased brother of his departure. After saying goodbye to his friends, he sets sail, and he rapidly defeats the King of the Coast offscreen, a feat commented by Dadan, Dogura and Magura, hidden behind a wall. Luffy then cries out of his will to become the Pirate King, and so the flashback ends, and One Piece's storyline begins from here...

We finally return to the current storyline: on Amazon Lily, before the eyes of a sad Jimbei, a distraught Luffy question his possibility to become Pirate King and cries out his weakness, falling on his knees and bringing his hands to his face.

Chapter Notes

 * Ace promises Luffy he won't die.
 * It's revealed that childs born from Nobles families truly become Nobles themselves at age 18.
 * Luffy finally develops his " Gomu Gomu no Pistol" technique.
 * Both Luffy and Ace depart from Goa Kingdom.
 * The One Piece storyline starts from the end of this flashback.
 * The flashback ends.